Don’t forget there are important races in 2017, too
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Tanned, rested and ready — amazing what the blue waters of the Caribbean and lots of odd beverages with paper umbrellas will do for the soul — and ready to jump into the burning dumpster fire that is politics, 2017.
While Republicans in the U.S. Senate debates various health bills that will likely cost them both their Senate majority and the U.S. House —...
Why we all should care about the revitalization of Coatesville
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
COATESVILLE — It was a good a day as the city has seen in recent memory — finally, a real, honest to goodness revitalization project is underway, with the start of demolition for Coatesville Gateway.
But if you live in fashionable Unionville or Kennett or elsewhere in Chester County, you may shrug and say “why do I care?”
You should care for the simple...
Letter: Meehan isn’t representing our values on environment
To The Editor,
I am a constituent in Pennsylvania’s District 7, and Pat Meehan is my congressional representative. I am very concerned that Meehan isn’t representing my values, particularly when it comes to his voting record on the environment. So, I helped create and signed this open letter to Meehan about the environment. We will be delivering this letter to his office in person. I encourage...
Unintended consequences and Newton’s Third Law
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
While Democrats wept over special election results this week, U.S. Senate Republicans — in secret — put together their version of the health care reform, the Better Care Reconciliation Act, which apart from some minor details, appears to be a lot like the house health care plan, the American Health Care Act: it cuts benefits for the poor, could lead to big...
Letter: Trump turns US into rogue climate state
To The Editor,
Trump has withdrawn the US from the Paris Climate Agreement. Trump has turned the US into a rogue climate state.
Trump is lying to us and the rest of the world about Global Warming/Climate Change (GW/CC) and the supposedly negative economic consequences to the US had the US not withdrawn.
Fortunately, the US does have progressive, forward thinking, fact-based leaders at other levels...
It is time to try to dial back the anger
We’re deeply thankful that Costello, Meehan and Smucker are OK after DC shooting
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Rep. Ryan Costello (R-6) should have been at his usual perch, at shortstop, next to Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.), Wednesday morning, when a lone gunman opened fire on Republican congressman and staffers Wednesday morning — but he missed his ride by a couple of minutes.
The congressmen...
Is a ‘cross-fire hurricane’ bearing down on the 6th District?
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
“I was born in a cross-fire hurricane
And I howled at the morning driving rain
But it’s all right now, in fact, it’s a gas
But it’s all right. I’m Jumpin’ Jack Flash
It’s a gas, gas, gas”
— The Rolling Stones, Jumpin’ Jack Flash.
It’s pretty clear that politics over the next 18 or so months will be anything but calm,...
The crossroads of hate and politics
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
In this very special edition of Politics As Unusual — a few days early to allow for copious time sitting by the pool and ingesting adult beverages — we’re going to take a look at how politics drives behavior (and the other way around), bad endorsements, chaos, dirty money and more!
First, if you’ve been on the Web, watched TV or been exposed to virtually...
Comey firing raises the stakes for 2018 elections
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Just when the healthcare mess seemed ready to drown our local Congressvictims in a Jonestown Flood like deluge, President Trump’s firing of FBI Director James B. Comey, Tuesday, swooped in and saved them by changing the subject.
And by saving them, I mean sparing them from a looming electoral firing squad by hitting them with a flaming asteroid.
While Pennsylvania’s...
Op/Ed: Ambulance companies are sending 911 call for funding help
By A.J. McCarthy, Chief, Longwood Fire Company
A.J. McCarthy
The severe fiscal plight of ambulance services across Pennsylvania was highlighted this week in an editorial in neighboring Lancaster County. That same editorial could have been written about ambulance services in Chester County as the same frightening facts are applicable.
Dean Bollendorf, president of the Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania,...
