Op/Ed.: Color 5K sheds light on opioid abuse crisis

By Michelle Kichline, Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline On an early November Saturday morning, the Borough of West Chester was filled with county residents of all ages, who were there for a single purpose:  To shine a light – or in this case, splash some brightly colored powder – on the opioid and heroin addiction epidemic that is affecting us all. The facts are terrifying.  According...

Without an engaged media, no one is watching out for you

Lies, ‘Fake news’ can’t become the new normal By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Friday night, I had honor of gathering to mourn the virtual death of a small town newspaper — The Suburban Trends — after its purchase by Gannett and subsequent layoff of the vast majority of its staff. We met in a small place in Bloomingdale, N.J., hometown to current GOP power player Mike DuHaime...

Know your voting rights on Election Day

Don’t let anyone keep you from exercising your franchise By Nathaniel Smith, Columnist, The Times Democracy depends on public confidence in the results of elections.  In 2000, even though the VP Al Gore accepted the US Supreme Court’s 5 to 4 order to discontinue the recount of Florida votes, many of his followers ever after referred to George W. Bush as the president elected by five...

Letter: Trump message – it’s OK to be a bully

To the Editor, As this election season mercifully winds up, it was interesting to hear Melania Trump speak Nov. 3 in Berwyn.  Part of her message was about empowering children and women, and working to prevent put downs and bullying-an admirable goal.  The irony is that her husband is a textbook case of acting like a bully.  His overreaction to any criticism brings out the worst in him,...

Dems mailer crossed the line in 158th race

Both parties deserve hit for tone and conduct of 2016 campaign By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times And so, finally, it comes to an end. There’s little glory to be had by either party — whether you look at the national operations, or the local county parties — as no one has much to be proud of for the their conduct and willful deceptions in advertising. While there is a price to be paid for...

Letter: Hogan should recuse himself rom Roe investigation

To The Editor, Last week, the Chester County Democrats filed a complaint providing serious and concrete evidence that Republican Candidate Eric Roe has committed voter fraud. Following the appropriate legal avenues, they filed a complaint detailing Roe’s years of living in Washington D.C. and overseas both with the Chester County District Attorney and the Attorney General’s office, whose offices...

Endorsements: Vote ‘No’ on Judicial Ballot question

In addition to the many elective offices on the ballot Tuesday, Pennsylvania’s voters will also get to decide whether judges can stay on the bench for an additional five years past the current retirement age of 70. Except, of course, that you could be confused by the text of the ballot question: “Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to require that justices of the Supreme Court, judges,...

Endorsements: Maxwell, Truitt and Rzucidlo for State House

If you think everything in our commonwealth is fine — you have simple choices in Tuesday’s state legislative elections. Returning your local representative will continue the policy and politics we’ve seen for a number of years now. For the rest of us, who see the state lurching from financial crisis to financial crisis, see alleged “fiscal conservatives” run up the state’s credit card...

Letter: Coatesville VA welcomes veterans & local community to events

To The Editor, As the Interim Director of the Coatesville VA Medical Center (VAMC), I am proud to be part of a team of dedicated professionals and volunteers, working together to provide our Veterans with comprehensive health care. Our health services include primary care, mental health, geriatrics and a variety of specialty services. I encourage every Veteran to take advantage of their benefits...

Op/Ed: Know your voting rights

By Pedro A. Cortés, Secretary of State, Pennsylvania Pedro A. Cortés It is hard to escape the fact that the November 8 general election is quickly approaching. At the Pennsylvania Department of State, we have a deep commitment to ensuring a fair, secure and smooth electoral process. Voting is one of our most fundamental rights as citizens. As Pennsylvania’s Chief Election Officer, it is my...