Tribute to a great man: Mayor Kennedy

Meanwhile, Trump claims PA election will be ‘rigged’ By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times In a week that we should be celebrating the legacy of a Chester County legend — James C. Kennedy, the long-time Mayor of South Coatesville who passed away Thursday at the age of 99 — we are forced to deal with the specter of a presidential candidate who claims the commonwealth’s elections are...

School boards should take a look at ending private retreats

Even the perception that decisions are made behind closed doors is bad By Mike McGann, Editor, the Times Like most boards of education in Chester County, the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District board has held regular “retreats” — informal sessions where information is discussed and at times, the future direction of the district is discussed. A district resident, Mark Stookey, has questioned...

Op/Ed: SEC mineral rule has undesired effect

By U.S. Rep.  Joe Pitts, 16th Congressional District, Pa. U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts (R-16) As Co-Chairman of the Human Rights Commission in the House of Representatives, I am tasked with “promoting, defending and advocating” for international human rights standards in the U.S. Congress.  But this month, I voted with a majority of my colleagues to curtail the application of a law designed to bring...

Local Democrats appear to enjoy surprising enthusiasm gap

Flap over Parrish’s finances may prove double-edge sword for GOP By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times With what seemed like a weekend of bad news, followed by the chaos at the start of the Democratic National Convention, if local Democrats seemed a bit down in the dumps, it wouldn’t be surprising. Instead though — and I witnessed this first-hand at the Kennett Area Democrats office opening...

Violence is never the solution

We need to put aside anger and talk about what’s going on and why By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times We live in angry times, something we should all be worried about. From the Republican National Convention in Cleveland to the streets of our cities, folks are expressing their anger, often at each other and not in particularly helpful or useful ways. Like everyone else, I’m horrified by the...

Op/Ed: Don’t despair, volunteer

By  Kathleen Meehan Do, Executive Director Kennett After-School Association/After-The-Bell After The Bell in Kennett Square keeps middle school kids engaged and safe after school. But the program depends on local volunteers to make it a success. It’s hard to turn the television or computer on these days without hearing more bad news. Reports about shootings, riots, and acts of terrorism can...

Letter: Our community supports correctional officers

To The Editor, I would like the Chester County Correctional Officers to know that our community thanks them and stands with them, and I would like to thank Chris O’Donnell from Teamsters Local 384 for bringing to everyone’s attention the ways in which Chester County’s correctional officers and taxpayers are being unfairly treated. As an attorney who frequently visits Chester County Prison,...

Letter: A property tax reform suggestion

To the Editor: Every election cycle legislators trot out statements that they are going to do something about property taxes, and as sure as spring follows winter, nothing gets done and that issue gets put away until the next election season.  It’s time to stop paying lip service to we, the taxpayers, and do something. I’ve been paying property taxes for 28 years, so I understand the struggles...

A tale of two candidates and Trump

Also, can the CC GOP make up for national shortcomings in organization? By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times As Charles Dickens put it, “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Well, when it comes to politics and particularly those Republican candidates running down ballot of Donald J. Trump, it appears to be more of the latter. I give you a tale of two candidates, both of whom I...

Letter: Chesco corrections officers deserve better pay

To The Editor: Is your health and safety worth more than $34,000 per year? What about the health and safety of your children? Your family? Your neighbors? Your community? Does our community think that a human life is worth more than $34,000?