Carville and Matalin talk left & right at WCU

The married couple talk Trump, and a changing America By Nathaniel Smith, Columnist, The Times The prominent political strategists James Carville and Mary Matalin did a duo act on March 11 at West Chester University. A large crowd came to hear the built-in drama of a Clinton person and a Cheney person happily married to each other (and who, we learned, started dating in Philadelphia 25 years ago). ...

Just because Trump says so doesn’t make it wrong

Beyond the bluster, insurgent GOP candidate makes some points By Nathaniel Smith, Columnist, The Times Donald Trump has many gifts: wealth (thanks to an initial hand from his multimillionaire father), fame, stage presence, attractiveness to voters, and the ability to alienate most of the GOP political establishment. Although his self-aggrandizement, lack of consideration for individuals, prejudice...

If Trump wins GOP nod, what happens in Chester County?

Party insiders worry Trump could cost state legislative candidates By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times We’ve survived Super Tuesday (and Thursday night’s PG-13 GOP debate) and the road the Pennsylvania primary elections gives us less than seven weeks to figure out what the heck is going on and what it might mean for November’s elections. And while both parties have issues with insurgencies,...

Scalia’s death puts Toomey in an impossible position

Plus: more juvenile budget behavior and the Kane show that will never end By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times After this past week of watching Pennsylvania politics, I almost wish I was back on the serious pain meds I took after my recent back surgery — because it wasn’t exactly a week that covered the commonwealth with glory and it hurt a bit to watch it all. From the juvenile tussle over the...

Op/Ed.: Thank you to heroes who served public during budget standoff

Local human service agencies found ways to keep on serving without state money By Terence Farrell, Kathi Cozzone & Michelle Kichline, Commissioners, Chester County Chester County Commissioners (from left) Kathi Cozzone, Michelle Kichline and Terence Farrell. When Gov. Tom Wolf and the State Legislature were unable to reach a state budget agreement by July 1, 2015, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania...

Letter: Longwood should be recognized for storm service

To The Editor, The Longwood Fire Company personnel should be recognized for the effort they put forth to ensure the public’s safety during last weekend’s blizzard. Approximately 750 man hours were expanded staffing the firehouse to ensure quick responses during the fierce storm. We responded to 17 calls from Saturday through Monday and another two today. Included were a total of 13 medical...

Road crews deserve heaps of praise

Lack of plowing angers many in Coatesville By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times It’s going to take some patience, common sense and, well, a bit of time for life to get back to normal here in Chester County, following an immense snowstorm that dumped two feet or more of snow around the county. Schools and county government are closed Monday, as it has been almost impossible for local road crews to...

Out with the old, in with the new….state constitution?

Dysfunction, failure points to need to revise 1968 state constitution By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Happy Old Year! Or, same old, same old. With precious few days left in 2015, the ongoing battle of the budget for the state of Pennsylvania continues unabated. There is, to be sure, lots and lots of blame to be shared by all sides, from a state legislature that seems not to know what it wants...

Op/Ed: State Courts seek to control county row office operations

Judiciary hungry to seize fees that help keep local taxes down By Terri Clark, Chester County Register of Wills Terri Clark With Pennsylvania locked in a five-month budget impasse, the state’s Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) is creating something that already exists at public expense.  As our schools and non-profits suffer without state funding, AOPC is developing a computer...

Letter: Lack of support for fire companies troubling

To The Editor, Receiving proper financial support from local governments to make our Chester County communities are safe at all of times of the day and night is becoming almost impossible. I was dismayed to read of the treatment Fire Chief John Edwards and the East Brandywine volunteer fire company received at a recent township meeting. More than 100 citizens turned out to support the fire and...