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...
Merry Election Season? Not so far
State House GOP budget play doesn’t seem to make political sense
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
It’s that time of year — you can see the indications of it everywhere.
It’s election season. What, you thought I was talking about Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza?
After just a few weeks off from the local 2015 elections, politics has moved back front and center, even if the events of 2015 will...
Delusions and confusion; or just another day in Harrisburg
State pols continue to labor under budget, tax delusions
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Ah, nothing says “holiday seasons” like the ongoing state budget stalemate.
Perfectly, both Democrats and Republicans continue to labor under impressive delusions about the current state of the commonwealth — and the outcomes of some proposed legislation that would provide cornerstones for a possible...
