Is Wolf angling to make a deal with GOP legislators?

With his base secured, a deal on liquor privatization, pensions could be in play By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Depending on who is reading the tea leaves, Gov. Tom Wolf is either drawing a line in the sand — and guaranteeing four years of abject gridlock, or he’s securing the base with the idea that he’s going to have to make deals in the coming weeks and months that won’t be popular...

Op/Ed: A tale of two high schools

Growing gap between urban, suburban schools is unconscionable By Sen. Andrew E. Dinniman, State Senator, 19th District Sen. Andrew E. Dinniman “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” It’s almost like Charles Dickens was describing public education in Pennsylvania. Today, the disparity between the academic services, technology and basic resources available to students in inner...

Op/Ed: 2015 offer many opportunities for Chester County

By Terence Farrell, Chair, Chester County Board of Commissioners  Terence Farrell The citizens of Chester County have a myriad of opportunities as we begin 2015 and close out a successful 2014. As the newly elected chair of the Chester County Commissioners, I’m looking forward to making sure we meet the goals we’ve set in our strategic plan that will enhance our already excellent quality of...

Don’t expect much political change in 2015

Although new approaches seem badly needed, expect the ‘same old, same old’ this year By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times New year, same old politics. As 2015 dawns, even with new majorities in state and federal legislatures, as well as a brand new governor and a new county commissioner, things are arguably more the same than different. In terms of the federal government, it’s not just...

Chester County’s Mike Piazza belongs in the Hall

Lunkhead sportswriters may keep him out, but we know the truth By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Chester County’s Mike Piazza belongs in baseball’s Hall of Fame. The game never saw a better hitting catcher. More than likely, sometime Tuesday morning, we’re going to see that Chester County’s own Mike Piazza, hands down the best hitting catcher in baseball, just missed getting elected...

New Years’ resolutions — for others

A few ‘helpful’ suggestions for a better 2015 By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times With another year slipping away – and 2014 seems to have gone by in a blur — it is time to take a bit of time to make those New Year’s resolutions. Now, obviously, I could make mine, but they’d take up more than just one column to complete and they’d be boring like needing to play golf more often...

Op/Ed: We can end homeless in Chester County

By Michael Hackman, Administrator, Decade To Doorways Despite Chester County’s wealth about 700 county residents will spend the holidays homeless in the county. During this holiday season many of us will gather with family and friends in warm, safe surroundings to celebrate time honored traditions and the joy of good fortune. For some Chester County residents however, holiday celebrations...

Op/Ed: Volunteerism is the greatest gift

By Kathleen Meehan Do, Executive Director, After-The-Bell The holidays are almost here. The shopping days are dwindling down while, for many of us, the stress is ramping up. We want so much to “get in the spirit” of the season. But that spirit can be elusive. We know we’re not going to find it in the shopping malls, and it’s a good bet we won’t find it online either. The search for...

The Land Conservancy looks back at 2014

Editor’s Note: We run this submission from The Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County as a public service, but grant that it expresses opinions — which is why we’re running as a column, not as a straight news story or release. As always, we welcome comment and opinions. 2014 is rapidly coming to a close and the members, board, staff, interns and volunteers of The Land Conservancy...

Letter: Schools need to teach morality

Editor’s Note: The following is a open letter written to the Kennett Consolidated School Board. It’s author has asked that we publish it to offer a public perspective on the recent issue about books in the Kennett High School library. We welcome concurring and opposing viewpoints, of course, to better foster a public conversation on the matter. Dear members of the KCSD school board, I’m...