Coatesville resident addresses state lawmakers

Debbie Willett (second from left) is joined in Harrisburg by Karen Brenneman (from left), former director of the Family Outreach Program at Child and Family Focus, Inc., a nonprofit advocacy agency; Rep. Tim Hennessey, who invited Willett to speak; and Deb McKinley, a grandparent from the support group. Debbie Willett, who runs a GrandFamilies support group in Chester County, spoke in Harrisburg...

Letter: candidate opposes Keystone graduation requirement

To The Editor: I oppose the effort to make the Keystone exams the deciding factor in a student’s graduation from High School.  One test cannot accurately evaluate an individual students abilities or efforts throughout their K-12 education. Students show their abilities and skills in many ways and a single exam path to graduation narrows an individual’s path toward success. The time spent instructing...

Letter: Dinniman calls on McCord to pull down ad

To The Editor: Politics is admittedly a rough game but Rob McCord’s TV ad that essentially accuses Tom Wolf of being a racist goes beyond all levels of acceptability.  I join forces with former Governor Ed Rendell, Senator Bob Casey, and other Democratic leaders in condemning this add and urging McCord to withdraw this offensive ad.  When will we Democrats learn to stop shooting ourselves...

Spring brings out the senseless in politics

May brings flowers and Silly Season, Part I By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Ah yes, it’s May. The blooms are on the trees, warm sunshine is here (that is when we don’t get washed away by five inches of rain), the birds are singing and Spring is in the air. Oh, and the crazy is really ramped up in the political world. From the 158th state house district to Gov. Tom Corbett, the red mist has...

Letter: Misinformation about horse breeding funds

To The Editor: It doesn’t surprise me that Ray Farrell (in comments on this site), who is the campaign manager for Roger Howard, doesn’t understand how Breeding Fund payments are made. Farrell took the time to quote from the Racing Act the duties of the Breeders Association but neglected to review (or chose to ignore) the section of the law that explains how breeding fund awards are...

Letter: Looting horsemen no way to pay for schools

To The Editor, My background is that of an ‘Army Brat” who traveled the world — Turkey, France, Okinawa — with relatives in England, Australia, and New Zealand.  My grandfather in England used to call his bookie and enjoy making small bets from home and take me to the race courses in the 1950s. I love horses and always have from riding carriage horses in Turkey to now...

Letter: Howard is misinformed on horse fund

To the Editor, It is apparent, after reading Mr. Howard’s letter on the Race Horse Development Fund, that he should not be running for Representative.  His research and information could not be further from the truth and lack any comprehension of the importance of the horse breeding industry and its impact on Chester County’s economy and the preservation of open space. First of all, the...

Letter: Howard misled on race horse development fund

To the Editor: It is a sad reflection on the values of politicians in these times that Roger Howard has chosen to open his campaign for the Republican nomination in the 158th State House District with a negative and deceptive letter to this publication.  I am writing to set the record straight on Mr. Howard’s unfounded and deceitful personal attack on his opponent, Cuyler Walker. In 1961,...

Letter: Fleecing the public

To The Editor: Last year, the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Fund (RHDF) was given $264 Million of state revenue. This year it is budgeted to receive $301 Million. Since the passage of the 2004 Gaming Act that established this fund, $1.7 Billion has been given to wealthy horse owners and breeders. Most of this money is not used for racing infrastructure; 80% of it is simply used to increase...

Letter: In support of paycheck protection

To The Editor: Pennsylvania needs Paycheck Protection laws. It’s not fair that public sector unions have special privilege.  It is not the responsibility of government entities to collect union dues.   Furthermore, I do not want my tax dollars being used to collect union dues – and that includes using our/my tax dollars to collect union dues in our school districts.   Should...