Letter: Our navy is stronger than ever, Mr. Rommey
To The Editor,
Some thoughts about the election. President Obama vs. Governor Romney
I am an independent, but not undecided about this election. I watched all three debates and God knows how many references to the election on TV. I have followed both men and their careers as much as that is possible for an average citizen today.
With a presidential election everyone has a story, a spin, NEWS...
My view on the local Congressional races
Americans don’t like Congress, but keep sending the same people to D.C.
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
In these highly partisan times, it seems likely that many voters will be voting one party, one ticket, putting ideology over competency.
Ironically, most polling shows that we Americans hold our Congress in very low esteem, yet seem to continually send representatives to Washington, D.C....
Column: My take on the area legislative races
Is competency more important that ideology? I think so.
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
We had some internal discussions about doing our first endorsements as a publication this year, something I decided was probably not the right thing to do in 2010 or 2011. And while we were split — at the end we still decided that the negatives outweighed the positives.
It is a position we will revisit in...
Letter: Ross didn’t protect open space
To the Editor
Rep. Chris Ross (R-158) voted for House Bill 2224 which, according to the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association, PennFuture and many other open space organizations, puts public land, including much-loved parks, at risk of being sold for short term gain or on a political whim. It tosses out longstanding rules that ensure government cannot sell parks and other Open Space if the lands...
Why doesn’t your town like business?
Hostile attitude toward business growth must change to fix tax problem
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
You’ll excuse my sense of de ja vu.
Back in my youth as a young reporter, the hot catch phrase for the overbuilt and tax-revenue challenged northern New Jersey suburbs was “ratables.”
Ratables are a very special kind of real estate: they use little in the way of local or school district...
Letter: input need for county human services plan
To The Editor,
Recently, Chester County was accepted into the Commonwealth’s Pilot Program for certain critical human services. This pilot program provides a block grant to Chester County, rather than individual allocations, for the following human services categories: Mental Health Services, Intellectual Disability Services, Homeless Assistance, Child Welfare, Drug and Alcohol Services,...
Will HB 1077 impact statehouse races?
Will abortion politics motivate voters to vote for Democrats?
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
I hate the subject of abortion. With a deep, dark abiding passion.
But it’s possible I may have underestimated its impact on the 2012 elections when it comes to local state house races.
I spent the better part of my Saturday morning last week on the courthouse steps in West Chester listening to a rally...
State house seats could be in play
GOP leaders privately worried about turnout, impact of Romney’s stumbles
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
While the national races get the big attention, political insiders in the state tend to keep close tabs on races here in Chester County these days. As the population and demographics in the county have shifted in the last decade, the once-solidly Republican county is much more of a bell...
Letter: Data must be gathered before making Pocopson Home decision
To The Editor,
As a follow up to recent news coverage on Pocopson Home, I wanted to offer additional commentary to the public on my position relating to Pocopson.
To date, the County has commissioned an outside consultant to inform the Commissioners about how a non-profit managed facility would operate versus continuing to operate as we currently do. This report will be an important factor in...
Op/Ed: Meals on Wheels saves for taxpayers
Program allows seniors to continue living in their homes, rather than needing full-time care
By Jeani Purcell, Special to The Times
Jean who is a 78 year- old widow lost the use of her right hand after she suffered a stroke. After 45 days in the hospital she returned to her home of 48 years, discovering that she could no longer prepare meals safely. She turned to her local Meals on Wheels (MOW)...
