Despite tech advances, pols must still knock doors

The one thing that’s the same as century ago: face to face contact matters By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times EAST MARLBOROUGH — For people not in politics, the process of running for office can seem like an endless series of rallies, speeches and moments of glamor in the spotlight. You know, cue the balloons and confetti. The truth, though, is a lot different, especially for those running...

Chester County: all quiet on the presidential front

Clinton, Trump have fairly low profile, but likely for differing reasons By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times While the usual (or usually unusual) back and forth of local congressional and state legislative races has kicked into what I lovingly call “red mist” mode (a state of hyper intense political engagement that lowers IQ about 25 points and drops discourse to that fourth grade lunch room...

Letter: Despite GOP claims, 158th, 16th are in play

To The Editor, The Chester County Democratic Committee believes, just as Mike McGann does, that the 158th is very much in play. The first endorsed Republican candidate for this office withdrew because of falsified petitions.  Second choice candidate Eric Roe has serious residency issues that likely disqualify him to run for office in Pennsylvania. His entire employment history indicates eight ‘political...

Letter: Politics column is nothing more than wishful thinking

To The Editor, I recently read Mike McGann’s column regarding the 2016 election. Let me say first that I have generally been impressed with your political analysis, which (while having a Democrat tilt) was generally unbiased and on the mark. Any pretense of that type of balanced analysis, however, seems to have been lost in the divisiveness of this year’s election. Case in point is your...

Yup, it’s ‘Lawyers, Guns and Money’ time

Could the unthinkable happen in Unionville on Election Day? By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times It’s not even Labor Day yet and Election 2016 is already deeply into weeds of crazy, with apparent Russian Intelligence hackers seeking to impact two local congressional races, the local Corporate Republican Liberation Front is up to its old tricks and once unthinkable scenarios are now entirely plausible...

Chester County turns to business community to find poll workers

: Chester County Commissioners, Voter Services staff and county chambers of commerce members meet to launch the county’s Professional Civic Partnership program. Front left to right: Commissioners Terence Farrell, Kathi Cozzone and Michelle Kichline; second row left to right, Mark Yoder, Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce; Guy Ciarrocchi, Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry;...

Local Democrats appear to enjoy surprising enthusiasm gap

Flap over Parrish’s finances may prove double-edge sword for GOP By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times With what seemed like a weekend of bad news, followed by the chaos at the start of the Democratic National Convention, if local Democrats seemed a bit down in the dumps, it wouldn’t be surprising. Instead though — and I witnessed this first-hand at the Kennett Area Democrats office opening...

County Democrats display passion at local office opening

Crowds pack new Kennett Area Democrats’ campaign facility By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Democrats from around Chester County gathered Sunday to celebrate the opening of the Kennett Area Democrats’ new campaign office on East Linden Street in Kennett Square. From left: State Rep. candidate Susan Rzucidlo, Chester County Democratic Chair Brian McGinnis, Attorney General Candidate...

A tale of two candidates and Trump

Also, can the CC GOP make up for national shortcomings in organization? By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times As Charles Dickens put it, “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Well, when it comes to politics and particularly those Republican candidates running down ballot of Donald J. Trump, it appears to be more of the latter. I give you a tale of two candidates, both of whom I...

Letter: Dinniman, Wolf have failed our schools

To The Editor: Governor Wolf and Senator Dinniman failed students, teachers and taxpayers this past week.  House Bill 805 would ensure that the best teachers are protected from layoffs and not simply the ones who are there the longest.  Rather than working to improve our education system and provide real accountability, Wolf and Dinniman opposed this legislation to protect the interests of a...