Pennsylvania deserves better than Kick-The-Can

To The Editor, We have a pension crisis in Pennsylvania. It was created by Governor Ridge and the legislature, when the passed Act 9 of 2001, then kicked down the road by Governor Rendell and the legislature for the 8 years that he was in office. In 2011 the pension crisis was addressed by Act 120, a balanced bipartisan solution to a long-term problem that moves the state toward paying off the...

County GOP endorses most of slate for 2014

Corbett, 167th battle highlights of largely quiet convention By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times County Commissioner Ryan Costello thanks Chetser County Republicans after being endorsed as the party’s candidate for the 6th Congressional District, Wednesday, during the committee’s annual convention. WEST GOSHEN — Although most of Wednesday night’s endorsement votes during the Chester County...

"Corbett: ‘I don’t concede anything’

Lays out his case for African-American business roundtable in Caln By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times CALN — Gov. Tom Corbett had a simple message Wednesday for those who would suggest that he concede getting much in the way of the African-American vote in his reelection race: “I don’t concede anything,” an animated, feisty but at times professorial, governor said to a roundtable of more...

A rush to bipartisanism amid a few intra-party battles

Is getting along to get ahead back in fashion? By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Let’s face it, bipartisanism is the new black. If you listened to a lot of political types in Chester County this past week, candidates and elected officials across the political spectrum were working to show their ability to make nice with the other side. But roiling below the surface are a handful of intra-party...

Houghton announces bid to take on Pitts

London Grove Democrat cites his record on agriculture, bi-partisanship By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Former State Representative Tom Houghton makes a point about his record of working across the aisle, in announcing Monday that he would take on veteran U.S. Rep Joe Pitts in the race for the 16th District Congressional seat. WEST HEMPFIELD — In a frosty Lancaster barn full of hay, former State...

Costello-DiGiorgio battle could have wide-ranging impact

Gerlach’s decision not to seek reelection touches off primary fight By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times That shattering and creaking sound you heard this week wasn’t from the extreme cold (unless you were near my nearly half-century old bones), but what would appear to be the shattering of a fragile unity among Chester County Republicans. When Jim Gerlach announced Monday that he would not...

Walker announces bid for 158th seat

Long-time supervisor hopes to follow the retiring Ross By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Cuyler Walker EAST MARLBOROUGH — A long-time township supervisor formally announced his bid to succeed State Rep. Chris Ross Monday — Cuyler Walker will seek the Republican nomination for the 158th District. Walker, currently the chair of the township’s Board of Supervisor, has been active in the community...

Ross announces plans to retire after 2014

Nine-term State Rep. won’t seek reelection; Walker eyed as GOP candidate By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times State Rep. Chris Ross (R-158) announced Tuesday that he wouldn’t seek a 10th term in the statehouse. EAST MARLBOROUGH — State Rep. Chris Ross (R-158) announced Tuesday that he would not seek a 10th term in the state House of Representatives. Ross, currently a township resident,...

And…right back into campaign season

No rest for the weary, as Election 2014 kicks into high gear, already By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Now that we’ve gotten that pesky election out of the way, it’s time for the campaign to get started. Think I’m kidding? Then why is Gov. Tom Corbett in the county today, kicking off his 2014 campaign? And why has the jostling for state legislative and congressional seats already begun? Traditionally,...