Russians and Americans

By Nathaniel Smith, Columnist, The Times Governments and their people are not the same thing. That’s what Americans spending time abroad were saying to French friends in the 1960s, when the US was taking the disastrous step of picking up France’s colonial wars in the former Indochina. And it’s still true today. Let’s hope Europeans, including Russians, realize our government...

An, um, interesting year comes to a close

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times To say that 2017 has been an interesting year is something of an understatement. From that standpoint, it has been one of the most amazing years to be in journalism — a dynamic year with no shortage of compelling stories and subject matter. It has also been one of the most challenging — probably the most challenging year in the 34 years I have been in the business.

Moore, Trump put local Republicans at severe risk

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times As we head into the 2018 election season, we see that the two major political parties find themselves at crossroads, with one party seemingly finding its roots after years of wandering and pandering and another so lost, to as be unrecognizable from just a few years ago. For Democrats, heading into 2018 with a wind at their back — and locally, the biggest series...

The Times’ Magazine: A sit down with Carolyn Comitta

Editor’s note: this is the first of what we hope will be a regular, magazine style feature on either a subject or personality of interest to Chester County. Like a true magazine feature, it is long-form and written from the author’s perspective. We welcome your comments, suggestions for future such pieces and input. State Rep. Carolyn Comitta (D-156) By Emily Pisano, Special to The...

Ryan Costello’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Donald J. Trump, Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan are trying really, really hard to make sure U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello doesn’t get re-elected in 2018 — although it may be his own history that ultimately proves his undoing. Oh, sure, the President and the Speaker of the House — as fellow Republicans — will swear until the cows come home that they back the two-term...

How is Tropical Storm Harvey like Donald Trump?

By Nathaniel Smith, Columnist, The Times Tropical Storm Harvey and Donald Trump both were foreseeable disasters that have caused a lot of damage and suffering. Republicans knew Trump would be trouble. His campaign was accompanied, but not at all impeded, by a whole litany of negative comments about him by his fellow primary candidates, former candidates and presidents, and other Republican leaders....

Van de Krol to replace Crossan as Clerk of Courts candidate

Yolanda Van de Krol WEST CHESTER – The county’s Democratic Party announced formally on Wednesday that Yolanda de Krol will replace Maria Crossan on the fall ballot for Clerk of Courts. Crossan withdrew from the race, citing family concerns, earlier this month. The party’s Executive Committee voted unanimously Wednesday night to back Van de Krol. She will face Republican Robin Marcello,...

Letter: Stop, Stop, Stop — just Stop it

To The Editor, So I come across the local area sentiment and social media lash-out in the wake of the death of three innocent people in Virginia this past week. I got sucked in to over two hours of reading the increasing hate and blame between our neighbors and fellow Americans, and of course the targeted political leadership in our own municipalities and county. Looking for a word that describes...

Nobody asked me, but…

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times To be clear, the small number of misguided souls who call themselves Neo-Nazis, White Supremacists and the like should have no serious place in our public discourse (I’ll make the same argument for anyone, left, right, middle or otherwise who would use violence or intimidation to further their political aims). And aside from the small group of vocal, angry folks...

Letter: Meehan isn’t representing our values on environment

To The Editor, I am a constituent in Pennsylvania’s District 7, and Pat Meehan is my congressional representative. I am very concerned that Meehan isn’t representing my values, particularly when it comes to his voting record on the environment. So, I helped create and signed this open letter to Meehan about the environment. We will be delivering this letter to his office in person. I encourage...