Commissioners: No tax hike expected for 2016

WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Commissioners Thursday unveiled the preliminary 2016 county budget. The proposed budget does not increase taxes for county property owners — which would mark the fourth straight year without a tax increase. Presenting the preliminary budget to the Commissioners at Thursday’s Sunshine meeting, Mark Rupsis, County Chief Operating Officer noted that the county...

Letter: Wolf is fighting for middle class families

To The Editor, Governor Wolf is fighting for middle-class families in Pennsylvania by reversing the damaging Republican cuts to education and human service providers. The governor’s budget invests in education, provides property tax relief, and fixes the budget deficit created by Republicans without using gimmicks or games. Standing firm in his commitment to these priorities, the governor has...

One man stands between the people and medical marijuana

Our dysfunctional legislature hits new highs for foolishness By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Greetings from one of the last Internet outposts not hacked by the Chinese (we don’t rate) or calling from (allegedly) Microsoft Technical Support to assist you with your computer issues once you give us your password, credit card number and home address information. In comparison, the recent shenanigans...

Is it time to look at the role of standardized tests in schools?

Also: if teacher unions demand raises, they should say what to cut from education programs to pay for it By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times The rising tide against Common Core continues to obscure a growing, but still under discussed debate about the value and quality of standardized testing in our schools. While it seems increasingly likely that a passing grade on the Keystone tests will not end...

Is Wolf angling to make a deal with GOP legislators?

With his base secured, a deal on liquor privatization, pensions could be in play By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Depending on who is reading the tea leaves, Gov. Tom Wolf is either drawing a line in the sand — and guaranteeing four years of abject gridlock, or he’s securing the base with the idea that he’s going to have to make deals in the coming weeks and months that won’t be popular...

This or that: Find those fabulous looks for less

You can enjoy high style without running up a big bill By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times I am a huge fan of Barney’s Department Store creative genius, Simon Doonan, and his exquisite fashion sense; HOWEVER, his “Top 10 Holiday Gifts for Every Fashion Girl” via PopSugar (http://bit.ly/1FcR4sR) was a little out of my price range. I decided to take his recommendations and make them...

UCF Board work session is full of energy

Session focuses on health and wealth of the buildings…and students By Karen Cresta, Correspondent, The Times EAST MARLBOROUGH — Rick Hostetler, Unionville-Chadds Ford School District Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, reported to the Board of Education on the status of the facilities, focusing on energy costs and savings, during the board’s work session Monday night. One of the action...

Kennett’s finances remain healthy

Report to address whether to consolidate local police departments By Rick Marts, Correspondent, The Times Kennett Township Manager Lisa Moore details the condition of the township’s finances during Wednesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. KENNETT — Wednesday night’s meeting of the township’s Board of Supervisors was highlighted by Township Manager Lisa Moore’s presentation...

Primary aftermath: Dinniman comes out the big winner

The state senator was not on the ballots, but he emerged as county’s top Democrat By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times While most primary elections in non-presidential years are kind of ho-hum events, Tuesday’s elections turned out to be more revealing than expected, and at minimum give us some hint of what is to come in November. Not shockingly, turnout was lousy, especially on the Republican...

New Garden honors police officers

Supervisors grapple with sewer, finance and recreation issues By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times New Garden Police Chief Gerald R. Simpson congratulates Police Officer First Class John M. Gibson, who was named Officer of the Year for the township police, as part of Monday night’s annual Police Awards Ceremony prior to the meeting of the Board of Supervisors. NEW GARDEN — The township’s...