County commissioners continue collegial, bipartisan trend

Minority commissioner reelected as vice-chair of three-member board At Wednesday’s reorganization meeting, the county commissioners approved the nominations of Terence Farrell (center) for Ryan Costello (right) as chairman, and Kathi Cozzone (left) as vice-chair. During a reorganization meeting on Wednesday, the Chester County Commissioners voted unanimously on 2013 leadership, continuing a...

EMS paging switched to new $3.5 million system

Commissioners say changeover will improve efficiency and meet federal mandate By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times The new pagers are similar in appearance to the old ones, but the reduced bandwidth of the system should improve efficiency, county officials said. A new $3.5 million emergency-services paging system became operational Tuesday morning – an advance that improves communications...

For first responders, a center worthy of their fearless efforts

Long-awaited Chester County Public Safety Training Campus opens first phase By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times County Commissioners Ryan Costello (from left in front row), Kathi Cozzone, and Terence Farrell cut the ribbon during the dedication of the education center of the Chester County Public Safety Training Campus. Whether  trying to extricate accident victims from  burning...

Commissioners take 9-1-1 fee proposal off table

Commissioners Kathi Cozzone (from left), Terence Farrell and Ryan Costello will not pursue a 9-1-1 cost-recovery plan proposed last month. Plan to impose costs on municipalities met spirited criticism By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times The county commissioners announced yesterday that they will not advance a contentious proposal introduced in June to impose a cost- recovery fee...

Will commissioners’ 9-1-1 fee plan flatline?

Municipal officials balk at sharing costs for county-controlled services By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The KennettTimes.com WEST CHESTER — A proposal to apply a tourniquet of sorts to the county’s hemorrhaging 9-1-1 costs has generated cries of anguish from some municipal officials, prompting the Chester County commissioners to delay a vote. In an effort to defray about $2.6 million...

Strong support continues for Pocopson Home

Residents urge commissioners not to sell or lease the county facility By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, KennettTimes.com Commissioner Ryan Costello chats with members of the audience before the start of last night's meeting. At right is Mark Rupsis, the county's chief operating officer. The message from the commissioners at last night’s third meeting on the fate of the county-owned...

Heroics run gamut from starting life to averting death

Local EMS workers honored for their positive impact By Kathleen Brady Shea Managing Editor, KennettTimes.com EMS Council President Leo Scaccia (from left) contratulates Kevin Hagerty and Scott Runge from Longwood Fire and Ambulance for assisting in the delivery of a baby. When medical personnel arrived, the 14-year-old girl who collapsed after cheerleading practice had stopped breathing. She was...

Residents voice nearly unanimous plea not to privatize Pocopson Home

More than 200 attend county commissioners’ 2nd information session By Kathleen Brady Shea, Special to KennettTimes.com About 230 local residents turned out for a meeting Monday night about the future of the Pocopson Home, with most supporting continued Chester County operation of the 275-bed facility. DOWNINGTOWN — The venue was larger and the crowd a bit smaller, but the message to the...