New Years’ resolutions — for others
A few ‘helpful’ suggestions for a better 2015
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
With another year slipping away – and 2014 seems to have gone by in a blur — it is time to take a bit of time to make those New Year’s resolutions.
Now, obviously, I could make mine, but they’d take up more than just one column to complete and they’d be boring like needing to play golf more often...
The Times’ endorsements, 2014: U.S. Congress
For the first time in the history of The Times, we plan to make formal endorsements of candidates, kicking off today with the Congressional races in Chester County. Tomorrow, we’ll feature our endorsements for State Representative and on Sunday, state Senate and Governor. We appreciate your feedback in making these first-even endorsements.
16th Congressional District: Tom Houghton, Democrat
While...
The silliest of silly seasons cranks up
Playing the Walker ‘blame game’ and hijinks in the Sixth race
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
It’s just one month until election day and the gloves have come off, from dueling ads (of questionable veracity at times), protests, endorsements, temper tantrums and worst of all: the lawyers have been unleashed.
So, in other words, it’s a pretty typical October, when politics goes from...
Op/Ed: Time to boost accountability and transparency for Congress
By Ryan Costello, Chester County Commissioner
Ryan Costello
The gridlock and partisan rancor in Congress is taking its toll on the public’s perception of Congress, and rightfully so. According to a recent Gallup poll, only 14 percent of Americans think Congress is doing a good job. That puts the public’s approval of the job Congress is doing at one of its lowest points in history.
As a...
Another tough week for Corbett
Will GOP turnout take a big hit? And ‘Donationgate’…yawn
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
As Labor Day looms, we kick into high gear for the fall election, campaigns are gearing up with charges, counter charges — and in some races, what appears to be candidates distancing themselves from a certain Harrisburg office holder.
That office holder is, of course, Gov. Tom Corbett,...
Poll numbers don’t always tell the whole story
Also: is it time to fire legislators too busy ‘on vacation’ to do their jobs?
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Ah, the sweet smell of late summer. Fruits ripening, corn growing, backyard grills fired up, maybe even a whiff of chlorine from the pool all in the air.
Also floating in the air: polling data, much of which might leave folks scratching their heads a bit.
You may have seen...
State campaign finance Website is a fiasco
‘New and improved’ site less useful that HealthCare.gov
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
And they said HealthCare.gov is bad.
Try spending some quality time searching campaign finance reports on the Pennsylvania Department of State.
I did this past week, as Tuesday was the always dreaded deadline for the Cycle 1 campaign finance report that has to be filed for state legislative candidates,...
A journey from Rocky Mountains to Brandywine Valley
New head of Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau announced
Susan Hamley
The region’s snow-filled winter should make the new executive director of the Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau feel right at home.
The CCCVB board announced on Thursday, Jan. 30, that Susan Hamley would take the reins of the organization, replacing Blair Mahoney, who retired. Hamley has held several...
County commissioners retain leadership structure
With unanimous votes, Costello reelected chair, Cozzone, vice-chair
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
County Commissioners Kathi Cozzone (from left) ,Terence Farrell, and Ryan Costello voted Tuesday to retain last year’s leadership structure.
During the first sunshine meeting of 2014, the Chester County Commissioners voted to continue last year’s leadership structure.
With...
State to fund four county development projects
WEST CHESTER — Despite it being a time when state economic development funding has become sparse, Chester County has been awarded funds for four projects to create local jobs and boost the county’s economy.
County Commissioners’ Chairman Ryan Costello announced Tuesday that $5.25 million in Pennsylvania Economic Growth Initiative funds had been awarded by Gov. Tom Corbett for four Chester...
