UCD board OKs preliminary 2018-19 budget

By JP Phillips, Staff Writer, The Times Unionville-Chadds Ford School District Board of Education President Jef Hellrung and Superintendent John Sanville share a moment during Wednesday’s special board meeting. Because Monday’s work session was cancelled due to bad weather, the Unionville Chadds-Ford school board met on Wednesday morning to approve the preliminary 2018-19 budget. Just shy of...

GOP Congressman laud tax bill, Democrats decry ‘gift’ for wealthy, donors

The U.S. Senate last night passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act — a sweeping revision of U.S. Tax code, that depending on who is talking is either a spark for job and wage growth or a massive, deficit busting giveaway to the rich, political donors and corporate America. The House voted Tuesday to approve the package, but will have to revote Wednesday because of three provisions in the original bill that...

Suspensions, budget surplus top UCF board discussions

By JP Phillips, Staff Writer, The Times Unionville-chadds Ford Board of Education members Steve Simonson, and Victor Dupuis (left) and Jeff Hellrung (right) discuss issues as Superintendent of Schools John Sanville reviews information (center). EAST MARLBOROUGH — A handful of motions were approved, the fate of surplus funds were debated and the student suspension discussion continued at the Nov....

UCF audit shows $2.2M surplus from 2016-17

By JP Phillips, Staff Writer, The Times Unionville-Chadds Ford School District Director of Business and Operations Bob Cochran discussion finace options with the school board, Monday night. EAST MARLBOROUGH — Much of Monday night’s Unionville Chadds-Ford School Board work session was spent discussing district finances. Director of Business and Operations Bob Cochran explained that a preliminary...

Maybe I’m paranoid, but it seems like local Congress members are out to get me

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times By nature, I’m not really a paranoid guy, but it is starting to look like U.S. Senator Pat Toomey, U.S. Reps. Ryan Costello (R-6), Pat Meehan (R-7) and Lloyd Smucker (R-16) have it out personally for me and my family. Okay maybe not personally — I’ve had cordial, even friendly relationships with some of them, and certainly interesting and insightful interviews...

Is a ‘cross-fire hurricane’ bearing down on the 6th District?

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times “I was born in a cross-fire hurricane And I howled at the morning driving rain But it’s all right now, in fact, it’s a gas But it’s all right. I’m Jumpin’ Jack Flash It’s a gas, gas, gas” — The Rolling Stones, Jumpin’ Jack Flash. It’s pretty clear that politics over the next 18 or so months will be anything but calm, as...

Time for Costello to show just a hint of courage

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Sometime later this afternoon, U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello (R-6) will hold a town hall meeting. That’s the good news. The bad news is that he’s holding it in Historic Courtroom 1, limiting it to 100 people, it was announced Thursday and filled up within minutes — and no one can record the video. Some sort of modern-day Stasi will be at the door, demanding “papers,...

Rock abruptly resigns from UCF board over bullying issue

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Michael Rock offers his resignation from the Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board Monday night as left, Superintendent John Sanville and right Board Director Gregg Lindner look on. EAST MARLBOROUGH — Unionville-Chadds Ford Board of Education Director Michael Rock decried what he termed as his colleagues’ failure to acknowledge concerns by minority parents about...

County to hike property taxes 4.95% for 2017

First increase since 2014 WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Commissioners unanimously approved the 2017 budget this week. The budget calls for $460,094,845 in operating expenses and $87,504,129 for its capital budget. “Led by our strategic priorities, including public safety and balanced growth, Chester County continues to invest in projects, programs and services that will benefit our residents...

Pocopson to see no property tax rate increase

By Karen Cresta, Staff Writer, The Times POCOPSON – Township supervisors adopted the 2017 budget keeping property taxes unchanged at 2.2 mills at Monday night’s meeting.  This is the third consecutive year that residents will not see a tax increase.  2017 property taxes will be distributed with 1.0 mill to open space preservation (estimated to generate over $329,000), 0.5 mil to general township...