County recognizes National Community Planning Month

Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell, and Michelle Kichline recently proclaimed October as National Community Planning Month, noting the dedication of members of the Chester County Planning Commission, municipality planning commissions, and citizen planners who have contributed to the improvement of Chester County. Initiated by the American Planning Association, Community Planning...

Letter: Add these ‘Stars’ to your list of friends

To the Editor, When you spend decades in the same community, you realize who your friends are. Not the friends in your social circle. The friends whose work makes your community work. There is a group of real ‘Stars’ – in every community – hundreds of them across the County. They’re the elected and appointed officials who guide land use in every Township and Borough, backed up by dedicated...

Don’t Retire, ReFire: What is your vision for 2019?

By Gail Supplee Tatum, Columnist, The Times What goals did you set your sights on, to complete in 2018? Are you satisfied with your results or is there still unfinished business to tend to in order to start 2019 strong? What didn’t you get done?  Are you beating yourself for not getting those things done? What is your plan now? In spite of having a few tasks on your list, is the vision for your...

Chester County 2020 breakfast to discuss affordable housing, Dec. 13

MALVERN  — Our workforce has seen little to no growth in the buying power of wages, in decades. Meanwhile the cost of housing has increased dramatically. A serious question exists as to whether the next generation can afford to live in Chester County. A two-hour Citizen Planners’ Breakfast is being sponsored by Chester County 2020 and the Chester County Planning Commission on Thursday, December...

Take me away: how to pack for that getaway

By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times I am confident that I have written about travel packing tips in the past. However, scrolling back through the Read My Lipgloss archives, I was having trouble finding anything. And, with vacation season in full swing now that school is over, no time like the present! It’s funny. If I am going to New York City for an overnight stay, I pack like I am going...

Don’t Retire, ReFire: What is your mission?

By Gail Supplee Tatum, Columnist, The Times Happy New Year!  Does the New Year excite you?  Does it scare you?  Do you ask yourself, “What is my mission going to be?  What am I going to do, in the coming year, if anything, to improve my health, my relationships, my finances, my work, and/or any other aspect of my life?”    Send article as PDF   

Don’t Retire, ReFire: Pay inspiration forward

By Gail Supplee Tatum, Columnist, The Times Do you give yourself enough credit?  Most of us don’t.  If we did we would feel so much more fulfilled.  It would give us a purpose.  If you struggle with feeling a sense of purpose, consider inspiring someone else. The saying goes that it’s better to give than to receive.  This certainly is true in my life. No matter what our age, each of us is...

Commissioners appoint 3 to chair comp plan steering committee

The Chester County Board of Commissioners announced this week the next step in the Landscapes3 process – the creation of a steering committee to guide the development of the new county comprehensive plan. The steering committee will be co-chaired by three Chester County leaders representing key sectors of the county’s drive to balance growth and preservation: Chris Alonzo, President of Pietro Industries...

County kicks off survey for Landscapes3

WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Board of Commissioners announced the kickoff of a public opinion survey for Chester County at Tuesday’s Commissioners’ public meeting. The survey, which will help to identify citizen priorities for the future of Chester County, will contribute to the vision for Landscapes3, the county’s long-range comprehensive plan.    Send article as...

Op/Ed: It’s all in the planning

By Michelle Kichline, Chair, Chester County Commissioners   Michelle Kichline Chester County is widely known as a beautiful and happy corner of Pennsylvania. As a matter of fact, we are considered the fourth happiest county in America.  Ours is one of the best counties in which to live, work, and raise a family, and it falls upon our local government to maintain the high quality of life that our...