Farrell elected chair of County Commissioners

Chester County Commissioners Chair Terence Farrell. WEST CHESTER — Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell was elected Chair of the Commissioners during Tuesday morning’s first Board of Commissioners Sunshine meeting of 2015. Farrell previously served as Chair in 2009, 2011 and 2012 and replaces Ryan Costello, who was sworn in as a member of the United States Congress Tuesday. ...

A journey from Rocky Mountains to Brandywine Valley

New head of Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau announced Susan Hamley The county’s snowy winter should make the new executive director of Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau (CCCVB) 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 executive...

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...

Op/Ed: Need to end culture of acceptance

Coatesville text message scandal offers opportunity to  improve tolerance By Terence Farrell Chester County Commissioner Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell  Now that a little time has passed and passions have cooled somewhat in the CASD text message scandal, it is worthwhile to consider what went wrong, how healing can occur, and what each of us might do to foster an environment in which...

New detective could crack county’s hiring freeze

Commissioners favorable to D.A.’s plea to bolster overburdened child-abuse unit By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Tredyffrin Township Police Superintendent Anthony Giaimo (left) and Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan discuss the need for another county detective who specializes in child-abuse investigations. Widespread publicity about serial child molestation – both...

Survey says life is good in Chester County

Residents’ top priority: Maintain quality services – and low taxes  By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times This landscape on Newark Road in Toughkenamon is typical of the vistas residents say contribute to quality Chester County living. Ninety-five percent of residents surveyed agreed that Chester County, which boasts valued scenic vistas, provides “a positive place to raise...

Effort to build on city’s revival materializes

Warehouse’s artsy equestrian event a glimpse of Coatesville’s future, backers say By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Paintings by Coatesville artist Dane Tilghman and steeplechase banners helped transform an aging city warehouse into an industrial chic venue for the Delaware Valley Point-to-Point Association’s annual awards party. When the president of the Unionville-based Delaware...

Commissioners ax jury commissioners’ post – again

Two Republicans continue opposition to job; lone Democrat disagrees  By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Democratic Jury Commissioner Martha Smith listens as Commissioners’ Chairman Ryan Costello explains why he plans to vote to eliminate the elected position Smith has held for more than 13 years. The roller-coaster ride for Chester County’s two jury commissioners continued Wednesday...

County Human Service employees back union vote

Election returns 163 county Human Services employees to union representation By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times WEST CHESTER — Employees of Chester County’s Human Services departments voted by nearly a two-to-one margin to approve Teamsters Local 384 as their new union representatives, Thursday. According to unofficial tallies released by the county, the union won 96-56, with all but seven employees...

County’s emergency radio system closer to overhaul

Commissioners authorize finalizing of contract for $42.1 million By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times County Commissioners Terence Farrell (from left), Ryan Costello, and Kathi Cozzone authorized the completion of a $42.1 million contract to replace the county’s emergency radio system. It is expected to be signed at the commissioners’ Feb. 14 meeting. As expected at Thursday’s...