Op/Ed: Vacation time on the coast got me thinking…about floods
Climate change is real, and now we have to answer tough questions
By Michael Hays, Guest Columnist, The Times
Michael Hays
Who knew that time off could be so alarming.
Last month, I took an extended vacation to spend time with family in Sea Isle City, New Jersey, and hike parts of western Oregon – solo. The Atlantic-Pacific respite awakened me to the potentially devastating impact of rising ocean...
Council of Goverments shows a path ahead
13 towns working together offer chance for smart, more efficient government
UPDATED (Sun 9 a.m.): adds comment on Saturday night legislative action
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
CALN — It was a sight to behold. Elected officials from various parties, municipalities and even the County Commissioners, sitting down for a sometimes freewheeling and open discussion about how best to work together.
It...
Letter: Getting rid of Jury Commissioners hurts justice
To The Editor,
The old adage states you don’t fix something that isn’t broke. The Pennsylvania Legislature has violated this wise advice by taking unconstitutional action that threatens the integrity of the Commonwealth’s judicial system.
Since 1868 the elected representatives of the office of Jury Commissioner have made sure that the jury selection process in Pennsylvania has been fair and that...
In Harrisburg, seven big days ahead
Corbett’s legacy and whether your state legislator will have a lot of explaining to do
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
By all accounts, it’s going to be a busy week in Harrisburg — as the state legislature has just a week to get a lot of work done.
Of course, the question is what will get done? And how much Republican-on-Republican political violence will be involved?
Going into this year’s...
CASD building purchase is a disaster waiting to happen
New admin office, clinic is wrong on so many levels for struggling district
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Last night was quite the dog and pony show at the Coatesville Area School District Board of Education Finance and Personnel meeting.
Of course, we got the denial that the board had approved buying the Cumberland Insurance Building in Sadsbury for $3.45 million, but merely approved negotiations...
As Philly goes, so goes Chester County?
In this week of HS graduations, why you need to be concerned about Philly’s schools
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Out here in Chester County, we’ve been relatively insulated — we think — from the collapse of the Philadelphia Public Schools. Maybe you’ve seen some of the recent discussion about all extra curricular activities, even sports, being cut from the public schools....
Letter: take a moment to celebrate our dairy farmers
To the Editor
There is certainly no better time to enjoy a few scoops of ice cream or a refreshing glass of milk than in June during National Dairy Month. While celebrating can be delicious and fun, it is also an opportunity to take time to reflect on our farms in Chester County and what impact dairy farms have on our lives.
Our 280 dairy farms and 18,900 cows produce enough milk for our 500,000 county...
Op/Ed: Smart justice begins with smart sentencing
Better guidelines needed to reduce number of prisoners, cut costs
By Terence Farrell, Chester County Commissioner
Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell
Local lockups, county jails, state prisons and federal correctional institutions are filled and overflowing across the United Sates. The cost of housing all of the offenders is staggering, especially in this time when many needed social programs...
Make sure someone is paying attention: vote
Rambo incident underscores lack of supervision of supervisors by voters; you can fix that
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
The good news, I guess, is that Ron Rambo is finally out of a job.
That it took his resignation, rather than his firing, should give all involved, especially voters in West Brandywine Township, some pause.
In case you missed it, Rambo was the long-time township manager who was...
Can there really be ‘Smart’ growth? Yes
Tax discount program adopted by Caln could be used to manage growth, get ratables
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
CALN — Driving down Lincoln Highway the other day, I was a little shocked to note how many businesses were either struggling or shuttered, and I was thinking to myself, “man, I hope there’s something that can be done about that.”
As it turns out, there is, and Caln is doing something...
