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....
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...
Two Kennett supervisors let ax fall unconditionally
By rushing Longwood demolition permit, they undermined planners, public
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
An ax fell Tuesday night on preservationists’ hopes that three Longwood Gardens bungalows along U.S. 1 could be saved.
Two of the three Kennett Township supervisors not only granted Longwood a demolition permit with no conditions attached, but they also solicited approval...
AR-15 controversy hides real discussion
Battle over gun highlights left, right more interested in scoring points than solving problems
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
I’ll spare you the bad gun puns — we’ve certainly seen more than enough of those in Chester County the last few days.
In case you missed it, there’s an uproar of righteous indignation that Chester County Sheriff Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh’s office is auctioning off...
Op/Ed: Chester County government prepared for emergencies
New plan, developed in-house, provides for county services when disaster strikes
By Terence Farrell, Chester County Commissioner
Terence Farrell
Being prepared for all emergencies is a daunting task for those elected officials responsible for the safety and well-being of their constituents but planning for such emergencies is necessary.
Some months ago the county commissioners took steps to develop...
Op/Ed: Transportation funding: meeting current and future needs
Gov. Corbett’s infrastructure plans important to economic development of region
By Terence Farrell, Chester County Commissioner
Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell
Every Pennsylvanian should welcome Governor Corbett’s announcement this month of a new and expanded transportation funding strategy for the Commonwealth. Whether you drive, take the bus, ride the train, walk or use your bicycle,...
