City Council rejects $2.05 trust fund transfer
Layoff could loom without action; meeting breaks up with acrimonious exchange on Public Works
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
New Coatesville Police Officer Jared Davis (center) takes the oath of office from District Justic Grover Koons, as city Police Chief Jack Lauffer looks on. The new officers, an updated city Comprehensive Plan, and an improved audit report were upbeat moments in the City Council...
Kennett’s finances remain healthy
Report to address whether to consolidate local police departments
By Rick Marts, Correspondent, The Times
Kennett Township Manager Lisa Moore details the condition of the township’s finances during Wednesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.
KENNETT — Wednesday night’s meeting of the township’s Board of Supervisors was highlighted by Township Manager Lisa Moore’s presentation...
Coatesville Area School District reveals $275M total debt
Accumulated since ’07, debt includes $188M principle, says business manager
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
CALN – Coatesville Area School District Business Manager Ron Kabonick announced that the district currently has a total of $275,931,814 in outstanding total debt at Tuesday night’s Finance and Personnel meeting.
Because of the way the 2007 bond is structured, the district...
Op/Ed: All budgets reflect values
By Susan Rzucidlo, Candidate, State Representative, 158th District
Susan Rzucidlo
Budget season in Harrisburg is in full swing. Mark Kennedy Shriver, (Former Maryland Representative and now with Save the Children), once said, “All budgets reflect values.” This is a statement with which I agree. What values does this year’s budget reflect?
As we face a $1.2 billion dollar deficit, Gov. Tom...
Unionville likely to limit tax hike to 2.66%
Questions remain on use of reserve funds, revenue projections
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
EAST MARLBOROUGH — If the final number is all but set, how exactly to get there remains a bit up in the air, as consensus seemed to form amongst the Unionville-Chadds Ford Board of Education Monday night around a blended tax rate increase of about 2.66% for the 2014-15 school year budget.
But the big question...
Spring brings out the senseless in politics
May brings flowers and Silly Season, Part I
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Ah yes, it’s May. The blooms are on the trees, warm sunshine is here (that is when we don’t get washed away by five inches of rain), the birds are singing and Spring is in the air.
Oh, and the crazy is really ramped up in the political world. From the 158th state house district to Gov. Tom Corbett, the red mist has fully...
Pocopson says county should pay share of fire protection
Township objects to prison, Pocopson Home residents included in share funding
By Kelli Siehl, Staff Writer, The Times
POCOPSON — Township officials say that local residents should not be asked to pay for the fire-protection cost of residents at county-owned facilities, which now threaten to eat up one-third — or more – of the municipal budget, were the township to comply with funding recommendations.
At...
New Garden honors police officers
Supervisors grapple with sewer, finance and recreation issues
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
New Garden Police Chief Gerald R. Simpson congratulates Police Officer First Class John M. Gibson, who was named Officer of the Year for the township police, as part of Monday night’s annual Police Awards Ceremony prior to the meeting of the Board of Supervisors.
NEW GARDEN — The township’s police...
Local legislators have concerns on Corbett’s budget plan
Worry that revenue projections too optimistic, pension issues not addressed
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Gov. Tom Corbett
Gov. Tom Corbett unveiled his 2014-15 budget plan Tuesday in a speech to a joint session of the state legislature — and it appears that some provisions, such as cutting state pension fund contributions and increasing spending without a clear way to pay for it could make...
Op/Ed: Chester County worked together for a successful 2013
By Terence Farrell, Chester County Commissioner
Terence Farrell
Happy New Year! ¡Feliz año nuevo! And best wishes for a healthy, happy and prosperous new year.
As we transition from 2013 to 2014, it is worthwhile to look back at the year that just ended to assess how Chester County government is doing to meet the needs and expectations of its constituents, and to make plans to do even better in...
