Poll numbers don’t always tell the whole story

Also: is it time to fire legislators too busy ‘on vacation’ to do their jobs? By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Ah, the sweet smell of late summer. Fruits ripening, corn growing, backyard grills fired up, maybe even a whiff of chlorine from the pool all in the air. Also floating in the air: polling data, much of which might leave folks scratching their heads a bit. You may have seen this...

County Democrats hit Corbett on economic record

Republicans say Democrats not being honest about governor’s record By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Key Chester County Democrats gathered for a press conference on the steps of the old Chester County Courthouse to decry Gov. Tom Corbett’s poor economic record and express support for Democrat Tom Wolf, who is running against Corbett. From left, state Sen. Andy Dinniman, County Commissioner...

Letter: Gifts to legislators must stop

To The Editor: Giving gifts to legislators is big business in our Commonwealth. Pennsylvanians were rightfully outraged when they learned legislators were accepting cash gifts, and it was all done legally. Under current Pennsylvania law, any gifts of any value can be given to legislators. Legislators only need to disclose gifts valued at over $250 or transportation and lodging valued at over $650....

Winicov elected as new leader of Easttown Democrats

John Winicov has been elected as the new chair of the Easttown Democrats. Photo by Brenda Carpenter. DEVON — The Easttown Township Democratic Committee (ETDC) announced changes to its leadership team this week, following a 2014 re-organizing meeting, with Chester County attorney John Winicov elected as the group’s new chair. Winicov practices law in West Chester, representing clients...

Letter: Former student urges support for Lewis

To The Editor, I’m writing to urge everyone in the 74th District to vote for Harry Lewis for State Representative on Tuesday, Nov. 4th.  I am blessed to say that Mr. Lewis, or “Mr. Lew” as we called him in High School, played a big role in my life and personal development. I first met Mr. Lewis during my freshman year at Coatesville Area High School, when I decided to run track.  In addition...

Will Corbett stand up to the legislature on pensions?

How the governor plays this issue could decide the Nov. elections By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times A wise attorney once told me, “never ask a question in court if you don’t know what the answer will be.” It appears that Gov. Tom Corbett failed to adhere to that maxim when he hinted he would not sign the new $29.1 billion state budget passed by both houses of the legislature — unless the legislature...

Chamber of Business & Industry endorses three

Corbin, Hennessey, Walker earn group’s nod The Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry this week announced its endorsement of three Chester County State Legislative candidates: incumbents Becky Corbin of the 157th District and Tim Hennessey of the 26th District as well as Cuyler Walker, who is seeking to replace State Rep. Chris Ross, who is not seeking reelection in the 158th District. All...

Bad state budget could wipe out Corbett and local legislators

If House plan is the final budget, GOP could face electoral doom in November By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times It looks like Gov. Tom Corbett could be winning his budget battle, but could be losing the war — and maybe a handful of state legislative seats in Chester County. We may have a better sense how bad the mess will be once a state budget is passed, maybe even by Monday. The House of Representatives...

Vaughn ousted as County Democrat chair

McGinniss slate wins narrow victory at party reorg meeting By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times In a somewhat surprising development, long-time Chester County Democratic Committee chair Michele Vaughn was defeated Thursday night in her bid for a third term leading the county’s Democrats. Brian McGinnis, an East Bradford resident, won a narrow victory at the committee’s reorganization meeting. Vaughn,...

Primary aftermath: Dinniman comes out the big winner

The state senator was not on the ballots, but he emerged as county’s top Democrat By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times While most primary elections in non-presidential years are kind of ho-hum events, Tuesday’s elections turned out to be more revealing than expected, and at minimum give us some hint of what is to come in November. Not shockingly, turnout was lousy, especially on the Republican...