What to do: Hometown fun, fireworks & festivals

  By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times   The Philadelphia Museum of Art sets the backdrop for the annual Welcome America fireworks display. Independence Day has arrived and that means it is time for two of Chester County’s longest-running and most popular Fourth of July events — Downingtown Good Neighbor Day (Kerr Park, Downingtown, 610-285-1119, www.goodneighborday.com) and Freedom...

On Stage: Rock, indie-pop, bluegrass & more hit music scene this week

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times   Two major factors a band needs to achieve success and longevity are the ability to write good songs and the maintenance of a high level of friendship among band members.       Lloyd Cole Three bands who will be performing in the area, over the next week, have met this criteria along with solo artist, Lloyd Cole, who went back to old friends...

On Your Table: Spark-up a July 4th party with red, white & blue dishes

Think festive and delicious, incorporating red white and blue into your presentation is easy! By Cathy Branciaroli, Food Correspondent,The Times Watermelon is a staple of Fourth of July celebrations. On a patriotic holiday like the Fourth of July, families and friends gather to celebrate our national heritage,  liberties and the sacrifices made to preserve our way of life, and of course, a big part...

A new day dawns in Coatesville

As city celebrates 100 years, a real rebirth takes shape By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times COATESVILLE — The future of the city roared past, an Amtrak train blasting down the track toward Harrisburg, as hundreds of folks gathered to celebrate the city’s 100th birthday Monday morning, just outside the abandoned old Coatesville train station. The skies were a near perfect blue and while some of the...

GOP says Wolf’s tax math doesn’t add up

And they may have a point, when it comes to sales tax hike By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times WEST CHESTER — Five of the county’s state legislative delegation pushed back on Gov. Tom Wolf’s sales tax increase proposal Friday — arguing that it would cost Chester County taxpayers an additional $177 million a year in taxes. State Representatives Dan Truitt (R-156), Becky Corbin (R-155), Tim Hennessey...

Op/Ed: The Affordable Care Act works

By Joe Sestak Joe Sestak I’m reminded that it was five years ago last month that Congress voted the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law, promising to control costs and offer better coverage to more Americans. Back then, many argued that the ACA would be a massive failure with disastrous consequences for our state and bankrupt our nation. They claimed that the law was too expensive,...

A rush to bipartisanism amid a few intra-party battles

Is getting along to get ahead back in fashion? By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Let’s face it, bipartisanism is the new black. If you listened to a lot of political types in Chester County this past week, candidates and elected officials across the political spectrum were working to show their ability to make nice with the other side. But roiling below the surface are a handful of intra-party battles...

Op/Ed: Protecting patients from one-size-fits-all healthcare

By Mian A. Jan, M.D. Mian A. Jan As a board certified cardiologist and a practicing physician for over 25 years in Chester County with a diverse group of patients from a variety of different backgrounds, I believe no two patients are the same. I strive to give the very best care depending on the patient’s specific case. I apply a one-on-one relationship model to the treatment and care of all my patients. It...

School board continues its affront to electorate

But aggrieved taxpayers can – and should – continue pressure for change   By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Entrenched members of the Coatesville Area School Board thumbed their noses at the community once again on Saturday by defiantly ignoring not only the sentiments that citizens voiced at meetings but the ones that they expressed at the ballot box. Regrettably, the...

It is time for the CASD board to do the right thing

Appointment of new board member Saturday will have consequences By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times On Saturday, the Coatesville Area School District Board of Education will make a decision that will likely shape the manner in which the school district runs for years. At noon, the board will convene to vote on a replacement for the late Paul Johnson, after failing to do so, Tuesday night. Four members...