County commissioners approve 2014 budget

Spending plan does not necessitate tax increase Chester County Commissioners Ryan Costello (from left), Terence Farrell, and Kathi Cozzone unanimously approved a 2014 budget with no tax increase. As expected, the Chester County Commissioners unanimously approved the 2014 budget on Wednesday, a spending plan that holds the line on taxes for county residents. “This budget reflects Chester County’s...

Crime Victims’ Center lauded at 40th anniversary

Officials, citizens praise agency for its decades of advocacy By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times State Sen. Andy Dinniman reads from a certificate honoring the Crime Victims’ Center that he presented to Peggy Gusz, its executive director. The vast majority of residents go about their business with no need for the Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County, Inc. (CVC), and that’s...

County announces repeat of Triple A bond ratings

Commissioners say achievement bodes well for taxpayers  Chester County Commissioners Ryan Costello (from left), Terence Farrell, and Kathi Cozzone announced Thursday that the county has retained its Triple A bond ratings. News of the reaffirmed ratings came in the same week that the county presented its preliminary 2014 budget, which holds the line on taxes and also authorized the issuance of general...

Modena gets county grant to upgrade lighting

Replacing street lamps with LEDs expected to save money, enhance view By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times The future – at least at nighttime – got brighter for Modena residents when the Chester County Commissioners on Wednesday approved a $52,000 grant for street lamp improvements. The Community Revitalization Program (CRP) grant represented one of seven awards to county boroughs,...

Hundreds of homeless in county spur changes

New toll-free number proves popular addition to proactive approach  By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times This makeshift housing typifies what volunteers saw during the “point-in-time” count in January that revealed 625 Chester County citizens without a permanent residence. Wielding flashlights and cartons of supplies – clothes, food and blankets – a team of volunteers sloshed...

County finally gets new Health Dept. head

Ga. woman with local ties will replace director who resigned in Dec. By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Jeanne Casner will start Aug. 26 as director of the Chester County Health Department, the commissioners said Thursday. After months of searching, Chester County has a new director for its acclaimed Health Department, the county commissioners said Thursday. At their regular meeting,...

Commissioners ax jury commissioners’ post – again

Two Republicans continue opposition to job; lone Democrat disagrees   By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Democratic Jury Commissioner Martha Smith listens as Commissioners’ Chairman Ryan Costello explains why he plans to vote to eliminate the elected position Smith has held for more than 13 years. The roller-coaster ride for Chester County’s two jury commissioners continued...

Federal evaluators: County well-prepared for disaster

For third consecutive year, it earned perfect score on readiness assessment By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times For the third year in a row, Chester County received a perfect score in emergency readiness from federal evaluators. For the third consecutive year, Chester County has received a perfect score of 100 on the 2013 Federal Technical Assistance Review (TAR), an annual assessment...

County bids quasi-farewell to longtime administrator

Human services director retires but will stay on until replacement is found Although Ruth E. Kranz-Carl has retired as head of the county’s Department of Human Services, she will work part time until her replacement is found. A retirement send-off for a longtime county administrator on Thursday came off jokingly a bit half-baked. That’s because Ruth E. Kranz-Carl, who has spent more than three...

County OKs $520 million budget with 4.9% tax hike

Not even Leo, the new county K-9, elicits bark of protest By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times K-9 Leo waits for his turn in the spotlight at the county commissioners’ meeting with his handler, John DiBuonaventuro, a longtime first responder and Tredyffrin Township supervisor. The Chester County Commissioners on Thursday approved a $520 million budget for 2013 – a blueprint that...