County commissioners retain leadership structure

With unanimous votes, Costello reelected chair, Cozzone, vice-chair By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times County Commissioners Kathi Cozzone (from left) ,Terence Farrell, and Ryan Costello voted Tuesday to retain last year’s leadership structure. During the first sunshine meeting of 2014, the Chester County Commissioners voted to continue last year’s leadership structure. With unanimity,...

New detective could crack county’s hiring freeze

Commissioners favorable to D.A.’s plea to bolster overburdened child-abuse unit By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Tredyffrin Township Police Superintendent Anthony Giaimo (left) and Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan discuss the need for another county detective who specializes in child-abuse investigations. Widespread publicity about serial child molestation – both suspected...

Stars align to spotlight preserve’s latest addition

Lenfest Center opens with praise, gratitude for its benefactors By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Marquerite (from left) and Gerry Lenfest take a few moments to sit on Saturday evening with Penny Watkins, a Natural Lands Trust board member. NEWLIN — Stars of all sizes and persuasions – celestial to earthbound – shone Saturday night at the dedication gala for the Lenfest Center,...

Lesson in thrift, nutrition benefits Food Bank

Students learn to stretch their dollars while assisting needy    Participants in the third Food Check-Out, sponsored by the Chester Delaware County Farm Bureau, get recognition from County Commissioners Ryan Costello (left), Kathi Cozzone (third from right), and Terence Farrell (right). Susan Rzucidlo, who organized the project, is second from right. The Life Skills Advanced Placement class at...

County’s emergency radio system closer to overhaul

Commissioners authorize finalizing of $42.1 million contract By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times County Commissioners Terence Farrell (from left), Ryan Costello, and Kathi Cozzone authorized the completion of a $42.1 million contract to replace the county’s emergency radio system. It is expected to be signed at the commissioners’ Feb. 14 meeting. As expected at Thursday’s...

County commissioners continue collegial, bipartisan trend

Minority commissioner reelected as vice-chair of three-member board At Wednesday’s reorganization meeting, the county commissioners approved the nominations of Terence Farrell (center) for Ryan Costello (right) as chairman, and Kathi Cozzone (left) as vice-chair. During a reorganization meeting on Wednesday, the Chester County Commissioners voted unanimously on 2013 leadership, continuing a bipartisan...

EMS paging switched to new $3.5 million system

Commissioners say changeover will improve efficiency and meet federal mandate By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times The new pagers are similar in appearance to the old ones, but the reduced bandwidth of the system should improve efficiency, county officials said. A new $3.5 million emergency-services paging system became operational Tuesday morning – an advance that improves communications...

County chosen for human-services funding program

Selection will provide flexibility in allocating resources, officials said County Commissioners Kathi Cozzone (from left), Terence Farell, and Ryan Costello applaud the county’s selection for a state block-grant program. Chester County was one of 20 counties selected by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to participate in the Human Services Block Grant program, county officials said...

Feds deem county ready to handle disaster

For second year in row, county gets perfect score on readiness assessment The Center for Disease Control’s Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) has large quantities of medicine and medical supplies to protect the American public if there is a public health emergency (terrorist attack, flu outbreak, earthquake) severe enough to cause local supplies to run out. Just in time for National Preparedness...

Oft-maligned county workers get commended

Domestic Relations Office praised for delivering deserved financial support to children By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Employees from the enforcement unit of the Domestic Relations Office fill the jury box in Courtroom Two for a group photo. Imagine trying to wrangle child-support payments from individuals determined to avoid them or playing a role in jailing someone chronically...