And…right back into campaign season
No rest for the weary, as Election 2014 kicks into high gear, already
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Now that we’ve gotten that pesky election out of the way, it’s time for the campaign to get started.
Think I’m kidding?
Then why is Gov. Tom Corbett in the county today, kicking off his 2014 campaign? And why has the jostling for state legislative and congressional seats already begun?
Traditionally,...
Art Watch: Ellie Byrom-Haley
Associations with assemblage
By Lele Galer, Columnist, The Times
This week’s local art watch is focused on the multi-media work of local artist Ellie Byrom-Haley. Byrom-Haley creates multi-media artworks that combine photography and painting with the textural aspects of assemblage. Found materials and man-made objects are assembled onto a hand-painted surface.
Byrom-Haley considers her work a journey,...
Art Watch: Karen Delaney
Sparks fly with Delaney’s welded steel sculptures
By Lele Galer, Columnist, The Times
This week’s local art watch celebrates the unique steel works of noted local sculptor Karen Delaney. For the past twenty years, Karen has been creating magnificent steel sculptures from here to Prague, and has also continued to teach and volunteer in the arts as well. She is “inspired by architecture and forms...
Op/Ed: Lessons from CASD: School policies can promote a culture of discrimination
By Solomon Hunter and Rhonda Brownstein, The Education Law Center
When one or two individuals in an organization blatantly act out in discriminatory ways, it’s easy to imagine that dealing with those individuals, primarily by removing them from the organization, solves the problem. The message, often, is that these individuals were outliers and in no way reflect the views of other members of the...
Art Watch: Katee Boyle
The art of visual storytelling
By Lele Galer, Columnist, The Times
Katee Boyle is a local painter who describes herself as a “visual storyteller.” Though born and raised in Chadds Ford, Katee spent much of her adult life as a student and artist in New York. This week’s local art watch focuses on some of the recent images that Katee has been working on.
Katee received her BFA with honor...
Como set damaging tone for Coatesville schools
Racism, sexism apparently coexisted with nepotism, favoritism
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
The now-infamous cell phone – which allegedly spewed vile sexist and racist text messages – may have set the tone for the administration of disgraced former Coatesville Superintendent Richard W. Como: When it rang, those within earshot heard the theme from “The Godfather.”
Interviews...
Is there hope for a pension fix in the legislature?
New proposal could form framework for at least a partial fix
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Is it possible that a small glimmer of hope toward finding a real, workable solution to public pension mess is inching forward in the state legislature?
As you’re probably aware, spiking contributions to state worker and teachers’ pension funds have hamstrung the state and local school districts,...
Op/Ed: Need to end culture of acceptance
Coatesville text message scandal offers opportunity to improve tolerance
By Terence Farrell Chester County Commissioner
Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell
Now that a little time has passed and passions have cooled somewhat in the CASD text message scandal, it is worthwhile to consider what went wrong, how healing can occur, and what each of us might do to foster an environment in which...
One word: shameful
CASD school board disrespects residents for no good reason
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
CALN — I’ve been to a lot of Board of Education meetings over the years, some compelling, some downright boring, but until Tuesday night, I’ve never been to one that could be described with one word:
Shameful.
The Coatesville Area School District Board of Education endured (I wish I could use the word...
CASD board, administration thumb noses at community
When answers are needed, stonewalling and hostile behavior hurts everyone
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Ultimately, it comes down to respect.
Tuesday night, we saw one of the more egregious examples of a public body and public school administration showing not just a lack of respect for parents, students and taxpayers, but frankly, utter contempt for those daring to ask about a series of disturbing...
