Time for common sense on both sides of cliff talk
Both sides seem more focused on talking points than facts
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Before, we get started here, my thoughts and prayers to the people of Newtown, Conn. It is a community so much like so many parts of Chester County, it is impossible not to feel both sympathy and horror.
As a parent, it chills the blood. I’m not sure there was anything different that could have been done by...
Column: Election 2012, it comes down to this
In the race for the White House, look past the rhetoric and dig deeper
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
You’ve probably heard so much about Tuesday’s presidential election that you must feel a little bit like that four-year-old girl in Colorado who became a media sensation for crying and saying she was tired of hearing about “Bronco Bamma” and Mitt Romney.
I join you in that — and wish Facebook,...
My view on the local Congressional races
Americans don’t like Congress, but keep sending the same people to D.C.
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
In these highly partisan times, it seems likely that many voters will be voting one party, one ticket, putting ideology over competency.
Ironically, most polling shows that we Americans hold our Congress in very low esteem, yet seem to continually send representatives to Washington, D.C....
Column: My take on the area legislative races
Is competency more important that ideology? I think so.
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
We had some internal discussions about doing our first endorsements as a publication this year, something I decided was probably not the right thing to do in 2010 or 2011. And while we were split — at the end we still decided that the negatives outweighed the positives.
It is a position we will revisit in 2013,...
The right guy, at the right time
City Council gets rare second chance to get it right on Police Chief
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
COATESVILLE — Sometimes, it’s better to be lucky than good.
At this point, I don’t think anyone can call the chaos that has been the hiring process for Coatesville’s new police chief good, or even passable. But a little like the quarterback who played three lousy quarters but has the chance...
Why doesn’t your town like business?
Hostile attitude toward business growth must change to fix tax problem
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
You’ll excuse my sense of de ja vu.
Back in my youth as a young reporter, the hot catch phrase for the overbuilt and tax-revenue challenged northern New Jersey suburbs was “ratables.”
Ratables are a very special kind of real estate: they use little in the way of local or school district services,...
Will HB 1077 impact statehouse races?
Will abortion politics motivate voters to vote for Democrats?
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
I hate the subject of abortion. With a deep, dark abiding passion.
But it’s possible I may have underestimated its impact on the 2012 elections when it comes to local state house races.
I spent the better part of my Saturday morning last week on the courthouse steps in West Chester listening to a rally...
Op/Ed: Hays talks background, positions
By Mike Hays, Guest Columnist, The Times
My name is Mike Hays, and I am running to be your next state representative in Harrisburg.
I decided to run against 20-year Republican incumbent Tim Hennessey because Mr. Hennessey’s values and record no longer represent Coatesville, or the other communities within the 26th District.
But first, a little bit about me: Raised by blue-collar parents, I was...
State house seats could be in play
GOP leaders privately worried about turnout, impact of Romney’s stumbles
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
While the national races get the big attention, political insiders in the state tend to keep close tabs on races here in Chester County these days. As the population and demographics in the county have shifted in the last decade, the once-solidly Republican county is much more of a bell...
Op/Ed: Meals on Wheels saves for taxpayers
Program allows seniors to continue living in their homes, rather than needing full-time care
By Jeani Purcell, Special to The Times
Jean who is a 78 year- old widow lost the use of her right hand after she suffered a stroke. After 45 days in the hospital she returned to her home of 48 years, discovering that she could no longer prepare meals safely. She turned to her local Meals on Wheels (MOW)...
