Seven more layoffs needed in Coatesville
Actions — or lack of — by City Council are unacceptable. Take your city back, folks.
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
I honestly wish I were making this stuff up.
Imagine this: a city on the edge of insolvency and a City Council member decided she had too much stuff to do around the house to stick around for crucial votes? And then failing to hire a new, surprisingly qualified police chief —...
Locals say political conventions still have value
With Election 2012 kicking into high gear, RNC, DNC spark interest
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Some pundits will tell you that the day of political party conventions meaning much of anything has passed — they’re little more than pre-packaged “pep rallies” for the respective parties and candidates. But if you ask two Chester County residents — both freshly back from their party’s convention...
Coatesville police, positive news can share headline
Needed reforms, change are coming to the beleaguered department
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
When it comes to the Coatesville Police Department, criticism and second-guessing have reigned supreme. However, citizens would be well-advised to take a step back and focus on some positives.
Yes, amid prolific litigation, leadership changes, union dissension, sex scandals, and criminal...
Speeches on transparency can’t mask fiscal woes
Council members continue to pledge reform while police, financial crises roil
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
“The 2012 Police Department budget cuts have been bungled, or worse, thus placing police officers and citizens at increased risk and causing Coatesville’s police officers to declare their lack of confidence in City Council to keep Coatesville safe.”
That’s a quote...
Council members owe a spate of apologies
Meeting heaped insults on former D.A., police, a motorcycle club, even the Council president
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
Say what you will about Joseph W. Carroll – and plenty of folks did at last night’s embarrassing City Council meeting – the former District Attorney has never wavered in his commitment to Coatesville.
He appeared at the meeting because he had...
The damage of narrow self-interest
These days, it’s everyone for themselves and we all suffer
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
We’re all in this together, right? I’ll pause while you stop laughing.
The 1970s were supposed to be the “Me Decade,” but it seems that what really happened was the emergence of the “Me Generation.” As that generation took power in the halls of government and corporate governance,...
Column: Lincoln University is nice but retail stores in Coatesville are essential
Making Harmony a one-way street will hurt merchants, police response
By James Pitcherella, Guest Columnist, The Times
Harmony & 3rd Avenue looking west from the Chester County Intermediate Unit parking lot. A proposal before City Council would make the road a one-way street.
Why make another street one way and make it more difficult for retail stores that tough it out in Coatesville?
I believe...
Dumping on municipalities seems like a bad idea
Chester County’s decision to impose $5.20 per person charge is weak policy and terrible politics
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
There are a lot of angry elected officials right now in Chester County, a lot of soon-to-be angry residents, and, as seems to be the usual case these days, a lot of passing the buck.
At the time of year when one normally smells fresh barbecue, suntan lotion and ...
A neighborhood newly in need of hope
Burned row homes put neighborhood at risk but officials fight with each other, rather than for the city and its people
By Mike McGann, Editor, CoatesvilleTimes.com
At least eight row homes were damaged in a fire Wednesday and now neighbors wonder whether their close-knit community will ever be the same.
COATESVILLE — It might not be the wealthiest neighborhood in the city, but it’s a tightly-knit...
Op-Ed: block grants would allow commissioners to effectively use funds
By Terence Farrell and Ryan Costello, Chester County Commissioners
Chester County Commissioners Terence Farrell and Ryan Costello
During Governor Tom Corbett’s recent budget address, he suggested a change in the way funds for human services are distributed and allowed to be utilized by county commissioners. As Chester County Commissioners, we endorse this concept and urge the Pennsylvania legislature...
