Op/Ed: Chester County government prepared for emergencies

New plan, developed in-house, provides for county services when disaster strikes By Terence Farrell, Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell Being prepared for all emergencies is a daunting task for those elected officials responsible for the safety and well-being of their constituents but planning for such emergencies is necessary. Some months ago the county commissioners took steps to develop...

Op/Ed: Chester County residents have E-cycling options

While new law mandates recycling of electronics, there are many simple options available By Ryan Costello, Chester County Commissioner Chester County Commissioner Ryan Costello A new law in Pennsylvania mandates the safe disposal of electronic equipment, now known as E-waste. No longer will county residents be able to just put a television, computer and other such devices at the curb for the refuse...

Letter: Social media shows possible bias in family court

To The Editor: Last year, there were approximately 34,000 divorces in the state of Pennsylvania. Divorce can be literally one of the most stressful situations any of us can experience in our life and it is traumatic for both a couple and or the children of the marriage. Most often, it is not just the emotional toll of ending a relationship but the complications of custody that often occur with ending...

Op/Ed: Transportation funding: meeting current and future needs

Gov. Corbett’s infrastructure plans important to economic development of region By Terence Farrell, Chester County Commissioner Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell Every Pennsylvanian should welcome Governor Corbett’s announcement this month of a new and expanded transportation funding strategy for the Commonwealth. Whether you drive, take the bus, ride the train, walk or use your bicycle,...

Op/Ed: Chester County’s priorities for 2013

There are challenges ahead, but a collaborative county government works to the benefit of all By Ryan Costello, Chester County Commissioner Chester County Commissioner Ryan Costello. The recent political landscape has, understandably, left many less than favorably impressed. I believe your Chester County government, however, has proven to be an excellent example of collaborative, productive government...

Forget the score, these guys are winners

Losing a state title game does nothing to dim the achievement of Coatesville’s football team By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times HERSHEY — Admittedly, it didn’t go exactly to plan. You know what? A state title for Coatesville High School in the PIAA AAAA championship game would have been amazing and special — something that not only the players and the school could embrace, but the larger...

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...

Letter: Women — On Election Day, the Choice is Yours!

To The Editor: We have all heard the saying, “If you have your health, you have everything”. Today, women in Chester County and across Pennsylvania will go to the ballot box with a clear and hugely consequential choice. We need a president who will protect the health, rights and opportunities of women, and fight for an economic future where our daughters and granddaughters can succeed. Barack...

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....