Off year election? Hardly. Tuesday’s election really does matter

By Rich Heiland, Columnist, The Times The best way to ensure our democracy survives these troubled times is not to support any candidate running as under the Republican label, given how that party has endorsed MAGA and has as its agenda the dismantling of democracy.  HERE IN MY little corner of the world we are just three days out from the Nov. 7 elections and the end of that day can’t come soon...

County receives aational award for affordable housing collaboration

The Chester County Department of Community Development has received an Award of Excellence from the National Association for County Community and Economic Development for the creation of its Affordable Housing Developer Collaborative. Pictured with the award are (left to right) Chester County Department of Community Development Planning Supervisor Trish Hennessy, Deputy Director Shaun Bollig, and Director...

County announces results of latest Citizen Survey

Chester County Government’s five-yearly survey of citizen priorities and service satisfaction re-confirms that 94 percent of residents believe Chester County is an excellent or good place to live and raise a family, and that maintaining the quality of water, preserving open space, and managing population growth remain top areas of importance. Results of the latest Chester County Quality of Life Survey,...

Election of Johnson as Speaker shows exactly who the GOP is and why you can’t vote for them

By Rich Heiland, Columnist, The Times OCT. 25, 2023. A date that will live in infamy. Seriously. Why? It was the date on which Rep. Michael Johnson, a Louisiana far-right little-known congressman, was elected unanimously by his U.S. House Republican colleagues to be Speaker of the House. I am going to put it right up there will with the issuance of the Declaration of Independence, the adoption of the...

County seeks input for use of opioid settlement funds

The Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services is seeking input from everyone who lives or works in Chester County – especially those affected by opioids personally or professionally – to prioritize how Chester County’s opioid settlement funds will be used to address the opioid and overdose crisis facing the county. The $19.7 million in opioid settlement funds earmarked for Chester...

Commissioners recognize Operation Green Light

Chester County Commissioners proclaim support for Operation Green Light from November 6-12, recognizing the important contribution of veterans, and raising awareness of the resources available to assist veterans and their families. Pictured left to right are: Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline; Jim Oram, Chair of the Chester County Veterans’ Advisory Council; County Commissioner Marian...

Republicans are a cancer on the body politic and we need chemotherapy, stat

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa It hit me like a ton of bricks, Tuesday: Donald Trump, the leader of the Republican Party announced he would block immigration or entry of anyone who “don’t like our religion.” “Our religion.” What the everlasting Hell? This is America, we don’t have a “Our religion.” We have dozens of religions and many people who aren’t religious....

Commissioners tour site of future Haven Behavioral Hospital of West Chester

The Chester County Commissioners and County administrators recently toured the site of Haven Behavioral Hospital of West Chester, an inpatient and outpatient center that will provide behavioral healthcare around the clock. Pictured left to right are: County Commissioner Marian Moskowitz; County Administrator Bobby Kagel; County Commissioner Josh Maxwell; County Deputy Administrator Erik Walschburger;...

Commissioners present agriculture awards

Dr. Kevin Hicks is presented with the Duncan Allison Award for Distinguished Service to Agriculture by the Chester County Commissioners. Pictured (left to right) are Ann Lane, Interim Director of the Chester County Ag Council, Commissioner Josh Maxwell, Dr. Hicks, Pam Hicks, and Commissioners Marian Moskowitz and Michelle Kichline. Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell, and Michelle...

County to offer tax rebates to fire, EMS volunteers

Firefighter I Students train in firefighting skills at the Chester County Public Safety Training Campus. A new ordinance passed by the Chester County Commissioners provides a county property tax rebate for volunteer members of fire companies and not-for-profit emergency medical services agencies, acknowledging the value of volunteer first responders and, importantly, encouraging others to become volunteer...