Effort to build on city’s revival materializes

Warehouse’s artsy equestrian event a glimpse of Coatesville’s future, backers say By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Paintings by Coatesville artist Dane Tilghman and steeplechase banners helped transform an aging city warehouse into an industrial chic venue for the Delaware Valley Point-to-Point Association’s annual awards party. When the president of the Unionville-based...

Commissioners ax jury commissioners’ post – again

Two Republicans continue opposition to job; lone Democrat disagrees   By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Democratic Jury Commissioner Martha Smith listens as Commissioners’ Chairman Ryan Costello explains why he plans to vote to eliminate the elected position Smith has held for more than 13 years. The roller-coaster ride for Chester County’s two jury commissioners continued...

County Human Service employees back union vote

Election returns 163 county Human Services employees to union representation By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times WEST CHESTER — Employees of Chester County’s Human Services departments voted by nearly a two-to-one margin to approve Teamsters Local 384 as their new union representatives, Thursday. According to unofficial tallies released by the county, the union won 96-56, with all but seven employees...

Letter: Costello accuses county employees and taxpayers of theft

To The Editor: In Sunday’s Daily Local News, Commissioner Ryan Costello implied that the Teamsters will be stealing taxpayer money by collecting union dues from Department of Human Services Employees should the employees choose to join Teamsters Local 384. In making this insinuation, Commissioner Costello is suggesting that all employees, vendors or any person or entity that is paid by the County...

Lesson in thrift, nutrition benefits Food Bank

Students learn to stretch their dollars while assisting needy    Participants in the third Food Check-Out, sponsored by the Chester Delaware County Farm Bureau, get recognition from County Commissioners Ryan Costello (left), Kathi Cozzone (third from right), and Terence Farrell (right). Susan Rzucidlo, who organized the project, is second from right. The Life Skills Advanced Placement class at...

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...

County’s emergency radio system closer to overhaul

Commissioners authorize finalizing of $42.1 million contract By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times County Commissioners Terence Farrell (from left), Ryan Costello, and Kathi Cozzone authorized the completion of a $42.1 million contract to replace the county’s emergency radio system. It is expected to be signed at the commissioners’ Feb. 14 meeting. As expected at Thursday’s...

County commissioners continue collegial, bipartisan trend

Minority commissioner reelected as vice-chair of three-member board At Wednesday’s reorganization meeting, the county commissioners approved the nominations of Terence Farrell (center) for Ryan Costello (right) as chairman, and Kathi Cozzone (left) as vice-chair. During a reorganization meeting on Wednesday, the Chester County Commissioners voted unanimously on 2013 leadership, continuing a bipartisan...

EMS paging switched to new $3.5 million system

Commissioners say changeover will improve efficiency and meet federal mandate By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times The new pagers are similar in appearance to the old ones, but the reduced bandwidth of the system should improve efficiency, county officials said. A new $3.5 million emergency-services paging system became operational Tuesday morning – an advance that improves communications...

County chosen for human-services funding program

Selection will provide flexibility in allocating resources, officials said County Commissioners Kathi Cozzone (from left), Terence Farell, and Ryan Costello applaud the county’s selection for a state block-grant program. Chester County was one of 20 counties selected by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to participate in the Human Services Block Grant program, county officials said...