Commissioners end county open burn ban

Chester County’s burn ban is no longer in effect, following approval today by Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe.  The vote by the Commissioners to lift the ban was made at a specially scheduled public meeting following the recommendation of Chester County Department of Emergency Services Director Bill Messerschmidt. The Commissioners approved Resolution BOC-58-24, rescinding...

With Trump’s economic plans coming into focus, Chester County must prepare for pain

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgann.bsky.social If incoming President Donald Trump enacts some of the policies he says he’s going to, we can expect economic pain here in Chester County. A lot. Rounding up millions of immigrants (in some cases without regard to their citizenship or residency status) will devastate multiple local small businesses — crops will go unpicked, building projects...

Commissioners appoint Byerman as CEO and Walschburger as COO for county government

David Byerma Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz and Eric Roe announced Tuesday a restructuring of the county’s top administrative positions, naming David Byerman as Chief Executive Officer for the County, and Erik Walschburger as Chief Operating Officer. “As we searched for a new county administrator, we saw this as a chance to take a closer look at our leadership structure...

Brandywine Valley home to a million holiday lights

Longwood Gardens’ A very Retro Christmas Chester County’s Brandywine Valley turns the twinkly lights all the way up this holiday season. From the literal more than a half a million lights of A Longwood Christmas to three evening holiday parades, the region invites you to Imagine Another Night with friends and family. Experience the magic at Longwood Gardens as never before with the opening...

County extends burn ban through Dec. 26

While it actually rained Wednesday night and into this morning — the continued drought conditions have led the Chester County Commissioners to extend the county burn ban through Dec. 26. The county’s resolution notes that the burn ban be extended for 30 days from November 26, 2024, due to the serious threat to life and property the fire potential poses. Specifically, “Emergency measures...

When life refocuses you on what really matters

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgann.bsky.social It’s at times like this when life slaps you in the forehead by surprise and refocuses you on what matters. As you read this, I’m at Paoli Hospital awaiting transfer Monday morning to Lankenau Hospital for quadruple coronary bypass on Wednesday. It is a bit scary (and amazingly all started with a back issue) and it tends to focus you on what...

Fink named Director of the Chester County Department of Veterans Affairs

Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe announce the appointment of Susanne Fink as Director of the Chester County Department of Veterans Affairs. Fink has been serving as Acting Director of the department since August. Commenting on the appointment, Commissioners Maxwell, Moskowitz and Roe said, “Susie Fink brings a wealth of professional and personal experience...

Anger was the storm that blew away Democrats

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Well, that could have gone better. For a myriad of reasons, Democrats nationally and around the commonwealth got their butts kicked in a way many — including me — didn’t see coming. Not surprisingly, finger pointing and angst are pervasive throughout the party right now as people want to assign blame for such a devastating loss, both with Kamala...

Due to drought, county announces open burn ban

At an emergency meeting convened by the Chester County Department of Emergency Services, the Chester County Commissioners have declared a countywide 30-day open burn ban, effective Sunday, October 27, 2024.  The County declaration comes at the recommendation of Department of Emergency Services leaders and county fire officials, based on current and forecasted weather conditions, as well as the recent...

On the passing of a union leader — and political powerhouse

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Sad news this week with the passing of Dave McLimans, president of the Chester County AFL-CIO Council. I’ve been lucky enough to know Dave for a couple of decades — he was the living example of “gruff, but lovable.” As the leading voice for union workers in the county, he was a key player in county Democratic politics. But he was more than that,...