Simpson steps down from Coatesville City Council
Ed Simpson
Leaving big shoes to fill, Councilman Ed Simpson announced his retirement from Coatesville City Council after serving the City’s residents for more than two decades. During a City Council meeting on April 24, 2023, Simpson shared his decision to resign due to a move to be closer to family members. While they remain Chester County residents, he and his wife Terry moved outside of the City’s...
Officer Joseph Thompson sworn in to full-time position
City Council discusses initiatives for ‘make or break year’
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
Police Chief Jack Laufer (left) stands with Ofc. Joseph Thompson (right) after Thompson’s swearing in ceremony.
COATESVILLE – Officer Joseph Thompson was sworn in to a full-time position at Monday night’s City Council meeting.
Previously a part-time officer, Thompson has a combined...
Coatesville unable to make its next payroll
City Council to vote Monday night for 4th time on trust-fund bailout
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
City Council members C. Arvilla Hunt (from left), David C. Collins, and Joseph Hamrick discuss the city’s dwindling finances at a recent meeting.
Reviewing Coatesville’s dire financial straits may cause people to feel better about their own income, unless, of course, they...
Third vote to tap Coatesville trust fund fails
Finance director says $2.25 million needed to avert crisis
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
Despite the threat of City Hall furloughs, City Council failed to pass an ordinance to withdraw more than $2 million from the city’s trust fund.
For the third time in less than a month, Coatesville City Council failed to garner enough votes tonight to transfer more than $2 million from...
Attorney: Police predicted sabotage of chief’s selection
Opinions vary as to how process will continue with dwindling candidates
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
Councilwoman C. Arvilla Hunt confers with Councilman Jarrell Brazzle during Monday night’s controversial meeting.
The attorney representing the Coatesville Police Benevolent Association said today that members of the department predicted that the search committee’s...
City’s police leadership, worsening finances in limbo
Council failed to get enough votes to hire permanent chief – or withdraw reserve funds
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
With his brother, Gary Hudson (from right), holding the bible, Kirby Hudson is sworn in as Coatesville manager by Magisterial District Judge Grover E. Koon.
After nearly three hours, Coatesville City Council addressed the agenda items most responsible for...
Bell sworn as interim city police chief
Simpson resigns as council president; city facing $2M deficit
By Jamie Richard, Staff Writer, The Times
Interim Chief James Bell is sworn in by the Hon. Judge Gregory Hines as Dr. Tonya Thames Taylor serves as witness.
COATESVILLE – Interim chief of police James Bell was officially sworn in for duty at Monday’s city council meeting.
Bell was named interim chief of police at a council meeting on...
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...
Coatesville urged to replace police officers
Council president says part-timers will be hired; former chief recommends full-timers
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
The intersection of 6th and Belmont in Coatesville, where Alex Davis was gunned down Monday night, just three days after a home invasion homicide elsewhere in the city. Chester County District Attorney Thomas Hogan is arguing that the city lacks enough officers to...
Coatesville terminates its city manager
Gary Rawlings shown the door after 13 months on the job
Gary Rawlings, 66, was terminated by Coatesville City Council, which said it didn't believe he was acting in the city's best interests.
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, CoatesvilleTimes.com
COATESVILLE — The swift, unanimous vote by City Council at last night’s meeting occurred without comment: After 13 months on the job, City...
