Op/Ed: When democracy dies

By Lisa Longo, Special to The Times Lisa Longo Democracy fails when the few are permitted to hijack the concerns of the many. When elections become referendums on personalities and political parties are used as weapons against advocates and activists. When any party becomes a tactical weapon for special interest it loses all ability to speak for, or to, the people. We are at a pivotal point. We see...

Commissioners announce government reopening plan as Chester County moves to Yellow

WEST CHESTER — Twelve weeks after moving to essential services-only, Chester County Government and Courts are preparing to open the doors once again of county facilities on Market Street and Westtown Road, as well as the Magisterial District Courts throughout the county.  But, officials note, the doors will be open with caution and with some restrictions, to ensure the safety of staff and the public,...

Op/Ed: Trump budget cuts will be devastating to Chester County

By Kathi Cozzone, Chester County Commissioner Chester County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone It’s déjà vu all over again.  The numbers and the analyses are out and President Trump’s FY 2020 budget contains brutal cuts even more drastic than his 2018 budget.  This budget targets key federal programs that are vital to Pennsylvania counties which provide necessary human services, emergency services...

Op/Ed: How mandates raise your local school taxes

By Lisa Longo, President, Phoenixville Area School District Board of Education Lisa Longo Do you wonder sometimes why property taxes increase? I did and I decided to start attending school board meetings to understand. That was seven years ago. Now, as a member of our school board, I can share what I have learned. I discovered a large part of a school district budget is mandated. Congressional and...

Chris Ross talks Harrisburg and good government

By Nathaniel Smith, Columnist, The Times Former state representative Chris Ross (R-158) recently was so kind as to spend an hour and a half talking with me about his 20 years representing a district that stretches from eastern and southern West Goshen west through the Bradfords and then south as far as London Britain and the Delaware border.   I had interviewed him before back in the fall of 2012....

Op/Ed: Government to blame for EpiPen price hikes?

By Joe Pitts, Member, U.S House of Representatives, (R-16)  U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts (R-16) As the summer sun rises high in the sky, many of us are finishing out the season by enjoying the last remnants of our vegetables and flower blooms. Bees are ever present, seeking out nectar from their favorite flowers, and along with that comes inevitable bee stings. For some, a single sting can cause their throat...

Letter: Freedom, justice, equality

To The Editor, I continue to ask myself this question, why should African-Americans, Latino-Americans, middle-class Americans and poor Americans serve in the United States Armed Services? I say this because of what the Tea Party, the Conservatives and the Republicans in the U.S. Congress and in some state legislatures are doing to the American people. For example, disenfranchisement in voting, threatening...