Corbett faces trouble from his own party

Legislators annoyed by, but not scared by, Gov.’s budget line-item veto By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Yogi Berra, the baseball legend and armchair philosopher once said, “when you get to a fork in the road, take it.” Based on his action last week, Gov. Tom Corbett appears not to have taken this sage advice — and crashed right into the Burma Shave billboard located at the fork in...

Letter: Former student urges support for Lewis

To The Editor, I’m writing to urge everyone in the 74th District to vote for Harry Lewis for State Representative on Tuesday, Nov. 4th.  I am blessed to say that Mr. Lewis, or “Mr. Lew” as we called him in High School, played a big role in my life and personal development. I first met Mr. Lewis during my freshman year at Coatesville Area High School, when I decided to run track.  In addition...

Will Corbett stand up to the legislature on pensions?

How the governor plays this issue could decide the Nov. elections By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times A wise attorney once told me, “never ask a question in court if you don’t know what the answer will be.” It appears that Gov. Tom Corbett failed to adhere to that maxim when he hinted he would not sign the new $29.1 billion state budget passed by both houses of the legislature — unless the...

Bad state budget could wipe out Corbett and local legislators

If House plan is the final budget, GOP could face electoral doom in November By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times It looks like Gov. Tom Corbett could be winning his budget battle, but could be losing the war — and maybe a handful of state legislative seats in Chester County. We may have a better sense how bad the mess will be once a state budget is passed, maybe even by Monday. The House of Representatives...

Letter: Objects to writer’s published comments

To The Editor, I am reaching out once again as my initial letter was never published. I was very disappointed when I read an article regarding the stalking cases surrounding Lisa Robertson a host on QVC.  An executive with this company, Kathy Brady Shea clearly stated that it was Miss Robertson’s fault that these guys were stalking her and perhaps it was her wardrobe to blame. Ms. Shea seemed...

Unionville says feds are out to lunch. Good.

It’s high time local government and school boards pushed back on state and federal overreach By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times There’s a little bit of revolution brewing in Unionville. And it’s a good thing. In case you missed it, the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District Board of Education voted last week to withdraw Unionville High School from the National School Lunch Program. While...

Op/Ed: Time to fix Special Ed. funding

It’s time for a funding system based on actual needs By Lisa Lightner, Special to The Times Lisa Lightner, as seen with her special needs son at The White House, recently. The time is now to reform Pennsylvania’s special education funding Based on broad, bi-partisan support, the Pennsylvania General Assembly has introduced companion special education funding reform bills: HB 2138 and...

Letter: Strawberry Fest a record breaking success

To the Editor, It is with great pride and gratitude that we are able to report that this year’s Strawberry Festival was a record breaking success!  Thanks to generous underwriting support from PECO and First Niagara, Brandywine Hospital, hundreds of volunteers who planned and worked throughout the four-day event, and the many businesses and non-profit organizations donating time and money, the...

Primary aftermath: Dinniman comes out the big winner

The state senator was not on the ballots, but he emerged as county’s top Democrat By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times While most primary elections in non-presidential years are kind of ho-hum events, Tuesday’s elections turned out to be more revealing than expected, and at minimum give us some hint of what is to come in November. Not shockingly, turnout was lousy, especially on the Republican...

Letter: Frustrated with deceptive political ads

To The Editor Hear that? It’s a collective groan heard all across PA as the election shifts into full gear. We are bombarded with political ads: print ads, internet pop-ups, TV, radio and robo-calls. Primary ads are even more bizarre than general election ones. Republicans attack Republicans. Democrats attack Democrats. The ads are ugly. I think I speak for most ordinary citizens when I say I...