Op/Ed: Commissioners praise county workers for storm efforts
By Ryan Costello, Kathi Cozzone, & Terence Farrell, Chester County Commissioners
Chester County Commissioners (from left) Kathi Cozzone, Terence Farrell and Ryan Costello.
Chester County’s winter weather certainly qualified as an extreme emergency this year. Residents endured multiple huge snow storms and devastating ice storms that made county roads dangerous. Schools and businesses were...
Plot thickens in 6th District race
Can populism change the math in the 16th District race?
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
The race for the Sixth Congressional District got more interesting this week on a couple of fronts.
First, Manan Trivedi, who ran unsuccessfully against Jim Gerlach in 2010 and 2012, announced he would run again. Then, Mike Parrish, the other Democrat in the race, got the endorsement of U.S. Rep. (and Philly...
Ice storm aftermath: the good, the bad and the unacceptable
Chester County Emergency Services stands out for praise, PECO gets hit on many fronts
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
For most of us, the worst is over. As of Monday morning, just about 10,000 Chester County homes and businesses were still without power, according to PECO, down from about 200,000 Wednesday — while others wait for restoration of phone and Internet service from Verizon and Comcast.
Schools...
A rush to bipartisanism amid a few intra-party battles
Is getting along to get ahead back in fashion?
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Let’s face it, bipartisanism is the new black.
If you listened to a lot of political types in Chester County this past week, candidates and elected officials across the political spectrum were working to show their ability to make nice with the other side.
But roiling below the surface are a handful of intra-party...
Op/Ed: Protecting patients from one-size-fits-all healthcare
By Mian A. Jan, M.D.
Mian A. Jan
As a board certified cardiologist and a practicing physician for over 25 years in Chester County with a diverse group of patients from a variety of different backgrounds, I believe no two patients are the same. I strive to give the very best care depending on the patient’s specific case. I apply a one-on-one relationship model to the treatment and care of all...
Costello-DiGiorgio battle could have wide-ranging impact
Gerlach’s decision not to seek reelection touches off primary fight
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
That shattering and creaking sound you heard this week wasn’t from the extreme cold (unless you were near my nearly half-century old bones), but what would appear to be the shattering of a fragile unity among Chester County Republicans.
When Jim Gerlach announced Monday that he would not...
Op/Ed: Chester County worked together for a successful 2013
By Terence Farrell, Chester County Commissioner
Terence Farrell
Happy New Year! ¡Feliz año nuevo! And best wishes for a healthy, happy and prosperous new year.
As we transition from 2013 to 2014, it is worthwhile to look back at the year that just ended to assess how Chester County government is doing to meet the needs and expectations of its constituents, and to make plans to do even better...
Ellison is out and so is the Tea Party
One — the former Democratic power-broker — knows he’s done, the other is oblivious
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
As we head into the holiday season — and hopefully, a couple of weeks of relative quiet — a few notes and thoughts on local political stuff and other news items.
Maybe the topline item this morning is that James Ellison is out at Rhoads & Sinon — meaning he will...
Roundtable on poverty a start, but more is needed
Until there is a collective will to really address poverty, things won’t get better
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
COATESVILLE — With wealth bordering on abundance at times in Chester County, it can be difficult to confront the truth that for many here — arguably far too many — poverty remains a stark reality and a reality that in recent years has gotten worse.
This past week, six...
Op/Ed: Radon – is your home raising your lung cancer risk?
By Harold P. Wimmer, American Lung Association
Harold P. Wimmer
Mention radon to most people, and you’ll get a blank stare. But mention lung cancer, and you’ve got their attention!
Most people don’t know that exposure to radon, an invisible odorless gas, is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. Pennsylvania is recognized as having a very high risk of radon, so we at the American...