One man stands between the people and medical marijuana
Our dysfunctional legislature hits new highs for foolishness
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Greetings from one of the last Internet outposts not hacked by the Chinese (we don’t rate) or calling from (allegedly) Microsoft Technical Support to assist you with your computer issues once you give us your password, credit card number and home address information.
In comparison, the recent shenanigans...
Is it time to look at the role of standardized tests in schools?
Also: if teacher unions demand raises, they should say what to cut from education programs to pay for it
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
The rising tide against Common Core continues to obscure a growing, but still under discussed debate about the value and quality of standardized testing in our schools.
While it seems increasingly likely that a passing grade on the Keystone tests will not end...
Is Wolf angling to make a deal with GOP legislators?
With his base secured, a deal on liquor privatization, pensions could be in play
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Depending on who is reading the tea leaves, Gov. Tom Wolf is either drawing a line in the sand — and guaranteeing four years of abject gridlock, or he’s securing the base with the idea that he’s going to have to make deals in the coming weeks and months that won’t be popular...
Downingtown council passes $7.66M budget for 2015
Budget increases by $165k, but borough announces no tax increase
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
DOWNINGTOWN – Borough Council passed a $7,664,654 budget for 2015 at Wednesday night’s meeting. The budget will not raise taxes from the current 7.65 mills rate and includes a projected $665,925 surplus.
The surplus is down from 2014’s $679,043 projection and the $815,756 actual surplus....
This or that: Find those fabulous looks for less
You can enjoy high style without running up a big bill
By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times
I am a huge fan of Barney’s Department Store creative genius, Simon Doonan, and his exquisite fashion sense; HOWEVER, his “Top 10 Holiday Gifts for Every Fashion Girl” via PopSugar (http://bit.ly/1FcR4sR) was a little out of my price range. I decided to take his recommendations and make them...
Borough expects $171-476k expenditure increase for 2015
Borough $815k under budget for 2014, expenses to go up next year
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
DOWNINGTOWN – Borough Finance Director Judith Walters said that the borough anticipates an $815,000 surplus for 2014 when the borough council reviewed budgets at Wednesday night’s meeting.
Walters said that the surplus came from various hires that were budgeted but not made as well as...
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...
