Young activists make their mark at the polls

Local students become part of the political process, work election day By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times You may be a little sick of politics right now. Okay, a couple of folks I know have made it clear that if they see another political ad on their TV, they might just throw a brick through it. But not everyone is, and thankfully for our future, a number of local youths were getting their baptism by...

GOP turns back Democratic tide locally

Republicans hold all nine Chester County state house seats, Romney wins narrow victory Among Tuesday’s legislative winners in Chester County, from top left: State Sen. Andrew Dinniman (D-19), State Sen. Dominic Pieleggi (R-9), from middle left: State Rep. Tim Hennessey (R-26), State Rep. John Lawrence (R-13), State Rep. Steve Barrar (R-160), from left left, State Rep.-Elect Becky Corbin (R-155)...

Column: Election 2012, it comes down to this

In the race for the White House, look past the rhetoric and dig deeper By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times You’ve probably heard so much about Tuesday’s presidential election that you must feel a little bit like that four-year-old girl in Colorado who became a media sensation for crying and saying she was tired of hearing about “Bronco Bamma” and Mitt Romney. I join you in that — and wish Facebook,...

Letter: Our navy is stronger than ever, Mr. Rommey

To The Editor, Some thoughts about the election.  President Obama vs. Governor Romney I am an independent, but not undecided about this election. I watched all three debates and God knows how many references to the election on TV.  I have followed both men and their careers as much as that is possible for an average citizen today. With a presidential election everyone has a story, a spin, NEWS some...

Locals make final pitch for Tuesday’s election

Democrats, Republicans hold events to boost enthusiasm for election day By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Tom Smith chats with East Marlborough’s Roger Howard as Chester County Sheriff Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh looks on just before a campaign event, Sunday, to boost voter enthusiasm. WEST CHESTER — Local Democrats and Republicans gathered this weekend...

Column: My take on the area legislative races

Is competency more important that ideology? I think so. By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times We had some internal discussions about doing our first endorsements as a publication this year, something I decided was probably not the right thing to do in 2010 or 2011. And while we were split — at the end we still decided that the negatives outweighed the positives. It is a position we will revisit in 2013,...

7th District Election Preview

Redrawn 7th is more GOP friendly, but race is a microcosm of presidential race By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times The new Seventh Congressional District, in green above, runs through numerous counties and adds many new voters for 2012. In an unusual race because of redistricting, an incumbent congressman is a virtual new face to nearly two thirds of his new constituents — but a district that is likely...

Letter: Ross didn’t protect open space

To the Editor Rep. Chris Ross (R-158) voted for House Bill 2224 which, according to the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association, PennFuture and many other open space organizations,  puts public land, including much-loved parks, at risk of being sold for short term gain or on a political whim.  It tosses out longstanding rules that ensure government cannot sell parks and other Open Space if the lands...

Piits, Strader supporters spar over Willowdale protest

State Police were called and event was cut short; no arrests By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Democratic congressional candidate Aryana Strader speaks to a protest rally near U.S. Rep. Joe Pitss’ office in Willowdale, Saturday. After State Police were called to the event, if was cut short, organizers say. EAST MARLBOROUGH — Supporters of Aryana Strader and Joseph Pitts exchanged barbs this...

Will HB 1077 impact statehouse races?

Will abortion politics motivate voters to vote for Democrats? By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times I hate the subject of abortion. With a deep, dark abiding passion. But it’s possible I may have underestimated its impact on the 2012 elections when it comes to local state house races. I spent the better part of my Saturday morning last week on the courthouse steps in West Chester listening to a rally...