Politicians, just like everyone else, don’t fit easily in one category

In our ‘Us Versus Them’ environment, it’s too easy to miss the human element By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Politicians, despite reports to the contrary, are human beings. With all of the invective being thrown around, it can be easy to forget, of course. As humans, we like to put things and people into boxes. But people being people, they are always more complicated. A couple...

Letter: Pitts votes no to protect women from violence

To The Editor: I was disgusted that our congressman, Joe Pitts, voted against reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.  Even as backwards and archaic as his views generally are on women’s issues, this vote was surprising.  Congressman Pitts hadn’t provided any public comment one way or the other on the legislation, and I had hoped he would join nearly 40% of Congressional Republicans...

Letter: Social media shows possible bias in family court

To The Editor: Last year, there were approximately 34,000 divorces in the state of Pennsylvania. Divorce can be literally one of the most stressful situations any of us can experience in our life and it is traumatic for both a couple and or the children of the marriage. Most often, it is not just the emotional toll of ending a relationship but the complications of custody that often occur with ending...

Now that the 2013 election is over…

Is the past prologue for the 2013 county-wide elections? Sadly, it appears so By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Well, that was a short campaign season. For all intents and purposes — maybe with one exception in the judicial races — your Chester County elections were pretty much settled this week. The Democrats endorsed their candidates, the Republicans endorsed theirs. Math will tell the rest of...

Op/Ed: Transportation funding: meeting current and future needs

Gov. Corbett’s infrastructure plans important to economic development of region By Terence Farrell, Chester County Commissioner Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell Every Pennsylvanian should welcome Governor Corbett’s announcement this month of a new and expanded transportation funding strategy for the Commonwealth. Whether you drive, take the bus, ride the train, walk or use your bicycle,...

Letter: school district killing hoop dreams

Limited access to UCFSD gyms leaves our kids dreaming of a lost basketball season To The Editor: This season, we decided to register our kids (age 8 and 10) for URA Basketball.  We had experienced several great seasons at the Kennett Area YMCA but we made the decision as a family to move over to URA for several reasons.  Our experience with URA Baseball and Lacrosse has been great and most of the...

Lance Armstong and the Pa. GOP: soul brothers?

If winning is all that matters, who cares about a little a lot of cheating? By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Lots to discuss this frosty weekend in January, so instead of the more typical main subject matter, indulge me and try to follow a thread of complicated technology, overt party politics, acoustics and just about a little bit of everything people are talking about in the Unionville area this...

Op/Ed: Chester County’s priorities for 2013

There are challenges ahead, but a collaborative county government works to the benefit of all By Ryan Costello, Chester County Commissioner Chester County Commissioner Ryan Costello. The recent political landscape has, understandably, left many less than favorably impressed. I believe your Chester County government, however, has proven to be an excellent example of collaborative, productive government...

A difficult year to find the holiday spirit

A dose of peace and brotherhood is clearly needed right now By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times To say that it has been a difficult few weeks for we as Americans is an understatement, so I suppose that it is understandable that it might be difficult to find the holiday spirit. And whether we’re talking about the events last week in Connecticut or the inability of our government to function, these are...

Time for common sense on both sides of cliff talk

Both sides seem more focused on talking points than facts By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Before, we get started here, my thoughts and prayers to the people of Newtown, Conn. It is a community so much like so many parts of Chester County, it is impossible not to feel both sympathy and horror. As a parent, it chills the blood. I’m not sure there was anything different that could have been done by...