Op from the Ed: GOP, Insurance industry causing move toward single-payer

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Do no harm. That is the first precept of modern medical care. This doesn’t mean standing there while someone is bleeding out, of course, which is the current state of American health care. I was happy to give Guy Ciarrocchi, the president of the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry, his say last week about not expanding government’s role in health...

State Police fees: an idea whose time has come

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times So…so much for putting a stop to writing about stuff. Despite an ill-advised detour into politics and some mild, annoying and decidedly non-life threatening health issues, not writing was beginning to feel increasingly like not breathing, so here I am again. For now — and obviously everything on this green Earth is really “for now” — I’m going to return...

On tax shifting, that little problem with Google and more

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District Board of Education met Monday night in what proved to be a routine — and surprisingly brief meeting. Initially, I had planned to cover it via video replay, as both the length of recent meetings and a growing revenue shortage — Google continues to slowly strangle our local ad revenue, which means we can provide less and...

Letter: Kennett emergency service tax doesn’t help Longwood FC

To The Editor, I’m compelled to write to all taxpayers in Kennett Township to correct a dangerous misimpression concerning the recent tax levied by the supervisors for public safety. The Longwood Fire Company DOES NOT RECEIVE A PENNY of additional funding from the new public safety tax. We actually receive less money from Kennett Township since the forming of the regional Fire/EMS commission....

UCF budget: Delco property values mean bigger hike for Chadds Ford

By JP Phillips, Staff Writer, The Times EAST MARLBOROUGH — Monday night’s budget meeting started with Superintendent John Sanville stating that the proposed $87,093,540 budget correctly reflects the district’s priorities and represents “the lowest weighted tax increase for Unionville Chadds-Ford School District in twenty years.” But because of the state-mandated process used by districts...

GOP Congressman laud tax bill, Democrats decry ‘gift’ for wealthy, donors

The U.S. Senate last night passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act — a sweeping revision of U.S. Tax code, that depending on who is talking is either a spark for job and wage growth or a massive, deficit busting giveaway to the rich, political donors and corporate America. The House voted Tuesday to approve the package, but will have to revote Wednesday because of three provisions in the original bill that...

Pocopson: No tax hike planned for 2018

By Karen Cresta, Staff Writer, The Times POCOPSON – The brief Township Board of Supervisors meeting held on Monday, Nov. 27, resulted in an approved 2018 budget with no tax increase for residents. The portion of the property tax allocated to fire and ambulance services was reduced by approximately $92,000 for 2018.  The reason for the reduction is the participation by the township in the Kennett...

The AHCA: the perfect bill…to hate

Deeply flawed health-care bill will raise taxes, unemploy local Congress members By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Having read through the new Republican replacement for the Affordable Care Act, the — the American Health Care Act — I’m left with just one thought: I guess we’re going to find out how Lloyd Smucker, Pat Meehan and Ryan Costello fare in the private sector if this mess somehow passes...

Report: Unified emergency services may offer benefits

E. Marlborough plans no tax hike in 2017 By Karen Cresta, Staff Writer, The Times East Marlborough Township Planning Commission Chair Cuyler Walker discusses a report on potentially unifying emergency services for six area towns with Township Supervisor Bob Weer. EAST MARLBOROUGH – A first step toward unifying a crazy quilt of emergency services for six area towns may have taken a step forward this...

County to hike property taxes 4.95% for 2017

First increase since 2014 WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Commissioners unanimously approved the 2017 budget this week. The budget calls for $460,094,845 in operating expenses and $87,504,129 for its capital budget. “Led by our strategic priorities, including public safety and balanced growth, Chester County continues to invest in projects, programs and services that will benefit our residents...