Locals say political conventions still have value
With Election 2012 kicking into high gear, RNC, DNC spark interest
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Some pundits will tell you that the day of political party conventions meaning much of anything has passed — they’re little more than pre-packaged “pep rallies” for the respective parties and candidates. But if you ask two Chester County residents — both freshly back from their party’s convention...
Fall means getting back up to speed
The heat and quiet of summer begin to fade; new stormwater regs have local officials angry
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
There are few times that elicit such joy and enthusiasm. Sure, kids might get ramped up before the holidays, but we adults — well, you can see all of us with kids walking with a lighter step this week for one reason: school starts Monday!
While our kids are somewhere between...
Newlin Green residents owe a lot of apologies
Behavior at Newlin Zoning Hearing Board was an embarrassment to Unionville
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
I didn’t know what else to say, so I apologized.
Not that I’d done anything wrong, mind you, but watching the shameful and clueless behavior of some of the residents of Newlin Green Wednesday night at a Newlin Zoning Hearing Board hearing to determine whether a property meets zoning requirements...
Two tales of taxes, but is there really a story here?
Are both presidential campaigns so focused on winning the day that they’re losing the country?
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
WEST CHESTER — Depending upon who you talk to, Pennsylvania is already a dead issue or it will be a key swing state in the 2012 Presidential election.
While the media buy decisions of the Romney campaign — virtually no TV commercials were purchased here for August...
Who did build that?
The role of government — and how it needs to change — in terms of small business won’t fit on a placard or a sound bite
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
The burden — or helping hand — of government and its role with small business was placed front and center this week in a pair of back-to-back rallies on the old courthouse steps in West Chester Thursday.
The furor over President Barack...
Arnold decision is an embarassment to all of us
District justice admits to lying, covering up complaint, gets a slap on the wrist
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
For some time, it’s been increasingly apparent that there are two Americas. One for most of us, where the law is, at times, harsh and unforgiving — one reason why this country has a larger number of imprisoned people than any other western democracy.
There is an entirely other America...
The cost of deregulation
Big utilities such as Verizon, PECO no longer answer government or customers
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Typically, this column runs on Saturday. Typically, it is also written on my MacPro, an eight-core aircraft carrier of a computer on Friday afternoon. That it is being written on a Monday morning, on my iPad and being uploaded via cellular Internet connection tells you things are not sweetness...
The damage of narrow self-interest
These days, it’s everyone for themselves and we all suffer
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
We’re all in this together, right? I’ll pause while you stop laughing.
The 1970s were supposed to be the “Me Decade,” but it seems that what really happened was the emergence of the “Me Generation.” As that generation took power in the halls of government and corporate governance,...
Dumping on municipalities seems like a bad idea
Chester County’s decision to impose $5.20 per person charge is weak policy and terrible politics
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
There are a lot of angry elected officials right now in Chester County, a lot of soon-to-be angry residents, and, as seems to be the usual case these days, a lot of passing the buck.
At the time of year when one normally smells fresh barbecue, suntan lotion and ...
Two events show power of pairing Kennett and Unionville
Joint Community Breakfast, Relay for Life show what can be done when folks work together
By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com
It was a bit of an interesting contrast.
Administrators from both the Unionville-Chadds Ford and Kennett Consolidated school districts were buzzing about cooking and serving, while a few feet away tired and exhausted participants and organizers in the Relay for Life were...
