New school board faces challenges early

By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com Ah…the peace of the holiday season. After months of, shall we say, intensity here in Unionville, we now on this final weekend of November find ourselves stuffed with turkey, good will and for some, a need for a nice, quiet nap. Others, like yours truly, have to start the preparations for getting out the holiday lights and sorting through the holiday...

So much to be thankful for

What a difference a year makes By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com Thursday, as you probably know from the near-riot conditions at the Super-Fresh, is Thanksgiving. In doing my research for this year’s column, I looked back on last year’s column (which actually ran on Thanksgiving) and noted all of the things I’m personally thankful for in and around Unionville. Without doubt, I’m still...

Election 2011: the move to the middle?

Can moderation be the winner in this year’s school board election? By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com So what lessons are we to draw from this past week’s elections? Does this represent some sort of mandate to raise taxes, spend lots of money and basically go nuts when it comes to the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District? In a word (a really short one): no. No more than 2009’s...

Vote as if, oh, about a half billion is at stake — it is

Lousy odd-year election turn out makes little sense if you think about it By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com Tuesday is Election Day. Yes, this Tuesday. No, not the one in 2012 that political commentators have themselves in a tizzy over. “There’s an election this year?” Yeah. I’ve heard that too many times over the last decade during odd-numbered years. Nope. This minor,...

New Route 52 is impressive addition to Unionville

As the October snow flies, a momentary respite from the political grind By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com “So, Mrs. Lincoln, otherwise, how was the show?” On this surprisingly snowy Saturday in October in Unionville, the ghosts and goblins of the season are more evident than ever, because, as we know, it’s that scariest time of year — election season. So my gift to you — as you’re...

Opinion: right & wrong vs. legal and illegal

Sunshine questions go beyond legalities to morality By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com There’s the facts, and there’s the truth — and sometimes you have to know the difference. As regular readers of The Times know, we reported on accusations that the Unionville-Chadds Ford Board of Education may have violated Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act. Some agree, others do not — it is fair to...

Taking the cake — out of the classroom?

Wellness policy may have parents pitted against each other on school treats By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTImes A less responsible media outlet might call it: Cupcakegate. Although it came up briefly during last Monday night’s Unionville-Chadds Ford School District Board of Education, it looks like the district’s Wellness policy is rapidly bubbling up to become the latest cause celebre in Unionville. The...

Local elections are really the important ones

Why we vote, the new GOP leader, coping with the Rt. 926 closure and a personal note By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com And…into the bubble. It’s about a month until election day and you’ll be seeing us ramp up our election coverage over the next couple of weeks, as we work to inform you about just who these folks on the ballot are and why they’re running for office. This is also...

Taking a deep breath on K-5 reconfig

Too many misleading reports out there right now, but timing seems confusing By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com Stop the presses! Apparently, the Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board is poised to reconfigure all of the district’s elementary schools on Oct. 10, according to emails that keep running around the community like wildfire. It will mean lots of teachers getting fired, bigger classes,...

Coup De ‘Ville: Enjoying the quiet

After so many weeks of controversy, it’s kind of nice to kick back and enjoy the peace By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com A relatively quiet week in Unionville this week, except of course, for the rising flood waters closing Route 926 again Saturday morning. And of course the headaches from the closure of 926 at Route 52 — but at least that has the payoff of better, safer roads in...