Coup De ‘Ville: Teachers pact seems fair

If nobody won, maybe we all did; and an issue that seems to be united southeast PA Republicans and Democrats By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com That quiet you hear (or don’t) is the much-awaited peace following the deal being finalized between Unionville’s teachers and the school district. I honestly expected more in the way of kicking about the deal — yeah, I’m well aware of Paul...

Bridging a lack of fiscal logic

And, a great weekend to get off the couch and to remember By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com Ah, nothing says fall in the Brandywine Valley like water rushing down the street, right? At this writing, the floodwaters have largely receded, but if you listen you can just make out the sound of teeth gnashing over the sound of rustling leaves. One group, increasingly ready to grab torches and pitchforks,...

Op-Ed: Protecting the Citizens of Chester County

By Ryan Costello, Chester County Commissioner Chester County Commissioner Ryan Costello. Hurricane Irene battered Chester County for two days, placing many in peril. About 7 inches of rain fell, high winds whipped through the county, streams and rivers flooded, roads were closed and thousands of residents lost electric, in some cases for days. The well-being of many residents was placed at risk because...

Op-Ed: Board member objects to cost of new superintendent

Editor’s Note: Dr. Price distributed this statement prior to Monday night’s Board of Education meeting but chose not to read it into the record, citing his desire not to detract from the appointment of Dr. John Sanville as the district’s new Superintendent of Schools. By Dr. Paul Price, Member, Unionville-Chadds Ford Board of Education Before I get started I want to make it very clear...

Column: time for a middle path to teachers’ contract

Deadlock won’t be solved by more posturing and playing politics By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com It’s Monday afternoon, and I don’t have the slightest idea of what to write. Another manifesto from the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District popped into my email box Friday afternoon, which to be honest was not a lot different from the manifesto from the Unionville Chadds Ford Education...

Op-Ed: Choices Ideological Not Budgetary

By Tom Houghton, Candidate for State Senate Tom Houghton In The New York Times, Nicholas Kristof writes “the United States supports schools in Afghanistan because we know that education is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to build a country. Alas, we’ve forgotten that lesson at home. All across America, school budgets are being cut, teachers laid off and education programs dismantled”. Kristof...

Column: the fundamentals of economic failure

Summer of discontent has voters asking ‘what’s going on here?’ By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com Welcome to the summer of economic insanity. More than likely, you’ve heard about the madness in D.C. on the debt ceiling and it has more than a few of us scratching our heads, being more about political theater than good governance. But…leave it to Gov. Tom Corbett to...

Op-Ed: Addressing region’s transportation needs a necessity

By Ryan Costello, Chester County Commissioner Chester County Commissioner Ryan Costello. Chester County has been nationally recognized as one of the best places to live, work, raise a family and enjoy your golden years. Many factors contribute to the quality of life we all enjoy. These factors include good schools, first rate employers, plenty of high quality jobs, a healthy environment and responsible...

Column: Drivers’ Ed must return

Penny-wise, pound foolish attitudes just don’t add up with lives on the line By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com My old racing helmet and gloves — without hours and hours of training, teaching and studying even these wouldn't have kept me safe on a racetrack. For young drivers, selt belts and air bags aren't enough to keep them safe, either. By all rights, I should be dead. It...

Column: The height of stupidty — 60 feet

Dispute over Unionville High Auditorium making for fun headlines, lousy government By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com An NBC-10 video journalist shoots images, Friday, of the Unionville High School auditorium — the focus of a dispute between East Marlborough Township and the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District. EAST MARLBOROUGH — When I saw the videojournalist from NBC10, I knew, officially,...