Are we ‘prepping’ our kids for too much stress?
A few thoughts on navigating today’s increased anxiety-filled world
By Kim Chiomento, Staff Writer, The Times
As a teen in the 1980’s, the terms “prep, prepper, and preppy” evoke strong memories of a serious fashion statement: Tretorn tennis shoes, gravity-defying, up-turned collars, going sockless and the syrupy scent of Ralph Lauren’s Lauren perfume. The above was often tied together...
Op/Ed: VISTA 2025 offer balance of growth and preservation
By Molly Morrison, President, Natural Lands Trust
Molly Morrison
It may be surprising that preservation features so prominently in reports about Chester County’s new economic development plan. The need to balance economic growth and preservation is, however, the innovative and insightful organizing principal of VISTA 2025, the County’s new Economic Development Strategy.
The plan, prepared with...
Could attacks on Pileggi doom Pa. GOP?
If Republicans move right, will they lose moderates — and control?
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Is state Sen. Dominic Pileggi in danger of becoming a former Senate Majority leader?
If you ask a couple of his fellow Republican senators, who have both issued scathing letters condemning the senator, yes. But Pileggi, who represents a large swath of southern Chester County, seems ready to seek another...
The silliest of silly seasons cranks up
Playing the Walker ‘blame game’ and hijinks in the Sixth race
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
It’s just one month until election day and the gloves have come off, from dueling ads (of questionable veracity at times), protests, endorsements, temper tantrums and worst of all: the lawyers have been unleashed.
So, in other words, it’s a pretty typical October, when politics goes from...
Risk, reward in running Ross in the 158th
Let’s just say the race got a lot more complicated
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
So Cuyler Walker is out, and it appears that Chris Ross is in.
Let us set aside the circumstances for moment, as complicated and messy as they are, and look at the situation in the 158th District from a purely political standpoint.
Obviously, assuming that Ross is the choice Sunday night — and every single...
A time to go slow and take care
Rumors are just that, and no one benefits from rushing to judgment
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
This has been one of the tougher weeks in recent memory in Unionville — with questions, rumors, speculation, assumptions and just flat-out bewilderment across the community.
What we know in the wake of Cuyler Walker’s sudden departure from the State Representative race Monday amounts to whole lot...
Concussion awareness – A mom’s perspective
New tech, early diagnosis, focused therapy & close recovery tracking yields promising results
By Kim Chiomento, Staff Writer, The Times
You probably know someone with a concussion or perhaps, like me, are a parent of children who have had concussions. Concussions are never good news, but with nearly five million diagnosed annually, it seems like they really are everywhere. They can and do happen...
Op/Ed: Time to boost accountability and transparency for Congress
By Ryan Costello, Chester County Commissioner
Ryan Costello
The gridlock and partisan rancor in Congress is taking its toll on the public’s perception of Congress, and rightfully so. According to a recent Gallup poll, only 14 percent of Americans think Congress is doing a good job. That puts the public’s approval of the job Congress is doing at one of its lowest points in history.
As a member...
Op/Ed: Rendell (and Wolf) shouldn’t escape pension blame
By Kelly Lewis
Kelly Lewis
I have read about 5% of the noise surrounding the upcoming Governor’s race in Pennsylvania. As a former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, I’m always amazed at what issues become amplified, minimized, and often buried. Less than 1% of the voters will read this little note, but as a son of teachers, and a friend to many current and retired teachers,...
Numbers, both in polls and finance reports tell a story
While Corbett’s numbers suggest a Democratic opportunity, can they raise enough $$ to take advantage?
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Not to beat a dead horse, but there are even more bad poll numbers this week to make even the stoutest of Republicans more than a tad worried about not just the fate of Gov. Tom Corbett, but whether an electoral tsunami could hurt down-ballot candidates, but...