County’s emergency radio system closer to overhaul

Commissioners authorized finalizing of contract for $42.1 million By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times County Commissioners Terence Farrell (from left), Ryan Costello, and Kathi Cozzone authorized the completion of a $42.1 million contract to replace the county’s emergency radio system. It is expected to be signed at the commissioners’ Feb. 14 meeting. As expected at Thursday’s...

County reaps financial power of conservation

Energy-savings program generated $38,000 in 2012 By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Chester County received $38,000 in 2012 from an energy-savings program, a number expected to increase to $62,000 in 2013. Imagine turning off your electricity for a few hours, getting paid to use a generator, and getting a stipend on top of that. In essence, Chester County residents experienced just...

County reviews revenue-boosters for Pocopson Home

Commissioners also get update on long-awaited 9-1-1 overhaul Updated at 10:45 to amend 9-1-1 costs By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times County Commissioners Terence Farrell (from left), Ryan Costello and Kathi Cozzone applauded presentations on the Pocopson Home and the 9-1-1 system at Tuesday’s Sunshine Meeting. The health of the county’s citizens – and its finances –...

Letter: Data must be gathered before making Pocopson Home decision

To The Editor, As a follow up to recent news coverage on Pocopson Home, I wanted to offer additional commentary to the public on my position relating to Pocopson. To date, the County has commissioned an outside consultant to inform the Commissioners about how a non-profit managed facility would operate versus continuing to operate as we currently do.  This report will be an important factor in any...

County gets boost from bond-rating giants

Maintaining its AAA status will translate into lower borrowing costs By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Barry Seymour (left), executive director of DVRPC, congratulates Chester County Commissioners’ Chairman Terence Farrell on his election to the DVRPC chairmanship. The three major bond-rating firms reaffirmed  Chester County’s AAA status – an assessment deemed more...

Strong support continues for Pocopson Home

Residents urge commissioners not to sell or lease the county facility By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com Commissioner Ryan Costello chats with members of the audience before the start of last night's meeting. At right is Mark Rupsis, the county's chief operating officer. The message from the commissioners at last night’s third meeting on the fate of the county-owned...

Commissioners to hold third Pocopson Home forum

The meeting will be held at Penn’s Grove Middle School in Oxford By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com A third public meeting on June 12 has been announced to discuss the future of the Pocopson Home, the Chester County-run facility for care of the aged. Chester County residents will have another opportunity to express opinions about the fate of the county-owned Pocopson...

Residents voice nearly unanimous plea not to privatize Pocopson Home

More than 200 attend county commissioners’ 2nd information session By Kathleen Brady Shea, Special to UnionvilleTimes.com About 230 local residents turned out for a meeting Monday night about the future of the Pocopson Home, with most supporting continued Chester County operation of the 275-bed facility. DOWNINGTOWN — The venue was larger and the crowd a bit smaller, but the message to the...

Privatizing Pocopson Home might be costly

Fiscal and political impact of move might be seriously underestimated By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com Privatization is one of those things that sounds in good in theory, but tends to be more complicated — and expensive — than folks expect. With the buzz about Chester County looking to possibly privatize the Pocopson Home, the county-owned long-term senior care facility, it’s one of...

2nd meeting set on Pocopson Home’s fate

Public invited to provide input Monday at Downingtown East High  By Kathleen Brady Shea, Special to UnionvilleTimes.com As Chester County continues to explore options on the operation of the Pocopson Home, the county Board of Commissioners plan a second public hearing on the facility's future, May 14. WEST CHESTER — The Chester County commissioners have scheduled the second in a series of public...