Thursday, July 19, 2012
The Chester County Commissioners announced the move Wednesday.
According to the Daily Local, Chester County laid off 30 county workers Wednesday in a moved aimed to save county taxpayers $2 million. The Daily Local reports that the layoffs – referred to as an “organizational streamlining” – came in the departments of Facilities & Parks, Human Services, and Emergency Services. “We know that this does have real impact on people’s lives,” commissioners’ Chairman Terence Farrell told the Daily Local “But we see this as a matter of fiscal responsibility that necessitated we take this kind of action.” To read the complete story on the Daily Local please click the link: here.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
The county sells addresses 33-35-37-39 West Market Street to Zukin Realty.
The Daily Local reports that the Chester County Commissioners voted unanimously to sell property in downtown West Chester to Zukin Realty Co. According to the Daily Local: Buyer Zukin Realty Co. will pay the county $575,000 for the properties, or $600,000 if the firm is able to get the buildings certified as student housing by the borough within a year after the sale. That contingency appears unlikely, as the Borough Council is currently considering a move to put a limit on new student housing units in the central business district. The Daily Local goes on to report: The sale was made without an easement that would forbid the new owner from significantly altering or demolishing the historic structures. To read the complete story please …
Monday, February 27, 2012
Proposed Pennsylvania block grant program will allow commissioners to effectively use funds
- OPINION
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Monday, February 27, 2012
The following was written by Chester County Commissioners Terence Farrell and Ryan Costello. During Governor Tom Corbett’s recent budget address, he suggested a change in the way funds for human services are distributed and allowed to be utilized by county commissioners. As Chester County Commissioners, we endorse this concept and urge the Pennsylvania legislature to include block grant funding when the Commonwealth’s budget is finalized. Chester County is one of the most affluent counties in the not only Pennsylvania, but the country. We have been recognized as one of the top places in the United States to live, work and raise a family. While Chester County is a desirable place to live, our citizens have many needs, especially in the …
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
County Commissioner Terence Farrell talks about collective dedication in Chester County.
- GOVERNMENT
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Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Good news is not news! Recent swearing-in ceremonies for Chester County Elected Officials and Common Pleas Judges didn’t make TV and radio headline news. That’s because (to turn around a well-known phrase) “good news is no news.” In Chester County, the same three-member Board of Commissioners that held the line on taxes for 2012, and that maintained one of the lowest tax levels in Southeastern PA, remains dedicated to providing top-level services and programs for citizens. As Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, I will continue to work with Commissioner Kathi Cozzone and Commissioner Ryan Costello to exercise tight control over spending, to look at ways to streamline our operations and find new ways to deliver services efficiently. …
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Terence Farrell elected Chair of Chester County Board of Commissioners, Kathi Cozzone is Vice Chair.
- GOVERNMENT
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Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Terence Farrell was elected Chair of the Chester County Board of Commissioners at this morning’s 2012 organizational meeting, while Kathi Cozzone was elected Vice Chair. Commissioner Ryan Costello nominated Farrell and Cozzone for the positions. Costello stressed that the three commissioners have worked well as a team and that they take a non-partisan approach to meeting the needs of, and serving the citizens of the county. Farrell and Costello are Republicans and Cozzone is a Democrat. The three commissioners were elected in November and took their oaths of office on Monday, January 2nd at a swearing-in event for all Chester County elected officials and Common Pleas Judges, held at West Chester University.
Friday, October 28, 2011
n a final fundraising push for the project, the Public Safety Commission accepted $600K from Brandywine Health Foundation.
At the Chester County Commissioners sunshine meeting Tuesday, the county came $600,000 closer to opening a training facility where police, firefighters and other emergency responders can practice joint responses. Brandywine Health Foundation pledged $400,000, and another $200,000 to be dispersed over five years. Construction will cost $20 million overall, and the county is still looking to raise $2.9 million in grants and donations. "What's important about what we're doing here, with everyone's help in the county, is we're now going to have a safe and efficient emergency response operation. All the disciplines are going to train together, which doesn't happen now," said Pat Davis, Deputy Director of Law Enforcement Services. "This is a …
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Proclamations, Citations presented Thursday.
- GOVERNMENT
- Bob Byrne
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Thursday, October 13, 2011
Chester County Commissioners honored Fire Prevention Week and Friends of Libraries Week and paid tribute to county employees during their regular meeting on Thursday. (Photos courtesy: Rebecca Brain, Chester County Commissioners office)
Monday, October 3, 2011
The County Commissioners award $2.5 million in community revitalization program grants.
- GOVERNMENT
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Monday, October 3, 2011
Chester County Commissioners approved this week $2.6 million in Community Revitalization Program grants. “These grants will improve communities across Chester County, focusing on urban areas,” said Commissioner Chair Terence Farrell. “Seven boroughs will use the money for the ‘downtown’ areas – including improvements to sidewalks, crosswalks, street lights and landscaping – all helping to increase pedestrian safety.” Oxford is receiving $367,467 for streetscape work; Spring City is receiving $594,000 for Main and Bridge Streetscape work and infrastructure improvements; Elverson is receiving $368,440 for its Brick Lane sewer upgrade; Kennett Square is receiving $512,000 for South Walnut Streetscape; Malvern is receiving $512,000 for …
Friday, September 30, 2011
County Commissioners say the problem should be fixed by Oct. 7.
During Wednesday's Chester County Commissioner's Sunshine Meeting, Recorder of Deeds candidate Russ Phifer accused County Commissioner's Ryan Costello and Terrence Farrell of supporting a program that allows users to access the County's search database for free. According to Phifer, the "program" is costing Chester County hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential revenue. In a press release, Phifer stated, "A review of account records makes it obvious that the free 'back door' you provided to ChescoPin is primarily being used by county law firms for routine searches." The press release goes on to say that Phifer estimated that as many as 30,000 unbilled searches have been made under this "program" per month and as many as 3.5 million …
Thursday, September 15, 2011
The county agrees to sell the property to developer Eli Kahn and his partner Jack Loew
Though it certainly wasn’t a unanimous vote, the Chester County Commissioners voted Thursday morning to move forward on a $4.5 million bid on three county properties in the heart of West Chester Borough. Chairman Terence Farrell and Commissioner Ryan Costello voted for a motion to end the negotiations process over three properties on the courthouse campus. The bid was awarded to Eli Kahn and his associate Jack Loew for $4.5 million. Developer Stan Zukin and his partners at Penguin Industries were also bidding on the properties. The three buildings up for sale are located in a courthouse complex located on the block bordered by Gay, Market, High and Church streets. Vice Chairwoman Kathi Cozzone told the audience and her fellow commissioners…
Chewy's Person
9:00 am on Friday, September 30, 2011
So, there was an access and security problem for years that lost the county hundreds of thousands of dollars, then it was "discovered" in March, not addressed until July and will have taken almost 3 months to correct? Even if all the above is straightforward, there is a real lack of oversight, sense of urgency and competence. more ›