Should Girl Gang be treated as adults?

I usually leave crime stories to the professionals, but it doesn't stop me from having an opinion about crime.

My first taste of what was going on came to me in a text message..."Teenage girls cutting up in Chester-someone should kick their asses!!!"

It was hours later that I learned about the video of the beatdown. As expected, the girls were arrested, arraigned, and sent to jail. But there's more.

I'm going to provide my opinions by responding to what I've read so far in the papers.

Open letter to Mayor John Linder

Submitted by Titan One titanone123@gmail.com

Residents of the Once Great City of Chester
Everywhere within the City Limits
Chester, PA 19013
September 27, 2012

His Honor Mayor Linder
Mayor of City of Chester
City Hall
1 Fourth Street
Chester, PA 19013

Dear Mayor Linder:

I am writing on behalf of myself and the residents of our once glorious city. 

Recent actions, or lack thereof, to matters critical to the health of the City and the welfare of its residents have left us with great concern with your judgment as to what is important to us, the residents.  It is because of this concern that I write to you to express what really is on the minds of those residents who call Chester there (sic) home – but only for the time being.

Blog questions Commish Bail's actions in 2007

Click HERE to learn more

Philabundance to Open Fare & Square, the First Nonprofit Grocery Store in Chester

Elected Officials and Sunoco show their support for Fare & Square, a nonprofit grocery store Philabundance is putting in the City of Chester, Delaware County. From Left to Right: Brian MacDonald, Chairman, president and CEO of Sunoco, State Representative Thaddeus Kirkland, Bill Clark, president and executive director of Philabundance, Chester Mayor John Linder, PA Senator Dominic Pileggi and US Congressman Bob Brady

Philabundance to Open Fare & Square, the First Nonprofit Grocery Store in the United States Spring 2013

Philabundance, the Delaware Valley’s largest hunger relief organization, announced today that Fare & Square, the first nonprofit grocery store in the country is scheduled to open in the City of Chester in Spring 2013, at a groundbreaking event at the site of the new store. The nonprofit grocery store is a new model that will provide greater food access to the residents of Chester. 

VSP Vision brings Tyreke Evans back to Chester

What is Brian Warren doing now?

Mayor Linder is suing City Council

I hope that rumor ain't true.

Is the Firefighter contract a good deal for the City of Chester?

This week’s Chester Spirit said that Chester firefighters are going to receive an annual wage increase of 35% through 2015. I didn’t know much about the firefighter’s contract issues, but a 35% raise sure got my attention.

The next sentence says, “In 2016, the salary increase will be 4% and in 2016, 4.5%.” 

Is it 4% or 4.5%?

At that point I figured The Spirit had simply botched the figures so I sought out more information.

I’ve been out of town for a few weeks so I haven’t been on top of all that’s going on around here, but today I did find the September 13th Daily Times article on the contract which is probably more correct.

You are encouraged to submit to the blog

Hardly a week goes by without receiving a request to cover an event. 

In my mind, I’m not the press, I’m not a reporter. Hell, I pay $5 like everyone else when attending a Chester High game and refuse to wear press pass bling around my neck. 

I take other people's stories and turn them into blog posts. Sure, every now and then, at my convenience, I get out and take a photo, video, or interview, but less than 5% of the blog features that stuff.

I will occasionally write my opinion on something that intrigues me and that may make up another 5% of the blog. The rest comes from press releases and stories from other sources on stuff that is either about Chester or of interest to Chester folks.

The term they use for this type of style is 'aggregator'. 

Without sounding like a smart ass, I try to tell the people who send me request that I probably won’t be there, but you’ll be there. Take some photos, send captions and a short story and I’ll post it. 

99% of the people never do.

Widener University Football is crazy

I haven't attended a Widener football game since the Billy Whiteshoes era. There has been nothing to draw me to one since then.

My, how times have changed.

The Widener scouts have been recruiting Chester High players the past few years. These guys didn't seem like standouts on the mediocre (at best) Chester teams, but that's why I'm not a scout.

Chester players are leading Widener football to ridiculous victories.

Last week I half jokingly told a friend that I wouldn't be surprised if Widener scores 100 points this year.

I opened the paper today and read that they scored 90 on Saturday.

Who is joining me to catch a Widener game this year?

Civil Rights Organizations File Housing Discrimination Complaint Against Major National Bank

On Tuesday, Sept. 25th, the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) and five of its member organizations will hold an online news conference to announce a federal housing discrimination complaint against a major national bank.  This complaint, the third of its kind this year, will be filed with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is a result of an undercover investigation into how major American banks are failing to maintain and market Real Estate Owned (REO) properties – bank-owned or foreclosed properties – in African-American and Latino neighborhoods throughout the nation.

Health Partners, Eddystone ShopRite Host Back-to-School Bash

BMI, Blood Pressure and Dental Screenings for the entire family! 

On Saturday, September 22, 2012, Noon - 4 p.m. at Collins Family ShopRite of Eddystone,  Health Partners, in partnership with Collins Family ShopRite Supermarket in Eddystone, will hold a Back-to-School bash to kick off the start of another healthy school year for families in Chester and the surrounding areas. This family-friendly event will feature free Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure and dental screenings for adults and children ages ten and up. 

Chester Community Charter School Upon the Completion of the PSSA Audit by the Pennsylvania Department of Education

We are pleased that the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has announced that its audit of the results of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (PSSA) for 2009, 2010 and 2011 at Chester Community Charter School is now officially closed without any disciplinary action taken against the school.  

These guys aren't Most Wanted

We're regularly reminded of the Most Wanted Child Support Criminals, but you'll never read about these guys until they're arrested. 

Does that make any sense?

Wells Fargo supports Community Action Agency

Edward T. Coleman, Chief Executive Officer, announced that the Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc. (CAADC) recently received a $5,000 donation from Wells Fargo to support its Case Management Program.  

Court Date Set, Injunction Sought in PA Voter ID Law Case

A court date has been set for Tues., Sept. 25, when a Commonwealth Court judge will hear from witnesses who say they've had trouble getting a new, state-issued form of identification to be used for voting only. The move comes after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court told Judge Robert Simpson this week that the law must be put on hold if there's any question about voters getting these new ID cards.

Tyreke Evans returns to Chester with VSP Vision Care

CHESTER BOH, TYREKE EVANS, & VSP VISION CARE ‘LOOK OUT’ FOR CHESTER

Vision Care, the nation’s largest vision care provider, in partnership with the Chester City Bureau of Health and NBA Sacramento Kings pro-basketball player and Chester native, Tyreke Evans, is providing the City of Chester with one million dollars of eye care for children and residents in need. 

Working in conjunction with Chester City Health Commissioner Ieasa Nichols, Tyreke will be the spokesperson for VSP who will adopt Chester as a concentration of their eye care annual efforts, providing free eye exams and glasses on their forty foot mobile clinic.

Healthy vision accounts for a child’s academic potential, as more than 60% of children with learning deficiencies have undiagnosed vision issues.  

This year will mark the third year of free eye care provided to Chester residents by VSP. 

The formal adoption will be announced during a press conference inside the Chester City Boys & Girls Club located at 201 E. 7th Street in Chester on Tuesday, September 25th, at 3:30PM.

NOTE: THE PRESS CONFERENCE IS FOR MEDIA ONLY

Chester City Host Riverfront Ramble

Hon. Mayor John A. Linder and Chester City Council, along with sponsors Collins Shop Rite, TD Bank, BPG, the Chester Spirit/Spirit Media Group, Peco, and Comcast, invite the Chester community and surrounding neighborhoods to Chester’s Riverfront Ramble Festival Saturday, September 22nd along Seaport Drive at the Chester City Riverfront. 

Widener University Again Named “Military Friendly” School

For the third year, Victory Media, Inc. has selected Widener University as a “Military Friendly School,” placing it in the top 15 percent of all higher education institutions nationwide that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus.

Arizona's comments on Rondae Jefferson

Click HERE to read an article from the Arizona papers on Mr. Jefferson's upcoming new residency

DELCO Officials Partner to host ‘TAKE-BACK’ Drug Event

Residents urged to dispose of unwanted, potentially dangerous prescription drugs 

District Attorney John J. Whelan will join Delaware County Council Chairman Thomas J. McGarrigle to announce Delaware County law enforcement’s participation in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Take-Back Day Initiative during Delaware County Council’s regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.  

98-year old grandmother loves playing Nintendo Wii

Seniors at Reba Brown Seniors residence and various communities within Philadelphia love Wii in their lounge just as much as their young kids do

At the Reba Brown Senior Residence of Philadelphia, where the residences are all over 60, something unexpected has been transpiring since they were introduced to Nintendo Wii Console, by Suma Home Care. The residence, most of who have never picked up a video game controller in their life, suddenly can’t put the controller down.

Mike Francis

The guy with the big smile and bigger heart. Our favorite ref.

Anzer Kirkland

Delaware County Most Wanted

Delaware County Pennsylvania has to be the only place in America where the only crime people commit is not paying child support.

The Most Wanted list never has a burglar, rapist, tax evader, embezzler, murderer, child molester, or car thief -  just child support scaffolds.

That can't be right, can it?

Are all the other criminals too good to have their photos in the paper or is child support the crime that is causing the most devastation in our county?

Although it's one of the most visited links on this blog, the Most Wanted tab is grossly under represented based on the variety of crime that goes on in the county. 

What can we do to identify other criminals?

Bloggers Love Literacy

I'm very disappointed that I couldn't attend the celebration of International Literacy Day at the Delaware County Literacy Council Tuesday night.

A group of us Daily Times bloggers were asked to come up with a cause that we'd all support and promote together and literacy is what we came up with.

I don't know why the others agreed to go with literacy, but my reasons were selfish. If you can't read, chances are very good that you are not reading this blog.

How did water become so political?

Am I the only one amused at all the fuss over board positions at the Chester Water Authority?

Who Likes Friday Night Football?

Chester High School football home games have been played on Saturday mornings at 10:30am for as long as I remember. Until I saw 5 pages of high school football coverage in Saturday's Daily Times, I didn't realize how many games in this area are played on Friday night.

I don't pay much attention to football, so please don't think I just landed here from another planet, but I'm curious if you like your high school football on Friday night or Saturday morning?

Poll: Three Out of Four Say No to Food Stamp Cuts

HARRISBURG, Pa. - One Pennsylvanian in eight has a hard time putting food on the table, a proportion that's been getting worse in the state since 2006. Now, a new survey from the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) shows three out of four respondents oppose cutting food stamps as a way to reduce federal spending. Nearly eight out of ten support spending the same or more on food stamps, which are now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.

Pennsylvania Voter ID facts

This letter went out to all residents of the Chester Housing Authority on September 6 to instruct them of the ID requirements and instructions to obtain proper personal identification that will be accepted at the PA voting booths in November. 

As you know, Pennsylvania enacted a Voter ID law that will take effect Election Day this year. Voters must prepare by ensuring they have the proper ID. The ID must have an expiration date. The following forms of ID will be accepted at the polls:

• Photo IDs issued by the US Government or the Commonwealth of PA
• PA driver's license or PennDOT non-driver's license (IDs are valid for voting purposes 12 months past the expiration date).
• Valid US passport
• US Military ID - active duty and retired military
• Employee photo ID issued by federal, state, county or municipal government
• Photo ID from an accredited public or private PA college or university
• Photo ID issued by a PA care facility including long-term care facilities, assisted living residences or personal care homes

If you are in need of a photo ID for voting, PennDOT is issuing free non-driver's licenses at their license centers across the state. The closest center to Chester is at the Granite Run Mall. If voters previously had any PennDOT license, they will not have to bring a birth certificate or other documentation because you will be in the PennDOT's system. You will be asked to complete an application stating you have no other acceptable photo ID for voting purposes. 

Residents in need of assistance to obtain a valid photo ID are encourage to contact State Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland, 610-876-6420 or State Sen. Dominic Pileggi, 610-447-5845. The Chester Housing Authority will also assist, including with transportation. 

Steven A. Fischer

Executive Director

Chester Housing Authority

Open House Shines International Light on Local Adult Literacy

 Philadelphia Union player Michael Lahoud, a native of Sierra Leone, is scheduled to appear at the Literacy Council’s Open House, which will be held on Wednesday, September 12, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

$1 Daily Times today

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Start Your Own Business Classes in Chester

SURVEY RESULTS: Will you miss May's Water Ice?

79 votes

YES 64%

NO 35%

If as many people who will miss May’s Water Ice supported May’s water Ice, they might stay open. Imagine 64% of the 35,000 or so Chester folks buying a water ice and pretzels a couple times a week, or a Christmas tree come December. May’s would be thriving.

But times change. 

Opening Day 2012 - Chester Football

WDNR threatening to go off the air

Master Blaster needs YOU to support Chester radio

Widener University is considering giving up on their radio station. If you tune into Master Blaster in the mornings, you may have noticed that there has been ‘dead-air’ most of the summer. Master Blaster told me they were fixing some things and would be back on when school starts, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

I never thought Chester took advantage of having a local university radio station broadcasting in their midst. Other than Master Blaster, rarely has Chester folks appeared on the station for long.