CUSD Chief Recovery Officer said what?

Chester Upland School District Chief Recovery Officer Joe Watkins said the district must regain many of the students it has lost to charter and private schools if it is to establish financial stability and begin a path toward prosperity.

Wow! Is that all he could come up with?

More on Tyreke Evan's VSP visit to Chester

Click HERE to view

Did District Attorney Jack Whelan kill a chance at forgiveness?

When Butch Slaughter sent me the email announcing that DA Jack Whelan was going to visit Shakiyl Smith, I was curious how that would work out.

It certainly makes for a great front page photo op, but the results of the meeting was interestingly predictable and somewhat disappointing.

Does Chester care about St. Rep Thaddeus Kirkland's ethics?

Marcus Hook mayor James Schiliro is bringing the heat, or so he thinks. No matter if an investigation is launched or what they may conclude, I don't believe Chester voters care either way.

Chester's political history is so ripe with political vice that these allegations brought up by Mayor Schiliro are petty in comparison. And, more importantly, Chester folks are well aware of how Kirkland flexes his political muscle and they have accepted it for 20 years. 

If Schiliro wants to be the next St. Rep, he will need the communities outside of Chester to vote in large numbers to overcome the Kirkland Chester base.  Yet, Kirkland's base would rather have a Chester face in that office than any outsider. 

Council Woman Elizabeth Williams - 'No She Didn’t!'

As I pulled up the Daily Times on my Droid this morning, I told my buddy that there is a story on Council Woman Williams taking money from the city pool. (I didn't realize it was the cover story until much later in the day).

Before I could read a single word of the article, he said, ‘That’s an old story. Everybody knows she took the money in front of everyone and put an I.O.U. in the box.’

Stop the press!

I hope that ain’t true, but he told the story in such a matter-of-fact fashion, I moved on to the baseball playoffs. 

Too much drama. 

Click HERE for more

The Mike Francis Smile

I knew I had a pic of Mike Francis somewhere on one of my computers. This is how I remember him most!

Click HERE for more

Breast Cancer is Not Just an Issue for Women

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and, while breast cancer in women gets most of the focus, it should be remembered that men are liable to the disease, too. 

Chester Football is disappearing despite college scholarships

First home game 2012 crowd at Chester High 

Chester High football players are getting more college scholarships than Chester High basketball players, I think.

If coach Ed Kloss's facts are correct that in the past three years 15 Chester High football players are playing college ball, that far outnumbers the basketball players that are playing college basketball despite all the state championships. 

Can anyone name 15 Chester High basketball players on college teams right now?

Mayor Jay Schiliro Files Ethics Complaint Against Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland

State funding, at request of House Democrats, went to non-profits and other organizations controlled by Kirkland friends and family

Click to Enlarge

Marcus Hook Mayor Jay Schiliro today announced that he is filing a formal complaint with the  Pennsylvania Ethics Commission regarding Representative Thaddeus Kirkland (D-159) and state funding that has been directed to non-profits and other organizations controlled by Kirkland’s family and close associates. Schiliro also provided the documents and other information to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office for review.

According to documents and research, state funding was directed by the House Democratic Caucus, presumably at the request of Representative Kirkland to at least three organizations controlled by Kirkland’s friends and family.

“I believe the method in which these organizations were funded and their close ties to Kirkland, his family, and associates raises serious ethical concerns and I believe is warrant an ethics inere were any illegal activities,” said Schiliro. 

Famous Chester Statues

Which one is your favorite, and why?

10 Safety Tips for Women

Because of recent abductions in daylight hours, refresh yourself of these things to do in an emergency situation.

After reading these 10 Crucial Tips, forward them to someone you care about. It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in. 

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do 
The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it.

2. Tip from a Tourist Guide
If a robber asks for your wallet or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you.....Chances are he is more interested in your wallet or purse than you, and he will go for it. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. Tip if thrown into the trunk of a car
Kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Tips when getting into a car
Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, and sit (doing their checkbook, making a list, makeup, hair, etc.) DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.

If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead, gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes, bail out and run. 

5. Tips for parking lots and parking garages
Be aware, look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor and in the back seat. If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars. Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. 

6. Tips for elevators
ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!

7. Tips when there is a gun
If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; and even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, Preferably in a zig -zag pattern!

8. Tips for the sympathetic
Women are typically sympathetic. It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked 'for help' into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his victims.

9. Tips for crying baby at the door
If you hear a crying baby on your porch or front door, call the police. DO NOT open the door.
The baby's cry is usually recorded and used to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby. 

10. Tips for running water
If you wake up in the middle of the night to hear all your water taps outside running, or what you think is a burst pipe, DO NOT GO OUT TO INVESTIGATE! People turn on all your outside taps full ball so that you will go out to investigate and then attack.

Send this to any woman you know that may need to be reminded that the world we live in has a lot of crazies in it and it's better to be safe than sorry.It may save your life or love one's life. Stay alert, keep safe, and look out for your neighbors!

Received in an email. Edited for better reading. I think these tips apply to men too. 

Pileggi sponsors crime gang bill

The state Senate has passed and sent to the House a bill that would make it a crime to recruit members of violent crime gangs. 

One sponsor of the bill is Chester Republican Dominic Pileggi, the Senate majority leader. 

Click HERE for more

Cory Long 'Making a Change'

Candidate Pat Worrell Speaks Politically

LET ME SPEAK POLITICALLY DIRECT!

When I first came to Chester, Delaware County I was exposed to a  reality that was unthinkable, unimaginable and quite frankly OMG, this cannot be true.  To find that your most sacred freedom of political affiliation was a bargaining tool and used to manipulate the electoral process and promote abuse of political powers was incomprehensible.  Now, I was told I should not speak of this because it was all a “myth.”  The myth was (or still is), if you were not a registered Republican, you could not obtain employment, get housing or do business within the City of Chester and Delaware County.  

To me, this is called “political slavery.”  I came from a state that allowed its citizens to be politically free, so I could not quite comprehend what your political affiliation had to do with getting a job, housing or even doing business. To me, this is the ultimate abuse of political powers.  I was also told that the City of Chester and County was a “one party rule” for quite some time, and if you were not on the “right” (republican) side, you would “not get anything”.

Widener Partnership Charter School Unveils New Wing

The Widener Partnership Charter School, the state’s first university-based charter, on Thursday unveiled the new $4.6 million wing of the school at 1450 Edgmont Ave. The 28,000-sq-ft. addition includes a Science Learning Center, an extension of the library, a gymnasium, eight classrooms and eight offices.

“This is truly an exciting day for the school and the Chester community,” said Principal Rosemaria McNeil-Sampson. “This is all about providing our students with a first-class facility for teaching and learning that they can be proud of.”

During the ceremony, the school also dedicated its new Science Learning Center to the PECO/Exelon Foundation. In April, the foundation announced a $1 million grant to the school to fund science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and programs to encourage parental involvement at the school. 

Widener University 2012 Fall Lunch Series

Are you tired of asking yourself: What’s for lunch? Looking for some variety to spice up your taste buds? Students in the School of Hospitality Management at Widener University can help by preparing lunch for you as part of the school’s Fall 2012 Lunch Series.

The first serving of the lunch series was offered Tuesday, October 2. (sorry, was late posting this one).

Bilingual Dining with Diabetes will be Held in Chester

Diabetes is a very serious and costly disease, but research has shown that those who learn to

manage their blood glucose (sugar) levels, eat healthy, and exercise regularly can lower their risk of complications and lead a healthier and more productive life.

Penn State Cooperative Extension will be offering two 4-session Dining with Diabetes sessions beginning Thursday, October 11 through Thursday, November 1. 

Widener University 2012 Fall Dinner Series

Students from the School of Hospitality Management are serving up a delicious experience this fall at Widener University, as part of the 2012 Fall Dinner Series. Throughout the semester, members of the public are invited to experience exquisite dining and vibrant flavors from around the world in a casual, yet refined, atmosphere.

Better Living Center video

Please see video link of Better Living Center (BLC)  in Chester, PA.  We built out the Center in less than 100 days and we opened last Sunday.  

The BLC will offer free access to the world-wide web, after-school tutoring, and an information center on healthcare, employment, job training, education, drug/alcohol rehab, mental health and strengthening families.  

The Better Living Center is a community service ministry of the Macedonia Seventh Day Adventist Church.  BFW Group, LLC www.bfwgroup.net  served as Project Managers.

Click HERE for video link

Pat Worrell discusses Voter ID Law Wednesday

Pat Worrell, Domocratic Candidate for State Senate 9thD, facing Republican, Majority Leader, Sen Dominic Pileggi in November, will hold a press conference regarding the courts decision on the Voter ID Law that Sen Pileggi strongly supported. 

Wednesday, October 3, at 10am

Held at the Chester Democratic Office

405 Avenue of the States, Chester

Widener Partnership Charter School Cutting Ribbon on New $4.6 Addition

Widener Partnership Charter School is the state’s first university-based charter. The 28,000-sq.-ft. addition includes a Science Learning Center, an extension of the library, a gymnasium, eight classrooms and eight offices.

During Thursday's ceremony, the school will also dedicate its new Science Learning Center to the PECO/Exelon Foundation. In April, the foundation announced a $1 grant to the school to fund science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education at the school.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony comes one week after the school learned that it had achieved adequate yearly progress on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment test, one of only two schools in the district to make the grade this year.

The Chester Upland School District has pointed to the charter schools that serve the district as a primary reason for the district’s budgetary woes in recent years. The school district reimburses charter schools on a per-student rate based on the calculated cost to education a student.

The real fire fighter contract?

I have before me, the actual ACT 111 Award document. This details the firefighter's contract as awarded in arbitration signed by arbitrator Thomas W. Jennings on December 2, 2011 between Fire Fighters Local Union No. 1400 and the City of Chester.

It confirms that base wage of the bargaining unit shall be increased as stated in my earlier post, with appropriate adjustments to ranking positions within the bargaining unit.

What is Snitching?

I thought I knew what a snitch was until I started reading the comments in the 'Should Girl Gang be treated as Adults' post. 


I made reference to the person who brought the Facebook video of the girls beating on the lady to the police as 'A Great Snitch'.

People immediately started replying that that is not snitching. They wrote that snitching is street mentality; a bad thing to do; a negative term; it's ratting on someone.

They say that snitching is not the same as reporting a crime.

Union Fires Back on Governor Tom Corbett Claims that Cheating Lowered Test Scores

As state education officials investigate whether cheating took place on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) tests in some districts in the past three years, the state's largest public employees union says the real problem lies elsewhere. 

Mike Crossey, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, says the allegations involve a small number of schools. He points out that the probe takes attention away from the massive education cuts the administration of Governor Tom Corbett has put in place. 

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?