new reporter covering West Chester

Today is my last day working for the Daily Local News, and I'll be preparing to embark on my graduate school studies after today.

I'm happy to announce that the borough beat will not be left in limbo. Anne Pickering will be covering West Chester, at least until someone is hired to fill my spot. Anne is a great reporter and has been at the Local for about three years. She has covered multiple municipalities and several environmental issues. I'm sure she'll do a fine job on the beat. She'll be sitting in Council Chambers next week for the Borough Council meetings, and please say hello and welcome her.

quite a nice surprise!

So, I walked into the newsroom today and was greeted with a surprise that left me feeling deeply honored. A package was on my desk from Mayor Dick Yoder, and when I opened it, I discovered a kind thank you note from the Mayor and the police department due to my time as a reporter. Another package was inside of the envelope, and I discovered I have been given the key to the borough! The gift really surprised me, and I'm going to be sure to display it in my new home, once I begin graduate school in the coming weeks.

It's been a blast covering the West Chester beat for as long as I have. I've enjoyed all of the issues that have gone on here and providing news to residents. West Chester has been my home since I was a student at the university. I've been here about five and a half years, and I've enjoyed every minute of it.

I'm certainly going to be sad to leave the paper tomorrow and move out of Chester County on Sunday, but I feel so honored to take such a nice gift with me on behalf of borough officials.

There has been plenty of chatter over the last few years about the YMCA on East Chestnut Street leaving West Chester and what that will mean to the borough, especially kids in town that are able to walk to the facility, but may not have transportation to reach the new facility in East Goshen.

Borough Council has decided it would like to see a feasibility study done to determine how much it would cost to build and maintain a rec center. As part of that study, residents would be asked if they are willing to help pay for a rec center via taxes. Problems with the study arose early, however, because council did not know how it could fund the first phase of the study, which is expected to cost about $18,000.

Well, at a committee meeting last night, council members were told they could receive some funding to make the study happen. State Sen. Andy Dinniman has assured council he could provide a $10,000 state grant for the study's first phase. Now, the study will most likely be able to move forward and council will be able to see if people actually want a new rec center to replace the Y when it leaves.

Dems did well in West Chester

Well, folks, come January, Borough Council is going to have two new members: Democrat Jim Jones, who will represent the 6th Ward, and Democrat Cassandra Jones, who will represent the 2nd Ward. Jim Jones is a frequent presence at Borough Council meetings. In addition, he also serves on the Borough's Zoning Hearing Board and teaches history courses at WCU. He squared off against Republican Andrew Lehr and won, 222 to 69. Results are unofficial until certified by the Chester County Board of Elections.

Cassandra Jones is president of the East End Neighborhood Association and a project manager for Cheyney University. She beat Councilman Stephen Bond, the only Republican on council. The results were 101 to 90.

Dems now hold every seat on Borough Council. While Democrats may be celebrating in the borough, they didn't do as well in the county races. They lost every county row office race and failed to win the majority on the three-person board of commissioners. They also lost a contested judicial race for the Court of Common Pleas.

Come January, the board of commissioners will contain Republican Carol Aichele, current chairwoman of the board, Republican Terence Farrell, currently the county's recorder of deeds, and Democrat Kathi Cozzone, a corporate business manager for Rodale, Inc., a publishing company.

election reminder

I just wanted to remind everyone that tomorrow is Election Day, so head to the polls and decide who you want to serve on various school boards, councils and county offices, including the three-person board of commissioners.