A vote for Zoe is a vote for every child

In an election year often overshadowed by divisiveness, the YMCA of Greater Brandywine is proud to endorse a candidate who unites, bringing together the entire community, regardless of party, or even age. A few weeks ago, the Y of Greater Brandywine announced our support of Zoe for President – in 2064. Zoe, a one-yearold toddler, embodies the hopes, dreams, and potential of every single child in Chester County and we are proud to offer her our endorsement.

There is often a perception that as the wealthiest county in Pennsylvania, Chester County does not have children that need our help. However, this could not be more wrong. According to a study from Public Citizens for Youth and Children, child poverty in Chester County rose by 55% between 2008 and 2014, increasing a widening gap between those at the high-end and low-end of the income spectrum.

The Y of Greater Brandywine is supporting Zoe as our presidential candidate to shine a light on youth development issues, and specifically youth in need, right here in Chester County. We believe it is critical to truly focus in on all that still needs to be done to ensure that every Zoe has the tools he or she needs to be a successful adult or one day run for President – if they want to.

Zoe’s platform in Chester County speaks to some of the basic building blocks for successful youth development – foundational elements that the Y of Greater Brandywine and many other great non-profits focus on every single day.

We believe every child in Chester County needs access to early childhood education. More than half of three and four year olds do not attend preschool, although studies demonstrate this is one of the most critical times in their development. At the Y of Greater Brandywine, we provide early learning programs to over 550 kids inside and outside our buildings every year at eight locations.

We believe every child in Chester County needs to have access to learning all summer long. In Chester County, 1 in 10 kids is home alone in the summer. At the Y of Greater Brandywine, we provide summer camp programs to nearly 5,000 children through our eight branches across the County with a summer camp experience full of adventure, learning, and fun. And with our Power Scholars Academy™, in 2016, we debuted a six-week summer program for students to not only mitigate summer learning loss in math and reading, but to also foster physical and socialemotional growth. This program provided 83 children in the Oxford Area School District with support, meals, field trips, and full financial assistance.

Every child in Chester County needs to have a safe place and an enriched environment after school. Every day, 1 in 4 kids is left unsupervised after school. At the Y of Greater Brandywine, we provide after and before school programs to nearly 1,000 children, providing them with academic intervention, healthy activities, and enrichment opportunities that help to improve their grades, increase social and emotional competencies, and reduce risk-taking activities.

Zoe, and every child like her, need this support to have the best chance for success, whether that be for a Presidential bid or any other dreams and aspirations. Denise Day

CEO and President of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine

Program will make great things happen

To the Editor: Earlier this summer, the Pennsylvania Legislature and I voted to re-open the Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) program. This is a 10-year tax abatement program applied to specific properties that will add significant tax incentives into our revitalization toolbox for the City of Coatesville. With this powerful tool, we can finally attract major, sustainable interest from investors and develop areas which have been neglected for far too long.

Working alongside the Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance, I am fully behind the effort to secure the Keystone Opportunity Zone designation for our city. Since the program applies to local property taxes, it requires the support of the county, city and school district before it can proceed to the state for final approval. The Chester County Commissioners have recently signed onto the effort, and I am encouraging the Coatesville City Council and the Coatesville Area School Board to do the same. This is a great opportunity for leaders in our community to come together to support a significant step towards the revitalization of Coatesville.

Once our leaders have come together to endorse this important initiative, I will do everything in my power to ensure that the state government joins our cause and approves our application to designate a Keystone Opportunity Zone for our city!

I am proud of our community and I know that, together, we can make great things happen for Coatesville and all areas of the 74th District.

Harry Lewis, Jr.

State Representative, 74th legislative district of Pennsylvania

Gun lobby and lawyers get richer

To the Editor: I find the Pennsylvania legislature on the side of gun companies as they are again passing a law allowing gun companies to sue cities and towns that enact gun regulations.

By now, you may know that HB 2258, the special standing/punitive preemption bill (or Act 192 reboot), passed out of the House Judiciary Committee. The House could vote on this bill soon, and the Senate also has a version pending (SB 1330). Despite all we know about how bad Act 192 was - leading to lawsuits against Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Lancaster and Lower Merion Township, and threats against hundreds of other towns across PA - they’re trying to bring it back. Why? Who does this law benefit? Not the towns and cities that have faced lawsuits. Not the taxpayers who had to pay to defend those lawsuits. Not the township residents who saw good safety measures repealed out of fear of lawsuits. Only one small group benefits - lawyers who represent the gun groups who sue our cities. This law, simply put, is a gift for the gun lobby and their lawyers.

Zoe’s platform in Chester County speaks to some of the basic building blocks for successful youth development – foundational elements that the Y of Greater Brandywine and many other great non-profits focus on every single day.

Mary Kane

Chester Springs

Four reasons to vote for Katie McGinty

To the Editor: For U.S. Senate, I believe Katie McGinty is clearly the better choice this November. She understands the concerns of the people of Pennsylvania and will do a better job representing our interests. Her opponent Pat Toomey is running many TV and print ads that obscure some of his very troubling positions. It’s time to expose them.

On Social Security: Toomey has long advocated privatizing Social Security. He even led a multi-million-dollar campaign to encourage privatization when he was president of Club for Growth, a right-wing organization that supports policies that help the rich. Privatizing takes the “Security” out of Social Security. McGinty has pledged to defend it vigorously.

On Medicare: Toomey has voted for legislation that would force deep cuts to Medicare, and raise the eligibility age. His own budget proposal replaced Medicare with a voucher program that would limit the amount of services received. McGinty thinks

that seniors have earned the healthcare security of Medicare and will support this program in the Senate.

On Gun Control: Toomey has an A rating from the National Rifle Association and voted against closing the terror loophole. He opposes banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. McGinty believes we need common-sense policies that will help reduce the number of deaths in this country from gun violence.

On Donald Trump: Toomey wants to dissociate himself from Donald Trump to appeal to moderate voters. But he won’t disavow Trump for fear of alienating supporters of

his own party’s presidential candidate. At this late stage, Toomey still hasn’t taken a stand. Voters deserve to know. Katie McGinty’s support for the Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton has been unequivocal, and she believes Trump is not fit to serve as our president.

In this election, there is a clear alternative to Pat Toomey and his support for policies that will hurt Pennsylvanians. On November 8, your voice is your vote. Send Katie McGinty to the Senate where she’ll work hard for you, not for special interests.

Cheryl Bittner

Wayne