Northampton County Council member Lamont McClure wants Gracedale to remain in County hands. In recent Express Times and Morning Call op-eds, he's claimed the County nursing home is a moneymaker, even it's lost $3.8 million over the last 22 years. Those losses will mount exponentially as census decreases and employee costs rise. Here's the real reason McClure opposes any County sale of Gracedale:
Laborers Local, 6/29/05, $500 to McClure
IPEW, 10/12/05, $500 to McClure
Pa. union, 10/3/05, $200 to McClure
Iron Workers, 9/1/05, $400 to McClure
Steamfitters, 6/29/05, $350 to McClure
Carpenters, 10/31/05, $1,000 to McClure
Plumbers, 11/1/05, $250 to McClure
PSEA, 12/1/05, $240 to McClure
Laborers Local, 3/30/07, $500 to McClure
IUPAT, 2/6/07, $500 to McClure
UB of C & S, 5/7/07, $1,000 to McClure
Plasterers, 5/2/07, $300 to McClure
Plumbers, 8/29/07, $750 to McClure
Laborers Local, 10/18/07, $1,000 to McClure
IBEW, 10/12/07, $1,000 to McClure
Steamfitters, 8/28/07, $500 to McClure
IUPAT, 10/11/07, $250 to McClure
AFSCME, 6/29/07, $200 to McClure
Laborers Local, 2/23/09, $1,500 to McClure
Carpenters, 2/11/09, $1,000 to McClure
75 comments:
YIKES! Who owns whom ?
Of course all the money Gracedale has lost was in the last two years, with...wait for it...John Stoffa. The guy who has a hardon to sell it is the same guy who has horrendously or slyly mismanaged the Hell out of it.
Of course he has to. Otherwise his drug rehab center that will be funded with 100% county dollars won't have the cash.
Abe Atiyah is smiling as he writes the scripts.
WOW..AFSCME really paid a whopping $200 to McClure?? Holy cow that kind of money has some impact!!
Now...if you could please tell us the REAL reason Angle wants to sell Gracedale??
Could it be the amount of money he will personally save by avoiding a raise in taxes? I am sure that number will far exceed $200, better yet the amount he will save will exceed all the contributions combined.. I can assure you of that.
But leave it to ole Berno to leave that out!!
While you are at it...write about the REAL reason Angle forged the Will.
Money..Money...Money!!!! Incase you have forgotten (and you may have since you mooch your internet off of Panera...i didn't think they were open this late) Money makes the world go 'round!!
Bernie, I'd like to see how much money these same pension pilers gave Rich Grucela. I'll bet they're into him for more than they own Lamont.
I'd like to see a list of Angles contributors.
Hells Angels $300
Taliban $700
KKK $400 and fresh sheets
Arian Youth $0.39 times are tough
Hamas $500
Evil Dictators Association
$35million
Bernie O'Hare Undying support
1:00am
You forgot the contributions he hopes to get from the forged Will as well as the lawsuit on his own dead father.
So Labor supports McClure-- a Democrat// Republicans take their money from BIG Business// so what is the point here?? EVERY Democrat gets labor money and EVERY Republican gets BIG BUSiness money-- Mr. O Hare has added 2 plus 2 but it equals 5!!! There is NO connection to his position-- he just wants to have a nursing home for old people-- what is wrong with that?? Mr. O hare ALWAYS tries to impugn bad motives to his detractors-- when there is none.
My prediction.........Berno will come on and call us all the "3am troll/Winston Smith/Cowardly Anon/whatever else
But he will totally avoid the points made here....or he will go into the delete defense.
Remember Anons make up 90% of his blog, but he refuses to admit it!!
You are all the 3AM troll. You will all be beheaded. Ron angle is a Saint and he dispenses Holy Tasty Cake to the elderly and poor.
Of course he has to unlock their doors first.
All Hail the Great and Merciful Angle.
Bernie
Today's TV news includes CA residents across the board in recent weeks have demanded public disclosure of all government officials salaries. If you wanted to spearhead a campaign for the same here in the Lehigh Valley, we think it would be a success.
6:55 -
It won't make any difference. School salaries, which are public salaries, have been available for years
http://php.app.com/PAteachers/search.php
They are known, but they just keep going up. Love to see the folks who support the sale of Gracedale take the lead on THIS issue. But, like the bullies I am beginning to see them as, they pick on the weak and are too pussified to even think about it.
County leaders are not responsible for schools run amok. But if the schools were not run amok, there would be plenty of money in our wallets to fund the local needs.
Maybe Grucela is smart enough to see the connection and will do something about it.
Ha...
To Winston Smith, if I remember correctly Mr. A had to return $15,000.00 of the gentleman's money.
Bernie
Some of these writers make some excellent points..The fact that Dems get their money from labor and Republicans get theirs from corporations is really no secret..
The fact that Ron Angle is property rich and will be stung much more than anyone in regard to a tax increase is also the truth..The fact is a modest increase of about $1. a week for the average taxpayer would help alleviate this problem. However, instead the County asks the employees to give up hundreds a month in wages and benefits rather than ask the taxpayers for a dollar a week..Doesn't sound fair to me..If things were reversed and times were good , do you really think the County would open up the contract and say here's some more money for you guys..Right!!
Anon 9:12, You're not even being liogical. Angle is a property owner, and has he interest of a propertry owner, like every Northampton County taxpayer. McClure is a beneficiary of regular union donation, and I can't think of any taxpayer, other than politicians like him, who benefit. He is a pay to player.
Another point. With those union concessions, Angle would have been willing to seek a tax hike, meet them half way, and ask for private management. MBut unlike McClure, he is unwilling to shakle proptrty owners to the interest of a greedy few or their 1770% increase in pension cost.
"Bernie, I'd like to see how much money these same pension pilers gave Rich Grucela. I'll bet they're into him for more than they own Lamont."
His are online.
"AFSCME really paid a whopping $200 to McClure?? Holy cow that kind of money has some impact!!"
Selective reading.
The simple reality is that McClure is a union hack whose campaigns are funded by unions, Morganelli and plaintiffs' lawyers.
"write about the REAL reason Angle forged the Will."
An attenmopt to deflect friom the real issue, demonstrating your weakness and making very clear that the Gracedale lovers are not as compassionate as they pretend.
"Abe Atiyah is smiling as he writes the scripts."
Abe Atiyeh has contribued to McClure. Sio has his business partner. Not a dime to Angle. Try harder.
Bernie, Talk about selective reading..Not being logical..The County is asking employees for givebacks amounting to hundreds per month..Some employees in human services were already moved to other positions which will result in thousands of dollars of compensation losses..All I'm saying is that the county needs to also do what lehigh county will be doing and that is raising taxes by a modest amount..Once again, why should employees give up hundreds a month in contractual agreements when the county isn't even willing to ask it's residents to pay an extra few dollars a month to continue services? You focused on my Angle comments but didn't comment on this..Again, I ask you? Is this fair? County signed contracts and it is their responsibility to live up to them..It is not the employees fault that the County didn't fight enough when they allowed Easton to get a half a million a year in table games money that should have been theirs..It's not the employees fault that the Demo led council didn't increase taxes last year to cover gracedale's costs and contractual increase costs..By the way Angle didn't support the increase either...
"Abe Atiyeh has contribued to McClure. Sio has his business partner. Not a dime to Angle. Try harder."
Not until he buys Gracedale...was he the one who called Angle directly. You never did say who that was?
DO YOU KNOW THAT THE INCREASE THEY SAY WOULD HAVE TO BE IN TAXES IS NOT THAT MUCH FOR THE AVERAGE HOME OWNER. Angle say people are loosing their homes, Yes they are, but not for the amount that taxes would go up to save Gracedale.Your County tax is the smallest of all taxes.This would not make people loose their home.Only a couple of dollar's a week. Most people waste more money on cigarette's and lottery tickets and boose in a week and we don't want them to give that up to help our elderly now do we.Get with the program Angle and Stoffa these are some of the same people who voted for you, paid taxes all their life and even fought in wars for our freedom. I know selling or leasing would not put them in the street but the quality of care would be sacrificed.Just so we can take care of our model prison citizens who deserve to be treated like kings and queens.Why don't you wake up and smell the coffee County residents want Gracedale.Just ask them.
raise taxes and save gracedale !
Anyone know why 70 percent of valley respondents oppose privatization of Gracedale? That is a significant percentage.
That's a bullshit number from an online poll. As I indicated last night, if online polls had any validity, Ron Paul would be President.
"raise taxes and save gracedale !"
... i.e., raise taxes and save AFSCME. Fuck the taxpayers.
"Not until he buys Gracedale...was he the one who called Angle directly. You never did say who that was?"
You indicated the white collar croime unit of the PSP would investigate this. Let them ask me.
i am a taxpayer of two properties and i absoultely support an increase in taxes for the right reasons meaning save gracedale . i am not wealthy by an stretch of the imangination and don't apoligize for my position on this issue i feel it is important to save gracedale!! i am not a union suporter!!! never have been, it seems to me anyone having a difference of opioion in your mind must belong to the union well your wrong i am not! a poll that had at least 2500 votes speaks volumes but you dismiss those votes because they differ from your feelings on this issue.
".. i.e., raise taxes and save AFSCME. Fuck the taxpayers."
i.e. sell Gracedale and save Angle tons of money. Fuck the taxpayers...Angle could care less about us. He is out for number 1.
Wow, everyone is tossing the F word about..This is getting exciting. Raise the damn taxes already and stop the crap. Everyone knows if you sell gracedale the care will go to hell.
If that doesn't bother you then not much else is worth saying..
Bernie O'Hare said...
"raise taxes and save gracedale !"
... i.e., raise taxes and save AFSCME. Fuck the taxpayers.
___________________________________
Since no one is closing Gracedale, just exactly what is meant when somebody says, "Save Gracedale"? I think Bernie has it right...
Raise taxes and save Gracedale?
Fuck you, union sloths. Not a dime more for you. With that attitude, you deserve to lose your jobs.
Taxpayers elected a council that would finally stop you from ruining the county's finances. This is part of that process.
Enjoy your change. Maybe you can eat those purple shirts. Arrogant bastards.
Standing up to unions is righteous, but show the same balls when it's the SEIU.
The tough guys standing up to Gracedale workers will sit home with their johnsons in their hands.
Going after Gracedale is like hitting a girl.
The union greed that is bringing Gracedale to an end is sinful. 1700%. Gracedale wasn't supposed to exist for them.
Bernie, you've done a masterful job here. You did your homework, showed the list, put up the post, and like sharks to bloody chum they came with teeth out and their true colors flying. The best way to understand the union's arrogance is to read their own words. Nice work; thanks.
saving gracedale simply means keep her county owned ~
how can you blame the unions ? doesn't stoffa have some responsiblity here ? stop deflecting and pointing fingers it's the poor management and everyone knows it. you act like this itsy bitsy teeny weeny little tax increase might kill someone , for gods sake get a grip ,either way it goes the tax increase is coming to a community near you.and we will all survive .... honestly it sounds like some folks are jealous these folks have a job and work hard for living futher when you feel need to use profanity it's only because you have nothing intelligent to say.
If you think the problem is bad now wait until 10 years when Bernies in gracedale. 1. Twice as many people will need gracedale services due to baby boomer population bump. 2.Wages will be higher and few will be able to afford private nursing homes 3. liability and mandates will require constant transfers to hospitals when patients get a fart stuck 4.Supplies and technology costs will skyrocket due to current trends.For God sake stop your pissing an moaning and come up with a fair conclusion and solution to this current situation
Bernie I didn't know one of your jobs was speechwriter for Angle. You are either his speach writer or he is a plagiarizer. His little essay in todays paper has you and or the contributers in here verbiage all over it. I can not believe that someone who said "DEMOCRACY HAS BEEN TOOKIN' FROM YOU TODAY" is capable of striging those sentences together. So which is it plagiarizer or speechwriter?
In pleading his case to sell Gracedale he mentioned his uncle being there. He brought it up so commentary is permitted. He NEVER visits the man. Although the uncle threatens the employees to get his way with statements like "buy me a soda or I'm telling my nephew Ron and he'll get you fired" . This overheard by me. Question does he not visit him because he is trying to set a poor example of how to treat the elderly, or, because of a court ordered protection from abuse, you know given his history.
Wow! Ron's uncle sounds very cantankerous. Maybe you should break his arm, too. The compassion from you is amazing.
Since we're talking about Mr Angle's commentary (read it here) what struck me was this:
"Gracedale’s census has dropped dramatically, from 709 in 2007 to just 638 today. We’ve waived the county resident requirement; we’ve admitted people who have assets. It’s still going down."
All I've ever heard in this drama was how superior Gracedale was to every other home in the area. How can it be that it's not filled to capacity? It doesn't add up....
"Bernie I didn't know one of your jobs was speechwriter for Angle"
Angle is incredibly gifted, and those of you who constantly underestimate him always end up paying for your mistakes.
Wayne, Maybe you wrote that speech.
"Anyone know why 70 percent of valley respondents oppose privatization of Gracedale? That is a significant percentage"
That's a bullshit result bnased on an unreliable online poll, the kind that elect Ron Paul President.
Everyone treats him with kid gloves because they are abused daily physically and verbally by alot of patients. They clean his glasses when he asks 20 times a shift and by sodas for him because they are overpaid and can afford it. Your arm breaking comment shows what kind of trash you are.
and that bull s*** poll will be proven truewhen these people lose their elections by oh lets say
70% to 30
you'll see
and I really take offense to that arm breaking poll
you are a bad person
painting an entire staff with the same brush
very bad person
I have no respect for you
The social director of NCDOC thanks you for relinquishing your time today. Your friend thanks you too!
The fact is WE TAKE CARE OF HIS UNCLE
HE DOESN'T
You're right. He's real lucky to have caring people like you, violating his privacy in violation of federal law, and complaining about him on this blog.
If you didn't want the arm-breaking shot, then perhaps you should have kept your moutyh shut about a patient. And staffers have abused patients. I could see someone like you doing exactly that and justifying it.
HE DOESN'T EVEN BRING HIM A TASTYKAKE ON HIS BIRTHDAY
Bernie O'Hare said...
Wayne, Maybe you wrote that speech.
________________________________
Looks like he did fine without me!
no name was mentioned no law was broken
I see. You talk about Angle's uncle but think you've broken nio law bc you didn't mention his name? Isn't there some arm for you to break somewhere? Or maybe you could blow up antother rat?
the HIPPA laws dictate no names be mentioned situations can be discussed
I don't belong to the union
I am a volunteer
And I never belonged to a union
I worked for 42 years no union
but I can smell a rat
and this place seems infested
Anon confuses me...
Uncle threatens employees with his nephew.
But the nephew never visits.
So it's an idle, empty threat.
So we're talking about it because...?
I don't volunteer to break peoples arms I volunteer to read to them help them eat and take them for rides or walks around the building
you should be ashamed of yourself
or come down to Gracedale and volunteer as well
When did the census start to go down at Gracedale go down? When the first word on the street was that it was going to be solded or leased... last year or even before. The management at the courthouse not Gracedale is to blame for poor management. Money went to the prison, let's coddle the people who are anti-social. How many are multiple offenders? As Mrs. Ferraro said this bad behavior is seen in elementary school. Rehab is not the answer, the bad habits are instilled till an adult. 300 beds!!! Sounds like the system has failed. What is really in the shadows soon to be brought to light? The residents at the meeting are there not by choice, but need. Health issues have brought them there. Some do go home. But Mr Angle feels that if they are at Gracedale they have no mind, let alone the right to speak their mind. All those residents at one time were hard working, paid taxes and felt at ease that if needed, Gracedale would be there. Nothing like destroying someone's faith. Don't blame on the workers either...shame on Mr. Stoffa and Mr. Angle. Hope you never find yourself in their position. Mr. Angle you said you have an uncle there? When was the last time you visited him? Do you know how he is without making a phone call to catch up on him prior to a remote possible visit? Mr. Granda has not been in administration that long. He inherited a big mess as the courthouse just ignored Gracedale. Guess we don't deserve a chance to recover. Some money should have been allocated for future use. Fiscal affairs has revealed it is not neccessary to sell. Money has to be paid to Commisions Assoc., also will affect the ambulance transport, maintentaince,parks, and other outside diagnostics. Hope you both can sleep straight at night.
Confused Wayne
This is a story related to show what type of situations the employees put up with everyday. They must maintain their composure in any and all circumstances. This Angle fellow brought up the fact he has an uncle there in todays paper. He left out the fact he never visits. That is why it was mentioned. An effort to show the type of man he is to reveal his level of self promotion. And his lack of morals.
Maybe we should look at incident reports to see if there is an increase in alledged abuse that could be timeline associated with the hostilities of the union/county failed negociations. This in an effort to prove Bernies assumption that ARMS WILL BE BROKE BY THE CRAZY UNION EMPLOYEES IF THEY LOSE THEIR JOBS.
Incredible
The Privacy Rule
The HIPAA Privacy Rule establishes national standards to protect individuals’ medical records and other personal health information and applies to health plans, health care clearinghouses, and those health care providers that conduct certain health care transactions electronically. The Rule requires appropriate safeguards to protect the privacy of personal health information, and sets limits and conditions on the uses and disclosures that may be made of such information without patient authorization. The Rule also gives patients rights over their health information, including rights to examine and obtain a copy of their health records, and to request corrections.
Looks like you break arms and violate patients' privacy rights. What compassion! Volunteers like you are gold. Bet you're also very good at blowing up rats.
OK, silly me... it was brought out to make Mr. Angle look bad. Sorry for not paying attention.
And yes, I do appreciate people who have the temperament to work with the aged. I don't know if I could do it, that's why I work with machines. I'm sure there's plenty that work there who would never want the chore of keeping up with or maintaining a machine. Different strokes for different folks.
I've been in a union shop where the facility has gone up for sale and in another that was slated to shut down with no possibility of saving. It's not pretty and it can be gut wrenching. At least Gracedale knows it's not being shut down. I think you should take solace in that...
Silly Wayne
Tea Party Whacko....LOL
Angle leaves out the part about the census dropping because Grwacedale was purposely not admiting new patients.
You can use the "dog ate my homework" defense if you want, but when you are seen feeding the dog your homework don't be upset if some question your sincerity or honesty.
This is a power trip for Angle, no more no less. He doesn't give a damn about anyone but himself, never has. He wants to win a political battle and the battle today is Gracedale. He is not a friend of Gracedale or the taxpayer.
He has a new Council and an Executive he leads by the nose ring.
From my perspective Gracedale is over. The reason, Ron Angle decided to do it and no one can stop him.
"Angle is incredibly gifted, and those of you who constantly underestimate him always end up paying for your mistakes."
Yeah we really blowed it!!!!
Get a grip you idiot...he can't even talk about how is old man blew money....instead he blowed it!!
12:30 wrote: "Your County tax is the smallest of all taxes".
Wrong. Take a look at the NorCo Assessment site. County tax 10.8 mills. Most Municipalities are half that. Three are actually only 2 mills.
NorCo taxes have gone up quite a bit the past several years, especially to pay for bonds that most folks don't notice the benefits to in their daily lives, but made Reibman feel like he accomplished something I guess.
"Looks like you break arms and violate patients' privacy rights. What compassion! Volunteers like you are gold. Bet you're also very good at blowing up rats."
If anyone wants to find Bernie and "discuss" matters with him you can more than likely fine him mooching an internet connection from a local Panera Bread. Have a cup of joe with him....chances are you will have to pay the tab, but what the hell.
clarify, most of the Townships are half the NorCo rate. The Boroughs are about the same or a mill higher. COB 14.10, and Easton a 24.95.
Anon 9:52, if you want to know why Gracedale will probably be tossed, re-read your post. Mr. Granda is and has been part of the problem.
Most past Administrations will tell you that between Harold Russell and Marvin Granda, it was nearly impossible to ever get Gracedale to help themselves.
They saw themselves as separate entities, above any rules and not having to deal with the "Courthouse". They foolishly acted like money was no object and they could do no wrong.
They arrogantly refused to follow directives to change procedures, they would drag their feet if told to make policy changes to enhance revenue or limit cost. So now Gracedale is on the brink of going away and you fools cheer Mr. Granda. Do you even understand what happened?
The main reason for Gracedales demise was not the "Courthouse", any County Executive or any County Council it was the pig-headed attitude of the Gracedale Administrators over the past twenty years. The truth hurts but there it is. Ron Angle is most certainly a heartless asshole and John Stoffa is incompetent but when it comes to Gracedale you can thank your own "bosses" for its death.
Dr. Truth
Gee I don't look for a few hours and Bernie is accusing the Gracedale volunteers of arm wrenching. A new low even for Bernie.
12:43 -
But Council and the Executive had the responsibility to recognize the incompetence and mismanagement, and to make the necessary changes. Even the most skilled executives make a bad hire from time to time. That they didn't fix the problem you so accurately describe is testament to the fact that our elected officials were not among those "most skilled", and are equally to blame.
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