Peg Ferraro announced at Northampton County Council's December 2 meeting that union agent Justus James and the John Stoffa administration will make one last-ditch effort to keep Gracedale, the County-owned nursing home, in public hands. There have been no formal negotiations between County officials and the union since April, when union agent Justus James walked out of talks just as a giant inflatable rat suddenly appeared at the Courthouse."Basically, the death knell has been sounded for Gracedale," said Ferraro, but she is hopeful that "something can come together." If not, she warned, "I'll be 100% in favor of selling."
In the meantime, a referendum movement is under way. Elections office records reveal that Gracedale proponents have gathered and submitted 10,774 of the 19,630 signatures needed to have the nursing home's sale decided by voters. But they only have until January 17, 2011 to complete that daunting task. Spokesperson Mario Martinez claims, "My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ does not approve of the sale of Gracedale." He adds they are "now withholding the petitions" in the hope that County Council sees the lights and agrees on their own to allow voters to decide. But he adds, "We The People will demonstrate our resolve in May...You will see just what true resolve is Mr. Angle, and so will the rest of council. Again, make no mistake about it...we do not bluff, we act according to our inalienable rights."
At County Council's November 18 meeting, Ann McHale - well aware that a majority of Council wants to sell Gracedale - argued they should let the voters decide and put the question to the voters themselves. "I'll direct our Solicitor to prepare an Ordinance to have a question put on the ballot. ... Prepare an Ordinance for us and we will take a position on that."
But Solicitor Phil Lauer prepared no Ordinance, and explained that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in a 2009 decision, has ruled that County Council has no authority to allow voters to decide these matters. The Court noted that, unlike California, referenda are relatively rare in Pennsylvania. "[W]e hold strong to the ideals of representative democracy and have no general constitutional provision for voter initiative or referenda." The High Court adds, "[I]t is at the ballot box that a voter may express his disapproval of the legislative programs of his elected officials."
It will in fact be on the ballot, regardless of what Angle and Stoffa do. No brag, just fact!
ReplyDeleteIt appears less and less likely. First, I doubt you can get the signatures. Second, County Council lacks the authority to place the matter on the ballot. Third, that Supreme Court opinion should scare the hell out of you. It also rejected a referendum question that had the requisite signatures on the basis that the question being decided could not bind Council, and that's a hurdle you may have to overcome.
ReplyDeleteThere is a judicial disdain for mob rule, and that came through loud and clear. Also, in that case, the Elections Board was disqualified as biased, and the same thing may happen here. I saw one of the members at the Gracedale rally. The chairman is a union agent. I will read that decision more closely over the weekend.
The union is f'd up. They should have done this long ago. I hope they get the boot either way. Although I am in favor of keeping it in county hands.
ReplyDeleteNo Brag , Just Fact !!!
ReplyDeleteit's been many years since I heard that phrase !!!
I can't remember the origin
Help a brotha
where does it come from
Would be interested in your take on the nurses union guy.Jerry Green's..statement in the Morning Call story today about AFSCME meeting with the County at this late date. I'm not sure what he is getting at with his thoughts. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteBernie,
ReplyDeleteWas this quote really that accurate?
"Spokesperson Mario Martinez claims, "My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ does not approve of the sale of Gracedale."
That is quite disturbing if Mr. Martinez is receiving "private" revelations from our Lord.
Jesus Christ's life and handing over of the Church was done in public. It is called Apostolic Sucession. Not to pass judgment, but to point out revelations in The Bible; anyone that claims to be a representative of the Lord and speak of private revelations on the Lord's behalf - stay far away from them.
But then again, maybe I am missing the bigger picture. I sincerely hope, that the quote was taken out of context. Any professed Christian would NOT directly invoke the Lord's name in such a way. I will pray for this conversion.
Peace, ~~~alex+
Unfortunately, te quote is accurate and similar statements have been made several times.
ReplyDeleteDave, I don't know what Jerry Greene is getting at either.
ReplyDeleteIsn't true that the petition is getting little to no support by the union workers at gracedale? 800 employees there but only a few hundred petitions being circulated?
ReplyDeleteI can't be sure, but have heard that.
ReplyDeleteIt is true the majority of lazy, uneducated, let someone else do it, I'm too busy, where's my free Obama money, typical "AMERICAN" Gracedale workers are letting others carry the water for them. I am not affiliated with Gracedale however, I am collecting signatures. This for COAF, NOT the workers. The ones that are not engaged deserve what they "don't get". It is too bad for the ones who are out collecting.
ReplyDeleteBTW
Those idiots are the same ones who would vote to have that a-hole union back in if the place is sold.
So the Union workers aren't working for the referendum?
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like the majority are in-favor of the change. No wonder why they never pressured their leadership into real negations.
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ReplyDeleteIf you want to attack one of my commenters anonymously, you're going to have to clearly identify yourself so we know where to have the libel complaint served. Also if you want to call people uneducated, your own grammar and spelling should be a bit better.
ReplyDeleteIn Pa., you do not need to show financial loss to prove libel. A private person could and should sue the trolls who anonymously slam them. And I will not only cooperate, but will preserve as much tracking information as I can for the use of anyone who wants to take on cowards like you.
ReplyDeleteAnd Mario Martinez IS a fake preacher. He went to no seminary and is affiliated with no church. In case you haven't heard this before, truth is a defense.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteLast post in here for me
ReplyDeleteAs a Vietnam vet I feel I have been libeled by you
you called me a coward
I volunteered in 1971
spent 1 tour
and although I was called a murderer
I was never called a coward
the accusation has caused me emotional distress
loss of appetite
loss sexual intimicy with my wife
loss of sleep
loss of wages
excessive doctor bills
please keep this post
who do you think the courts would side with
a former attorney
or a former active duty serviceman
who needs to be made whole
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ReplyDeleteWhy is Jerry Greene even relevant? Unions, respectable and useful in their infancy have become nothing more than corrupt political machines that have ruined business and industry in this country.
ReplyDelete