1) Public Welcome to Bid Opening Today. - The four firms who have submitted proposals must deliver their “best and final offers” to the Eckert-Seamans lawfirm by 4:00 PM tomorrow afternoon. The press and public is welcome.A Committee of Council and Administration representatives will be review the detail of all aspects of the final offers, not just price, as outlined in the original Request for Qualifications/Proposals bid documents.
Next week, on Wednesday, they will recommend the best firm with which to begin final negotiations towards a sale of the business and facilities.
County Executive John Stoffa will discuss his decision with County Council at the February 3, 2011 County Council meeting. If you'd like to run out to Harrisburg on a Friday afternoon, here are the details. I won't be able to make it.
Time/Date: 4:00 PM Friday, January 28, 2011
Place: Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC
213 Market Street, 8th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
2) Election Commission To Meet Monday, not Friday. - Election Comm'n Chair Ken Kraft was kind enough to send me an email, notifying me of the change. According to Director of Administration John Conklin, the County was unable to get a notice to the papers quickly enough to comply with the Sunshine Act.
3) Election Comm'n Has Returned Gracedale Initiative. - In compliance with Monday's ruling, Election Commission Solicitor Chris Spadoni has returned the Gracedale Initiative Petition by registered mail. Proponents have until Valentine's Day, February 14, to seek judicial review.
4) Signature Challenge continued. -Because there is no Initiative Petition left for us to challenge, the Court has continued the hearing on objections filed by Ron Angle and yours truly. The case remains open in the event of an appeal.
5) Return of the Otter. - Larry Otter, who once unsuccessfully tried to stick Exec John Stoffa with a $2,470 bill for one night's representation of erstwhile Voting Registrar Deb DePaul, is swimming up the Delaware to take on the cause of Initiative proponents. 6) Language of Violence. - Northampton County Sheriff Randall Miller has reportedly told Council member Ron Angle that menacing remarks directed his way yesterday (read them here) do not reach the level required for a criminal investigation, but are enough to make him concerned about things getting out of hand. The downward spiraling Gracedale Goons claim no Sheriff will protect Angle because he voted against beefing up that department. These tin-foil hats are apparently unaware that they have just attacked the Sheriff's integrity.
Hold onto your seats. It's gonna' be a wild ride here in The People's Republic of Northampton County for the next several weeks.
57 comments:
Thank God these good people have legal counsel. All they want to do is protect their family from animals like you.
You really should be ashamed of yourself.
Thank God these good people have legal counsel. All they want to do is protect their family from animals like you.
You really should be ashamed of yourself.
Of course counselor
you new that the comments did not pose a threat
It was a
wah wah
Billy took my crayons moment
to garner pity and outrage from your
"tens of tens"
"silent majority"
someone's off his meds
Yep.
Please take time to read lisa boscola's letter to the paper ... she speaks for the 23,000 people who are being silenced as though they don't exist .... this whole process has discouraged so ,so many .
Lisa Boscola is a phony, pandering to the voter.
If she meant anything she said, she would have proposed changes in the law to expand referenda and intitiative. I have looked at her web page, where she lists the legislation she sponsors, and i have seen nothing. Ever.
One of the reasons Gracedale loses money is because the state is reducing the amount of money it gives. What has Boscola done about that? Nothing.
Believe me, I am not impressed by her.
well somehow that doesn't surpise me ... but her point is well taken how can john stoffa or anyone else for that matter ignore so many ? why are these people being ignored ? something here just doesn't sit well with people ... go out talk to public and you would get an earful, it has turned so many people sour and she is absoulutely right about that and even worse john stoffa sits back not even an acknowlegement to these people .. does he think he sits in office without there votes ? these people should matter at least to him.
These people never had the right to decide Gracedale's fate. They were never ignored, but they were miseled.
She should be more concerned about neutralizing drunken loaded weapons on her own staff. Somebody's going to get killed and never reach old age.
i don't view her as a bad person in anyway shape or form ... she has made her mistakes like we all do ...i haven't met a perfect person yet , have you ? to her credit her head and her heart have always been in the right places it seems ovious the voters like her to ... she keeps getting re-elected.
if you don't like the way lisa's staff drinks and drives, stay off the sidewalk!
of course you don't like her BERNIE....she doesn't agree with RONNIE!
I lost my respect for Boscola long before Gracedale. She is a shameless panderer.
Like Israel surround by Islamofascists, Gracedale sits like a beacon of hope surrounded by the political terrorists and Jackals who want to drain every penny out of the sick and elderly to pay for their crazy schemes.
The bids are opened in the morning in a Harrisburg Law Office. Why not here. More of the closed door shenanigans by the Stoffa Regime. Like this scheme that has been rammed down our throats even though the people have asked for a referendum.
When Ron Angle assumed control of Northampton County by putting his puppet minister John Stoffa in as Executive, the role of County government changed. State law makes the County the provider of service to the people. Angle and his neo-fascist colleagues on County Council have changed that mission to how to make government work for them and their friends.
Like Israel who has withstood the test of time, I hope Gracedale can endure. It will be difficult as the Northampton County Islamofascists are now in control and deliberately strangling the life out of Gracedale for their thirty pieces of silver.
All this so Angle and his puppet Stoffa can avoid the tax increase they blundered us into. Of course they will also be funding the Drug addict center and the public health department.
I would not be surprised if some of the money doesn't make ts way to an illegal alien jail that Angle wants.
Sad days in Northampton County. All we can do is pray and hope for the best.
The Faithful
The Faithful, that is funny. I love the post. That was both funny and creative. Very good. Even Bernie has to give you a humorous thumbs up on that one.
The Laughing
I see. Supporting the sale of Gracedale is anti-Semitic.
Cuckoo.
Amazing that all the Gracedale lovers never talk about the tax increase necessary to sustain Gracedale.With a present annual cost of $106,000 per year per patient for 4 in a room with 2 televisions ask yourself if this is worth it ? Ask Boscola what she did to reduce property taxes ? What meaningful legislation has she ever passed ? Other than her /thou /shalt/ not/ have/snow/ on /car proposals? She is a blow hard who has done nothing significent for the Lehigh Valley.
I never got my chance, but what I was going to ask of the petition requesters is this, I would like to add to your petition that all county union contracts should coincide with primary elections and have union wages and benefits voted upon too.
How do you think this would go over---not to well do you think? Unions enjoy and make a living holding taxpayers hostage.
It is amazing that with the baggers screaming that this is about better quality care, they are really just pissed over the unions. Their hatred drips from every post and betrays their real agenda.
They spout the cost issue which has been successfully disputed since Gracedale only lost the big money under Angle/Stoffa who actually wanted to dump it and "miraculously" saw Gracedale lose money at a rate never seen before. Also the screaming about the care and accommodations which are state approved and therapeutic in nature, again a non-issue.
This boils down to a "gotcha" moment by the baggers and the Republicans. This is about one thing, axing union employee's. This is about blind hate and rage turned into public policy by County officials not worthy of the responsibly they have been given in trust.
The move to dump Gracedale is about hate, zealotry and a psychotic hatred of all things union and not about care or cost.
The residents are just collateral damage in a sad, "my dick is bigger" moment by some right wing zealots who don't care whom they hurt to further their political agenda.
When the smoke clears and Stoffa is retired with his 7 or 8 public pensions. When Angle is on his estate on million dollar highway riding his sheep, the bagger council people will be long gone tossed out by the voters.
Interesting the guys who are using you will be on easy street and you will just be on the street.
Actions have consequences, dumping Gracedale will end your political careers, all to sate the zealous hatred of a group of fanatic baggers.
Sad, very sad.
Again from the angry nose picker with the bizarre scrotum predilection. Is it any wonder these imbeciles keep losing as they desperately fling shit from their cages? Don't be a sore loser. That's sad. Just be a loser.
Boscola has introduced legislation to allow initiative and referendum in PA in at least the last three legislative sessions.
SB 804 of 09-10 session
SB 347 of 07-08 session
SB 1271 of 05-06 session
And it is on her website.
Big deal so she introduced legislation ...how much of it was passed ? She is a loser !
3:55 AM
I agree with the exception of the phalic referrences, however, you should keep them in as it excites the blogger Bernard
And if Boscola had the pointed head point of veiw she would be hero worshipped. She has done a good job the valley can do worse. See: County Council
Bunch of nose pickers if you ask me
Anon 11:48,
2011-12 - nothing.
SB 804, 347 and 1271 specifically provide that the power of initiative and referendum, does NOT extend to anything involving appropriations of money, so let's drop the bullshit. Her proposal is more restrictive than the initiative that already exists in NC.
What I do remember is Boscola pledging, at her one and only debate with Matt Connolly, to introduce legislation that would ban legislators from moonlighting as consultants who do business with the state, like Jenn Mann. Has Lisa done anything? If she has, I will respect and applaud her. If she has not, it's hard to avoid the conclusion that she is nothing more than a panderer.
Hey O'Hare why do you try to expose yourself to people at a County Council meeting. There were ladies there when you "accidentally" let your fly be open and your crap hang out.
Also you made the home audience look at your perversion because you park your fat ass in the front and spread your legs.
You are a disgusting pervert. You should consider that before you condemn the actions of others, pervert!
Ahh, the inevitable anonymous personal attacks, last refuge of those who can't win an argument. .
"This is about blind hate and rage"
No it's not. It's about Free enterprise, U.S. Constitution, Free Markets, Limited Government. Government can't even operate the Postal system at a profit. Amtrak?
"This is about blind hate and rage"
No it's not. It's about Free enterprise, U.S. Constitution, Free Markets, Limited Government. Government can't even operate the Postal system at a profit. Amtrak?
Why not be a patriot and cancel your mail service
UPS or FEDEX would be happy to deliver you mail for 14 dollars a piece
and don't take AMTRAK
you know a private company would gladly take triple the money for your fare
you see you don't have your thinking cap on
and you also forgot to mention
how long it took you in line at the DMV
be proactive
quit mooching off of me
walk the walk
and plow your own road the next time it snows
you talk about pandering votes.. was john stoffa pandering votes when he wanted to get elected and came to the union picnics ? just wandering ....
Stoffa not only went to the picnics he made promises to the Unions he promptly broke upon election. Typical politician.
"you talk about pandering votes.. was john stoffa pandering votes when he wanted to get elected and came to the union picnics ? just wandering ..."
First off, you're not "wandering," you're wondering.
Second Stoffa went to the picnics and many union members feel they were promised binding arbitration. Stoffa, whose integrity is beyond reproach, does not remember it that way. He probably said something that led union members to believe he had promised them something.
Third, Stoffa stood for re-election after many union members claim he deceived them. The voters overwhelmingly chose Stoffa over the union-backed candidate.
if you say so ....
oh gee whiz , that entire government is corrupt ... did you ever think for one shining moment we'd get an honest politican ? as i remember it stoffa won ... but not overwhelming , it would be so nice if just once we could get a person with some integrity and honesty in office .... to much to expect or ask for in this day and age ... sad, sorry, state of affairs .
of course stoffa would have selective memory on thase matters ...taking to many medications can have that effect.
It's "too many," not "to many."
Voters had an opportunity to oust Stoffa based on your smears about "to[sic] many medications." Instead, they overwhelmingly re-elected him.
The people have spoken, and have chosen to ignore you.
No ones integrity is beyond reproach, especially Stoffa. Talk to some people who have worked with and for him in the past. He has known for years he has the papers and has remarked about the leeway he gets because of it. He is a nasty bugger with a mean streak who carries a grudge. He is a backstabber while being all Abe Lincoln to your face.
O'Hare the newspapers and all these folks love the folksy way he operates but behind the scenes the scalpel is very sharp.
As to the Unions, I guess it was a case of mistaking words to mean something. When someone answers a question with, "We will have binding arbitration!". I see how that could mean many things.
Once a new face gets in the County and opens the books on this character, history will have a whole new view. Of course true believers like O'Hare would follow Stoffa and Angle into Hell. So the truth is only what their revisionist minds want it to be.
just yesterday at the diner this very topic came up over breakfast (gracedale ) then you came up bo and everyone at the table commented on the impeccable reputation your late father had , and wondered if he'd be proud of you today .. seems he was a man who choose to help others not hurt them.
The 11 unions are taxpayer robbers. Greedy as the day is long.Their benefit package at Gracedale is 68% of salary. And you wonder why Gracedale is bankrupting the taxpayers ?
gracedale pays for itself ... get your facts straight, the workers there are still underpaid compared to the private sector .
it makes no sense to sell gracedale it is one of the counties most precious assets !!
"No ones integrity is beyond reproach, especially Stoffa. Talk to some people who have worked with and for him in the past"
You've had your opportunity to smear him anonymously and have fallen on your face. Voters chose him over the union-backed candidate notwithstanding all the lies and hate.
"everyone at the table commented on the impeccable reputation your late father had , and wondered if he'd be proud of you today"
I think I know my father a little better than you do, and know he'd be proud of my attempt to prevent government by mob rule.
it's called democracy !
who's this mob you speak of ?nobody was arrested where they ? i met a few the were as peaceful as could be ,they most certaintly wer not a mob.
You shamed your father by your behavior. Stop lying. That is why he wanted nothing to do with you. Your father was a successful respected man. You are not. You are very much less than that. You are also known by the company you keep.
With Angle and Stoffa by your side, it is very clear.
It is certainly true that I disappointed my father when I lost my license to practice law and that he and I had some bad years But he was my father and I was his son. We did work it out. I know I am doing now what he would be doing or approving if he were alive today.
Don't you feel just a little dirty when you bring up my late father and try to use that against me?
It is tactics like these that make me more convinced than ever that you are a sad bunch of goons.
You know Bernie, I don't think people should get into you and your fathers relationship, that's personal.
But don't you think you play into the entire thing by calling them out and then referring to these people as goons.
I am sure many are people who themselves have family they are worried about and feel they are fighting for them regarding Gracedale.
Maybe a little less judgement and a lttile more understanding all the way around would be beneficial.
Just a thought.
Maybe, but there is a segment for whom the term "goon" is totally appropriate. These are people who disrupt meetings, curse in front of scouts, claim God is on their side, illegally campaign during a referendum rally, delight in the arrest of a Council member's son, accuse everyone who disagrees with them of being liars or on the take or both. What name would you use?
There are people who expose themselves in front of many at Council meetings, what do you call them?
I AS A TAX PAYER OF THE COUNTY SEE WAY TOO MUCH MONEY WASTED AT GRACEDALE. FIRST THEY GET ALOT OF OVERTIME THERE THATS WHAT I HEARD MY FRIEND IS A NURSE THERE AND SHE SAYS SOMETIMES THERE 3 NURSES ON ONE FLOOR AND GETTTING WELL OVER 20 DOLLARS HOUR, WOW THIS IS WERE THE MONEY IS GOING NOT IN STOFFAS POCKET IF THE UNION WOULD NOT BE SO DAMN GREEDY GRACEDALE WOULD SEE A PROFIT EVERY YEAR,I AS A NORTHAMPTON COUNTY RESIDENT WANT TO SEE THIS PLACE SELL THEY ARE BETTER OFF ESPECIALY WITHOUT THE UNION IN THERE. AND MANAGMENT BIG PROBLEM I HEARD THERE IS ALOT OF FAVORTISIM IN THERE IF YOU FIT IN WITH THEM THEN YOU IN WITH THEM YOU GET ALOT OF BONUSES.ME AND MY WIFE CANT AFFORD 20% INCREASE IN OUR TAXWS MAYBE THE EMPLOYEES CAN SINCE THEY SEEM TO MAKE BIG BUCKS AND GOOD HEALTH COVERAGE WHAT ABOUT OLDER PEOPLE WHO ARE ON FIXED INCOME FOR THE GRACE OF GOD FAKE MINISTER THINK ABOUT US FOR ONE TIME...............
anybody can say anything doesn't make it the truth ... the only reason foe overtime would be because it was necessary....
Why not go out and get RN's to work for 10 dollars an hour
Good Luck
Do you know an outfit in Hazelton that is simular to NurseFinders in the valley,
that is NONUNION,
staffing hospitals and nursing homes
charges over 60 dollars an hour for RN's?
I suggest we dump all of those overpaid union goon nurses at Gracedale,
and begin staffing the place with the much more affordable private sector nurses from outfits like NurseFinders.
We can enjoy simular savings by replacing the LPN and NA staff as well.
Healthcare costs are out of control and there will be no backward motion in salaries or other costs.
The fact that a company can bid 37 million to buy the place is quite telling. They will have GREATER costs for labor as the county this for LPN and NA with RN's to follow at the end of their contract. Yes, there will be a larger contibution to healthcare insurance and a 401 instead of defined pension, however the hourly rate if anything is currently lower than the private sector. The company will make millions every year. And we will make a small profit from the sale. Maybe we can sell Gracedale again next time we are in a bind....oops.....nope...we can only sell it once. It has been and will be profitable. WE LOSE.
Whats with the grammar police thing BO?
You have a terrible track record, your posts are there to prove it, does it mean if you make spelling errors your point can never be valid?
If that is the case you should be in detention.
I went winter camping this weekend and hiked by a group of Boy Scouts with the same idea. It was cold and snowy as I walked by I said;
"what are you assholes doing out here"
They laughed and said "F U old man".
Hey Bernie
I just heard the WFMZ report that the election people reversed and are now going to allow the May vote?
WTF ?
At least the "silent majority" through our votes will prevail and the place will be sold.
I'll have more about that later.
The silent majority want to keep Gracedale as the precious county asset it is. They do not want a quoick sale of the asset so Stofa can cover his fiscal ass.
Freedom is alive!!!
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