It's bad enough that Gracedale is such a controversial topic. What makes things worse is when someone like me, who is very close to this issue, gets it wrong. And I did. Big time.
I posted earlier today that the budget amendment being considered by Northampton County Council projects a $7 million County contribution to Gracedale this year. That is wrong. $3.5 million was set aside at the beginning of the year, and the County will struggle to fund Gracedale at that level.
I misread the budget amendment, assuming that the total $3.5 million was an increase. In fact, the increase is plainly shown as 0.
Late today, I received an email from Council President John Cusick, informing me of my error. I have corrected my headline in the post below.
I am at a loss understanding how the County contribution can remain at 0 when so many increases have occurred. If there's a $900,000 increase in OT, how is it funded? I have a similar probelm with union salaries. But that might apply to all employees, and not just those at Gracedale. I did hear it was going to cost $8 million to fund Gracedale, but that remark was probably made concerning next year's budget.
My thanks to John Cusick, for correcting me on my factual error, especially on such an important matter. I apologize to all my readers for misinforming you. This is an important and emotional topic, and it is important to be right on the facts. I was not.
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
▼
Friday, July 08, 2011
13 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
That is what happens when you only listen to what Ron Angle tells you to say.
ReplyDeleteHypocrite!
The mistake was purely my own.
ReplyDeletemea culpa mea culpa........Bernie, you are going to find out that the information you have been getting from the administration is rifed with errors. I know, in the end, you are going to gladly admit you were unknowingly misled. You must stop being led around by your nose on this issue. You have become so anti union, and pro Ron Angle/John Stoffa that your common sense abilities (and at times you shine in this area) are getting extremely flawed. This will be an educational process for all of us. We will learn who we can trust and who deserves re-election. It will all happen within a few weeks. Tighten your seat belt on that bycycle of yours. It is going to be a rough ride.
ReplyDeleteExcuse me, but I've already stated that this error occurred as a result of my own misreading of the budget amendment. I was not knowingly or unknowingly misled. I made the mistake all by myself. My error was pointed out to me by a person who supports Gracedale's sale. I corrected my mistake because I try my best to be honest with my readers, even though I am opinionated.
ReplyDeleteYou folks latch on to anything you can to create all kinds of nonsense.
I am by no means anti-union. They are necessary in many cases. But I refuse to submit to their tyranny, or to allow them to enslave the rest of us. I detest public officials who pander to them at the expense of others.
I am pro Angle and pro Stoffa. I have never seen aa more decent and honest man than Stoffa in public life. It is sad to see him treated with such disrespect.
As for Angle, he refuses to pander to unions, environmentalists or whatever the special interest group of the week may be. If it costs hm an election, it costs him an election. He believes he was elected to serve the taxpayer, and that's hat he is doing, as best as he can. I have never seen a better financial watchdog. You want to replace him precisely for that reason.
once again bernie, you are wrong!! surprising? NOT.. you will find that you were wrong on many issues of Gracedale.. keep on apoligizing.. we the people love it!!!
ReplyDeleteand you're probably tapping cell phone conversations too...
ReplyDeletealso, you too quick to place blame on union labor, it's a county healthcare facility and the costs are due to the people, neighbors - residents of NC!
I don't think the people who work there are in jeopardy of becoming part of the bigger problem, the 2%'ers of this country who are not paying their fair share.
way to man up
ReplyDeleteSeamus
Don't forget all the hard work Ron Angle is doing for Tony Iannelli. I see more campaign checks and appearances on the tony Iannelli TV show in the future.
ReplyDeleteThen just imagine what AFSCME will do for Lamont McClure. He got twice as much.
ReplyDeleteThen just imagine what AFSCME will do for Lamont McClure. He got twice as much.
ReplyDeleteSo where is this money coming from? This sounds fishy.
ReplyDeleteI am by no means anti-union.
ReplyDeleteAs evidenced by this blog! Ha!
I am a union employee for the County and can tell you Bernie is NOT anti-union as a whole. He may not agree with the Gracedale union, but that does not make him anti-union.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a Ron Angle fan and don't agree with all of Bernie's posts, but I respect Bernie's knowledge of Politics.
I'll tell him when I don't agree with something he posted, but being anti-union is wrong.