Gracedale has made many positive strides since Premier was installed as a private manager for the Northampton County-owned nursing home. But how much will the County pay to keep it afloat? That answer should become more clear at tonight's County Council meeting, when a budget amendment will be introduced. Because of declining reimbursements from the state and federal government, Executive John Stoffa has told The Express Times that it will continue losing money. Council has also sued him over a transportation contract that would save the nursing home $240,000 over three years, preferring that a more expensive contract be awarded to Nazareth Ambulance. That matter is in Judge Leonard Zito's hands.
Updated 10:30 AM: Gracedale ran a $1.69 million dollar deficit in Q1 of 2013. At thsat rate, we're talking close to $6.7 milliion for a year.
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
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Thursday, June 06, 2013
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.
I bet Barron shows up and says that the budget amendment is not needed and Maclure agrees with it.
ReplyDeleteBut if they can get the Gracedale workers, you know, We the People, to agree to give back $$$ in concessions, how will they feel when Council takes that money and instead of being frugal, spends it on an unnecessary thing like overpaying for these transportation costs? A council person should be ashamed or lose their seat over this crap. Instead they sue Stoffa. Only in NorCo!
Can't wait until next year when Stoffa is gone and we can get unbiased and accurate information regarding Gracedale.
ReplyDeletethis Admisntration ahs zero credibility on this and many subjects.
is 415 Jim Gregory?
ReplyDeleteFirst Order Of Business:
ReplyDeleteUnions must pay the Nazareth Ambulance Surcharge, and immediately give $250,000 in concessions.
Unions will pay more when Nazareth is out of business and Lifestar jacks up there price when the contract is up. Nazareth provides a quality service and I'm not hearing the same from folks who have dealt with lifestar.
ReplyDeleteYeah, unions are fine with handing their concession money away to outfits that overbid by 30%. The best thing to do with your management company is reject their recommendations.
ReplyDeleteCouncil is wrong. Judge Zito should rule in favor of the taxpayers. Stoffa wins.
ReplyDelete"Nazareth provides a quality service and I'm not hearing the same from folks who have dealt with lifestar."
ReplyDeleteI initially bought into this argument, but I now believe, after further review, that the quality of service offered by Lifestar might be better or at least equivalent. I've seen no evidence suggesting a vast difference.
The oone thing that bothered me about Lifestar was that when they packed the place with their people, they paid them to be there, and they just sat. Nazareth's people were there on their own, and had things to say.
It is a tough call.
And it's not unions handing back money it was only one union the other union and the career service employees have gave nothing back.
ReplyDeleteWell stated, 11:41.
ReplyDeleteThe other unions will be giving a lot back once they start bargaining with the County. Look at the proposal for the prison. What ever happened to the much spoken belief that the greatest ASSet the County has is its employees.
ReplyDeletecan i ask a question? What does the union have to do with the ambulance services? They aren't backing either one are they? The big union did give a lot of give backs, now its time for the rest of the county including non union employees to give back!!! only common sense!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe connection is that the union at Gracedale made concesssions, but not so that the County could subsidize Nazareth Ambulance
ReplyDelete