NorCo's 2015 Gracedale Contribution Just $2.1 Million

Obviously, $2.1 million is a lot of money. So when I tell you that Northampton County only spent that much to keep its nursing home Gracedale afloat last year, that's still a lot of money. But the good news is that the County had budgeted $7.7 million. So Gracedale beat the budget forecast by $5.6 million.

Executive John Brown delivered this good news to Council last night, stating that the nursing home is "moving in the right direction. We are very optimistic we are going to repeat that." He indicated no one change and no one person is responsible for the financial improvement, although he had high praise for the workforce.

That has always been's Gracedale's secret weapon. The people who work at that nursing home really care about the residents and often will take them out shopping or bring them home for the holidays. Many of them become volunteers after retiring.

Brown also reported that the county closed the books on 2015 with a $31 million fund balance, compared to about $33 million at the end of 2014. He said this money was there after moving $10 million into a human services capital find and after setting aside a rainy day fund. He is pleased by the "very strong financial performance."

Perhaps all this good financial news made Council a bit more picky. By a 6-3 vote, they rejected a $200 "gift" for the 2016 Senior Games from Humana, a health insurance provider. In exchange for this "gift," the County would be required to provide Humana with a table at these Senior Games, and would also be required to feature this business in its program for the event.

"The weasel their way in any way they can," Ken Kraft noted after being informed that Humana is a health insurer. Only Council members Peg Ferraro, John Cusick and Mat Benol voted to accept the money.

Council was also taken to task over pre-meeting prayers, led by Council President John Cusick. I am the person who took him to task. I have no problem with seeking out clergy from different denominations to lead everyone in prayer/ Council is too lazy to do that, but wants to pretend God is on their side. So Cusick prepares some goofy prayer before each meeting as though he is Moses, minus the beard ... and the hair.

I find this offensive because it presumes and gives preference to a monotheistic religion, in violation of the Establishment clause. I also have serious problems with any elected official leading a group in prayer before a meeting because it conveys  a message that the official speaks for God. I also find the practice is divisive, and refuse to be part of it.

Yesterday, Phoenix voted to end prayer at public meetings because Followers of the Satanic Temple demanded the right to give an invocation. Now this is not really a group of Satanists. They were making a point.

One of the County's fiscal officers said they should continue the prayer, but pass out a collection plate.