Northampton County Council President Lori Vargo Heffner joined all four Republicans in voting last night to table Executive Lamont McClure's $15.5 million spending plan at Gracedale. The county-owned nursing home is currently plagued by numerous job vacancies and has had to reduce its census so that it can still provide nursing care to residents. Administrator Jennifer Stewart-King told Council that census was down to 406 as of yesterday. There are also about 400 vacancies, although Stewart-King advised that about 100 of these positions will never be filled. McClure's plan was designed to retain and recruit staff, but members of Council had reservations about different aspects of the blueprint.
The $15.5 million is part of about $30 million that NorCo will receive this month from the American Rescue Plan Act, enacted by Congress in response to the pandemic.
McClure's plan called for the following: $2.5 million for nursing agencies to supply manpower; $2 million to build an on-site Daycare for Gracedale staff at no cost to them; $5 million for bonuses paid to keep and recruit staff over a two-year window; $1 million for capital projects; and $5 million to replace revenue lost as a result of the reduced census.
"We need to pay those retention bonuses now," argued McClure. "Do you really want people to work there or not? ... If you want to get a For Sale sign, tell me. But that's not what I want to do."
Although there was consensus that Council needs to do something, Republican members hasd numerous reservations about McClure's outline.
Council member John Brown questioned the daycare without more research into the "long-term impact."
Brown also questioned the recruiting and retention bonuses. Under McClure's plan, every Gracedale worker retained or recruited will get $2500 after 12 months and another $2500 after 24 months. Brown implied these bonuses are too low. He said these bonuses amount to a $1.20 per hour raise. That's not significant," he remarked.
He dismissed McClure's plan as a "short-term band-aid" and said the county was simply "throwing money" at a problem. He said that management issues are the "real plague" at the home.
He supports spending $15.5 million on Gracedale, but "this is not a plan."
Council member John Goffredo had reservations about the daycare. He noted that the county would have to continue funding it after federal funds dry up. I don't see that as a way to save a facility that is short 400 workers."
Copuncil member John Cusick said he'd agree with the bonuses if that was the only feature of McClure's plan because of the immediate need in staffing."
Cusick and Council member Tom Giovanni were perturbed at sinking $5 million into Gracedale to replace lost revenue, especially when the county has failed to produce financial statements for the last two quarters.
Cusick also observed this could be an exercise in futility. The state and federal governments are poised to mandate an increase in the minimum amount of nursing care that must be provided to residents. The county is unable to meet the current state minimum. The federal government is expected to mandate that no more than two residents may share a room, but Gracedale is set up for four.
Eventually, there was a motion to table. Democrat Lori Vargo Heffner was persuaded by the arguments made by Republicans.
McClure will either have to make revisions or persuade one Council member to change his or her mind.
52 comments:
We all know there are those that want Gracedale to fail as they want the county out of Nursing Home care. The republicans have pushed that agenda for years. They were quick to approve millions as a Band-Aid to businesses with no real guarantee of success but are shocked at this proposal. People must remember that the dump Gracedale movement is still alive and well.
Why are you only reporting on the republican opposition and not on the supporters?
Northampton County Council President Lori Vargo Heffner joined all four Republicans in voting last night to table
" ... especially when the county has failed to produce financial statements for the last two quarters."
WTF ???!!! How can any of this be discussed in the absence of these statements? What kind of way is this to run anything? Nothing should move an inch until a full view of the situation is provided. Remember when Barron was touted as some kind of watchdog? This gang is hiding things, mostly its utter incompetence.
Close it down - say taxpayer money. It's be3en a white elephant for decades
Democrat Lori Vargo Heffner was persuaded by the arguments made by Republicans
says it all doesn't it?
Isn’t LVH like the Queen of electing Democrats or something? Isn’t she a Democratic Committee big wig? Voting with John Brown and Browndelles. Are you kidding me ?
Should we expect any different. Lori does not pay her own bills... why would she pay Gracedale's?
So let me get this straight... Lori Vargo Heffner voted against Childcare? That's not very good for a Democratic Committee woman! She has some explaining to do to the Democratic Women Groups!
In a recent meeting, Vargo Heffner told Gracedale employees she’d be their savior. Sure like the arsonist firefighter is saving the house he burned down.
Lori Vargo Heffer is a disgrace to her party and her own fake-ness
When Gracedale is gone She is the only person to blame!
Why do we keep electing this self centered fraud?
I frankly see nothing wrong with taking a week or two to think about this plan.
I am not at all crazy about using money to hire agencies for nursing care. The county already does that and it has made no difference. It actually has made things worse bc there is a lot of resentment of agency employees who are paid far more than regular Gracedale people. How does this save Gracedale? It seems more like a way to preserve a status quo that does not work.
I really like the idea of a daycare, but this too is going to breed resentment among employees who do not work at Gracedale. If you are going to have a daycare, have it for everyone. Do a survey of all county employees and get an idea of how many children will be coming and then build it at Gracedale. Yes, this is going to cost money, but it will make many workers very happy. That is an excellent idea and needs to be pursued, but with miore detail.
I completely reject the revenue replacement idea. The county home is going to be getting $7 million from a federal grant this year. Its revenue has dipped, but operating costs should be down as well. This does nothing to save Gracedale. If the county were serious, it would have had its financials up to date. In fact, it is in inexcusable that these financial from the end of the year are not released. It is frankly irresponsible to demand revenue replacement while failing to disclose an accurate picture of finances.
As far as the bonuses are concerned, what Gracedale and all county workers really need is to be paid what they are worth. The McClure administration's refusal to see the need for a pay study is indicative that it simply fails to understand the importance of compensating people adequately. The county has been balancing budgets on the backs of its workforce and that needs to stop.
Finally, this might all be for naught. If the patient care requirement is increased as most feel is going to happen, the nursing home will simply be unable to operate.
This is not a case of Lori Vargo Heffner siding with Rs. This is a case of her refusing to be a rubber stamp.
This needs more consideration. I am tired of people on the top saying how to fix things. I have always found that the best solutions come from people on the front lines.
Fixing the loading dock is not a plan to save Gracedale.
I have no idea what Lori Vargo Heffner said bc that part of the meeting was dropped on Youtube. IT is supposedly fixing this but I won't hold my breath.
Heffner is being attacked in comments here for siding with Rs and opposing childcare. Actually, the Ds need to start acting like Ds. They make pious pronouncements but refuse to pay a living wage. The idea of outside agencies coming in is privatization, which Ds should oppose. The outside IT is privatization, which Ds should oppose.
So I would argue that, in this instance, the Rs are acting more like Ds than the Ds.
I could be wrong, but this is precisely why this "plan" needs more review and more consideration.
Congratulations to the Republican Commissioners (and Ms. Vargo Heffner) for standing up to Lamont McClure about this ridiculous plan to “save Gracedale “. It is indeed the toxic management put in place by McClure, not the hard working staff, who have made it impossible for Gracedale to survive. It is clear that this plan is , indeed, the County Executive‘s attempt to save the “jewel of the county” that he has allowed to fail at the expense of residents, their families and staff. Numerous serious deficiencies from the Department of Health related to understaffing have resulted in poor resident care bordering on neglect. That, itself, is a disgrace. It’s is, sadly, time now for the commissioners to obtain and to review bids for that feasibility study for Gracedale. Perhaps, though, this has been McClure’s plan all along; namely, to blame someone else for the failure of Gracedale. He’ll blame the commissioners for sure for not approving his plan. A slick “lawyer” move that no one else (except for Myers, Lott, Zrinski and Heckman) will or should accept as the truth. Don’t buy it folks!
Let's agree this is not a plan. It's another effort to apply bandaids and kick the can down the road. Each time this happens, Gracedale moves closer to its sale and/or closing. I don't think there is a plan because there simply is no plan that will work under current regulations and reimbursements. McClure knows this, but doesn't want to be the guy - especially a D - who closes the doors. Thus, his anger at a council that hasn't a plan either. They're pointing fingers as the whistle past the Graveyard. We all know John Stoffa's instinct were correct and timely. This time, there will be no referendum in an off-off-year primary to save the place at whatever cost to taxpayers.
Omg. I totally agree Bernie. Can you tell I'm in shock! It will take more than this partial plan to save and make Gracedale viable. It's a temporary bandaid. A true plan is needed if they really care about saving Gracedale and this is not it!
Not sure if most people have noticed over the years. But the "R"s are the new "D"s. The Rs are for the working man. The person putting in the 40 hour work week. And just want to be compensated for it.
The Ds today want to give everyone something for free...Free tuition, free medical, now free day care for " certain " employees " Hell I paid daycare for my kids when we were at work.
There is one very ,very simple solution to this whole problem. Just pay the employees what they deserve. No one is asking to become a millionaire over night. Just give us our steps. Everyone who takes a county job realizes that your not gonna get rich and you're gonna top out. But you do for the security.
People would stay if they would get steps.
And your question about that revenue replacement. lol. Gotta have that cookie jar you can steal from to pay your buddies.
Better go protest outside her house.
McClure's plan is at least something. Council wants to study and delay aid to the workers. You might not like all in the resolution. That was fine, but the Daycare, Retention Pay and Hiring Bonus' are what the employees who came to council and who see council members have asked for. Those items put real money out to solve the issue. Plus the new contract that I am sure will address the low starting pay. Let's be real Lori voted with the people who want to push Gracedale off the cliff. She added another pair of hands to help inch it closer to the cliff.
Dont be fooled. John Brown isn't any better than Lamont or chuckie. He screwed the employees even worse then this administration.
In addition to the staffing crisis, two changes are coming to nursing homes.
First, there is going to be an increase in the required amount of nursing care that must be provided to residents on a daily basis. Right now, the county is incapable of meeting the current requirement. The $15.5 million plan needs to address this increase. It might be necessary to downsize the home, which is what is happening now.
Second, the feds are going to reduce the number of residents that may be placed in a single room from four to two. McClure seems to think the county should be able to "grandfather" its current four to a room set up. Since this requirement is intended to benefit the quality of life for residents, I think the feds will hesitate at grandfathering substandard care. years ago, Cedarbrook spent the $ and converted its home so that no more than two residents share a room. I believe the county should use its money to make this conversion.
Bonuses? Yes. perhaps at a higher level than proposed. Daycare? Yes, but it should be for ALL county employees. Revenue replacement? No. Capital projects? Not what the admin has proposed. Fixing the loading dock will not save Gracedale. The $ should be spent top retrofit to convert rooms so that no more than two residents occupy a room.
McClure's plan needs more work. This is not a D v R thing. It is not a sell v. save Gracedale thing. Those are false choices. $15.5 million is a lot of money and should be spent wisely. We won't be getting it again. McClure has produced a good blueprint, but it needs work.
"Dont be fooled. John Brown isn't any better than Lamont or chuckie. He screwed the employees even worse then this administration."
I completely agree.
"McClure's plan is at least something. Council wants to study and delay aid to the workers"
McClure has delayed aid to the workers since he was first elected. I have told him many times that the pay is simply inadequate. he has dragged his feet on a pay study, and there are still numerous positions that pay under $15 an hour.
His plan is a starting point, but he wanted Council to accept it in its entirety with practically no review. This is $15.5 M that will not be coming again. The $ needs to be spent wisely.
"Not sure if most people have noticed over the years. But the "R"s are the new "D"s. The Rs are for the working man. The person putting in the 40 hour work week. And just want to be compensated for it."
The Ds have become a party of elitists who have forgotten the blue collars. They make pious pronouncements but fail to practice what they preach. The Rs have never, when in power, done a thing for the working man. They have become a party of nationalists and isolationists replete with goofy conspiracy theories.
The reality is that the working man has been forgotten by both parties.
Twice in one day almost! I can't agree Republicans have done nothing but I do agree that both parties have forgotten that the little people are who they represent and work for.
"Why are you only reporting on the republican opposition and not on the supporters?"
Part of the meeting did not record. I believe I reported on the chief supporter, Lamont McClure. I quoted what he had to say. As for Heckman, he spent about 20 minutes to say nothing. Tara Zrinski's only point was to say that 30 children would be in the daycare, not 30 employees. I did not hear anything Myers said bc part of the meeting did not record. I also missed what Vargo-Heffner had to say but have since learned that she moved to table and she was right to do so. Lamont's plan is a starting point, not an end point. If he came to Council just seeking the bonuses at this point, he'd have six or seven votes. That's what he should do while working out the details of other parts of his plan.
Believe me, I don’t buy it in the least. There is no plan they could possibly put in place to save it now. As the saying goes; too little, too late. McClure and his administration are a failure and need to own up to the demise of Gracedale
It is important to note that you and Ron Angle and John Stoffa were thy big three that plotted to dump Gracedale. You and Angle even took thew referendum to curt on believed orders from Stoffa so, your opinion is jaded. You profess to love the words of Cusick since it is well known he was one of th worker bees in th move to dump Gracedale. People remember.
Where is their plan? You mock those who spoke for the plan because you have always wanted Gracedale to fail. just as your old buddies. Gracedale is on th republican hit list. You know full well there is no perfect plan. You raved about businesses that got money no questions asked on what they would spend it on or is they would even be in business but anyone who supports helping Gracedale is stupid.
So, let's see what wonderful plan the naysayers come up with other than attacks and just say NO.
No one is fooled by your agenda.
I read the WFMZ account of the meeting. It is clear you hate Mr. Heckman, the TV reporter had no problem reporting what he said. It was the least partisan and most workable idea offered. Rather than give a flat partisan no he suggested council could amend the Resolution to fit their and his concerns. You routinely attack him, so it is obviously personal. Apparently, he didn't kiss your behind. We could use a lot more honest and moderate voices like his on council. As to Cusick and company, he helped lead the charge to get rid of Gracedale so why would anyone take him seriously on this.
Wolf's administration will be submitting their 4th policy change soon. As stated the hours of nursing care required now is not feasible and come next year the increase in nursing hour care will cripple public nursing homes such as Gracedale and drive up the cost of private care ones as well. It is time to out up the White Flag and sell Gracedale.
I routinely attack him in your imagination. I actually like him, and that is in spite of his public slur at a county council meeting. I supported his bid for re-election. Over the years, I have said many more positive than negative things about him. But he did spend a lot of time at the meeting to say exactly nothing. I believe my summary his remarks is accurate. Saying that we could do this or that without actually making a motion to do it is doing nothing.
I do routinely attack John Brown, whom I happen to dislike. But he made some good points about the plan that I really think deserve consideration.
I am an equal opportunity offender.
Put on your big boy pants.
Mr. Heckman should have never sought another term since he has no clue about the present and future needs of Gracedale. Mr. Brown had some great years as executive but sabotaged those with the final Premier administrator after Mr. Freeman. He knows better now and is trying to make amends as commissioner. This is not a popularity contest since Gracedale is about caring for people. Please don’t make this about who you like and dislike for once, Bernie!
4:37, I believed Gracedale should be sold and did file a suit that came close to killing the referendum. This was my idea. Stoffa certainly supported me, but would never order me to do anything. Not his style.
I realized that I was wrong when I attended a volunteer appreciation day after the referendum and saw a vast number of workers there, on their own time, taking care of residents. They were very dedicated. At that point, I wanted Gracedale to succeed. I still do and will never again be part of an effort to sell the home. It is my hope that some of those workers are still there. Any decision to sell will have to come from Lamont McClure. He will do everything he can to make it a success, and I support that goal. Abd by success, I mean a five-star home with happy workers.
His plan for Gracedale's "rebirth" needs far more work. It was rushed. This is a lot of $ and needs more tna 5 minutes of consideration. Let's do it right.
He might do it incrementally.
"his public slur at a county council meeting."
Maybe he should be a blogger. Put on your big boy pants. The employees know who supports them and who is full of crap and McClure is no friend. He uses a lot of words to say nothing and knows full well his administrators are not any good at their jobs. That is his biggest problem and every council person knows it. He is stubborn and only wants yes people and not qualified people. You have supported his bullshit for years. At least we know where Cusick stands and it is not for Gracedale.
Maybe more Dems should use some common sense once in a while.
Right out of the Ed Randell, Tom Wolf, etc., etc. playbook. Take a one-time infusion of special money and place it into the routine operating finances of a major facility and activity. Then, in future budget deliberations or when the opposing party assumes control of the governmental entity, scream bloody murder about the deficit or the new government’s “cuts” to essential programs when those funding levels cannot be maintained. A competent governing body and executive would explore spending the funds on something that needs little continuing support in future operating budget cycles. When will the electorate wise up?
NO DAYCARE ON TAXPAYERS MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He first needs a plan!! For the future of the home. Look at Lehigh county for a plan if he seriously cares. I find politicians don't want to be associated with getting rid of a home and it's easier when it becomes unpopular with the taxpayers. He has had over four years to do something and he's done nothing but watch it fail.
I voted to sell Gracedale. The people spoke and they wanted to keep it so I had hoped it would work out. Just throwing money at it won’t solve the problem. We need people who are experts in the field to create a comprehensive plan and then implement it.
NO DAYCARE ON TAXPAYERS MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Then allow abortions free and legal for all everywhere.
The taxpayers have taken this burden on long enough. Time to let go of Gracedale. The staff and residents deserve better
Come now Bernie, everyone knows you still love the Stoffa/Angle plan to dump Gracedale. That is why you pretend to love it while praising those who want it to fail and attacking those who want it to remain the valuable resource it is today. You will give McClure a pass since you have loved him for five years. I listened to both the committee meeting and council meeting and the supporters of the plan made great points, the Gracedale haters made the usual dump it talking points. They offered no ideas other than no! and stall as long as possible. We all know where you are at on this subject.
I know where I am on this subject a bit better than you. I support keeping Gracedale county-owned and will continue to do so until and unless the McClure administration believes it is no longer feasible to do so. I heard no great points by supporters of this plan, not even from McClure. And you failed to list any. I agree it is a starting point.
First, no money should be allocated for revenue replacement. That has nothing to do with saving Gracedale. Moreover, the administration has failed to post financials for two quarters and expects the body that oversees spending to approve this? That is completely irresponsible.
Second, I support a daycare, but want numbers. How many people will use it? Why not make it available to ALL county workers? What will the operating costs be on an annual basis? Will tax revenue keep up with this cost? Let's flesh this out a bit so everyone knows what t=is happening.
Third, I like the idea of bonuses, but does this mean much in an industry offering $40k and $50k signing bonuses? Was a survey done of staff? Will this make them more likely to stay?
Fourth, while McClure is setting aside money to fix the loading dock, he is spending $0 on the one change really needed, and that is the conversion of four-person rooms to two-person rooms. Cedarbrook made this change years ago, but NorCo continues to hide its head in the sand despite all indications that this will soon be mandated.
McClure wanted Council to rubber stamp the expenditure of 15.5 million with no consideration. That is irresponsible.
There is no rush, except perhaps for the bonuses. But even there, we have no survey or any indication that this will make a difference. McClure thinks so. Jennifer Stewart-King thinks so. They might be right. They might be wrong. I'd really want to hear from the actual workers, not their bosses, on this point.
I could make the argument that the real Gracedale haters are those who think they can get by with four in a room and nursing care hours that are far below the state minimum. But I understand that this substandard care is better than no care. I think we can do better. We should do more than strive for mediocrity.
My view on this is that Gracedale should probably be permanently downsized and that county offices should relocate there. It's clear to me that the county is never going to meet the state minimum on nursing care unless it downsizes. McClure has actually mentioned that as a possibility and I think that's what will have to happen. I oppose a sale.
You oppose a sale yet put up obstacles and claim you are sincere. Buy a bridge I am selling.
These are not "obstacles." I want $15.5 million or even the entire $30 million spent on Gracedale. McClure is not doing that. Why not? I could argue that he is the one who wants to sell. If you really want to save Gracedale, it will not be by fixing the loading dock. It will not be by paying a bonus that pales in comparison to what hospitals offer. What you would be doing is exactly what Council did and that is get a performance audit underway. McClure has resisted this. Why is he afraid of a performance audit? He should welcome one and try to get it done right away. If McClure really wanted to save Gracedale, he'd do a pay study. The people who work for the county need to be paid fairly and they are not. Why is McClure afraid of a pay study? If McClure really wanted to save Gracedale, he'd get cost estimates on conversion of rooms so that there are no more than two per room. And as I've stated several times now, I like the idea of a daycare, but it is very short on detail. How much will it cost to operate annually? Council really does need to know that. Is it fair to offer this benefit to Gracedale while denying it to other workers? $5 million for revenue replacement is no plan to save the home. I have said that several times. It is just a way to disguise the reality that Gracedale is burning cash bc it is simply is unable to operate with a larger census. It may very well be that the home should downsize. This is something that McClure himself has said. So let's save Gracedale by spending $15.5 million wisely, not foolishly. McClure has done a good job as Exec and his proposal is a a good start. It just needs work. It is not his way or no way. He is not a king. That is why there are nine council members. He has to come up with a plan acceptable to five of them.
McClure has at the least started a conversation that is long overdue. Let's get to work on this thing in earnest now. Crunch the numbers and come up with some short and long term goals that are achievable and benefit the residents and the workers who truly do care. Selling is the easy way out but we ar4e dealing with human lives here...not widgets. Please get to work and earn some respect as elected officials.
Agreed.
"It is not his way or no way. He is not a king. That is why there are nine council members. He has to come up with a plan acceptable to five of them."
Right, like you have not propped the guy up for five years. You have attacked any who dared question him or his lieutenants on any topic. Since you and your buddies hope Gracedale fails, you continue to carry the false narrative of the republicans. Maybe there is more money for businessmen we can give out. Or maybe you will support Hefner when she runs for Executive in a few years.
You want this to drag on for a few years so Gracedale collapses. You and Cusick have a great plan to see the home fail.
I am tired of your nonsense. You attack me for criticizing McClure and attack me for supporting him. I think your real goal here is just to be a troll.
There is no false narrative. The plan as presented is irresponsible. I have stated why about three times. I have heard no rebuttal from you, just personal attacks. I have heard you say that good points were made for McClure's proposal, but you failed to list any. I have supported most of what McClure has done and consider him a very good Exec. Unlike Rs, I support the idea of a daycare but there needs to be a bit more detail than what was provided. Will it make employees more likely to stay? How many will use it? What is the annual operation costs? Why only Gracedale? I completely support the small business grants, and they themselves have appeared before Council on several occasions to say that money saved them. But I have also consistently maintained that the pay is too low.
The only grumbling I've heard about small business grants comes from county workers who wanted all that money in their pockets. I note that no person ever appeared before council to say they were a bad idea. And you are of course an anonymous coward.
The next Exec race is a long way away. I am a little more interested right now in good governance than politics. Hacks like you will never understand that good government trumps all your horseshit.
Y’all need come to the realization that saving Gracedale is a losing proposition. You want to throw millions into the wind hoping for a miracle but unfortunately, the inevitable will happen. People refuse to do the job without getting being properly compensated, and I’m not talking about a dollar raise, I’m talking about STARTING CNAs at $25 an hour raise. And this is just to be competitive. And obviously the county can’t afford, so with that being said, we should be out.
@5:46pm you are right on point. There is no saving Gracedale so why waste the money. Staff should have been given compensation years ago. But, as usual, McClure blew smoke up everyone’s asses. And people bought into it; hook, line and all.
You should start paying your most important employee's the custodians instead of giving money to everyone else!!
Can the employees of the custodial division get paid a fair wage ?
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