Zrinski Has Good News (Gracedale) and Bad News (Jail)

At Thursday night's NorCo Council meeting, Executive Tara Zrinski provided yet another detailed report about what is happening in the county. Some readers dislike her presentations, but they're pretty much the same people who would attack her if she said nothing at all. "You've got five minutes," Council President Ken Kraft semi-joked before she started, but I appreciate the transparency. She had good things to say about Gracedale, but is very concerned about the plight of corrections officers at the jail. 

Gracedale. - Zrinski reported that the county nursing home underwent its annual inspection and only three deficiencies were found. She told Council that the lead surveyor noted progress over the past year but cautioned that the "official" report is still pending. She indicated the home was preparing for National Nursing Home Week (May 10-16) with a food truck festival to which everyone would be welcome. Zrinski stated nurses will be treated to lunch this week.

Aside from one deficiency at the beginning of the year, state Department of Health officials have found no violations in six visits responding to complaints this year.*Unfortunately, some employees have offered starkly different views of the facility. They agree that the survey was good but are unhappy. They state that on Nurse Day, agencies came and gave their people gifts while regular employees got nothing.  They cite three elopements since February, none of which were reported because the resident was found on the grounds. They also note that a hunting knife with spikes was found in a resident's room.

Jail. - Zrinski acknowledged that there are 62 vacant correction officer positions. She was at the jail last week and spoke with officers who are being routinely mandated to work 16-hour shifts. While that might be good for their paycheck, anyone who is forced to work a lot of overtime is bound to be a little less attentive, and that can be very dangerous at a jail. 

Why so many vacancies? "I can't help but think that's because the starting pay is $42,160 a year, which is about $20 an hour," she said. "This department is not alone, though. Stagnant pay and inter departmental compression issues exist in multiple departments and should be an issue that we remedy in next year's budget."

Closed Senior Centers. - Two of the county's 11 senior centers have been closed as a result of a $400,000 state budget shortfall. "For the seniors impacted by our senior center consolidation, I would welcome you to redirect your anger towards, uh, to your state and federal legislators. It is the state funding that is cut, and it is HR1 that has cut the funding at the highest level. We are consolidating because we recognize that the senior centers provide a valuable part in our community and the lives of seniors within our community. We have nine. We had 11. So, we do with what we have, and if we can get more funding next year, we will try to reopen whatever we can."

EMS/911. - Michael Leonard has been appointed permanent Director. 

Fiscal Affairs Director. - Zrinski had a candidate hooked, but he got away.  She was forced to reopen interviews and hopes to have someone soon. (Her pick for this position would have to be confirmed by County Council. )

Meadows Road Bridge in Lower Saucon. - She told Council the bridge would be open on Friday, and it was. It had been closed since 2018. 

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*) Unfortunately, some employees offer starkly different views of the facility. They agree that the survey was good but are still unhappy. They state that on Nurse Day, agencies came and gave their people gifts while regular employees got nothing.  They cite three elopements since February, none of which were reported because the resident was found on the grounds. They also note that a hunting knife with spikes was found in a resident's room. They claim they have been instructed against posting to this blog.