Yesterday, NorCo Council conducted the first of four scheduled budget hearings to review Executive Tara Zrinski's proposed 43.5% tax hike next year. No amendments will be offered until next month, but it's pretty clear that Council is unhappy with Zrinski's spending plan. Several members of the public spoke in opposition as Jeff Ward reports in Lehigh Valley News Briefs. I was particularly struck by comments from Alexa Krabbe, a student journalist at The Lafayette.
Lafayette's Landis Center provides Gracedale with student volunteers, but she reports that some have become wary as a result of patient safety and staffing issues that were never communicated to them.
We've heard numerous times from Executive Tara Zrinski and Council member Kelly Keegan that Gracedale must be great because they did such a good job of caring for their family members. But just as there is positive anecdotal evidence, there is also the negative. Krabbe stated, "One of the first things that I heard about Gracedale, when I got here, was never sent anybody that you care about to that home, because they will be subject to horrible treatment."
"One in 10 Americans over 60 years old is subject to abuse and mistreatment, and a nursing home that adds to that abuse is not useful in this county," she added. She argued that county tax dollars should be spent on things that actually benefit people.
As she spoke and Council listened, the state Department of Health was wrapping up yet another visit to the home. Hopefully, County Council will be told what's going on this time. From what I'm told, it's more bad news.
It's time for an independent investigation.
ReplyDeleteI’d be careful about using students from Lafayettes school newspaper as credible sources. They attack everyone on and around their campus with opinion devoid of facts.
ReplyDeleteSometimes The Lafayette produces very strong stories, backed by facts.
DeleteSometimes it leans into opinion pieces, which are much easier to produce.
Nursing homes are no longer a core function of county government in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Northampton County property tax payers are about to be forced to spend $12 million to prop up a poorly managed one.
ReplyDeleteZrinski is full of it. She stated 43% to “catch up” even at the average rate of inflation from 2015 till now it’s no where near 43%. Let’s not forget all the Covid money either. Boullette is right, it’s way too much. It’s also more than needed.
ReplyDeleteTwo things here, one, part of the COVID funds were blown in a tax cut. A one time windfall was used to push through a permanent cut. That was bad planning. Secondly, the rates of health insurance have been outpacing CPI for years.
DeleteSince 2018, there has been 34% inflation. Taking into account the healthcare issues and the irresponsible tax cut, 43% is not crazy. It's just an indication of how bad things really are.
"She argued that county tax dollars should be spent on things that actually benefit people."
ReplyDelete...except when you use the County Controller position as a campaign platform for two years.
I wonder what occurred at Gracedale now.
ReplyDeleteMaybe another elopment!
DeleteGeez - really?
DeleteIf Zrinski is willing to allocate a 20% COLA increase to the retirees over the next 4 years then please approve the deputy sheriff MOA
ReplyDeleteSince this is the first contract in a long line of many to come, please share the taxpayers expense with all.
Although the budget is a difficult task the bar should not be set high by a bargaining unit that has a starting rate at 60000/year.
If Council approves this contract then everyone should be getting 20% raises over 4 years, and this includes retirees who Zrinski speaks so highly of.
In the business world those with pensions never get COLA. It’s a fixed amount for life when you retire. Operate as a business not a cash cow with taxpayer dollars. You want us to fund their raises becuase they are under paid and need pension raises. Who helps retirees on fixed incomes. Stop this BS.
DeleteKoo Koo Keegan is not mentally fit to make any decisions about anything. See her decision about tampons in county mens bathrooms. Plus shes been saying forget Gracedale is great. Thats because she’s the love reaper.
DeleteThere are no tampons in men’s bathrooms in Northampton County Courthouse at least not at any of the bathrooms I’ve visited
DeleteI work in the courthouse. There were most definitely female hygiene products in the men's bathrooms for about 1 -2 years. Haven't seen any since the end of last year.
DeleteState employee pensions do not get COLAs.
DeleteTwo men thanked me for having absorbent products in the men's restrooms. One had a bleeding hemorrhoid and the other had incontinence and their urinary collective device was failing. How about you think about other people's issue before you make fun at things. Better yet, how about keeping your opinions to yourself when you don't understand the bigger picture??
DeleteJust received one.
DeleteThis woman is nuts. Who even voted for her? Are you sorry yet?
DeleteWow, do we have a government official telling someone they can't make a comment on a public blog?
DeletePlease tell me that's really Kelly Keegan posting....
DeleteYou are free to comment here so long as you abide by the rules. As for what Keegan said, I support placing tampons in women's and family restrooms to combat what is called period poverty. Many women have problems affording feminine hygiene products. But I do not support tampons in men's rooms.
DeleteI do not know for sure whether that was Keegan or someone impersonating her.
DeleteWow she’s crazy!!
DeleteWhat a mess- we have a childish and incompetent Executive who has no idea what shes doing, proposing a 43% increase in taxes, with a rubberstamp Council that will eventually settle on 20% and they'll all look like heros. Stop with the photo ops and govern like adults. In the meantime, Gracedale is being run into the ground.
ReplyDeleteyes, an immature Executive along with nuts like Koo Koo Keegan & Ken Krap and goofy Warren. Our only hope is for Holland, Vargo & Giovanni to step up to the plate.
DeleteI believe an update should be provided concerning the Gracedale situations.
ReplyDeleteStop the madness. Nursing homes are no longer a county responsibility in Pennsylvania. Our elderly will receive better care, elsewhere. Sell the place and knock that hideous building down. The entire campus would make a lovely park with nature trails.
ReplyDeletePut a courthouse and jail on the Gracedale campus. Move DHS there. Put all county offices in one area. Sell off all the other buildings. Get out of the nursing home business. TZ call it NorCo Central. Ditch your plans for an assisted living and nursing home. Can’t compete with the private sector anymore. Don’t throw good money on top of bad money. Leave the past in the oast and move forward. Stop wasting time, the safety of the residents and money.
ReplyDeleteHow does the public weigh in on selling Gracedale and moving offices to that site? Can this be put on the ballot and how does this happen? Nobody agrees with the executive so how do WE get a say other than getting our 5 minutes at a council meeting which seems like a waste of time.
ReplyDeleteWhen will facts come out about Gracedale investigation of problems? It’s time.
ReplyDelete