tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post359147724426394843..comments2024-03-29T10:36:34.157-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: DPW: Allentown State Hospital to CloseBernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-61722775093240820182010-03-14T16:31:45.535-04:002010-03-14T16:31:45.535-04:00I am very concerned that these people are going to...I am very concerned that these people are going to fall through the cracks once they are released who is really going to make sure they continue therapy and medication once they leave the facility? willthey just wind up in prison for something ridiculous? I hope it works outAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-73618632174452015562010-01-31T19:07:35.015-05:002010-01-31T19:07:35.015-05:00The above link to yet another attack on Father Ale...The above link to yet another attack on Father Alex shows just Villa as nuts and hateful. I guess giving him a forearm at the courthouse is not enough. He will be unable to continue spammin this blog with his hate now that DISQUS is installed.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-70344374621000017762010-01-31T18:16:19.146-05:002010-01-31T18:16:19.146-05:00Chor-Bishop Seely Beggiani on Being a Priest<a href="http://bloggingdottie.blogspot.com/2010/01/chor-bishop-seely-beggiani-on-being.html" rel="nofollow">Chor-Bishop Seely Beggiani on Being a Priest </a>VJMJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-26274648379226526422010-01-31T18:16:01.168-05:002010-01-31T18:16:01.168-05:00Chor-Bishop Seely Beggiani on Being a Priest<a href="http://bloggingdottie.blogspot.com/2010/01/chor-bishop-seely-beggiani-on-being.html" rel="nofollow">Chor-Bishop Seely Beggiani on Being a Priest </a>VJMJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-79431908664966535882010-01-31T08:34:47.180-05:002010-01-31T08:34:47.180-05:00Anonymous said...
Some thoughts on rehabbing the u...Anonymous said...<br />Some thoughts on rehabbing the unfortunate closing of Allentown State Hospital, reuse as drug rehab and work release with Northampton and Lehigh, working together!<br /><br />Anonymous ... Have you thought how this would impact on the quality of life of the people living around the former State Hospital ... There might be a security issue here... Northampton County Executive Stoffa suggested years ago that the former State Hospital Grounds become the Social Agency Capital of the World ... He can say that sewcured in his Ivory Tower in Easton ... But the residents might be adversely impacted by that....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-55275567199655061132010-01-30T11:34:30.137-05:002010-01-30T11:34:30.137-05:00I think this decision has been made by people who ...I think this decision has been made by people who have no experience or knowledge of caring for the mentally ill. There are some that will be suitable for group home situations but many who can barely function - if at all. What about them? What do you tell the families of these patients? Trim the fat from the people and places that make excessive amounts of $$ and are bleeding the taxpayers. Leave institutions such as Allentown State intactAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-55453918657010721322010-01-29T21:03:34.205-05:002010-01-29T21:03:34.205-05:00Back to seriousness though, what will happen to th...Back to seriousness though, what will happen to those currently there? The fact that they are the final 175 would suggest that they are the those with the most serious illnesses.Lighthousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05346747286241817118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-54486582606528211992010-01-29T20:56:38.659-05:002010-01-29T20:56:38.659-05:00I can't help but wonder if White's "R...I can't help but wonder if White's "Rajah of Rezoning" isn't eyeing the place up...he could combine senior housing, treatment centers, and prison all on one site.Lighthousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05346747286241817118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-20452355182740734042010-01-29T18:46:53.900-05:002010-01-29T18:46:53.900-05:00And guess what, they have to put the patients some...And guess what, they have to put the patients somewhere. Look around your neighborhood and you will see many of them in so called "group homes". While some do deserve to be in these homes, there are some very disturbed people that should not. You quality of life suffers if you live next to or close to some group homes. Just ask someone who does.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-79750203922973800572010-01-29T18:24:08.442-05:002010-01-29T18:24:08.442-05:00Some thoughts on rehabbing the unfortunate closing...Some thoughts on rehabbing the unfortunate closing of Allentown State Hospital, reuse as drug rehab and work release with Northampton and Lehigh, working together!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-63010995417729010852010-01-29T17:22:05.457-05:002010-01-29T17:22:05.457-05:00This site should have townhomes and single family ...This site should have townhomes and single family homes built along the budgeted new ASD middle school(site not yet chosen) and a mostly passive park. This will provide an opportunity for new families to join the east side community or for existing families in the area to upgrade without leaving the city.<br /><br />Some of the existing buildings could be used for senior housing or small scale medical office space but in reality I think there are to too many of them, too far from any highway exit to make use of them all. Some will likely be torn down in time. <br /><br />A hospital or university is nice in theory but these institutions likely would not choose a site so far from the nearest limited access highway. On top of it, these institutions pay no taxes so it really might not be such a good idea for a site so far from downtown anyway.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-6006487050639572092010-01-29T17:21:55.549-05:002010-01-29T17:21:55.549-05:00I would love to know if there are any care benefit...I would love to know if there are any care benefits and cost benefits to a series of group home settings (which should be closely monitored) vs. a larger institution for those who really need the care. This is a segment of society that really needs that attention and care (as long as my tax money is being used WISELY and for the best solution).<br /><br />I know that there will be people who fall between the cracks...very unfortunate, and that is where our disfunctional government fails best. Those are the ones who concern me. Everytime our government creates a new "system", I shudder because they create new inefficiency and people suffer...the ones being "served" and the ones paying for it.Lady Repnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-5816383140545105782010-01-29T11:27:04.163-05:002010-01-29T11:27:04.163-05:00Is it true there is a group of albinos living ther...Is it true there is a group of albinos living there?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-61727304748409246972010-01-29T09:09:44.472-05:002010-01-29T09:09:44.472-05:00Sell Cedarbrook and Gracedale to the private secto...Sell Cedarbrook and Gracedale to the private sector and provide bi-county indigent care at ASH.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-72344461638700718662010-01-29T09:04:28.289-05:002010-01-29T09:04:28.289-05:00Unfortunately, this closure has been a slow death ...Unfortunately, this closure has been a slow death for many years. When I worked there in the 80's, all the buildings were in use. I transferred to another job for a while, but when I returned in the 90's there was a start to transfer some of the more elderly patients out to facilities that were more equipped to take care of their needs and close those units. Now most of the buildings are contracted out to other agencies not related to the state.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-9253398848543753212010-01-29T09:01:53.175-05:002010-01-29T09:01:53.175-05:00County or State, politicians piss money away year ...County or State, politicians piss money away year after year, and when they come up short, dump on the elderly indigent or the severely mentally ill.<br /><br />Until the entitlement programs known as public wages, benefits and pensions are addressed, the bleeding will continue. This is just a tiny bandaid placed on a jugular gash. <br /><br />The burden of years of poor management placed on the backs of the most vulnerable.<br /><br />Gutless cowards.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-9459775257911729912010-01-29T07:10:20.625-05:002010-01-29T07:10:20.625-05:00Our treatment of the mentally ill is not much impr...Our treatment of the mentally ill is not much improved from 100 years ago. Incredibly, it seems we're moving backward from there. We spend so much money and resources on preventable ailments (heart disease, certain cancers, AIDS), and do little to address the heartbreaking affliction of mental illness. The mentally ill don't get ribbons and rubber bracelets.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-5035729637201546272010-01-29T06:54:36.757-05:002010-01-29T06:54:36.757-05:00It is the desire of the East Allentown Rittersvill...It is the desire of the East Allentown Rittersville Neighborhood Association for the Allentown State Hospital, a good neighbor of ours, to remain Open. Unfortunately the DPW's irrevocable announcement of the closure of the State Hospital on or by December 31. 2010 may be the last word on the subject. <br /><br />Consequently, we turn our focus to its reuse. Not that we want to. But from the sense of reality. <br /><br />It is fact that the City of Allentown sees the sale and development of the open area of the Hospital as one of the solutions to its current financial problems; and other groups look at the land to advance their social and development interests. The truism here, is that none of these interests care how their plans would impact on those closest to ground zero.<br /><br />Therefore, we assert and proclaim that whatever major decision that is to be made for reuse of this property should be in the best interest of those who live nearby the site. Therefore, we request that the residents of East Allentown Rittersville Neighborhood as well as the Association be kept abreast of all activities related to the redevelopment of this site and be invited to all hearing, meetings and discussions ... It is the last thing we want is for the Politicians and Special Interests who do not live in the area to make things worse for the neighbors that live in this area in order to advance their particular agenda for their benefit..... Dennis Pearson, President of the East Allentown=Rittersville Neighborhood AssociationAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-28312197131764666492010-01-29T05:58:23.796-05:002010-01-29T05:58:23.796-05:00Christ Bernie! If they close the State Hospital, w...Christ Bernie! If they close the State Hospital, what are they going to do with all us bloggers when they finally get around to gathering us all up and confining us for our own good?!Chris Caseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03229946755174182758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-68934588032983753692010-01-29T01:03:46.610-05:002010-01-29T01:03:46.610-05:00I'll allow the comment. Your comment came at t...I'll allow the comment. Your comment came at the same time that I was being spammed by a troll who blames Stoffa for everything. <br /><br />I apologize, and am glad you reposted. <br /><br />I welcome different views, but not personal attacks or OT comments. I assumed you were one of the persons who does that, and I have no tolerance for anything they post. When I am being spammed, as happened three times tonight, I have to react strongly. I hope you can understand that.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-20810649826866835782010-01-29T00:51:02.908-05:002010-01-29T00:51:02.908-05:00Of course the Human Service Directors have a stake...Of course the Human Service Directors have a stake in this. What are you thinking Mr. Ohare. Christ do you think this is the first time the State tried to slip this in. Special Ed Pawlowski is salivating over the State Hospital land for development.<br /><br />He tried to get it as the Allentown Economic Development Director but the past Directors double teamed his backroom talks and worked to save the Hospital with the state representatives. We have been down this road. Of course the state wants to do this. They have wanted to do this for 15 years. People familiar with the history and lay of the land have been watching and working.<br /><br />It appears the current Directors may have been asleep at the switch, maybe not but they need to push back and get an acute facility before all the land is sold.<br /><br />We are not concerned with your political alliances and who you want to protect and who you want to bash. This is serious for a very vulnerable population. Can you please stop playing politics for once and help get this information out there.<br /><br />State Hospital Stakeholder!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-86271588068056752072010-01-29T00:26:04.751-05:002010-01-29T00:26:04.751-05:00Is Bernie homeless now?Is Bernie homeless now?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-61446461514226629932010-01-28T23:44:16.469-05:002010-01-28T23:44:16.469-05:00Scott wrote: "I think budgetary concerns have...Scott wrote: "I think budgetary concerns have been masked by altruistic rhetoric that claims the mentally have not been well served by institutions."<br /><br />You've got it. Taking the figures from the quoted press release, $35,300,000 divided by 175 residents = $210,714.28.<br /><br />Back in the early 90's I worked with a program for adults with "severe and profound" disabilities. I remember having to pick up two clients at A.S.H., and many of our other clients had at one point been institutionalized. That sad reality is none of those residents can survive on their own. They will either end up through some underfunded local agency or on the street (after passing through family). <br /><br />There is no cost-effective way to be "humane." So, I refer you back to Scott's quote.Lighthousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05346747286241817118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-2471561984935235962010-01-28T22:30:46.344-05:002010-01-28T22:30:46.344-05:00Your post was deleted bc you blame county human se...Your post was deleted bc you blame county human services directors for a problem that is state-created. Your comment was posted at the same time that a number of other vicious comments were posted anonymously. I will not allow you to post here unless you identify yourself.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-41777233380441216762010-01-28T22:27:25.023-05:002010-01-28T22:27:25.023-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com