tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post4167199563843320631..comments2024-03-28T15:45:13.817-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: With Closure of ASH, Group Homes Need More ScrutinyBernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-13300650504602587912010-08-10T19:02:20.147-04:002010-08-10T19:02:20.147-04:00The Fair Housing Act is federal law and I support ...The Fair Housing Act is federal law and I support it. Jim Broughal gave good advice. But the group homes, licensed by the state, need tighter scrutiny.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-28010393802863625362010-08-10T18:57:21.406-04:002010-08-10T18:57:21.406-04:00Bernie... please understand that this is a federal...Bernie... please understand that this is a federal issue. Ask Bethlehem Township as it settles its Federal Lawsuit with a group home. Locals can not and must not regulate or attempt to regulate these places or they will pay. Where is your boy Charlie Dent??? Why is he immune to questioning or having to do anything about this???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-76838808155175013942010-08-10T13:59:50.946-04:002010-08-10T13:59:50.946-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-57809410943994395142010-08-09T21:45:05.550-04:002010-08-09T21:45:05.550-04:00Micahel is right on this Bernie. If the topic is ...Micahel is right on this Bernie. If the topic is Charlie Dent, Ron Angle or John Stoffa, you are protective of them and their minions. If it is about Pawlowski, now Callahan or McClure all is fair and true. The personal insults are considered fair shots.<br /><br />You are a partisan operative and your blog accurately reflects that. I am a liberal Democrat the opposite of Molonvinsky but know he is right on the money about Mr. Marcus. He is a team player and an Community and Economic Development guy with a tenuous association with Human Services. Stoffa needed a clueless yes man and he got it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-34688619217992536322010-08-09T10:19:53.962-04:002010-08-09T10:19:53.962-04:00Once again, I must thank you for your evaluation. ...Once again, I must thank you for your evaluation. You can be certain I will give it the weight to which it is entitled.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-49650183794948344732010-08-09T10:12:33.797-04:002010-08-09T10:12:33.797-04:00bernie, your reply again insults the questioner, b...bernie, your reply again insults the questioner, but avoids the question. i don't purport to be a journalist, ironically, you do. you could be a credible reporter, but first you would have put down the water buckets.michael molovinskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12581039755319742687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-9015266580389791972010-08-09T10:01:47.969-04:002010-08-09T10:01:47.969-04:00MM, Your journalistic insight, as always, is somet...MM, Your journalistic insight, as always, is something that astonishes us all.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-37172448913334072332010-08-09T09:18:21.726-04:002010-08-09T09:18:21.726-04:00bernie, i suspect you're more defensive of a s...bernie, i suspect you're more defensive of a stoffa appointee than a pawlowski appointee, but all that aside; the question is why would marcus's answers now differ from his opinion quoted by the morning call last winter? why aren't you wondering about the anecdotal differences from the group home employee you interviewed, and what marcus said last year? btw, maybe while you're at it, you should interview some private nursing home employee's.michael molovinskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12581039755319742687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-37232095989980461562010-08-09T08:55:12.906-04:002010-08-09T08:55:12.906-04:00MM, Your comments concerning group homes or the cl...MM, Your comments concerning group homes or the closure of ASH are most welcome, but your disparagement of Ross Marcus was uninvited. Bcause he is a public official, I allowed the attack to stand, but responded appropriately. If you regard that an insult, then perhaps you should think twice before launching insults of your own.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-43151188306860053682010-08-09T08:48:43.247-04:002010-08-09T08:48:43.247-04:00bernie, ross was quoted by the morning call's ...bernie, ross was quoted by the morning call's article on the closing of allentown state, that in fact the counties have both enough group homes and the ability to monitor them. what different answer do you now expect from him? sorry, i didn't know my comments were "uninvited"; as usual you continue to insult commentators whose opinion you disagree with.michael molovinskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12581039755319742687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-23592370101950366752010-08-09T08:05:01.042-04:002010-08-09T08:05:01.042-04:00MM, Thanks for your uninvited character assessment...MM, Thanks for your uninvited character assessment. Ross just went up a few nothces in my estimation.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-24256277226622909882010-08-09T04:14:48.570-04:002010-08-09T04:14:48.570-04:00ross marcus already answered when he advocated and...ross marcus already answered when he advocated and defended the closing last year. i can tell you from ross's days in allentown, he's first a bureaucrat and team player.michael molovinskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12581039755319742687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-64627320000278241562010-08-09T02:05:49.943-04:002010-08-09T02:05:49.943-04:00This is what happens in private Nursing Homes. Th...This is what happens in private Nursing Homes. That is why Gracedale is so needed and beloved by generations of the hardworking citizens of Northampton County.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-29674443566105042852010-08-09T00:41:39.945-04:002010-08-09T00:41:39.945-04:00Chris, I expect to be shot long before I'm ins...Chris, I expect to be shot long before I'm institutionalized.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-19960298453154193152010-08-09T00:40:45.323-04:002010-08-09T00:40:45.323-04:00I appreciate the intent of the Fair Housing Act, b...I appreciate the intent of the Fair Housing Act, but also believe that municipal officials can insist that the homes be staffed by people who are properly trained, educated and compensated. In Bethlehem, I think the request for variance falls on its face bcit needs 12 parking spots. I have to say it is a bit disconcerting to hear a former employee from that setting admit that some "consumers", as they are called for some reason, just will never fit in.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-26501580469751417182010-08-09T00:39:35.247-04:002010-08-09T00:39:35.247-04:00My biggest concern with closing ASH is what will t...My biggest concern with closing ASH is what will they do with all of us malcontent bloggers? We are going to need a place eventually! Our families won't take us!Chris Caseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03229946755174182758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-69802170234461261262010-08-09T00:31:55.911-04:002010-08-09T00:31:55.911-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Lighthousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05346747286241817118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-83564719688235489572010-08-09T00:31:44.747-04:002010-08-09T00:31:44.747-04:00Please keep in mind that we are talking federal la...Please keep in mind that we are talking federal laws (such as Fair Housing, IDEA, and ADA, etc) that create these situations....something that a local community or school district facing a good lawyer is almost guaranteed to lose, unless our Congressmen (such as Rep. Dent) fight to make these laws more balanced (rights of individuals with disabilities & rights of the community at large).<br /><br />Below is a repeat of my June 23 comment: <br /><br />For about two and a half years I worked in a community-based program for adults with severe disabilities. Several of these individuals had lived a good part of their lives at Pennhurst before it was closed. So I do understand the issues of human dignity, and societal responsibilities--though it becomes societal because of families who are unable or unwilling. Some of these individuals with disabilities do require much care and supervision. Some can learn tasks for low-skill employment. Again, they are people and I understand the dignity/humanity issues. Animals are treated better than some of these individuals have been.<br /><br />That said, I remember some individuals that I did not really believe were appropriate in the community for health/safety/welfare of the larger community. I'll refrain from breaking probable confidentially and telling stories. Also, as the Commonwealth has closed facilities (A.S.H. being the latest) the past twenty-plus years these individuals are placed into group homes....but not necessarily with the resources following them to live up to the noble thought. Also, with the closing of facilities, there are some individuals that ARE at times a risk to themselves, their staff, and their neighbors, and the police become by extension on-call "orderlies" (even for the "for profit" homes) at the local tax payer's expense. <br /><br />The spirit of the original Fair Housing Act, (much as IDEA does with schools) has over-compensated, and a lawyer and a lawsuit await those who challenge someone's "right" to services (not that the resulting cost-benefit necessarily improves the long-term lives of individuals). The rights (and wallets) of the majority of citizens at that point becomes secondary to the protected class of citizens.Lighthousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05346747286241817118noreply@blogger.com