tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post6763641735125919757..comments2024-03-29T09:02:21.634-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Judge Baratta's Dismissal of Gracedale Initiative Ballot ChallengeBernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-68819949015662159602011-02-12T00:12:56.480-05:002011-02-12T00:12:56.480-05:00The people want to vote on this issue. This ant-de...The people want to vote on this issue. This ant-democratic county leadership wants to ram this sale down our throats just like obamacare.<br /><br />Listen to the people. The majority do not want the County to dump Gracedale.<br /><br />This post would lead me to the conclusion that the issue transcends political party lines.<br />I knew this as I spoke to many people while collecting signatures. And my signatures obviously were beyond reproach since I wasn't invited to Bernie and Rons WITCH HUNT. It might be political on the council however the public DEM or GOP want to keep the place. I would say Ron is looking for political trouble when he loses the Cousinhumperton voting block.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-52820045648347433562011-02-10T20:00:26.627-05:002011-02-10T20:00:26.627-05:00The people want to vote on this issue. This ant-d...The people want to vote on this issue. This ant-democratic county leadership wants to ram this sale down our throats just like obamacare.<br /><br />Listen to the people. The majority do not want the County to dump Gracedale.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-62927115894892492912011-02-10T10:54:08.715-05:002011-02-10T10:54:08.715-05:00Larry is an election law expert. I thought we had ...Larry is an election law expert. I thought we had him.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-4085418025590241672011-02-10T08:39:28.345-05:002011-02-10T08:39:28.345-05:00Can GEICO really save me 15 percent on my car insu...Can GEICO really save me 15 percent on my car insurance in 15 minutes?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-13953275445605149152011-02-10T06:41:40.587-05:002011-02-10T06:41:40.587-05:00Is Otter really that good of a lawyer?Is Otter really that good of a lawyer?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-42350127884891140002011-02-10T06:39:15.014-05:002011-02-10T06:39:15.014-05:00Looking into my crystal ball I would say on Friday...Looking into my crystal ball I would say on Friday the county and Stoffa are going to have more of a case then the previous argument.<br /><br />We shall see what Baratta does then.<br /><br />But....<br /><br />There is ALWAYS appeal possibilities for either side which then can be heard by a Judge that isn't sitting in a county owned courthouse and depending on the vote of the NORCO tax payers and residents.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-80517886573720670102011-02-10T03:39:24.579-05:002011-02-10T03:39:24.579-05:00Problem is no one trusts Stoffa. It doesn't m...Problem is no one trusts Stoffa. It doesn't matter if it is Stoffa or Angle, they are the same thing in the eyes of both the families and union. Thee are no secrets in the government center. People know what the different agenda's are.<br /><br />When Stoffa and Angle mislead and tried to deceive the union first time around, they lost trust. It is very hard to regain someones trust when you lied.<br /><br />Also, John Stoffa when informed by the Alzheimer's group last year about circulating a petition, he wished them "good luck". Why not tell them he would fight the legality of their efforts.<br /><br />The Angle/Stoffa strategy was based on people never getting the required petitions signed.<br /><br />Now Stoffa is backtracking on his word. This is exactly what he did when he was first running and promised "binding arbitration" at a union meeting. Once elected he said he never agreed and couldn't recall saying those words.<br /><br />So you see there is a serious lack of trust for both Angle and Stoffa and for good reason.<br /><br />Tears of TrustAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-49915384272473099732011-02-10T02:46:22.876-05:002011-02-10T02:46:22.876-05:00Last time I looked Angle wasn't in the drivers...Last time I looked Angle wasn't in the drivers seat. <br />The new council president should take over, he doesn't seam to be a hothead or a sociopath, maybe something can be done. I know the workers are willing I don't know what the actual union people would be willing to do, it seams the members are not consulted with choices.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-51097690923778911992011-02-10T02:12:55.501-05:002011-02-10T02:12:55.501-05:00The problem with negotiating with the union is tha...The problem with negotiating with the union is that the union has no faith or trust of Angle and Stoffa. Why should they? They would be willing to compromise on future benefits and other things but negotiation must have at least an element of trust.<br /><br />Both Angle and Stoffa have played games with pumped up numbers. Once they got a concession from the union Stoffa/Angle would move the goalposts, again and again.<br /><br />The Union wanted "written" contractual assurances. Angle offered his word. Really? Angle's word is worth less than dirt to anyone with any sense.<br /><br />So can we get a deal done, absolutely. Will a deal get done with either Angle or Stoffa, probably not. Since they have used bogus numbers and orchestrated this vicious and sad "war" between employees and some members of the public.<br /><br />Sane and reasonable people could find a workable compromise, too bad there was deceit from Angle and Stoffa from day one on this issue.<br /><br />A majority of County council could restore faith. they could demand an independent team to negotiate and make public a "deal" to save Gracedale for future generations.<br /><br />I doubt it will happen but it is worth the effort. if the Administration is sincere.<br /><br />Reality JonesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-26349442796331834082011-02-10T01:24:47.617-05:002011-02-10T01:24:47.617-05:00Gracedale is a covered wagon trying to keep up wit...Gracedale is a covered wagon trying to keep up with the traffic onn Route 22...dumps it before it`s worth nothing .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-32334046487682115952011-02-10T00:23:17.851-05:002011-02-10T00:23:17.851-05:00You know it might be time to get the union on the ...You know it might be time to get the union on the phone and see if they are still willing to make that 3 million in concessions. If they are Ron might look like a genius. The big contract is up at the end of the year. Negotiate a two tiered retirement plan, new hires 401K maintain the pensions for a set group allow them to cash out or enter the 401. Fill the 100+ empty beds, that are intentionally being kept empty. You might actually make a profit. The few voices in here that want to sell the place and insist they are the majority will lose if it is put on the ballot. The numbers are behind keeping it in county hands. Too many old school voters, thats why Angle is afraid of a vote. <br />HE KNOWS.<br />DO US ALL A FAVOR<br />CALL THE UNIONAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-91472070817023207222011-02-10T00:10:46.797-05:002011-02-10T00:10:46.797-05:00Well Bernie you will always have the new age flat ...Well Bernie you will always have the new age flat earthers behind you. I swear some of you folks must have come from another planet or been put through some brainwashing experiment.<br /><br />Here a conspiracy there a conspiracy. Baratta did his job and he is a better "judge" of the law than Bernie O'Hare and Ron Angle. The law is what a judge says it is, ask any real lawyer.<br /><br />Cry, piss and moan, it is what it is. The third leg of Northampton County's Unholy Triumvirate, John Stoffa will try his luck on Friday.<br /><br />I am sure if that fails, he and Angle will have some other devious scheme up there sleeve.<br /><br />By the way County Council could vote to put a question on the ballot to gauge public support.<br /><br />Point of relevant information. The so-called $22 million dollar swaption deal is not at $11 million and dropping like a rock. Within a year some "real" financial guys have said it can probably be bought out at 6 to 7 million on the 'high' end. The Administration 2011 cost of Gracedale was pegged at $6 million, that is no longer six million. Due to the pension fund rebound and over estimated costs written into the budget, the true yearly operational costs are now pegged at about $4 million tops. Stoffa already put $3 million aside for an anticipated six months.<br /><br />In reality for about one million to one and half million tops the place can be run for all of 2011.<br /><br />This has never been about costs or patient care. This is about a political discussion by Angle and Stoffa and the deal they did to get Stoffa in office and the Angle puppets on Council.<br /><br />You may find that there are now five votes on County council to let the people give their opinion. Time will tell.<br /><br /><br />The Love of True LibertyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-10339618346605402662011-02-09T23:48:25.934-05:002011-02-09T23:48:25.934-05:00The Express account indicates the union still has ...The Express account indicates the union still has a math problem, no?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-59077568822774920422011-02-09T23:32:43.849-05:002011-02-09T23:32:43.849-05:00Thanks Whethervain,
If I take a position, I have...Thanks Whethervain, <br /><br />If I take a position, I have to be prepared to take the hit if things don't go as I think they should. Except for some struggling with my first witness, which was largely my own fault, I do think I put on a good case. I do think the judge erred. And the Registrar did testify that the signatures to which I was objecting did NOT overlap with her own rejections. He may not remember that, but I do. I and several others corrected him when he suggested, towards the end of the hearing, that we had not established that.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-31038263651772626062011-02-09T23:30:09.718-05:002011-02-09T23:30:09.718-05:00If the initiative is passed and Gracedale kept, th...If the initiative is passed and Gracedale kept, the county can declare bankruptcy as a precursor to extracting itself from union pension requirements. It's perfectly legal and fiscally sound.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-90497118450320980312011-02-09T23:24:56.296-05:002011-02-09T23:24:56.296-05:00>the objectors failed to establish items for th...>the objectors failed to establish items for the record<br /><br />>Maybe that is why he isn't a lawyer<br /><br />By jove! I think you're onto something! Bernie, <b>you're just a genuine flunkie</b>.<br /><br />Let's consider that the county had to jump through a few sizeable hoops to acquire staff working overtime (I think) and data processing muscle to wade through all of this stuff.<br /><br />Bernie did not have anywhere near that kind of manpower or level of IT resources. I don't even think Ron helped him in his investigative endeavors. <br /><br />Did you also notice that this blog continued to <b>go to press</b> business-as-usual each day while this was going on? The posts here don't write themselves, ya know...<br /><br />Quite an effort for any one man to undertake. I applaud the effort regardless of the outcome.Whethervainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05709776231229905223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-87036770318944903572011-02-09T23:23:13.865-05:002011-02-09T23:23:13.865-05:00The judge is very union-friendly and has some weir...The judge is very union-friendly and has some weird interpretations of law. You caught a bad draw. It was bound to happen in NorCo. It was easier to change council. It'll take longer to purge the bench. But it'll happen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-45077833111638521772011-02-09T23:12:40.257-05:002011-02-09T23:12:40.257-05:00Come to the hearing on Friday.Come to the hearing on Friday.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-52336318203469032682011-02-09T23:09:49.199-05:002011-02-09T23:09:49.199-05:00Raising taxes is just a scare tactic being used to...Raising taxes is just a scare tactic being used to sway citizens in the County. I don't see why we would have to raise taxes if the report of a $60 million dollar surplus is true. If they would raise taxes it would be to cover the $20 million dollar bond fiasco' or as a payback for Citizens who had the passion to challenge them. People in this Country and County need to wake up....if I have learned anything it is Government doesn't work for the people today...it works for it's special interest. I find in saddening that some people wouldn't be ok with paying a $100 more a year in taxes to care for the elderly and disabled in need. I donate atleast that if not more to charites yearly and aren't our own Residents worth that. Gracedale is more than a Nursing Facility. It has always been a part of our Community, a home and last resting place for many. A society judges is people on how it treats it's children and elderly. To some this is a game...a point to be made and to others this is a testament of our priorities and humaneness. I for one don't want to turn my back on those I was taught to respect and have compassion for, The Elderly and less fortunate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-56374800521708840822011-02-09T22:44:41.191-05:002011-02-09T22:44:41.191-05:00I read several referals by the judge that stated t...I read several referals by the judge that stated that the objectors failed to establish items for the record. you very well may be right in your assertion that the matter should be tossed, but you and ron did sloppy lawyering.<br /><br /><br />Did you ever stop to think <br />Maybe that is why he isn't a lawyerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-49143794149098937712011-02-09T22:42:17.848-05:002011-02-09T22:42:17.848-05:00We need to get out of the nursing home business, w...We need to get out of the nursing home business, we have no need to be in it. The residents will be better cared for by a private run facility who can make proper updates to not only the structure of the facility but the care the residents receive.<br /><br />Despite what the union will tell you the reality is that no residents will be put to the curb and kicked out. Heck even most of the employees will still continue to work and earn a living.<br /><br />Vomit<br />your point has been rendered moot<br /><br /><br /><br />I think the vote tomorrow might prove interestingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-88013178016105220852011-02-09T22:30:53.161-05:002011-02-09T22:30:53.161-05:00i hope t.l. management backs out of the deal i'...i hope t.l. management backs out of the deal i'm sure they were assured a done deal(they'll never grt 20.000sig.)what if they have to wait til May?skeetsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-8601226795315678992011-02-09T22:29:32.637-05:002011-02-09T22:29:32.637-05:00Not every tax payer is willing to vote to save Gra...Not every tax payer is willing to vote to save Gracedale.<br /><br />I for one will not vote if it goes to ballot to save it and have my taxes raised substantially next year.<br /><br />We need to get out of the nursing home business, we have no need to be in it. The residents will be better cared for by a private run facility who can make proper updates to not only the structure of the facility but the care the residents receive.<br /><br />Despite what the union will tell you the reality is that no residents will be put to the curb and kicked out. Heck even most of the employees will still continue to work and earn a living.<br /><br />So who loses here really? The Union and AFSCME!!<br /><br />Again, lets get those employees and the cost of Gracedale off of our tax rolls.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-21685415247015878292011-02-09T22:27:58.836-05:002011-02-09T22:27:58.836-05:00Union Goon,
I believe the judge was predisposed ...Union Goon, <br /><br />I believe the judge was predisposed to rule against us bc the Election Code imposes the burden on us and is to be construed to support the right to vote. So whenever he could conclude something either for us or against us, it was consistently against us. He neglected the equally important obligation to preserve the integrity of the election process. <br /><br />But my disagreement is on the law, nothing else. I am casting no stones at his integrity, nor am I suggesting he threw this case for the unions. I believe he called it as he saw it, and I respect that. <br /><br />I have been highly critical of Judge Baratta on this blog and in fact opposed his retention. I know it annoyed him bc I've been told that by people who know him. But I never asked him to recuse himself bc I thought he would be fair. He heard the case and has ruled against us. I completely disagree with his opinion and do not think it will withstand appellate scrutiny, but I believe Judge Baratta handled this matter fairly and called it as he saw it. I can't ask for more than that. <br /><br />I have no complaints, except for the judge's reasonong, and I agree with about 60% of that.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-39581980724061628752011-02-09T22:15:39.528-05:002011-02-09T22:15:39.528-05:00The fix is in. Look for the Dem judge to toss Sto...The fix is in. Look for the Dem judge to toss Stoffa's case as well. The decision has already been made.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com