John Stoffa has been claiming that it was necessary for him to appeal the Gracedale Referendum question, in order to protect the Home Rule Charter's integrity. Many proponents of Gracedale, and brokers for honest government, didn't buy his excuse. Turns out that the co-author of the Home Rule Charter has come forward, and said that the question is exactly the type intended for referendum. In a compelling article by Jenna Portnoy, the co-author of the Charter, Bill Hansell, goes further;
"They're hiding behind the financial language because they simply don't want the question referred [to voters], and that's not playing by the rules."Did I mention that even the tapes which cover the appropriate use of referendum are missing?
I'm sure that the tapes have been missing for many years, no wrong doing is implied
My grandfather, father and son have all taught me that is does not really matter the intent of the law (or in this case the charter) if the words are clear, they stand by themselves. Defending the limits of the over-reach of local government into the health care business is one's duty as a citizen. Small government, protecting the rights of its citizens is what made America great.
ReplyDeleteMM -
ReplyDeleteNo comment one way or another about the Gracedale issue, but I have no faith in Mr. Hansell.
I've watched him shill for Pawlowski in Allentown and I've watched him vote the party line as a Lehigh County Commissioner (when he can find the time to show up). Quite honestly, I was shocked when I read that he was involved in the Northampton County Charter.
I haven't seen anything good come from anything that Hansell has advocated. Maybe this will be different, but I'm dubious of anything that Hansell is attached to.
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ReplyDeletewhat's with all the deleted comments? are you censuring us MM?
ReplyDeletei'm thankful mr. hansell had the courage to speak out.... kudos ~
ReplyDeleteMicheal yours, "Did I mention that even the tapes which cover the appropriate use of referendum are missing?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that the tapes have been missing for many years, no wrong doing is implied ichael yours, "
Michael just by mentioning the missing tapes you are implying "something".
Michael you are better than this.
Bob
bob, i think the whole gracedale episode is a blackeye to stoffa's legacy, or his watergate. supposedly he indicated he would not interfere with a ballot question if the petitioners succeeded, but then did otherwise. he claimed it was his duty to defend the home rule charter, but a credible person involved with it's creation says otherwise. my reason for the disclaimer is to emphasize that i do not suspect him, or anybody else, of taking the long missing tape. i do believe that it is his watergate, and the missing tape is a minor poetic license, of which you're making too much.
ReplyDeletenow it turns out ron angle took contributions from eckert semans..it's all shady.
ReplyDeleteIt baffles me to know end that when we have a problem we choose to ignore those with the most wisdom on the given subject.In this case, Who in this area knows more about nursing homes and their viability then David Bausch.So I wanna know how he feels about the Gracedale situation.My feeling is he would give a fair evaluation.
ReplyDeleteguy, you apparently don't know dave. as a matter of policy, he always declines to seriously opine on public policy by other administrators and elected officials. he will reply that they do their best, or such.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame. Wasnt his leadership of Cedarbrook his finest hour?Its my understanding his time as county exec was also great service.Im sure politics has got to be the reason for his lack of participation in the current debate.
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