Thank all of you who came out, and to you who could not make it because you had to work. Many that came to sign the petition, also took petitions. Currently, we have approximately 350 or so petitions in circulation. Please get your petitions completed as soon as you possibly can. The sooner we know we have the numbers we need, the better off the cause will be. What has surprised the Coalition is that there are people who support this cause, which we believed did not. Why is that? Because this is a noble cause.
The opposition would like us to believe their untruths, but the people are not foolish. The truth is that if privatized, anything is possible at Gracedale. As Rev. Martinez said during the meeting, Gracedale could be turned into the next hotel casino in PA. He did not say that would actually happen, but that it could happen.
We spoke to some on the grounds who also expressed a fear that if privatized, they could loose their right to make complaints, because as is the case with other private care facilities, when you make complaints you are told to take your loved one else where if you don't like the treatment, or lack of provided. The Coalition understands this concern because they formed a year and a half ago due to issues they individually experienced, and then council woman Diane Naiper assisted them in resolving the issues, which remain resolved.
At this point, the Coalition has expressed that they are not suggesting to anyone how to vote on this matter, simply to Vote Your Hearts. They are not trying to sway any one's opinion, they just believe that an item of this magnitude should consider the opinions of those that truly pay the bills, the Tax Payers.
They also believe that if the CC had put this question on the ballot themselves, this would not be a problem today. The people would have said "keep Gracedale, raise taxes" - the CC would have been off the hook on raising taxes. And if they said "sell Gracedale, don't raise taxes," again they would have been off the hook. The Coalition is not suggesting that the CC should pass all their obligations onto the people, by no means. But items of this magnitude and emotion should at the very least consider the voice of the people.
just to let you know who ever is interested that the thousands that didn't show up at the rally, were out getting signatures. They thought that was more inportant then being in front of the camera..
ReplyDeleteTo Mario, MaryAnn, Joe,Mr & Mrs DelSandra and all of the rest, Thank you so very much for all of the hard work you did to get as many signatures you got. We the Union @ Gracedale can't express our thanks enough. I know we didn't have the turnout that we would have like to have, but many of our employees are busy working 8 or even 16 hrs a day at the home. I myself did work hard for the signatures! AFSCME Local 1435 can't thank you enough! We love you and we know we will prevail!
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