Northampton County’s nursing home, Gracedale, suffered a setback in December when the state Department of Health noted 11 patient-care deficiencies during its annual inspection. Its current Medicare rating is two stars, or below average. But there are signs things are turning around. During a revisit, the state Department of Health noted all deficiencies have been corrected. In addition, the home was complimented by the state on its reduction in the use of psychotropic drugs.

Interim Administrator Jennifer Stewart-King told county council at its March 7 meeting that what she needs most of all are electronic health records. She is currently reviewing three bids, and plans to have them in place within a month or two.

In response to a question from council member John Cusick, she acknowledged that staffing the 3-11 p.m.(?) shift has always been a problem. But she added that the shift differential being paid is reducing the number of absences. Council member Bob Werner suggested the possibility of an on-site daycare for employees’ children, and the home is pursuing that option. Executive Lamont McClure added, however, that there are hurdles.

Stewart-King said the biggest misperception about Gracedale is that “there is no quality there.” She said that is completely untrue and stressed the commitment, loyalty and family atmosphere. “I love my job,” she said several times. “We know we all make a difference.”

Council President Ron Heckman told her that because Gracedale is a public institution, a negative inspection will get far more scrutiny and attention than at a privately-owned home. “We talk about these things openly,” he observed.

McClure, in an interview outside of the meeting, added that another problem is that Gracedale, unlike other nursing homes, will accept everyone. It has a higher proportion of residents with unique issues than other homes, including public homes.

Executive’s Report

In other business, Executive Lamont McClure reported on the Election Commission’s recommendation of the ExpressVoteXL voting system. Council will be asked to approve the purchase of 320 voting machines for $2.9 million. He praised the commission for affirming the choice of 81 percent of election workers who reviewed different systems. “We’re very pleased their voices were heard,” he said.

He then explained a recent decision to begin referring to the courthouse as the Government Center in any business concerning the administration. Though County Council decided in 2005 to call the building the “Northampton County Courthouse,” he said this was confusing both employees and the public. The courts sometimes close because of bad weather, but other county offices remain open unless the Governor declares a state of emergency.

McClure also reported on the success of Teladoc, a mobile app employees can download on their smart phones for near immediate contact, by video or voice call, with one of over 3,100 licensed health care professionals. It began in Northampton County in June 2018 with an email blast to all county employees. Since that time, it has saved the county $335,533 in medical claims.

Hemp and marijuana

Council member Tara Zrinski offered two resolutions concerning hemp and marijuana.

The first resolution, which would form an industrial hemp committee to encourage industrial hemp production by Lehigh Valley farmers, passed by a 7-0 vote. The recent federal farm bill removed industrial hemp from regulation as a controlled substance. Zrinski is hopeful that the manufacture and processing of industrial hemp can produce jobs in Northampton County, particularly in the slate belt.

Zrinski’s second resolution supports federal and state efforts to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana. Zrinski herself asked that it be tabled, stating it needed more work. She maintained, however, that the law needs to change. She said marijuana is lumped in with heroin as a Schedule I controlled substance, a situation that council member John Cusick called patently absurd. He added that 10 states and the District of Columbia have legalized or decriminalized marijuana, and he’d hate to see Pennsylvania miss out on the tax revenue as it did for years with gambling.

Zrinski called this movement a social justice issue at its core. “This is going to take thousands of people out of jail,” she said, adding that many of them are people of color.

Some of them are in Northampton County’s jail.

Retiring Constable

Honored

Council also honored Constable Stan Smith, who is retiring after 26 years of dedicated service in Nazareth.

“It’s not what you take when you leave it, it’s what you leave behind,” said Constable Smith, quoting what he said is a country song.