Outgoing commissioners begin nursing-home sale

One commissioner says the home will need $1.2 million to operate in 2004.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County's two outgoing commissioners say they are ready to start the process to close the county owned nursing home.
Commissioner Brian Burick, who was not re-elected to a third term, made a motion to start the process during Thursday's caucus meeting. He said he hopes to have the facility closed by March 31.
Commissioner Roger DeCarbo, who did not seek re-election, agreed to the proposal.
Ed Fosnaught, the third county commissioner who is returning to office for another four years, says he would like both to stop.
"I think they should go away gracefully. They have three weeks left in their terms. It makes no sense. These are decisions that should be made by the new board," Fosnaught said.
"Obviously the voters said they were unhappy with Mr. Burick's handling of the Hill View Manor situation. He should listen to what they have to say," Fosnaught said after the meeting.
Recapping problems
Hill View Manor became an issue in the election after the sale of the home and nearby land to private buyers fell through last summer. Commissioners stopped the deal after learning that more than $500,000 in county money was placed in the buyer's bank account before the sale was final. All but $140,000 has been returned to the county.
Burick said he believes closing the facility is in the best interest of taxpayers.
He contends the building is outdated, and there has been a declining patient population, which means the county will have to pump more general fund money into the facility to keep it operating. There are now about 57 patients in the building, which is licensed for more than 130.
Burick said if the patient numbers remain the same, the county will have to subsidize the home with $1.2 million next year.
Closing the facility would cost a maximum of $500,000 in unemployment claims from workers, he added. Burick believes many will get jobs at other area nursing homes, which have labor shortages. He added that there are enough available beds at other nursing homes to take in Hill View's patients.
"I truly believe if we don't take the lead today, the incoming county commissioners will have several more years of increased expenses. We need to cut off the bleeding now," he said.
Burick said even though he lost the recent election, it is his duty to work for the county until the new commissioners take office in January.
New officials
Dan Vogler, who will take office in January, said he would like to know more about the formal exit strategy for Hill View Manor before he decides if he will continue with the closing.
Steve Craig, the other newly elected commissioner, could not be reached Thursday for comment.
cioffi@vindy.com