County Council Approves Gracedale Firm

Northampton County Council has given its approval to the company the county executive wants to run Gracedale.

Executive that he had chosen Premiere Healthcare Resources to manage the county-owned nursing home in Upper Nazareth.

Council voted 7-0 -- with two members absent -- to approve the five-year, $1.9 million contract with the King of Prussia-based firm.

“I believe you came to the right decision and I look forward to working with this organization to make Gracedale work," said Council President John Cusick.

Councilman Lamont McClure said he was optimistic about the move, because he thinks Premiere realizes how crucial it is to increase the number of Gracedale residents. 

It's an issue about which he plans to press the company during its reports to council. 

"I'll be asking about the census every time they come," McClure said.

Councilman Ron Angle -- who regularly disagrees with McClure -- also suggested setting up an advisory committee made up of himself, Councilman Thomas Dietrich and Councilwoman Peg Ferraro to meet with Premiere once a month.

The county tried to sell Gracedale earlier this year, a move that was in May.