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STOUT FINALLY LEAVES COUNTY HOME
February 1, 2008
Chartiers-Powerful State Senator J. Barry Stout has finally ended his long term stay at the Washington County Personal Care Home. Stout has experienced a series of health problems over the past few years resulting in numerous stays in local hospitals.
But the recent stay of the powerful State Senator in the County Home has had even long time supporters upset. Though none would go on the record with their names, local democratic supporters of Stout were outraged at his stay.
One common complaint was that County Home was not built for those with power and influence like Stout. Instead the facility was built to help those that could not afford private care.
Stout did pay for his entire stay, so that county taxes were not used for his care. but question can and should arise.
Was he given extra treatment and care because of who he was? It would be hard to imagine that county employees were not directed to take “extra” care of the State Senator. County officials are largely dependant on Stout’s clout to bring in money for projects.
The result of course would be decreased care and attention towards other more potentially deserving patients. Was there anyone neglected because of Stout’s recent long term stay? That is a question that will likely never be answered both due to federal regulations regarding health care and treatment and political necessity.
Few if any political figures would dare challenge the man that delivers the majority of the funding for the county projects.
In spite of years of Stout and his family allegedly benefiting from political connections and contracts with governmental agencies, only the Philadelphia Inquirer has ever attempted to document the various dealings.
Now many are questioning whether Stout should have ever ran for this past term. He has spent a great deal of the time unable to actually perform the duties of the office due to his declining health. The result in the future could be a decline in the amount of state funding that is directed towards projects in Washington County.
As Senator Stout is found of saying “It is all about the Money”. A statement that sums up all that is wrong with his recent stay in the county home.
