Dear Editor,

On Feb. 14 Chris Parker reported a story in the Times News (online) concerning the recent DPW findings concerning the violations at a local senior facility called Victorian Manor, which is located in Lehighton. While I appreciate Ms. Parker's reporting, I believe the story does not give a full portrait of the incredible work being done at the Manor.In the story Ms. Parker, quoting Human Services Director Matt Jones, listed the violations against Victorian Manor and its owner Jennifer Barchert. The violations, some which were singular incidents, have been corrected. However, despite the violation correction, the DPW still intends to reduce the capacity of residents that live in the facility from seven to three. The reason for the reduction is because the violations, while corrected, were not corrected within the state timeline. (Which should cause all of us to ask, if the conditions are as bad as reported in Ms. Parker's article, which they are not, why would the state of Pennsylvania want to leave any seniors in the care of the manor?)I am familiar with the manor because I have ministered to the residents and some of the families of the people who reside there. The manor is a home for people who can no longer live independently and need a safe place to stay and live out their lives.Mrs. Barchert and her staff work very hard to provide a beautiful home, good nutritious meals, a safe place, and an atmosphere which fosters the feeling of family. Since her facility is limited in space (a total of eight residents at a time) the manor provides the ability for focused care where each resident is personally tended to and not left in the hallways strapped to wheelchairs. Each time that I have ministered to someone in the home, I leave knowing that the manor is a family and that I am blessed to be a part of that family.Now, due to some late paperwork, the family which the residents have come to depend on will be torn apart. Some of the neediest seniors in the manor will be forced to give up their home and move into other facilities which are yet to be determined.As you can imagine, this has left these vulnerable seniors in a state of dismay. I am asking for Rep. Doyle Heffley and other community leaders to intervene on behalf of these needy people.After reading the article, I felt I needed to help give a fuller picture concerning this home for seven people who are like a family to me.The Rev. Kenneth OgdenFranklin Township