The Brick, New Jersey, firm that Schuylkill commissioners in February chose to buy the county nursing home, Rest Haven, withdrew its $12 million offer several weeks ago.

As commissioners on Wednesday approved a new buyer, Nationwide Healthcare Services President Meir Gelley issued a statement:"We want the citizens of Schuylkill County to know that we submitted a best and final proposal with the earnest intent to buy Rest Haven for the price we offered."Unfortunately, shortly after we began a more thorough examination of all the information that had been available related to the operation of the center we realized our revenue projections and bid for Rest Haven were too high, and decided we had no choice but to withdraw our offer. We withdrew as soon as we realized we could not move forward so that the county could immediately engage another bidder."In keeping with our company's reputation for integrity earned over a long period of time, we acted honestly and responsibly at all times, and with the welfare of Rest Haven's residents and staff in mind."We have bought and proudly operate six other nursing homes. We hoped that Rest Haven would become our seventh. We sincerely wish the best to the newly selected owners."