A man whose elderly father is in Schuylkill County's nursing home confronted commissioners Wednesday, asking for details about the facility's impending sale.

But John Kotch, of Schuylkill Haven, left not knowing much more than when he arrived at the workshop meeting.Kotch, who praised the "5-star care" his 82-year-old father is getting at Rest Haven, wanted to know which companies are on the short list of three possible buyers for the home.County officials aren't saying."It's not the intent to keep information from you," said county solicitor Al Marshall."The intention of the evaluation was to give every opportunity of the short list that we chose to be seen without comment. And then, after everything was in and the evaluation was completed by the committee, the committee would be able to make a recommendation at that point. Anything premature would defeat the purpose of the evaluation committee, because the confidentiality of the committee would be broken."Commissioners' Chairman Frank J. Staudenmeier said officials, including the commissioners, have been visiting the various homes run by the companies. He expects the home to be sold within the next few months.If the entire group isn't happy with the three on the short list, "we go back to the table," said Commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr.He said the residents are the most important factor."They are the most important people in this whole situation," he said.Employees are also crucial."At the end of the day, if we do not see somebody that we feel comfortable with, that's going to do a good job, we won't do it," Halcovage said.Evaluating buyersHalcovage said commissioners stand by their requirement that Rest Haven stay a long-term care facility.Potential buyers all have been impressed by the staff, he said.They are looking at keeping the employees," Halcovage said. "Those employees are Rest Haven to the residents."He trusts the committee that is evaluating the buyers, he said."We're not hiding anything. We want to do what's best for your dad, for everyone there," Halcovage told Kotch."We're looking at quality of care first and foremost. We want to make sure that whatever company may come in is respecting the employees, respecting our residents. That's what it's about.""This isn't just a building. This is a living, breathing piece of our lives," said Commissioner Gary J. Hess. "We take that very, very seriously. The care of the residents is the number one priority."Commissioners in August announced the county would sell Rest Haven, which has been bleeding red ink for years. The county, as of August 2014, had loaned and given $2 million to the facility to keep it afloat.The facility has 113 full-time and 130 part-time workers, and 142 residents.Commissioners hired Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott of Harrisburg for $250,000 to guide the sale. By November 2014, they had a list of 10 potential buyers.Kotch said he came to the meeting on behalf of not only his father, but of the Rest Haven staff, and other residents and their families.Lack of communicationHe said that at a meeting in September at the nursing home, commissioners promised ongoing communication between families and the county. But that has not happened, he said.Kotch said residents, staff and families were under a "cloud of uncertainty" about the sale."There's just been such a lack of communication," he said.After the meeting, he said he was disappointed at not having gotten the names of the potential buyers.He said his father was at death's door when he came to Rest Haven from a private nursing home more than five years ago. Koch credits the staff at the facility for saving his father's life."He's happy there. He's gotten the finest care," Kotch said. "If there are three potential buyers, why wouldn't you let family members go and visit? I wanted to go visit these facilities, but they hand-picked people."A team of county officials, including county administrator Mark Scarbinsky, county finance director Paul Buber, solicitors Marshall and Glen Roth, and Rest Haven Director of Nursing Toni Huntzinger chose a husband and wife who each have a relative in Rest Haven, and a member of the employee's union to visit the sites and evaluate them.Commissioners are also visiting the sites."This isn't relying on just the three of us," Hess said."We needed to get different views of the same situation to make sure we're making a good decision," Halcovage said.As for Kotch, he's not satisfied."I'm very frustrated with what I've gotten, and this is a very important decision," he said."I don't want to see these people lose the care they are getting."