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November 13, 2011
To the Editor:
The debate over Valley View, our county nursing home, has raised serious questions about the justifications for cutting Valley View from our budget and the way this decision has been managed by the County Executive and the leadership of the County Legislature. The public deserves answers on these points before the future of our nursing home is decided.
Why are we considering putting our seniors in the streets when the County’s budget is in surplus?
Orange County has a 'super' surplus of $25.9 million for 2011, above what was planned for in the 2011 budget or the proposed 2012 budget. This surplus is more than enough to cover Valley View’s alleged $19 million deficit for next year. Despite this, the County Executive claims the County cannot afford Valley View, even as he plans to build an expensive new government center.
Why is OAS, Valley View’s management firm, allowed to mislead lawmakers?
Right up to the last minute of deliberation on Valley View, management firm OAS provided false information to the County Legislature.
It now appears that Valley View will have a budget shortfall of $4.9 million for 2011. Bill Poscacello, an OAS administrator, told a legislative committee he had no idea about the shortfall on November 9th. However, auditors informed Poscacello of the shortfall at a meeting two weeks earlier.
There can be no doubt at this point in time that OAS wants Valley View to close. OAS has the 'right of first refusal' to purchase Valley View if it closes, as part of the contract written by OAS and the County Executive.
Why does the County Executive forcing Valley View to close and the County to lose money?
The Executive's recommendation of funding Valley View only until July 1st does not allow for the reorganization or sale of Valley View. The Executive's recommendation will force the expulsion of all 360 residents of the facility, including 82 World War II veterans and the firing of all 425 staff members. The facility would then become a “fire sale”, a sale of only the buildings that would recover only fraction of Valley View’s true value.
Why did Chairman Amo change his vote?
Last week, the Health and Mental Health Committee prudently voted down the Executive’s proposal, giving the legislature time to deliberate on alternatives. However, on Thursday the chair of the committee, Michael Amo, called for another special meeting to convene at 2:15 PM on Monday, Nov. 14th, because he made an 'error' in his voting. During my tenure on the legislature, we have never convened an additional meeting of a statutory committee because someone voted in error. Why the new meeting?
If you truly care about Valley View then get active now letting your county legislator know how you feel. Let's at least find out "What are they thinking?'
Chris Eachus
Orange County Legislator
Towns of Cornwall and New Windsor
Comments:
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It's a shame that the County Executive would throw our most vulnerable seniors under the bus for a new government center.
And even more shameful that Legislator Amo would so clearly change his mind after voting to stop it. A "mistake," he says? See for yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj-4mEV1Bg8&sns=fb
Will there ever be an end to the back-room KJ deals?
Not until our legislators find their backbones.
posted by Jon Chase on 11/13/11 at 7:19 PM
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