To the Editor:

At the full St. Lawrence County Republican Committee meeting held Sept. 26 in Canton the following letter was read by the Chair Thomas L. Jenison and approved by the Committee for distribution.

The St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center in Ogdensburg has long been known for its excellent care of their clients and now it faces an uncertain future. It is certainly worth noting that state Republican Senator Patti Ritchie, whose district encompasses the center, has worked long and hard to ensure that as many jobs be retained, while offering future hope to the families of those clients that may be transferred to other facilities.

While Gov. Andrew Cuomo absolutely knows about the high rate of unemployment in St. Lawrence County, he at the same time, by closing the center, will only ensure that our unemployment rate will rise. The loss of any job is truly not in the best interests of the citizens of St. Lawrence County.

Parents and friends of children needing mental health care will be heavily burdened. Imagine traveling to Syracuse or Utica in the middle of winter to be with your loved one. Those of us now living here only travel when absolutely necessary during the winter to those locations knowing how the weather and road conditions change so often.

The Republican Party of St. Lawrence County supports all efforts to retain local jobs while addressing the needs of all employees, parents, friends and clients of the center.

Respectfully submitted,

Thomas L. Jenison

Chair, St. Lawrence County Republican Committee