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St. Lawrence County IDA and River Agency oppose closure of psychiatric center; call on state reps for help

Posted 5/2/13

By JIMMY LAWTON OGDENSBURG -- Local economic development agencies are calling on state representatives to oppose any proposal to close the St. Lawrence County Psychiatric Center. That the St. …

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St. Lawrence County IDA and River Agency oppose closure of psychiatric center; call on state reps for help

Posted

By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG -- Local economic development agencies are calling on state representatives to oppose any proposal to close the St. Lawrence County Psychiatric Center.

That the St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency and the Industrial Development agencies both passed resolutions urging elected representatives to oppose any plan that would involve the closure or reduction in services of the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center.

According to the resolution a closure would be devastating to the local economy.

“In the past few years the General Motors plant in Massena, New York closed, putting over 500 people out of work, the Newton Falls Fine Paper Mill closed, leaving 100 people without jobs, the zinc and talc mines in the Gouverneur area have greatly reduced their operations, costing over 200 job losses, and numerous cutbacks and layoffs at local hospitals and schools have further strained the North Country economy, placing an unprecedented demand on human, health and social services in our region,” the resolution said. “The loss of jobs and payroll at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center would create an economic climate that will contribute even further to the need for the services that would be taken out of this area by the Center’s closure or reduction of services.”

The resolution also claimed that the buildings used by the psychiatric center would remain vacant if it was closed.

“The current condition of the over 500,000 square feet of vacant and deteriorating buildings that were formerly used by the Psychiatric Center is a clear indication that there is no market or reasonable expectation for the adaptive reuse of any additional buildings currently being used by the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center should they be closed,” the resolution said.

Residents will have a chance to support the center May 15 when the New York State Office of Mental Health’s Regional Centers of Excellence hosts a “listening tour.

”New York State Office of Mental Health Acting Commissioner Kristin Woodlock and lead agency staff are gathering input on the concept and design of OMH Regional Centers of Excellence.

The OMH wants to hear about ideas for design elements they should consider.

A meeting is planned at St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center from 10 a.m. to noon May 15.

Those who wish to attend are asked to register beforehand. Walk-in attendees will be seated as space permits.

To register, visit OMH’s Regional Centers of Excellence website at http://www.omh.ny.gov/omhweb/excellence/registration.html.