OGDENSBURG – St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center Task Force Chairman Chuck Kelly is calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to meet him and his fellow members.

Kelly sent a letter to governor following the most recent task force meeting, asking for an opportunity to meet with the group, something Kelly said the governor agreed to while visiting the area recently.

“When we met at the Elite Bassmasters Tournament in Waddington last month, you graciously agreed to meet with members of the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center Task Force and me. I am grateful that you extended that opportunity to us and would like to confirm our interest in coming to Albany to meet with you,” Kelly said in the letter.

Kelly said the task force wants to explain to the governor why it makes economic, social and behavioral health sense to designate the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center as the New York State Rural Center for Excellence for Mental Health Care.

“We are gravely concerned that the Office of Mental Health's plan for Regional Centers of Excellence as currently presented does not provide equitable and adequate services for residents of tile region,” he said in his letter. “Additionally, the plan will add undue hardships fur our individuals and families and will result in higher costs to New York State as well as to North Country residents and communities.”

Kelly said recent fundraisers, including a successful spaghetti dinner and T-shirt sales, helped make a trip to Albany possible.

In earlier interviews Kelly asked psychiatric center supporters to continue sending letters of support to their representatives and members of the state legislature’s mental health committees.

Kelly said he hopeful the psychiatric center will find support in the upcoming state budget negotiations.