BY ANDY GARDNER
North Country This Week

CANTON -- A Democratic county legislator’s proposed resolution calling on the federal government to allocate adequate personal protective equipment to local first responders led to some Republican lawmakers calling the bill politically motivated.

Nance Arquette, D-Winthrop, moved that the board call on the federal government to “take all necessary measures to make sure healthcare workers and first responders receive adequate personal protective equipment.” Her proposal further called on the federal government to ban exporting PPE already in US, and fully activate the Defense Production Act to make manufacturers produce much-needed resources like PPE and ventilators.

The board ultimately did not act on the motion.

The proposed resolution led to several of her Republican colleagues calling the bill politically motivated, saying they should be criticizing New York state.

“The intention of this resolution wasn’t to be political,” Arquette said, adding that she came up with the language working with unions representing St. Lawrence County’s healthcare workers. “This is not to cast blame. This is to help the hospital workers … that are working every day on the front lines.”

Rita Curran, R-Massena, said the resolution should call on New York state to provide adequate supplies.

“Whatever we get from the state is triaged to us … I just don’t think this resolution is really practical … it’s sort of political, you’re trying to hand it off,” she said.

Curran, who works as a nurse practitioner, said the county is getting 10% to 15% of the PPE they request. She wanted the bill to “somehow recognize the PPE that comes from the state is only a percentage of what we need.”

Legislator Kevin Acres, R-Madrid, said he felt Arquette’s proposal was “well meaning but it’s hugely political.”

“Ms. Curran is 100% correct. We need to look within ourselves,” Acres said.

Legislator David Forsythe, R-Lisbon, said he could support the resolution if it specifically addressed the county’s ventilators. At the time, Gov. Andrew Cuomo had announced a measure to forcibly take ventilators from upstate and send them downstate, and return them upstate when a surge occurred there.

“My main concern is those ventilators, and if they leave they won’t come back?” Forsythe said. “If my family member gets sick, you bet I’m going to want a ventilator as quick as they can get it and I don’t want to have to drive to New York City to get it.”

Legislator John Burke, R-Norfolk, said he thinks the resolution is exactly what needs to be said.

“I didn’t see a political agenda here … I think we’re all on the same page wanting to make sure the people out there on the front lines are protected.”

“I’m wholeheartedly in favor of it,” Burke said.

Help keep St. Lawrence County informed

Until now, advertising has provided the income to pay our news staff. But with a cutback in advertising due to the COVID-19 crisis, our ability to continue free news coverage is threatened.  Please donate to NorthCountryNow.com and North Country This Week so we can keep St. Lawrence County informed.  Thank you.