What Could You Be Thinking - What Could You Be Feeling?

Sadly, on June 26, 2007, the Niagara County Legislature "majority caucus" voted to close the Mount View Nursing Facility.

Who do we blame for this travesty? The Berger Commission? I think not! The blame is directly on the shoulders of the majority leadership of the legislature - those same people who have voted unthinkingly as they have over the past two years; including some of the new legislators who have recently been railroaded into their positions, wearing the hat of one party while serving another, and many of those who continue to serve themselves and wear the gold crowns of fatted calves. They are the Majority! They vote and we're stuck with the results. This last vote, however, shows just how much they care about themselves and how little they care about those who are in need. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. It's time for a change!

Strangely enough, it has been suggested that the Berger Commission itself may be illegal. If this is true, it's suggestion to close the Mount View facility is moot. On the other hand, if the Commission is truly legitimate, then I guess there is still a choice to follow it or ignore it.

The Berger Commission also suggests that a new assisted living facility be built. The majority wants to get rid of Mount View and nixes the idea of an assisted living facility. This legislative majority, however, is quite selective regarding spending when it comes to the elderly but not so when it comes to tax breaks for large corporations like AES. A valiant effort to save the taxpayer money at the expense of the elderly! This is the same majority that approved a multi-million dollar tax break for AES which will cost us additional tax dollars. I guess big business and kick-backs are more important than the elderly. Shame on you! It's time for change!

Furthermore, did the majority even consider the following facts and issues before they voted so cavalierly:

• Relocation Trauma - research has concluded that relocation of the elderly causes dire physical and mental effects on them. It will, at the very least, shorten their lives, if not bring about their deaths;
• Medicaid regulations allow residents of nursing homes to be moved as far as 50 miles from their homes. Families will experience increased expenses (especially with gas prices on the constant rise). As a result, families will see the residents less frequently;
• What will be the cost of closing Mount View?
• What will be the cost of closing DeGraff Hospital and converting it into a Nursing home? (If that happens, the next closest hospital will be Kenmore Mercy);
• Who will absorb these costs?
• What about the stakeholders - the residents, their families, the workers - have you heard from them?
• Is the Berger Commission even valid?

I truly believe that the majority either has no empirical evidence that their voting is reliable or valid or they are withholding critical information from a public who deserves answers NOW! It's time for a change!

I further suggest that this is not unusual for this majority. I guess the motto could be "Vote as it serves us (the majority) best" or, as it's been heard said, "If we ignore them (the people), it'll all blow over."

In training teachers for the classroom, I emphasize the importance of gathering information before forming judgments and forming judgments before making major decisions. I would suggest that the legislative majority follow suit.

Let me put some closure on this article by posing one final question to the legislative majority - Has your reckless voting to give AES astronomical tax breaks forced you to deprive the elderly of those needs that are crucial to the very survival of many of them?

Shame on you - It's most definitely time for a change!

- Jerry Mosey, Candidate for Niagara County Legislature, 12th District (Lewiston)