MONTICELLO, NY — It was only 10 days, but it felt like forever.

On Thursday, July 16, the Sullivan County Legislature delayed voting on whether or not to sell the Care Center at Sunset Lake, letting devastated care center workers and scared families catch their breath. 

The delay gives the legislature time to talk to facilities that have stayed public and made it work, or to explore other options. 

But “it is not over,” said Narrowsburg resident activist Sharon Peduto, who has been following the situation.

The decision to hold a July 14 public hearing to discuss transferring the care center to a local development corporation was announced in a press release on July 6. After the hearing, the legislature had planned to vote.

Both the hearing and the vote were recessed to July 16. But then, after three hours of testimony by workers, families of people in the center, and worried watchers, the legislature chose to do more research before proceeding.

To start, legislators visited the publicly-owned Valley View nursing home in Orange County, run by Laurence LaDue. The Times Herald-Record reported that in 2015, Valley View actually had “$26 million in leftover funds,” although the county claimed that there was a $25.5 million deficit. That “deficit” included millions in projected health insurance costs for not-yet-retired employees. 

Mid Hudson News reported on July 18 that after the visit, Sullivan County Legislative Chair Rob Doherty still said that privatization of the care center would have to happen, that the county had a $10 million deficit and no fund balance. He contrasted that with Orange County.

 “It may not be over,” said Star Hesse in an email, “but people’s eyes are open and will be watching more carefully what is happening. Great credit has to go to Ken Walter, president of Senior Legislation Action Committee for his masterful assembly of financial data [that] proved [the Adult Care Center] could be financially viable under better leadership.”

The workers tell their story. Three hours of comment

Care center staff wept. They talked about the people they cared for and asked what would happen under a private owner.

“We watched our residents die, day after day,” said Joann Van Deursen. “They were carried out in body bags.” 

Valerie Dobell talked about the residents, how much workers care. “We just went through hell,” she said flatly. “Thank God most of [the residents] made it through. We lost one of our own. And now you guys want to do this? Because a private facility is not going to give them the care they need. We’re held to a higher standard.”

Anita Chapman said she has worked at the center for 14 years, and before that in a private facility. “I have seen things that you do not want to see. The neglect that happens. People sitting in their own urine and feces... they don’t get taken care of because they have no one to answer to. Our facility has to answer to the county. We get in trouble when we don’t do things right... I know you guys want to know about the bottom line. [A private facility] will turn a profit... because that’s all they care about. The residents are the ones who will suffer.”

Thelma McIver, a 31-year county employee, Teamster and shop steward, asked if an independent audit had been done to confirm the county’s figures. She demanded to know how many legislators had gone to the county’s different care homes. “I go. Because, see, one day it may be me.” It’s easy to decide to sell, she said. But first, “let’s see where we’re leaking,” she said. “Do you want us to help you? Because we will... If you need help, we’re there.” Her voice grew intent. “We’re taxpayers. We’re also voters. We’re quiet, but we won’t be quiet next time.” 

View the three hours of testimony here.

The legislature will meet for its monthly meeting on Thursday, July 23.