Schenectady County approves new Glendale nursing home $50 million project will improve needs of patients; will take two years to build
By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer Last updated: 12:51 a.m., Wednesday, May 13, 2009
SCHENECTADY A protracted struggle over the construction of a new more modern facility for the sick and elderly in Schenectady County cleared a major hurdle on Tuesday when lawmakers approved the plan and the money to finance it.
The governing body, during their regular meeting, passed back to back resolutions authorizing the construction of a new 200-bed Glendale Home in Scotia, and then to issue bonds for the $50 million project that has been years in the making. The 11-4 votes were along party lines each time with the four Republicans cast dissenting votes.
County Attorney Christopher Gardner has said officials hope to start construction on the two-year project early next year.
An actual date the building on Hetcheltown Road would open was not immediately given.
Proponents of the new home say the current 53-year-old facility is outmoded and needs updating to better serve the needs of residents. A new building, they argued, will improve the quality of life for patients who want to stay close to home so family and friends can visit them. Many simply can't afford private care and rely on Glendale.
Those were some of the impassioned pleas several speakers like Deborah Horinka made during the public portion of the gathering.
"People who lose their money, people who don't have money, the only place they have to go is Glendale," said Horinka who recounted growing up playing in the hallways of Glendale when she lived two doors down from the property. She later worked there as a hair dresser and then a nurse's assistant.
One woman who works with those stricken by Alzheimer and dementia said because of tight quarters, the patients often "trip over each other" and don't have adequate dining hall facilities.
A handful of people urged the lawmakers to look at alternatives and not to rush into such an expensive project. "The city no longer belongs in the nursing home business," said Lyle Barlyn, a medical doctor.
Democrat Philip Fields said the county will pick up about roughly 15 percent of the total cost and that the project will be bonded over 30 years. The bulk of the money for the home will come from a state Department of Health pool to help pay for mandated closures, mergers or bed reductions at hospitals and nursing homes around the state, as ordered by the Berger Commission in late 2006. Much of the cost of the new home would be reimbursed by the state.
The state had initially told the county to build a 168-bed facility, half the size of the current home. Parts of the existing home were built in the 1930s, 1950s and segments in the 1970s.
Before voting no, Minority Leader Robert Farley complained that the county has no site plan, has not hired an architecture and hasn't done a feasibility study.
"I would like to vote on this plan but the plan is very ill-conceived at this minute because there is no plan," he said, noting that he has largely been kept in the dark about the project.........>>>>>>>.......http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=799687
11-4. It was only 50 million dollars. So what if Ellis is expanding it's nursing home by moving it into the former Saint Clare's Hospital?
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
Every other County is getting out of the nursing home business. More bonding by this County?
Some still don't get it. If the County Home is closed another facility would take the needy and indigent. This County was told to downsize and fights our State. There are perfectly good options at St Clares or Bellevue which will soon be closed.
Bravo to the REPS that for once voted together to stop a white elephant. This is something that our grandchildren {if any stay here} will be burdened with. The DEMS refuse to think of anything other than build and rip off the County taxpayers. They are talking about a 18% increase in County property taxes next year. Renaissance-lol!
If the County Legislatures raise our taxes by 18% they should be taken to court for taxing above the legal limit. We are one of the highest taxed counties in the country and yet the sheeple keep voting for the same old blood suckers who are draining us dry.
Vote them out-start by dumping "Silent" Judy D. If District 4 can't take out a couple of liberal Krats-no one else can. At least you still have opponents on the ballot.
The DEMS have already said that we need to raise property taxes 18% because they refuse to cut anything. They are open about it and not hiding anything. A vote for a DEM is a vote for another huge property tax increase. Even Albany County is laying off public employees.
Some still don't get it. If the County Home is closed another facility would take the needy and indigent. This County was told to downsize and fights our State. There are perfectly good options at St Clares or Bellevue which will soon be closed.
Come on benny....I thought you were smarter than this. We are talking union county jobs that = votes!!! That my friend is the bottom line, cause we clearly do not need another nursing home! Any idiot can see that. IMHO
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
You are forgeting the construction grease, kickbacks, no show lob jobs, and of course political contributions! That's what makes this so appealing for the politicians.
The funniest part is read the initial post from 2 years ago. St Claires site, no construction at Glendale, everthing Savage initial said was wrong. Everything was said for sheeple consumption. We will be prudent, we will use existing facilities, we will save the taxpayer money!! You don't know whether to laugh or cry. And the whip cream on top-BONDING. This State is drowning in debt and these KRAT idiots propose more.
As a health-care worker providing services to the elderly and dying, I am eager for the Glendale Nursing Home to provide a new facility to match the high standard of care they provide their residents. A new facility in this area would enhance the lives of so many of our residents, where they can be given quality care and a place to spend their last days that offer them comfort, safety and dignity. The present facility is in need of significant repair and renovation. When I attended the recent town meeting, I heard story after story from facility residents and their families, county residents, Glendale staff, physicians and many others about the excellent care received at Glendale, and the very serious need for a new facility. I saw people gathered as community, caring about the sometimes “lost and forgotten.” I was touched by their compassion and vision for a place that would provide the highest quality care in a state-of-the art facility where everyone wins and no one loses, especially our elderly, frail and sick. A vision of a place that we may one day have available for our loved ones, or maybe even ourselves. A vision of a place where there is always room for one more so that no one is forced to leave the area to die surrounded by strangers because there was no bed in Schenectady. Please think about what you really want for the future of Schenectady, the future of those who have given so much to us. We can’t say no to them. We owe them so much!
KAREN HORTON, RN Schenectady The writer is supervisor for patient care at Community Hospice of Schenectady.
If any REPS are left? Let these stupid Krats like Sal pay for this. Try selling your property after another white elephant is built. This is going to burden our grandchildren. Typical Krat "planning". Build now-pay forever.
There is absolute no reason to build a new County home. The County should be getting out of the Home business-let a non-profit run it. This is all about grease, and patronage lob jobs not senior services. And the worst part, which no one mentions, is the bonding. This State is drowning in debt and debt services.
I must respectfully disagree.....as for a burden on the grandchildren,,here's a view....back in the 'good ole days' when we was a farming society.....the kids were at home doing chores and helping with gram and gramps.....now we have 'evolved' to a work and pay someone else society......
either way the picture is the same.....just different methods.....I wouldn't be able to afford to stay home to take care of my grandparents or parents and sure as hell not in NYS.....and just to make it crystal clear.....unless everyone has longterm care insurance.....we're screwed......
so here's the 'choice'---nursing home or transfats.....what do you want your governmentsocietyvillage neighbors to do for you
so Sal you just give a 'feelgood' soundbite like a savior and Mr. Salami, it is a reality, but I know you can see it.....
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
New nursing home needed, but can taxpayers afford it?
I appreciate the Gazette’s continual editorial comments about the Glendale Nursing Home [May 7 Gazette]. They are right on the mark. The issue is not whether Glendale Nursing Home is or is not needed (as we all know, it is!), but rather about management and costs. The Schenectady County Legislature majority obviously believes the county should continue to be the managers, and if there are costs above reimbursements, the county taxpayers pick up the difference. The Gazette has pointed out the county-covered costs are huge — $7 million annually! Consequently, future public forums (as a responsible open government Legislature would provide) need to be directed toward location, design and costs. To start, maybe an info display or posters set up in the Glendale Home’s lobby, detailing these specifics. Then ensure that there is a public forum to discuss the pros and cons. The new facility location is very important. It is disingenuous to say “at the Hetcheltown Campus,” because the exact location is a very hot-button issue with many residents. Capital costs (cost to build) and an accurate estimate of yearly operating expenses projected for five and 10 years, above reimbursements (or, in other words, the amount coming out of the county taxpayer’s pocket), need to be presented — or at least available to the public — before the bulldozers roll. I hate to be pessimistic, but I don’t suppose we’ll see any of these things until it’s too late.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
Logged
Every other County is getting out of the nursing home business. More bonding by this County? 
