I also feel the original intent of unions was a necessity and welcomed by employers. At this point in time they seem to beat the drum for politicians to march to. If those politicians don't march to their drumbeat there are ramifications far beyond what the original intent of unions were. For example, less $$ in campaign contributions for a candidate or a party. Employers being held hostage to the demands of the unions regardless of the fact those companies my end up going out of business if concessions aren't made (I'm not even talking about the auto industry.) The big picture and overall cost doesn't seem to matter to the unions in many cases. I know a few, as we all do, who work at GE. One guy was telling me his Union rep told him to stop working so hard, he was told to go sleep in a locker or whatever he had to do but he was making the rest of the guys look bad. I have heard similar stories from others. In my opinion this is not the original intent of unions. It is not the work ethic that made our nation the nation immigrants flocked to for a better life. When our companies are forced to take their factories to foreign countries to produce goods just to be competitive on our soil is a sin. The unions are not entirely to blame of course, but they are a substantial factor. I know the members of unions are fiercely proud and I understand why, but for those of us on the outside paying the price that loyalty is tough to muster. We should be proud of the unions and they should protect the rights of workers and bargain for a fair income. They have become something much more than that and it is difficult to be proud of some of the unions.
New county nursing home a bad idea for several reasons
The snow-covered hill next to Glendale county nursing home was unsurprisingly packed last weekend with kids and adults on all different types of sleds. It’s a great place to sled. It may, however, be the last season to enjoy fl ying recklessly down the “forever wild” lands adjacent to the Indian Kill Nature Preserve because it appears the Schenectady County Legislature is moving ahead with plans to spend $51 million-plus on a [new nursing home]. A brand new, county-owned facility and an assisted living complex in addition to the current building (which would then be abandoned and sold?) on open lands in Glenville? I could quickly list a number of reasons why this doesn’t make sense in the quiet and semi-rural corner of East Glenville (and there is not much of that left, either.) However, other letter writers, legislators and editors are asking the more important question: Can we afford the continued cost of operating a skilled-nursing facility in the county? Wouldn’t it be smarter to transition it to a nonprofit organization and move the Glendale facility off the books? What is the county’s motivation when there are other options available to provide for our elderly that would reduce the burden on the already-overwhelmed taxpayer? I work for a nonprofit organization that operates a skilled nursing facility in Montgomery County, and it does quite well. So it doesn’t make sense that a concerted effort hasn’t been made to present other options. Shouldn’t there be public input on the location? I would like to see more information available from the county so there can be meaningful input on all these concerns.
I absolutely agree that the government should get out of the Nursing Home business. Sure it's costing the taxpayers a bundle, and don't get me wrong, it's not that I mind paying my share for the elderly. I mean God, my tax dollars go for a gazillion things I don't believe in now.
But there are two problems here.....
One being that IF the county dumped Glendale, they would surely find another money pit to put that money into. They would go blind trying to figure out where they could spend it. Or how many jobs they could create for their friends and families. Not to mention the votes they would lose from the unemployed union workers.
Second, what WOULD they do with the elderly that can't afford private nursing homes? Except for the Eddy, where would these folks go? You seriously can't run a decent nursing home with medicaid payments alone. Something has got to give here.
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
Mr. Van Patten's letter is excellent. Montgomery County has a nursing home run by a non-profit instead of the oppressed taxpayers. The main reason that they cut County taxes instead of raising them in a recession. There must be a safety net for the needy elderly but it doesn't have to be County run. Dr. Gordon's original idea of moving the County home to the empty St Claire's also should be re-examined. We cannot afford to build a new County home.
This idea that if the County saves millions it will immediately waste it elsewhere is troubling. We have a record County deficit. State aid will be severely cut. Appeals to the State for additional funding are a waste of time. The County home issue must be addressed and not the way the main library was.
I agree about the non-profits running the nursing home, but like you say benny, be careful for what you ask for, cause how many non-profits do we, in schenectady county already support now?
It was posted somewhere here that Ellis' elder care is moving to St. Clares by February and using 2 floors there. So that shoots the Glendale idea down.
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
I agree....the State/Feds write the rules.....the County doesn't need to add to the problem....ethics will become an issue....not that private owned homes are not either.....however money does talk......not-for profit? is run by whom? and who directs their pay/benefits/access/referrals etc....... there will ALWAYS be those who can pay for caviar(so what)....the county homes should only be used for those unable to afford caviar, whether they be profit or not-for-profit.....
folks need to be straight up with their $$ to pay for themselves.....they will take a 'gamble' against themselves at this time....IE: will I outlive my $ will my significant other need the $, do I leave it to the kids etc etc......
My personal opinion: your money-your care.........the cracks we fall through should be not for profit....JMHO.....
HOWEVER,,,,,dont let Mr.Madoff run all the nursing homes............and dont mix elderly with psych folks or chronically disabled.......keep the ages together this isn't discrimination, just community living and it doesn't change when we get old/sick.....we like those we can share with, it IS much healthier.......
...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
I also agree with Dr. Gordon's suggestion to use the St. Clare's facility as a nursing home. Couple that with it being operated by a non profit and it should atleast provide adequate care for the elderly. The care they deserve. I also don't mind paying my fair share but I object to paying my fair share and not having the service paid for delivered. Government involvement = a total failure.
The Dec. 19 editorial "No time to be building new Glendale Home," which suggested that Schenectady County not build a new nursing home and which further suggested the closure of Glendale, is bad public policy and ignores the vital role that Glendale plays in this community. Legislature Chairwoman Susan Savage and Legislators Gary Hughes, Dr. Brian Gordon, and the other Democrats on the county Legislature have it right in wanting to build a new 200-bed facility — a course that will save Schenectady over $2 million each year due to rebasing and keep this important institution viable for another generation. My father became a resident at Glendale recently and I have seen Glendale in action. I have been greatly pleased with the high quality of care and the compassion, good humor and hard work displayed by the staff on a daily basis. I have been gratified at the number of community organizations that have provided holiday entertainment on an almost daily basis, ranging from choir groups from the Richard O'Rourke Middle School to Big Band music from the Burnt Hills Melody Makers. With Glendale in Schenectady County, family, friends and the entire community are able to make daily visits to residents. Because of the Berger Commission, it is becoming more common for the local elderly to be placed in facilities in Vermont, Massachusetts or other places far from their family and friends. Construction of a new Glendale will help avoid further involuntary relocation of our frail elderly and keep this important community institution a community effort.
Mary, the county is broke and we the taxpayers can't afford this kind of an expenditure. Government has never run anything efficiently so the private sector should be the one to build and operate a new nursing home.
Mary, the county is broke and we the taxpayers can't afford this kind of an expenditure. Government has never run anything efficiently so the private sector should be the one to build and operate a new nursing home.
I agree 100% with what you say...BUT....if it was a money making facility, why isn't there any private interest? Two reasons... 1. Private nursing homes want patients/residents who have 'insurance'. which will guarantee them a decent return in revenues. Private nursing homes can not exist with the money the government doles out to them. And now the state is talking of even 'more' cut backs in medicaid. Again, if Glendale needs more money to operate, they just raise our taxes.....a luxury private businesses don't have.
2. "County union employees"! Where will they go???? 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
Re Dec. 19 editorial, "No time to be building a new Glendale home": I hope the editor behind the rant against Glendale Home never faces the desperation of trying to locate a bed for a loved one, or for him or herself. Anyone who has ever been down this road knows how excruciating the process can be, often coinciding with a medical crisis. Private facilities have no responsibility to accept low-income residents and do engage in cherry-picking. Without Glendale, our family members are likely to have trouble securing a spot or be forced to reside in a home outside Schenectady. Since 1936, Glendale Home has proudly served county residents. The caring staff provides a dignified, family environment for our mothers, fathers and neighbors. Residents there have spent a lifetime contributing to the community (and paying taxes). A new building was proposed as a way to address the aging infrastructure, maximize Medicaid reimbursement rates and take advantage of grant/funding opportunities. These factors, combined with the real need for a county home, should make this an easy decision for county legislators to support.
KATHY GARRISON Latham The writer is the Capital Region’s CSEA president.
Editorial opposing new Schenectady County nursing home off base
I was shocked and appalled by the reasoning in your Dec. 19 editorial arguing that a new county nursing home should not be built. I disagreed with most of your reasons and consider them not valid, inhumane or inaccurate. But the one that really got me was your suggestion that Schenectady County give a $20,000 bribe to private nursing homes to take our hard-to-place patients. I say bribe because that is actually what it is — and it is wrong on so many levels and raises so many disturbing questions that it boggles the mind. Is it ethical to pay a private entity $20,000 to do what they should humanely do on their own: take their share of hard-to-place patients? In addition, what criteria would be used as to which patients get to stay locally and which ones get sent off to Vermont or Long Island? Would it be based on who they knew, how many relatives they have in the area, the severity of their condition? And who would make these decisions? You are advocating a system that is rife for abuse and heartache to patients and families alike. We have a nursing home that has an excellent reputation and is highly praised by patients and families alike. The people we are talking about are our most vulnerable citizens, and in this critical time of their lives they need to be near their family and friends if at all possible. Only a public facility like Glendale can assure that.
MADELYN THORNE Schenectady The writer is a member of the Schenectady County advisory council for long-term care.
Logged
Mr. Van Patten's letter is excellent. Montgomery County has a nursing home run by a non-profit instead of the oppressed taxpayers. The main reason that they cut County taxes instead of raising them in a recession. There must be a safety net for the needy elderly but it doesn't have to be County run. Dr. Gordon's original idea of moving the County home to the empty St Claire's also should be re-examined. We cannot afford to build a new County home.
