1 00:01:06,830 --> 00:01:08,710 May 18, you call on the mean order? 2 00:01:08,750 --> 00:01:09,050 Are 3 00:01:12,920 --> 00:01:13,300 you ready? 4 00:01:13,600 --> 00:01:14,560 Yep. Okay. 5 00:01:14,560 --> 00:01:15,400 Oh, I'll come well. 6 00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:15,860 Morning. 7 00:01:16,500 --> 00:01:20,080 According to order, the public safety committee meeting, committee meeting. 8 00:01:20,100 --> 00:01:20,600 Roll call. 9 00:01:20,740 --> 00:01:21,220 Good, good. 10 00:01:21,380 --> 00:01:22,120 Roll call. 11 00:01:23,180 --> 00:01:23,960 Louis Alvarez. 12 00:01:24,060 --> 00:01:24,320 Here. 13 00:01:24,800 --> 00:01:25,540 Nick Salmoni. 14 00:01:25,600 --> 00:01:26,000 We're the mayor. 15 00:01:26,600 --> 00:01:26,880 Brian. 16 00:01:27,980 --> 00:01:28,700 Brian McPhilips. 17 00:01:28,860 --> 00:01:29,100 Here. 18 00:01:29,680 --> 00:01:30,440 Matt McPhilips. 19 00:01:30,820 --> 00:01:30,840 Here. 20 00:01:31,320 --> 00:01:31,940 Joe Perillo. 21 00:01:37,410 --> 00:01:38,370 Okay, we got four. 22 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:41,440 The vision of public safety. 23 00:01:42,560 --> 00:01:42,820 Brian. 24 00:01:51,660 --> 00:01:51,880 Everybody. 25 00:01:52,500 --> 00:01:52,780 Morning. 26 00:01:54,520 --> 00:02:03,870 I don't have too much to update on but I will touch on some grants that we are expecting and that we're still waiting on. 27 00:02:04,920 --> 00:02:10,960 The Homeland Security, the SHSP, we're waiting on the states approval, so we should be getting that soon. 28 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:29,800 In regards to the body cam grant that we applied for many months ago, as a yesterday, it's still in pending status because of that we're unable to apply for additional grants or additional funding for those. So that's kind of in limbo until we can resolve that. 29 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:38,560 We'll be, yeah, sorry, absolutely, apologies. We are going to be expanding our health and wellness 30 00:02:39,380 --> 00:02:46,160 program within the Division of Public Safety taking our part-time position to full-time as we just 31 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:48,480 got funding for that. So that's exciting. 32 00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:54,040 We're just continuing our efforts for our team or in 33 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:59,540 us kit that we've been pushing out to the county. We just recently got our search and rescue team 34 00:02:59,540 --> 00:03:04,140 trained up on that this week, so that's expanding and hopefully it'll be expanding further 35 00:03:04,140 --> 00:03:09,500 into public health for the nurses. Other than that, there were... 36 00:03:09,500 --> 00:03:17,680 Purello in, 1020. Coming down on summer and things are starting to get a little more quiet 37 00:03:18,660 --> 00:03:25,030 and we'll get back to the winter time, so that's about it. 38 00:03:25,030 --> 00:03:26,110 Thank you. 39 00:03:26,110 --> 00:03:26,950 Yep, question. 40 00:03:27,410 --> 00:03:28,030 Yes, I do. 41 00:03:29,990 --> 00:03:31,730 Let me put this together in my mind right now. 42 00:03:31,750 --> 00:03:37,450 I just want to talk about the work being done by John Housher, hiding in the back. 43 00:03:39,870 --> 00:03:40,750 Also better. 44 00:03:41,310 --> 00:03:41,810 I didn't see. 45 00:03:42,210 --> 00:03:42,670 You cover. 46 00:03:43,070 --> 00:03:44,050 I couldn't see you. 47 00:03:44,850 --> 00:03:45,150 Really? 48 00:03:46,110 --> 00:03:46,690 Yeah, really. 49 00:03:46,970 --> 00:03:47,130 I couldn't. 50 00:03:47,250 --> 00:03:49,370 You've let's cover right there in such a way that I couldn't see him. 51 00:03:50,490 --> 00:03:55,010 But the reason I'm asking you this is I would like to kind of let the committee know 52 00:03:55,010 --> 00:04:01,030 about what happened was a thousand people in how our county has ever faced anything like this 53 00:04:01,030 --> 00:04:07,030 and you guys did an amazing, amazing job with a corporation of every police department 54 00:04:07,030 --> 00:04:13,110 and the county was involved in that because there's something that I think the county is going 55 00:04:13,110 --> 00:04:18,970 to have to be addressing this is not going to, if we don't address it, it's going to keep coming up and up again. 56 00:04:19,330 --> 00:04:21,050 You mind talking a little bit about it? 57 00:04:21,050 --> 00:04:25,730 this you said to thousands of thousands of people. Oh, the party. All the case started was a raid 58 00:04:25,730 --> 00:04:30,910 and now it developed. Right. So over this past weekend, that incident you're referring to. 59 00:04:31,110 --> 00:04:36,730 Yes. Yeah. So over this past weekend, there was a large party, approximately a thousand to 60 00:04:36,730 --> 00:04:43,430 2000 people, which was reported by the, you know, the deputies and the state police on the ground. 61 00:04:44,210 --> 00:04:49,190 It was essentially like a project X party that was advertised all over the internet and they were selling 62 00:04:49,190 --> 00:04:52,670 you know, expensive bottles of liquor, so that was initially reported. 63 00:04:54,350 --> 00:04:59,950 Some heinous things happened that was, you know, debunked once the responding officer's got him. 64 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:17,720 But there was reports of people being shot and sexual abuse, but that was deemed nothing happened with that, but the overall response from everybody within public safety and all the law enforcement, we were able to mitigate that rather quickly within a few hours. 65 00:05:18,900 --> 00:05:28,360 And I was on the phone with the sergeant that was on scene and things were resolved pretty quickly. They did have a group of about a hundred people that were not cooperative. 66 00:05:28,360 --> 00:05:35,100 But it was it was all rather quickly and everyone on scene did a did a really good job 67 00:05:35,100 --> 00:05:40,940 for you know what they had walked into right I've never seen that my time on as a 68 00:05:40,940 --> 00:05:45,640 Sharers law fist you know you hear a thousand people and you get there and it's a hundred people 69 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:49,600 You know this is actually I heard from the sergeant in the deputies on scene that yeah 70 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:55,060 No, it's there was actually over a thousand people here. So they did an incredible job and 71 00:05:55,060 --> 00:05:58,340 Where was this right off of Southwoods 72 00:05:58,360 --> 00:06:04,660 right around the corner from the Robert Green's dealership. And I guess the host rented an Airbnb, 73 00:06:05,380 --> 00:06:13,680 they completely trash the residents. And yeah, so that was that was a very busy night to 74 00:06:13,680 --> 00:06:19,420 happen around. It was a 10 o'clock at night, went on to a little about midnight, one o'clock. There 75 00:06:19,420 --> 00:06:25,300 were some, you know, motor vehicle accidents, that stem from it, which, you know, Alex, I'll give him a lot 76 00:06:25,300 --> 00:06:31,620 credit. He went out immediately and kept me updated on all that and immediately turned around and went 77 00:06:31,620 --> 00:06:36,520 out to this, you know, roll over motor vehicle accident. So everyone did a really good job on that. 78 00:06:41,280 --> 00:06:42,360 So thank you so much. All right. 79 00:06:45,920 --> 00:06:46,480 Thanks John. 80 00:06:55,640 --> 00:06:59,520 Good morning, everybody. Happy September. 81 00:07:00,480 --> 00:07:06,800 You have my report submitted. I just wanted to add a few things because I submitted it 10 days prior 82 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:14,060 meeting, so I didn't have all the dates, but the 25th anniversary of 9-11 is next Friday, not tomorrow, 83 00:07:14,380 --> 00:07:21,040 but to follow in Friday. And I have a list and a packet of all the services for all the members of 84 00:07:21,040 --> 00:07:28,120 the board, Dan, who's put it out publicly for us announcing all the memorial services that will be held 85 00:07:28,120 --> 00:07:35,780 on 9-11. The next day, also on 12th is the Selma County Volunteer Firefighter Association 86 00:07:35,780 --> 00:07:44,640 Parade and Gramesville. Line up is at 12 noon, step off at 1, and I have the honor being 87 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:51,680 the grand marshal for the parade, so I'm very happy and honored to get that privilege. I just 88 00:07:51,680 --> 00:07:52,920 wanted to share that. 89 00:07:55,160 --> 00:07:57,580 Other than that, everything else is in my report. If you don't have 90 00:07:57,580 --> 00:08:05,460 questions I'll just give you all packet for the 911 services. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much John. 91 00:08:06,300 --> 00:08:06,780 Alex. 92 00:08:11,440 --> 00:08:15,000 Okay. I know I can't call Penny. She told me not to call her. Thank you. 93 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:21,020 By missing any. Oh, I'll be. 94 00:08:27,360 --> 00:08:29,240 How could you miss me, Mr. I know. 95 00:08:32,010 --> 00:08:34,270 For the month of August we had 96 00:08:34,270 --> 00:08:42,150 19 deaths in our county and requiring nine post-mortem examinations just to break it down a little bit. 97 00:08:42,370 --> 00:08:48,750 There were 15 of those 19 that were natural. We had two accidents, two suicides. Thankfully, 98 00:08:48,910 --> 00:09:03,830 no trauma, no homicides, and no overdose. This past Monday, the 31st of August was the 99 00:09:05,010 --> 00:09:11,770 Despite the continuous rain that poured during the entire event, there were approximately 80 people that attended. 100 00:09:12,310 --> 00:09:19,290 It was quite educational, supportive and quite heartwarming with the speakers that presented. 101 00:09:20,270 --> 00:09:25,610 And if I'm not mistaken, I only saw two of you legislators at that county event. 102 00:09:26,870 --> 00:09:31,790 The general population here in our county, and most of the counties throughout the state, 103 00:09:33,170 --> 00:09:37,530 they're not really familiar with the responsibilities and the functions and the trials and tribulations 104 00:09:37,530 --> 00:09:41,910 that the current is office faces each and every day. 105 00:09:42,230 --> 00:09:48,910 And as a last responder, not a first responder, I can understand the hesitancy that the population has 106 00:09:48,910 --> 00:09:53,390 about knowing what we do and they said time like that. 107 00:09:53,950 --> 00:09:56,710 I've been invited to speak before many organizations 108 00:09:56,710 --> 00:09:59,650 over the years most recently is the past month. 109 00:10:00,400 --> 00:10:18,840 I just want to let everybody know here in the, in the audience as well as you that our office and all of us are willing to come and present before you to have a better understanding of what we do, all you need to do is contact our office here at the government center. 110 00:10:18,840 --> 00:10:26,880 I just want to backtrack a little bit. I was away for the past two meetings. I just want 111 00:10:26,880 --> 00:10:28,720 to reiterate a couple of things. 112 00:10:31,160 --> 00:10:35,260 The coolers for the upgraded hospital morgue have arrived. 113 00:10:36,220 --> 00:10:40,780 The maintenance staff that preparing the new room for the installation. The existing 114 00:10:40,780 --> 00:10:46,720 cooling system is once again having difficulties showing you the importance of this upgrade 115 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:51,920 and thanking the legislature for moving forward with it. 116 00:10:54,180 --> 00:11:00,660 Also months ago, the FDA alerted us the office of the dangers of what is known as 117 00:11:00,660 --> 00:11:08,040 Cretum, mentioned that to you several months ago. Cretum is a tropical plant whose compounds act 118 00:11:08,040 --> 00:11:15,320 on the brain as stimulants in small amounts and as opiates in larger doses. It's usage is for 119 00:11:15,320 --> 00:11:23,280 in pain relief. It has not been approved for any medical use. It's use has risks of addiction, 120 00:11:23,460 --> 00:11:31,120 abuse seizures, liver damage, and heart risk. It's been listed as a drug of concern. It's 121 00:11:31,120 --> 00:11:39,860 sold in convenience stores, gas stations, smoke shops, baking in vaping paraphernalia, and other 122 00:11:39,860 --> 00:11:44,800 many states throughout our nation have banned or restricted its use. 123 00:11:44,900 --> 00:11:47,020 Albi, I just want to interrupt you, I'm sorry. 124 00:11:47,780 --> 00:11:48,800 You're correct on that. 125 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:53,240 I believe Duchess County, the county exec just had a resolution two months ago, 126 00:11:53,560 --> 00:11:55,800 banning it as well as Albany County. 127 00:11:56,820 --> 00:11:59,540 DeMacormic has also put a resolution through. 128 00:11:59,940 --> 00:12:04,340 It is a very dangerous substance, and I will recommend that we follow suit 129 00:12:04,340 --> 00:12:05,160 into the same thing. 130 00:12:05,440 --> 00:12:07,640 Yeah, and just I don't mean to cut into. 131 00:12:07,640 --> 00:12:14,520 But on the policy pillar for the drug task force, this is something that we've been putting together as well and I believe this state is looking to do a ban 132 00:12:15,240 --> 00:12:22,060 As well, so the state does we can yeah, no, and I I believe we have a yeah, yeah, so absolutely something we've been working on 133 00:12:22,060 --> 00:12:27,920 Thank you for bringing that up so man here. You're just reading my mind. I'm going to ask the legislature to do 134 00:12:30,160 --> 00:12:33,240 So yeah, not only states throughout the union, but 135 00:12:33,240 --> 00:12:37,620 Counties around our state are looking at it and I'm pleased to say that the governor's office 136 00:12:37,640 --> 00:12:44,280 is looking to do the same statewide as you mentioned, so I'm asking that now that you're familiar 137 00:12:44,280 --> 00:12:51,080 with it, that if we can have you also do a resolution to ban the sale in our county, that would 138 00:12:51,080 --> 00:12:59,240 be awesome. Now, also one thing of real tremendous concern for me personally and for our 139 00:12:59,240 --> 00:13:06,380 office. Although the overdoses in the county have decreased substantially since the beginning of the 140 00:13:06,380 --> 00:13:10,580 There has been a notable increase in the number of suicides. 141 00:13:11,480 --> 00:13:17,100 Excluding this month, for the past three months, not including this month, we had six 142 00:13:17,100 --> 00:13:22,120 suicides in Sullivan County, and this month we had two more. 143 00:13:23,240 --> 00:13:28,550 So you're talking in four months time, you're looking at eight suicides for a number of different 144 00:13:28,550 --> 00:13:31,650 reasons, whether it's a drug-related mental health. 145 00:13:32,770 --> 00:13:40,950 There's been a wide amount of publicity on the social media, 146 00:13:41,370 --> 00:13:44,990 national news about the state of mental health in our country. 147 00:13:46,110 --> 00:13:48,330 We have an issue here in Sullivan County. 148 00:13:49,190 --> 00:13:50,830 I don't know how to address it personally. 149 00:13:51,110 --> 00:13:52,030 That's your job. 150 00:13:52,670 --> 00:13:55,610 But we've been focusing on overdoses for so long, 151 00:13:55,770 --> 00:13:57,490 and whatever the reason is that there 152 00:13:57,490 --> 00:13:59,910 has been a decrease in a number of overdoses, 153 00:14:00,590 --> 00:14:02,790 whether it's national, whether we're programs here, 154 00:14:02,890 --> 00:14:07,010 whatever it may be, we must concentrate on mental health. 155 00:14:09,250 --> 00:14:11,390 I would like to come before your committee, 156 00:14:11,510 --> 00:14:14,950 man, the mental health, and talk about a couple of ideas 157 00:14:14,950 --> 00:14:18,630 that I have to maybe address it. 158 00:14:19,170 --> 00:14:22,590 It's not an overall cure for it, 159 00:14:22,650 --> 00:14:25,990 but it might help our system address mental health. 160 00:14:26,350 --> 00:14:28,090 So I'm gonna speak to you about that 161 00:14:28,090 --> 00:14:30,750 hopefully be able to speak in public form on that. 162 00:14:30,910 --> 00:14:32,910 But I would like to see you as a whole 163 00:14:32,910 --> 00:14:35,570 and seriously address mental health, 164 00:14:35,970 --> 00:14:37,430 whether it's the transportation of them 165 00:14:37,430 --> 00:14:38,670 to a certain facility, 166 00:14:39,310 --> 00:14:40,870 whether it's the old Marchman Law 167 00:14:40,870 --> 00:14:42,430 that we spoke about a long time ago 168 00:14:42,430 --> 00:14:45,310 that addresses not only overdoses, 169 00:14:45,470 --> 00:14:46,430 but mental health. 170 00:14:48,150 --> 00:14:51,710 Certain things that this legislation needs to look at, 171 00:14:51,710 --> 00:14:54,130 it's a serious dilemma and I have to concern 172 00:14:54,130 --> 00:14:57,410 that we're seeing a rise in the suicide in our county. 173 00:14:57,410 --> 00:14:59,970 Just remind you 8 in 4. 174 00:15:20,930 --> 00:15:32,010 This is the discussion about the enterprise fund formation, how it relates to the care center and the role of the county manager in it. 175 00:15:32,010 --> 00:15:36,970 New York State authorized local governments to establish interesting enterprise funds 176 00:15:36,970 --> 00:15:44,510 in the early 1980s when the state adopted GAPGAAP fund classification and an incorporate 177 00:15:44,510 --> 00:15:53,150 enterprise funds into finance state finance law number two. By the mid-80s, the New York State 178 00:15:53,150 --> 00:16:01,590 office of the state controller updated the uniform system of accounting to align with GAP and GASB 179 00:16:01,590 --> 00:16:08,330 priority, fund standards, directing local governments to use enterprise funds for self-sustaining, 180 00:16:08,990 --> 00:16:15,170 fee-based operations that like water sewer, solid waste, nursing homes, airports, and transit. 181 00:16:15,950 --> 00:16:22,190 This was a statewide initiative not specific to any county. The Adult Care Center in 182 00:16:22,190 --> 00:16:27,670 Selam County is classified as an enterprise fund, meaning it operates in a county business type 183 00:16:27,670 --> 00:16:34,850 The county manager, as its chief administrator, offers her, has full administrator oversight 184 00:16:34,850 --> 00:16:42,270 of the ACC's operations by announcing staffing and compliance except for powers reserved 185 00:16:42,270 --> 00:16:49,830 by the legislature census policy, direction, policy direction, budget adoption and decision 186 00:16:49,830 --> 00:16:55,650 sales release. The county manager role is administrative, supervisory, and fiduciary, 187 00:16:55,650 --> 00:17:05,670 not legislated. The county measures, specific duties toward the ACC include preparing budget 188 00:17:05,670 --> 00:17:13,330 and overseeing finances, supervising ACC leadership, managing personnel and labor negotiations, 189 00:17:14,470 --> 00:17:22,010 overseeing contracts and procurement, implementing legislative policies, enforcing county laws 190 00:17:22,010 --> 00:17:31,850 ensuring regulatory compliance, maintaining financial controls and conditioning and coordinating 191 00:17:31,850 --> 00:17:32,630 audits. 192 00:17:33,390 --> 00:17:38,050 The legislature says policy while the county manager oversees the operation. 193 00:17:39,270 --> 00:17:44,810 Josh Potosic has served as a county manager since March of 2013 as confirmed by the county 194 00:17:44,810 --> 00:17:48,290 official website. This sub-suit and employment 195 00:17:48,290 --> 00:17:53,570 contacts contracts have extended his turn 10 year. But as a 196 00:17:53,570 --> 00:17:57,470 original appointment, again in March 2013, for over 13 years, 197 00:17:57,910 --> 00:18:01,290 he has had direct administrative oversight of the ACC 198 00:18:02,090 --> 00:18:06,110 including the school walters. I'm going to stop you. 199 00:18:06,170 --> 00:18:09,170 You're not in charge of this committee. It doesn't matter whether I'm in charge. 200 00:18:09,350 --> 00:18:11,110 I'm the chair of the legislature. And you're not going to 201 00:18:11,110 --> 00:18:14,070 do mean any of our staff. That's what I'm going to do. That's what I'm 202 00:18:14,070 --> 00:18:22,490 say you shouldn't let me. I'm sorry. Mr. Alvarez, the man is a public employee. Yes, but that 203 00:18:22,490 --> 00:18:30,850 one for you to. I can state his employment. I can state his responsibilities and how it affects us. 204 00:18:32,910 --> 00:18:32,970 Sure. 205 00:18:42,640 --> 00:18:47,520 I recommend that the committee not allow public comment to demean or diminish any county 206 00:18:47,520 --> 00:18:49,700 employee, and that includes the county manager. 207 00:18:51,880 --> 00:18:53,560 Well, we'll find it in a paper. 208 00:18:58,220 --> 00:19:02,820 Okay, we'll ship that. Okay, the current situation with the ACC, 209 00:19:03,420 --> 00:19:11,420 including the alleged vote to close it, is the result not solely the action of four 210 00:19:11,420 --> 00:19:17,400 legislatures. The county manager, everybody. All right, we run back to how much it costs us a year 211 00:19:17,400 --> 00:19:25,040 and how much it costs us a month, and so forth is 1.6, 1.3% of our 26-budget if we drop that. 212 00:19:26,220 --> 00:19:26,640 That's all. 213 00:19:29,470 --> 00:19:36,050 So I will look into what you have done. You have questioned my civil liberties, 214 00:19:36,790 --> 00:19:40,430 and we'll go from there. I hope you have some people who don't like to be in a hot seat, 215 00:19:40,710 --> 00:19:44,990 but you're elected and you took the position, and if you can't stand it, we'll take your resignation. 216 00:19:45,430 --> 00:19:48,130 Thank you. Mr. Chair. Yes, I'm a good statement. 217 00:19:49,050 --> 00:19:52,990 Because I've been listening to this stuff for the last four years about this nursing home. 218 00:19:53,390 --> 00:19:55,850 And in order to reason this place closed today, it's worth it. 219 00:19:55,850 --> 00:19:59,970 These people going down to New York City, protesting against... 220 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:29,920 A CON for the press, it was running it. I went out and you sit down and you'd spoken up for it. I'm up to the A with you people. I went out during COVID risk in my life, Alibaba, and I was starting to find the vendor for this facility and use people had the goal to go down to New York State, protest against the vendor who was doing a fine job, or plenty has, he owns more than 25 nursing homes, and now it gets what happens. We have nobody. So he's not nobody. 221 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:33,820 blade, but yourselves, why does place close? I'm not going to say no, the statement 222 00:20:33,820 --> 00:20:38,600 after this, it's default, why does place close? Not the legislature, okay? 223 00:20:39,020 --> 00:20:44,340 We already love this. This full of wallfamory. This, this, this, this, this place fail. 224 00:20:44,460 --> 00:20:48,540 How do you cut it off? I don't want to hear this guy on me. This, this thing failed because of 225 00:20:48,540 --> 00:20:54,260 one person who oversees it for four legislatures and why did it increase my so much 226 00:21:25,240 --> 00:21:29,760 benefits he can't sustain it okay but when they come here every week these 227 00:21:29,760 --> 00:21:33,100 people and whoever it is speaks and I'm saying these people, whoever speaks about 228 00:21:33,100 --> 00:21:37,940 this nursing home is because the cost of doing business is astronomical and 229 00:21:38,400 --> 00:21:41,780 nobody understands that because there may be retired already right but to live 230 00:21:41,780 --> 00:21:48,100 out here today you gotta make $2,000 a week to have it to have a decent life so I 231 00:21:48,100 --> 00:21:51,880 know what to say there's nobody to blame but the people that complained about the 232 00:21:51,880 --> 00:21:53,960 and doesn't have the wherewithal to run in. 233 00:21:53,960 --> 00:21:55,560 Okay, I see it, but I don't find it. 234 00:22:01,850 --> 00:22:03,010 Are we done? 235 00:22:04,110 --> 00:22:05,210 Whoa. Okay. 236 00:22:06,270 --> 00:22:06,830 Good morning. 237 00:22:07,270 --> 00:22:11,630 I'm here today to talk about emergency preparedness in Sullivan County 238 00:22:12,310 --> 00:22:14,370 because I'm going more and more concerned 239 00:22:14,370 --> 00:22:17,250 that we're not ready for health related disasters. 240 00:22:18,090 --> 00:22:19,930 Anybody who follows the news is of where 241 00:22:19,930 --> 00:22:22,210 there's been a measles outbreak in Pennsylvania 242 00:22:22,210 --> 00:22:24,250 with the first two measles deaths 243 00:22:24,250 --> 00:22:30,030 the year occurring last week in Lancaster County, only three hours drive from our county border. 244 00:22:30,850 --> 00:22:36,000 Both deaths were unvaccinated people and there were a hundred new cases just in that last week. 245 00:22:36,950 --> 00:22:45,110 This outbreak so far totaling 497 cases. Very sadly one of the deaths was a stillborn baby who's 246 00:22:45,110 --> 00:22:51,570 omnisch mother had been infected and either she nor her 13 children had been vaccinated. The same 247 00:22:51,570 --> 00:22:53,910 things could happen here. 248 00:22:54,130 --> 00:23:08,250 Sullivan County's vaccination rate was 67.5% as of January, much lower than the state's average rate of 80.9 and herd immunity requires 95% vaccination rate. 249 00:23:09,110 --> 00:23:14,190 Looking back at public health monthly reports, vaccination clinics have no longer held monthly. 250 00:23:14,190 --> 00:23:16,670 and vaccinations are given out by appointment, 251 00:23:17,410 --> 00:23:20,010 the numbers in the very low single digits. 252 00:23:20,590 --> 00:23:22,550 I have not seen any significant outreach 253 00:23:22,550 --> 00:23:24,910 to the community to improve those rates, 254 00:23:25,090 --> 00:23:27,050 even with the start of the new school year. 255 00:23:27,270 --> 00:23:30,370 And of course, there were no summer camp audits, 256 00:23:30,770 --> 00:23:33,890 although it looks like we got lucky on that this year. 257 00:23:34,090 --> 00:23:35,970 Likewise, there's still cyclists, 258 00:23:36,230 --> 00:23:39,110 priusists, and numerous food recalls ranging 259 00:23:39,110 --> 00:23:41,290 from lettuce to blueberries to beef. 260 00:23:41,490 --> 00:23:43,170 And we're going into flu season. 261 00:23:43,170 --> 00:23:48,610 This might sound like a paranoid rant, but it's not so funny if it happens to your family. 262 00:23:49,310 --> 00:23:51,330 Are we prepared if we have an outbreak? 263 00:23:52,030 --> 00:23:53,670 I don't think we are. 264 00:23:54,150 --> 00:23:59,190 Apart from the issue of public health being so very understaffed and the medical core haven't been abandoned. 265 00:23:59,970 --> 00:24:03,870 This is the issue of emergency preparedness training. 266 00:24:04,670 --> 00:24:10,390 Does anybody actually check to see if the staff are taking the required national incident management, 267 00:24:10,390 --> 00:24:13,390 and health, and commerce, system, and FEMA courses, 268 00:24:13,950 --> 00:24:15,270 according to their roles. 269 00:24:16,030 --> 00:24:17,970 You would think that these would all be recorded 270 00:24:17,970 --> 00:24:19,810 within the learning management system, 271 00:24:19,810 --> 00:24:21,350 but they aren't. 272 00:24:21,570 --> 00:24:22,550 And what about drills? 273 00:24:23,070 --> 00:24:25,270 It's all very well to do an active shooter drill, 274 00:24:25,270 --> 00:24:27,830 but what about a point of distribution drill 275 00:24:27,830 --> 00:24:30,170 to prepare us for mass immunizations, 276 00:24:30,750 --> 00:24:32,850 which we needed only six years ago? 277 00:24:33,490 --> 00:24:35,810 I know that this committee takes public safety 278 00:24:35,810 --> 00:24:37,430 and preparedness seriously. 279 00:24:37,430 --> 00:24:45,670 In the past, Sullivan County was very well prepared for emergencies and disasters as demonstrated during the pandemic. 280 00:24:46,290 --> 00:24:48,010 Can you say the same thing today? 281 00:24:48,830 --> 00:24:49,370 Thank you. 282 00:25:13,010 --> 00:25:19,170 Good morning. I'm Martha Scoppa from Liberty. I'm also a member of the Senior Legislative Action Committee. 283 00:25:20,690 --> 00:25:27,810 I continue to be very disheartened that this legislature has decided to close the care center at sunset lake. 284 00:25:29,860 --> 00:25:37,100 Despite a so-called closure plan from this legislature, and approved by the New York State Department of Health, 285 00:25:37,100 --> 00:25:43,780 There's confusion at the facility, heartbreak, for residents and their family members, 286 00:25:44,990 --> 00:25:51,620 and heartbreak for dedicated staff who care about the patients, due to poorly implemented. 287 00:25:51,700 --> 00:25:53,000 Sorry, excuse me, my voice. 288 00:25:58,760 --> 00:26:04,280 Due to poorly implemented communication from county administration, I'm wondering how 289 00:26:04,280 --> 00:26:05,580 this may like happened. 290 00:26:05,580 --> 00:26:13,620 If a vote was taken on March 26th of this year by legislators to close the facility and almost 291 00:26:13,620 --> 00:26:19,140 five months later on August 13th, the New York State Department of Health approved the closure, 292 00:26:19,800 --> 00:26:23,100 why was there not a perfectly smooth transition in place? 293 00:26:24,080 --> 00:26:28,860 Leadership should have made certain that the closure plan would address all the questions, 294 00:26:28,860 --> 00:26:36,200 fears, issues, worries, that residents, family members, and staff would have. 295 00:26:37,100 --> 00:26:41,720 The chairman of this legislature is the person who pulled the legislator towards behind 296 00:26:41,720 --> 00:26:48,080 closed doors on March 26th, and is responsible for the shoddy so-called vote in that 297 00:26:48,080 --> 00:26:56,020 executive session. The vote is a sham, certified at 5-4, then displamed by the absence of 298 00:26:56,800 --> 00:27:03,420 legislator as a four-four vote. And now explained that maybe originally 6-3, now 5-3, 299 00:27:03,680 --> 00:27:11,900 because of one legislator's misremembering how he voted. That legislator, who was always been a 300 00:27:11,900 --> 00:27:17,920 proponent of the Care Center, evidently voted for its closure. As they say, you can't make this up. 301 00:27:19,560 --> 00:27:24,180 I don't think there was a real vote on March 26 with moved, seconded, 302 00:27:24,180 --> 00:27:33,640 in favor posed asked by the chairman or recorded. So our county manager and the county attorney are also at fault. 303 00:27:36,040 --> 00:27:52,780 The poll or sham vote during executive session on March 26 was certified by the county and sent by the county to the New York State Department of Health in an application for closure of the care center at sunset lake. Again, you can't make this up. 304 00:27:54,180 --> 00:28:01,480 If the county's press release on August 19th, I'm in the county's press release on August 19th, 305 00:28:01,580 --> 00:28:07,020 the county promised to be a big help to residents, family members, and staff at the care center. 306 00:28:07,380 --> 00:28:13,240 Yet many are having a very hard time with the transition. You can understand how difficult it must be 307 00:28:13,680 --> 00:28:23,020 when you're vulnerable, frail, in pain, elderly, confused, in firm, to be moved from the home 308 00:28:23,020 --> 00:28:24,680 you know to a new place. 309 00:28:25,340 --> 00:28:27,360 Family members are upset that there are 310 00:28:27,360 --> 00:28:28,720 few facilities nearby 311 00:28:28,720 --> 00:28:32,000 that they must now travel a distance to visit 312 00:28:32,000 --> 00:28:35,720 and that maybe they cannot visit as frequently as they would want. 313 00:28:36,860 --> 00:28:39,320 Staff are worried about residents 314 00:28:39,320 --> 00:28:42,460 because they know the individuals very well. 315 00:28:42,940 --> 00:28:45,360 Know their needs, care about them. 316 00:28:45,800 --> 00:28:49,740 And worried that staff at a new facility may not give each resident 317 00:28:49,740 --> 00:28:51,230 personal and proper care. 318 00:28:52,150 --> 00:28:58,490 Staff are also worried about their own futures, jobs, salaries, unions, pensions. 319 00:28:58,830 --> 00:29:00,870 It's all very difficult and complicated. 320 00:29:01,930 --> 00:29:05,730 Despite claims by the county, communication has not been great. 321 00:29:07,090 --> 00:29:09,430 I'm very sad about all of this. 322 00:29:09,790 --> 00:29:16,110 I've never understood how the county legislature year after year has undervalued the importance 323 00:29:16,110 --> 00:29:19,430 for a low end and the good of our county's nursing home. 324 00:29:19,430 --> 00:29:23,950 The care center at sunset lake is a wonderful service to the community. 325 00:29:24,410 --> 00:29:29,190 It was never meant to make a profit, enterprise, fund, or not. 326 00:29:29,630 --> 00:29:35,830 Too bad that the legislature, including the chairman who campaigned on the words, save the ACC. 327 00:29:36,510 --> 00:29:45,510 Cannot see clear to do whatever was needed to bring our nursing home back to its former reputation of excellent care, respected and trusted. 328 00:29:45,510 --> 00:29:55,770 Yes, legislators are dealing with an incredibly difficult budget year, but somehow their outlook 329 00:29:55,770 --> 00:29:59,950 has not included the importance of this once-fine instance. 330 00:30:00,940 --> 00:30:05,920 I wish the care center was not closing. Thank you. 331 00:30:05,920 --> 00:30:12,180 I would like to also say that I wish it was not closing. It was a very difficult decision to make. 332 00:30:13,060 --> 00:30:18,600 However, for the benefit of all people, it had to be made. 333 00:30:20,260 --> 00:30:22,660 Didn't have to be made that day. 334 00:30:23,940 --> 00:30:26,180 Chair, just if everybody's done with public comment. 335 00:30:26,380 --> 00:30:27,200 I just wanted to. 336 00:30:27,260 --> 00:30:28,200 No, I believe there's there. 337 00:30:28,300 --> 00:30:28,900 Oh, I'm sorry. 338 00:30:28,900 --> 00:30:34,780 additional public comment, Lou, I didn't see you getting up. I apologize. I was going to 339 00:30:34,780 --> 00:30:38,840 be, no, you go because it was going to be about something that I'll be brought up. So 340 00:30:42,010 --> 00:30:42,470 well, 341 00:30:42,550 --> 00:30:49,990 maybe we are on the same page. What do I know? But first I want to say, I know that there are many 342 00:30:49,990 --> 00:30:56,150 emotional issues and frustrating issues that you deal with, you know, by the moment. 343 00:30:58,670 --> 00:31:03,070 We deal with 344 00:31:03,070 --> 00:31:11,230 group that was characterized as Phrilobani who come to meetings and stay informed about events 345 00:31:11,230 --> 00:31:19,350 in the county. So, back to a point that Albee raised earlier about the mental health crisis 346 00:31:19,350 --> 00:31:21,830 that is growing and Sullivan County. 347 00:31:24,120 --> 00:31:26,620 This is Germain to both the mental health issue 348 00:31:26,620 --> 00:31:29,980 and public safety, the purview of this committee. 349 00:31:35,180 --> 00:31:37,340 Although was purportedly taken, 350 00:31:37,340 --> 00:31:42,660 The closure plan application was submitted to the New York State Department of Health. 351 00:31:42,880 --> 00:31:48,160 Roughly five months later, you receive approval for that closure plan. 352 00:31:48,180 --> 00:31:53,880 And in the ensuing couple of weeks, the mental duress and trauma 353 00:31:55,990 --> 00:31:58,290 pressed upon family members 354 00:31:58,290 --> 00:32:02,850 and residents of the care center has been unconscionable. 355 00:32:02,850 --> 00:32:10,110 We were promised on August 19th that social workers would be made available to residents 356 00:32:10,110 --> 00:32:18,070 of the facility who were anxious and nervous and distraught over the closure and their potential 357 00:32:18,070 --> 00:32:22,270 of being displaced from Sullivan County, not just the care center. 358 00:32:24,510 --> 00:32:33,710 In response to specific residents experiencing such trauma, no social worker has appeared 359 00:32:33,710 --> 00:32:40,790 other than the staff at the care center itself to address those issues at last night's open 360 00:32:40,790 --> 00:32:47,450 forum for family members at the care center in relaying once again that concern of a particular 361 00:32:47,450 --> 00:32:53,450 resident rather than being told the social worker had counseled that resident we were advised 362 00:32:53,450 --> 00:33:04,810 that a psychiatric consult instead was made. I wonder what it caused to have a social worker speak 363 00:33:04,810 --> 00:33:12,490 someone to help calm their fears as opposed to having a psychiatrist come in and determine that 364 00:33:12,490 --> 00:33:18,370 the resident is not suicidal or in need of any kind of psychotropic medication, although I 365 00:33:18,370 --> 00:33:23,630 don't know that to be the case, whether any psychotropic medication was prescribed. 366 00:33:26,560 --> 00:33:27,320 We were promised 367 00:33:27,320 --> 00:33:34,500 as part of the closure plan that residents and their families would be able to make informed decisions 368 00:33:34,500 --> 00:33:42,800 about options open to them for their transfer of why they're themselves, or the family members, 369 00:33:43,360 --> 00:33:45,340 what kinds of facilities were available. 370 00:33:46,140 --> 00:33:51,200 The first list presented to family members and residents once the list was generated, 371 00:33:51,940 --> 00:33:57,000 was simply an alphabetical list of over 600 facilities across New York State. 372 00:33:58,480 --> 00:34:02,520 Many of the residents in the facility do not have access to the Internet 373 00:34:02,520 --> 00:34:08,820 to research those facilities, or their facilities on a revised list was finally presented 374 00:34:08,820 --> 00:34:16,100 to them last night, which has a more regionalized version of a list. 375 00:34:16,980 --> 00:34:24,120 And yet, the informed, to have a residence be informed about those options, the county 376 00:34:24,120 --> 00:34:31,600 has continued to send residents to a facility out of Sullivan County that is a one-star 377 00:34:31,600 --> 00:34:39,500 rated facility which also sports a red hand that there are verified abuse incidents that 378 00:34:39,500 --> 00:34:46,320 occurred at that facility. I find that further unconscionable that residents may have made 379 00:34:46,320 --> 00:34:53,120 the choice about a facility that they had no idea what the care is like there. And to that 380 00:34:53,120 --> 00:34:59,560 I was among those who recommended that your consultant receive the contract. 381 00:35:00,000 --> 00:35:07,800 After doing research into the three options that were presented, at the time they appeared to be the best possible choice. 382 00:35:08,520 --> 00:35:24,140 I'm one of those people who not only came to this legislature repeatedly to complain about the care and cite the decreasing star ratings and the number of citations on the survey reports and the number of complaint reports. 383 00:35:24,140 --> 00:35:32,180 And the fact that a resident died at the facility because of lack of appropriate care, it is further 384 00:35:32,180 --> 00:35:33,300 unconscionable. 385 00:35:34,020 --> 00:35:40,840 I was one of those people who made those concerns known to the Fific, you know, acronym 386 00:35:40,840 --> 00:35:48,560 Excuse me, Ken, of the New York State Department of Health to express our concerns about 387 00:35:48,560 --> 00:35:55,840 the lack of action by this legislature, the previous legislative board, to take appropriate 388 00:35:55,840 --> 00:36:03,300 action to make sure that those employed at the facility were adequately, adequately trained 389 00:36:03,300 --> 00:36:11,360 and competent and a respond appropriately to emergent situations, none of those things happened. 390 00:36:15,220 --> 00:36:23,520 And Mr. excuse me, a legislator in this body who was then a member of the Legislature has 391 00:36:23,520 --> 00:36:29,140 the unmitigated goal and I can appreciate frustration and emotional response to make 392 00:36:29,140 --> 00:36:35,120 accusatory comments that those who choose to come to meetings and attend meetings not only 393 00:36:35,120 --> 00:36:41,940 outside of this county, but two hours away to make our concerns known to protect the interest 394 00:36:41,940 --> 00:36:47,680 of residents and family members at our facility is just unbelievable to me. 395 00:36:48,080 --> 00:36:54,060 Again, I will tell you that your closure plan that has been presented has not been implemented 396 00:36:54,060 --> 00:37:01,100 as presented and it is unworthy of your continued support. 397 00:37:01,100 --> 00:37:07,100 you can alter the course that the ship is on and I implore you to change course. 398 00:37:12,140 --> 00:37:17,440 Yeah, sorry, I don't mean to, this is going to be a little bit off topic of what was just going on, 399 00:37:17,520 --> 00:37:22,780 but just wanted to thank everybody who was able to come out to the overdose awareness day, 400 00:37:22,780 --> 00:37:25,680 a vigil that was held the other day, no Dorothy, you spoke, 401 00:37:26,700 --> 00:37:27,820 and I really appreciate that. 402 00:37:27,820 --> 00:37:31,800 the first responders that came out out and many of the other people in this room. 403 00:37:32,200 --> 00:37:35,920 I think it's important to acknowledge some of the some of the work that we're doing 404 00:37:35,920 --> 00:37:39,320 in the community and and look forward to what we can do moving forward. 405 00:37:40,040 --> 00:37:44,080 You know, we're not where we want to be yet, but hopefully we're taking the steps we can 406 00:37:44,080 --> 00:37:47,820 and we're able to get there and I appreciate everybody that was able to be there. 407 00:37:49,340 --> 00:37:49,400 Cut. 408 00:37:51,440 --> 00:37:57,240 So I want to just say that this is a highly emotional topic when we talk about the Care Center. 409 00:37:57,240 --> 00:38:01,240 and what's been happening this year. 410 00:38:02,760 --> 00:38:08,460 I am very disappointed with how this closure plan has been put in place. 411 00:38:11,100 --> 00:38:16,920 Louis and I went to the meeting that was held for the employees when they were told on Wednesday. 412 00:38:17,960 --> 00:38:22,040 So I was just 1970, so I was like six o'clock in the morning. 413 00:38:23,180 --> 00:38:28,200 So I was disappointed with how some of the employees were treated during one of those meetings. 414 00:38:29,200 --> 00:38:36,670 They were not allowed to be humans. 415 00:38:37,250 --> 00:38:39,010 They had an emotional response. 416 00:38:41,550 --> 00:38:43,770 And I was disappointed with that. 417 00:38:44,150 --> 00:38:47,490 And then I was not there on the units when the residents were told, 418 00:38:47,490 --> 00:38:51,450 but I heard afterwards and I'm disappointed with how that went, too. 419 00:38:53,650 --> 00:38:55,230 As somebody who 420 00:38:57,600 --> 00:38:59,000 received that letter in 2020, 421 00:38:59,780 --> 00:39:02,180 I know how scary that is. 422 00:39:05,360 --> 00:39:08,400 I'm disappointed with the fact that it didn't seem like 423 00:39:08,400 --> 00:39:10,580 we amply communicated with families 424 00:39:10,580 --> 00:39:11,880 when it came to those meetings. 425 00:39:12,620 --> 00:39:13,880 I was at all three family meetings. 426 00:39:14,100 --> 00:39:15,400 I didn't know the first one was happening 427 00:39:15,400 --> 00:39:18,080 until I got a phone call like 9.22 in the morning 428 00:39:18,080 --> 00:39:22,600 that was happening at 10 30 and I live 30 minutes from the facility and I literally dropped 429 00:39:22,600 --> 00:39:28,820 everything I was doing to get there. Only one family showed up because we had not communicated 430 00:39:28,820 --> 00:39:34,920 and when I say, I mean the county. I had not communicated with families about this meeting. This 431 00:39:34,920 --> 00:39:43,220 meeting that is part of the process that is regular to this process through conversations with 432 00:39:43,220 --> 00:39:53,440 Young Budsman's Office and I want to thank the Young Budsman's Office, Theresa and Pamela have been incredible wealth of information. 433 00:39:56,960 --> 00:39:59,180 There is so much more that we could have done better. 434 00:40:00,140 --> 00:40:10,240 I've been to all three of the family meetings. And what I have heard family say, and Louis was also at the family meeting on Tuesday, is that they didn't know. 435 00:40:11,060 --> 00:40:17,660 And then last night at the meeting, because during Tuesday's meeting, the administrator said that he was going to make sure everyone got a phone call. 436 00:40:18,340 --> 00:40:23,660 People showed up last night angry because they had just found out the night before with this phone call. 437 00:40:23,980 --> 00:40:28,740 We were not providing resources to the families to support them during this time. 438 00:40:28,920 --> 00:40:30,920 Which is really scary. 439 00:40:35,290 --> 00:40:36,310 We needed to do better. 440 00:40:36,830 --> 00:40:41,390 And I'm telling you right now, we're going to do better from this day forward because nobody wants to deal with me. 441 00:40:42,030 --> 00:40:44,950 I'm so goddamn angry about all of this. 442 00:40:46,350 --> 00:40:54,190 I'm sorry. I just want to get through this. Um, I want the families to know that there is no rush. 443 00:40:54,630 --> 00:40:57,190 You do not have to transfer your loved one. 444 00:40:57,350 --> 00:41:00,310 That facility will stay open as long as they're a resident there. 445 00:41:01,730 --> 00:41:04,930 You can ask for a facility's admissions agreement. 446 00:41:05,090 --> 00:41:08,170 That outlines the, what that facility offers. 447 00:41:08,630 --> 00:41:12,690 You need to ask questions about what is your loved one need, right? 448 00:41:12,690 --> 00:41:14,570 and see if that facility meets those needs. 449 00:41:15,190 --> 00:41:17,010 I heavily encourage people to reach out to you 450 00:41:17,010 --> 00:41:17,790 to the Embudsman's Office 451 00:41:17,790 --> 00:41:20,050 and you can reach out to me for contact information. 452 00:41:22,950 --> 00:41:23,910 Because the Embudsman's Office 453 00:41:23,910 --> 00:41:26,590 has been an incredible resource during all of this. 454 00:41:28,990 --> 00:41:32,030 And the Embudsman's Office was supposed to be made aware 455 00:41:32,030 --> 00:41:34,910 of the closure upon approval by the DOH. 456 00:41:35,210 --> 00:41:36,850 The Embudsman's Office has said 457 00:41:36,850 --> 00:41:37,670 that they were not made aware 458 00:41:37,670 --> 00:41:39,310 until the day before the announcement was made 459 00:41:39,310 --> 00:41:42,010 and they scrambled to come to Sullivan County 460 00:41:42,010 --> 00:41:47,230 for that announcement on Wednesday, I believe it was August 19th, 18th, whatever. 461 00:41:48,370 --> 00:41:50,870 We got approved on August 13th. 462 00:41:50,870 --> 00:41:55,210 I think utilizing the Embudsman's Office would have been in everyone's best interest. 463 00:41:59,310 --> 00:42:01,870 When my mother was arrested at their, they had Robo calling. 464 00:42:01,970 --> 00:42:02,930 They had text messaging. 465 00:42:03,050 --> 00:42:04,010 They had emailing. 466 00:42:04,470 --> 00:42:08,270 I don't know why those three forms of communication were not utilized for this. 467 00:42:08,270 --> 00:42:15,990 this is the hardest thing that this facility is going to go through and the residents and the staff 468 00:42:15,990 --> 00:42:24,090 and the families. So, shame on us, shame on us. We could have done better and it doesn't cost 469 00:42:24,090 --> 00:42:32,150 extra to care. It doesn't. And as to the people who went to New York City in November of 2023, 470 00:42:32,170 --> 00:42:37,650 I was one of them. And I testified in front of that committee about my experiences and my mother's 471 00:42:37,650 --> 00:42:38,990 experiences as a resident, 472 00:42:41,050 --> 00:42:45,190 I still on my phone, have photos of the bed source and the 473 00:42:45,190 --> 00:42:47,770 ulcers that she had from a lack of care in neglect. 474 00:42:53,360 --> 00:42:55,480 The care my mother received during that 475 00:42:55,480 --> 00:42:57,720 time was terrible. 476 00:43:00,100 --> 00:43:04,220 I had to argue with the acting director of nursing in September of 2023 477 00:43:05,080 --> 00:43:08,900 to send my mother to the emergency room. All she wanted to do was talk to me about 478 00:43:09,760 --> 00:43:27,100 The day before I had been with my mother and she was responsive and talking and the next day, she wasn't and they had convinced my sister that we needed to put my mom on pallet of care and they called me and I was driving and I said I'm sorry, but you took blood for my mom two days ago, what does the blood work say? 479 00:43:27,540 --> 00:43:33,020 Oh, we don't have those blood work results in how do you not have blood work results in after 48 hours? 480 00:43:33,020 --> 00:43:41,060 So I said, okay, I can't make a decision. I'm her health care proxy. I can't make a decision about my mom without clinical data. Please send her to the hospital. 481 00:43:42,080 --> 00:43:46,720 Well, Kat, we see this sometimes with loved ones. They don't want to recognize when someone is declining. 482 00:43:47,200 --> 00:43:52,660 And I said, I'm sorry, but you're asking me to make a decision without information. 483 00:43:53,140 --> 00:44:01,020 My mom needs to see a doctor. And then the third time she tried to redirect me, I threatened them with 911. I literally pulled over and I said, 484 00:44:01,020 --> 00:44:04,540 If you do not call an ambulance for my mother, I am calling 911. 485 00:44:05,160 --> 00:44:09,740 I said, I have read just redirected to the hospital and my mother better be there when I get there. 486 00:44:10,220 --> 00:44:17,880 Very shortly after my mother, to the hospital, the doctor, upon pulling a urine sample without even the lab said she has a UTI. 487 00:44:20,310 --> 00:44:28,210 Upon further testing, my mother had the beginnings of a septic infection, which had I not sent her to the hospital could have killed her in a short period of time. 488 00:44:28,770 --> 00:44:34,370 Now, maybe not many people value the life of an 83-year-old woman, but I did. 489 00:44:34,850 --> 00:44:35,590 She was my mom. 490 00:44:35,830 --> 00:44:36,230 And you know what? 491 00:44:36,230 --> 00:44:37,310 She valued her life. 492 00:44:37,530 --> 00:44:40,550 She had a advanced directive. 493 00:44:41,310 --> 00:44:46,310 So when the hospital is said to me, you know, Ms. Scott, your mom has an advanced directive. 494 00:44:46,330 --> 00:44:49,230 And it says here that she would entertain a feeding tube. 495 00:44:50,370 --> 00:44:51,630 We put it into feeding tube. 496 00:44:51,810 --> 00:44:55,990 And it dawned on me during that conversation that the acting director of nursing never consulted 497 00:44:55,990 --> 00:44:59,970 my mother's advanced, care directive. That outline- 498 00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:07,080 That she wanted measures taken. They wanted to put her on pallet of care which would have killed her. By the end of the week, 499 00:45:10,330 --> 00:45:32,510 I did go down there in November of 2023, and I spoke about my experiences. And not a month later, my mother died from neglect. On that feeding tube, she was not supposed to be laid flat. And she was found laid flat. She aspirated on feeding liquids and my mother died. So don't tell me about what was said. 500 00:45:32,510 --> 00:45:41,000 done. I don't want to hear it. The care was bad. I lived it and I lived with the god damn 501 00:45:41,000 --> 00:45:50,040 guilt of it every single day. I'm directing it everybody. Because my mother's life had worse, 502 00:45:50,040 --> 00:45:55,880 it had worse to her, it had worse to me. And the only body who had any decision over her death was 503 00:45:55,880 --> 00:46:01,160 god, not somebody who couldn't take the time to do the job they were supposed to do or the 504 00:46:01,160 --> 00:46:03,720 and people in management to direct those people. 505 00:46:06,490 --> 00:46:08,050 So I understand what people are going through, 506 00:46:08,110 --> 00:46:09,990 and I'm very sorry, and we should do better, 507 00:46:10,230 --> 00:46:13,090 and by God, we are gonna do better from this day forward, 508 00:46:13,590 --> 00:46:15,390 because I'll call the Department of Health myself. 509 00:46:17,670 --> 00:46:18,090 Thank you. 510 00:46:21,960 --> 00:46:24,500 That morning, I was with her there, 511 00:46:24,660 --> 00:46:26,920 and I wanna make a comment about County of Poeese, 512 00:46:29,020 --> 00:46:31,000 for someone to start with Alex and his group, 513 00:46:31,200 --> 00:46:32,900 John, how are you and your group? 514 00:46:33,120 --> 00:46:36,700 Ryan, 911, and the people at the Adult Care Center. 515 00:46:37,120 --> 00:46:39,920 We were sitting there that morning when they were informed, 516 00:46:39,920 --> 00:46:44,460 So this is the quality of people we have working for Sullivan County. 517 00:46:45,460 --> 00:46:49,780 When they were told they were losing their jobs and that was the end of it, two of the nurses 518 00:46:49,780 --> 00:46:54,040 were crying and we sat in that little bench on the side there, I don't want to mention names. 519 00:46:55,540 --> 00:47:01,000 Their main concern was not that they were losing their job, their main concern was either 520 00:47:01,000 --> 00:47:04,020 going to take care of the patient I took care for 20 years. 521 00:47:04,420 --> 00:47:05,540 That was their main concern. 522 00:47:06,200 --> 00:47:10,220 nothing else nothing more than that same I really want to make sure that they're 523 00:47:10,220 --> 00:47:16,480 going to a facility and yesterday that don't the other day not yesterday they 524 00:47:16,480 --> 00:47:20,900 before I was here sitting and then there's another nurse was going to turn 525 00:47:20,900 --> 00:47:25,780 about who's going to take care of their patient and tells me I have my 526 00:47:25,780 --> 00:47:30,460 I have the 25 years of service but I don't have the age so I'm going to be 527 00:47:30,460 --> 00:47:35,100 losing my job and I'm going to be but I know we're going to be working to find 528 00:47:35,100 --> 00:47:40,960 places for her to be like that. I made a little bit of a check on one of the places 529 00:47:40,960 --> 00:47:47,500 that we're going to be using, amazing place, 15 new rooms. The problem that most of the people 530 00:47:47,500 --> 00:47:53,120 have is they have to travel now and I want to have to get to that destination. And one 531 00:47:53,120 --> 00:47:56,000 person told me, I don't even have a car. I'm going to get there. 532 00:47:58,100 --> 00:47:59,280 The disconnection between 533 00:47:59,280 --> 00:48:04,780 the person that you love that stay in that center is going to be broken. And I know that 534 00:48:04,780 --> 00:48:10,440 cat's got a new in myself that's paying most of our time when our loved ones were lived in. 535 00:48:10,780 --> 00:48:16,800 We were there almost every day. Why? Because being next to that person makes her like much better. 536 00:48:17,140 --> 00:48:20,760 It makes her tolerate more what goes on. Do you feel like you're not disconnected? 537 00:48:21,440 --> 00:48:28,880 You're going to disconnect them now. In my mind, you're going to expedite them passing away from that. 538 00:48:28,880 --> 00:48:33,840 That's going to create when you don't have nothing around you. That's what's going to create. 539 00:48:34,780 --> 00:48:38,860 Yeah, I was against, and I am against steel closing the Adorker Center. 540 00:48:40,700 --> 00:48:47,760 Whichever way it went, but my main concern right now is I got elected to take care of the people 541 00:48:47,760 --> 00:48:54,120 of this county and that is my job not to make sure we're making money and I've been laid off twice 542 00:48:54,120 --> 00:49:00,900 since I worked in this county. Two times, and let me tell you, anybody that works in that jail, 543 00:49:00,900 --> 00:49:06,320 you have to give them credit because I worked there for two weeks and I wanted to resign and get out of there 544 00:49:06,820 --> 00:49:08,860 but they gave me back my job 545 00:49:09,360 --> 00:49:16,100 We do it because we have a family to support. I had two little kids and I needed to get the money and again and again and again 546 00:49:16,100 --> 00:49:21,300 I didn't get elected to make money. I got elected to serve those that cannot take care of themselves 547 00:49:23,790 --> 00:49:31,350 Now we're going to go into executive session to discuss collective bargaining agreements. It would be the PBA and CSEA 548 00:49:31,350 --> 00:49:36,000 Can I have a motion in a second please motion are we taking any kind of vote while we're in there 549 00:49:39,300 --> 00:49:40,880 Matt Nick 1106