PRESS RELEASE

RESPONSE TO FALSE STATEMENTS FROM THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

CONTACT: Frank Commisso, Albany County Legislatures Majority Leader, 518-461-4372
Albany County Legislatures Democratic Majority | 112 State Street, Room 700, Albany NY 12207

In response to County Executive McCoys recent statement, accusing the Democratic Majority Leadership of having zero transparency as well as potentially jeapordizing residents of the Albany County Nursing Home: Shawn Morse, Chairman of the Albany County Legislature said, The legislature takes every step possible to ensure transparency. The Democratic Majority has been transparent with new information as it has occurred and we have insisted on working together to find the best possible solution from the beginning. The Majority wants the best outcome for the Nursing Home and has clearly expressed that numerous times, and even further proof of that is the fact we have actually vetted each option. To engage the services of Larry Slatky is the best and most responsible option for the residents of the Albany County Nursing Home, employees and tax payers. The County Executive should embrace this opportunity to work through the issues that have been plaguing the Nursing Home, and not keep throwing up road blocks. Frank Commisso, Majority Leader of the Albany County Legislature stated. The development of an LDC allows nothing but transparency. The County still has oversight, a management team will teach the County how to opperate effectively and a qualified Board of Directors will be established by the Legislature to ensure that. Sean Ward, Deputy Majority Leader of the Albany County Legislature said, A perfect example of how effectively operations could work, is the Countys Airport Authority. As our Comptroller Michael Conners just stated on Sunday, Our State of the Fisc revealed that of the 17 nursing homes being sold or considered for sale in New York State, 16 were being paid for control of their home while Albany County stood alone as paying someone to take control of our facility. If USG took over the operation of the ACNH as the County Executive proposed, there are no guarantees of anything. Once again, the employees will no longer be County employees, there would be definite downsizing, the County would have no oversight of patient care, and the tax payers would be providing USG with a very large sum of money that would never have to be reimbursed. ###