WCDO Radio News

Governor Cuomo announced changes yesterday to the mental health situation in the southern tier, with a new plan to keep much of the existing services going, and add new services. Area Assemblyman Cliff Crouch was one of the lawmakers who opposed the initial plans to close down mental health services around the greater Binghamton area, he told WCDO News that he is pleased with this outcome:

(Cliff Crouch 12-20-13)

Crouch said that they still have to work on a plan to keep the Broome Developmental Center opened; it is scheduled to close in 2015. Details of the plans announced yesterday are available at governor.ny.gov.

State Senator Tom Libous & Assembly Members Donna Lupardo & Cliff Crouch met with state officials Tuesday in Albany to discuss the proposed closures of the Broome Developmental Center and the Greater Binghamton Health Center. Libous said that they are concerned about the loss of jobs, and the ability for the community as a whole to handle the patients:

(Libous 11-27-13)

Libous said that he talked with the Governor recently about his concerns, he said that he is hopeful that there could be money in next years state budget to keep the facilities open, if not he has proposed legislation to freeze the closure of mental health facilities until 2015, in order to come up with better plans for those affected. Libous expects to meet with officials again after the Thanksgiving break.

State Senator Tom Libous is seeking a meeting with key state officials in an effort to keep Broome Developmental and other key facilities open.  Libous forwarded legislation call for a freeze until 2015 for the closure of mental health facilities, so that alternative plans can be forwarded & discussed.  Libous told WCDO News what prompted the talk of these closures:

(Libous 11-21-13)

Libous said that he is looking forward to meeting with key officials as early as next week regarding the issue, he has registered his concerns with Governor Cuomo, who he said is sympathetic to his position.

Assemblyman Pete Lopez will be holding a town hall meeting for the towns of Cherry Valley and Roseboom Tonight at 7:00 PM.  The meeting will be held at Community Center at 2 Genesee Street in Cherry Valley.

The State Police Troop C Violent Felony Warrant Squad, and U.S Marshals Fugitive Task Force, apprehended 3 people wanted in Broome County.  Arrested were 20-year-old Shayne Bartow of Vestal, who was wanted for Felony Probation Violation & 2nd degree Burglary by the Broome County Sheriff's Office.  Also apprehended were 21-year-old Denzel Duncan of Binghamton, who was wanted for Felony Aggravated Family Offense by the Binghamton Police Department and 50-year-old Debbie Duffy of Vestal, who was wanted for Welfare Fraud by the Binghamton Police Department.  All 3 fugitives were turned over to the respective wanting agencies.

Area Assembly Members Cliff Crouch & Donna Lupardo hosted a public meeting last night at the Chenango Valley High School, to get input on the controversial plan to close down the Broome Developmental Center.  Area State Senator Tom Libous is opposed to the closing:

(Libous 11-13-13)

Initial plans called for Broome Developmental and 2 other mental health facilities in the area to get closed down as part of proposed state budget cuts, and move the employees at those facilities to similar facilities around the state.

Assemblyman Cliff Crouch and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo will be hosting a Community Forum to receive public input about the planned closure of the Broome Developmental Center.  The forum will be held from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm tonight at the Chenango Valley   High School Auditorium at 221 Chenango Bridge Road in Binghamton.

The Platinum Street Ballers will be back in Sidney this year, as part of an annual fundraiser for the Sidney Boys & Girl’s club on Saturday November 9th at the Sidney High School Gym.  Club Director Trish Tyrell comments:

(Trish Tyrell 11-1-13)

Tickets are available at the Boys & Girls club in the Civic Center, the Sidney Great American, VEP, Sidney Flowers & Gifts, & Hometown Pizza in Franklin, the money raised will help the Boys & Girls club continue to operate their programs for area youth.

Assemblyman Cliff Crouch and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo will be hosting a Community Forum to receive public input about the planned closure of the Broome Developmental Center.  The forum will be held November 12th, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, at the Chenango Valley High School Auditorium at 221 Chenango Bridge Road.

State senator Tom Libous announced that the recent $90 Million dollar restoration of funding for the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, would keep about half their program s targeted for cuts, to continue to operate.  Libous said that many who are being treated at the Broome County facilities can not be acclimated into the communities in group homes:

(Libous 10-10-13)

Libous said that locally, the restored funding helps, programs like Achieve, Southern Tier Independence Center, Norwich ARC and the Handicapped Children's Association, but the plans to close the Broome Developmental Center has not been changed.  Senator Libous has a petition for constituents to sign to keep Broome Developmental Center Open at TOMLIBOUS.COM/STOPTHECLOSING.

State senator Tom Libous announced that the recent $90 Million dollar restoration of funding for the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, would keep about half their program s targeted for cuts, to continue to operate.  Libous said that locally, the restored funding helps, programs like Achieve, Southern Tier Independence Center, Norwich ARC and the Handicapped Children's Association, but the plans to close the  Broome Developmental Center has not been changed.  Senator Libous has a petition for constituents to sign to keep Broome Developmental Center Open at TOMLIBOUS.COM/STOPTHECLOSING.

Funeral services were announced for a Bainbridge teenager recently killed in two vehicle accident. 15 year old Brandy Smith was driving a Ford Focus that crossed the center line of County Route 35 in Oxford Aug. 4 and collided with a Dodge Caravan driven by 48-year old David Clark, of Oxford. Friends can call on the Smith family from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 25, at CH Landers in Sidney

Johnson City Police charged a Greene man with third-degree criminal mischief following a domestic dispute Aug. 5. 24 year old Dan Gross was also charged with second-degree strangulation and second-degree criminal contempt. He is accused of going to his ex-girlfriend’s Johnson City home, where he allegedly argued with her, then threw her on the bed and began choking her. He then took her phone and smashed it. Gross fled the scene and later turned himself in. Gross was sent to the Broome County jail

The New York state department of health will issue state funded “safety net payments” to early intervention providers in response to provider concerns about the lack of payment of claims submitted to insurance companies. The department’s action is in response to a large number of insurance companies’ lack of compliance with recently enacted Early Intervention Program reforms. The Early Intervention Program provides services to children with developmental delays. About 69,000 children were served in the program in 2011-2012 across the state. For more information call (518) 473-7016

The push is on from State Senator Tom Libous of Binghamton, to save the Binghamton Psychiatric center and the Broome Developmental Center.  Libous told WCDO News that people can sign the petitions to keep both facilities open, at his website:

(Libous 8-13-13)

Libous said that the closures of both facilities would result in the loss of over 1000 jobs to the area economy.  The petitions are available at TomLibous.com

State Senator Tom Libous is seeking the public's to stop the state’s plans the Broome Developmental Center. The New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities recently announced that the facility would close within 3 years and 160 residents would move to group homes.  The announcement follows another planned closure of the Greater Binghamton Health Center, petitions to save both facilities can be found on the senator’s website: TomLibous.com.