Representatives from VestraCare spent nearly two hours meeting with Chautauqua County Lawmakers on Oct. 9, 2013 to answer questions and provide details on their interest in purchasing the Chautauqua County Home. From left to right: Cookie Travis, Admissions Director of Golden Hill Nursing Home; Hector Rodriguez, Golden Hill Community Relations Director; Jaqueline Sylvia, Golden Hill Chief Administrator; and Edward Farbenblum, VestraCare co-owner. (Photo by WRFA)

MAYVILLE – It was a long and at times confrontational special meeting of the Chautauqua County Legislature last night in Mayville as lawmakers met with the latest prospective buyers of the Chautauqua County Home.

Four representatives of VestraCare – including co-owner Edward Farbenblum – sat before the legislature and answered more than two dozen questions regarding their interest in buy the skilled nursing facility in Dunkirk at a cost of $16.5 million.

• VIEW COUNTY HOME PROPOSED PURCHASE CONTRACT FROM VESTRACARE (59 PAGES)

Lawmakers were especially interested in what VestraCare’s immediate and long-term plans would be for the home, including what services they would offer and what type of staffing they would provide for patients in their care. Officials with VestraCare explained that they would like to eventually expand services that would include a medical daycare facility as well as a provide homecare services.

Administrator Jaqueline Syliva – who is the head of VestraCare’s Golden Hill skilled nursing facility in Ulster County, NY – said that they would most like expand the number of nurses they have on staff at the facility. And both Sylvia and Farbenblum explained the company’s hiring practices, saying they would interview all current staff of the county home and work toward hiring those individuals, prior to going out and seeking other candidates. They also said wages would be similar to what is currently being offered, but could not make any guarantee that they could match the current benefits.

Oct. 30 decision deadline too soon?

One of the main issues of concern that was brought up by some lawmakers was the timeline given for the legislature to act on the sale. Under the submitted contract, VestraCare is requesting the county act on the contract by Oct. 30.

However, legislators Billy Coughlin (D-Fredonia), Bob Whitney (D-Jamestown) and Chuck Nazarro (D-Jamestown) questioned the date, saying they felt more time would be needed.

Coughlin was especially confrontational with the buyers, questioning their past history with other facilities and alleging they did not have strong oversight with some companies they subcontracted for certain services. He also said he wanted more time to investigate VestraCare.

Twenty of the 25 legislators were in attendance for the Oct. 9 meeting. (Photo by WRFA)

“This is what I’ve been able to come up with in nine days, just nine days,” Coughlin said, pointing to his notes on the company. “This is very difficult for me. I think we need an extension, for our due diligence, to maybe get an answer to some of these things. Real answers.”

Nazarro was also against the deadline, but for a different reason. He felt that it was poor timing, considering a local election was just around the corner and it may led to some legislators voting against the sale.

“I have been on record that I want to see the home privatized to the best buyer,” Nazarro said. “I think that’s a trend your going to see for all the reasons stated. However, I think that putting that October 30 date on there is going to jeopardize the entire process.”

Despite Nazarro’s and Coughlin’s concern with the Oct. 30 deadline, other lawmakers felt that it wasn’t a major issue. Vince Horrigan (R-Bemus Point), Larry Barmore (R-Gerry) and Keith Ahlstrom (D-Dunkirk) all pointed out that lawmakers actually had since the end of August to research the buyers, since that was when they were first introduced to lawmakers.

In addition, legislator Mark Tarbrake (R-Ellicott) said delaying the vote would only result in more money being lost in the long-run.

“The problem with postponing the vote, is the fact that we’re losing money on this facility every single day,” Tarbrake said. “I agree with what Mr. Ahlstrom said. He’s got a lot of wisdom here and he’s served on this body for a long time. We’re here to serve our constituents and if you can’t vote now with your conscience, then there’s a problem. I don’t think we should postpone the vote. I think it is important for the citizens of this county.”

Waiting to vote could be a gamble

Farbenblum said that he would prefer the legislature stick with the Oct. 30 deadline since that was what was agreed to during negotiations. After the meeting, WRFA asked him what would happen should the legislature vote against the sale on Oct. 30, which is a likely scenario. One of the options is that another vote could come forward later this year or even early next year, although Farbenblum said he can’t guarantee VestraCare would still be interested.

“if it comes to it, I’ll play the waiting game, but I can’t promise that I’ll be here,” Farbenblum said. “I will tell you that there are two county facilities for sale right now that we are interested in and it’s going to be this one or that one at the end of the day. And if that one turns into a sure thing, I can’t say ‘no’ because this one is a maybe.”

The legislature is expected to act on the sale of the home on during a special voting session on Oct. 30. A total of 17 ‘yes’ votes would be required in order for the sale to go through. In January of this year, the legislature voted 16 to 9 in favor of selling the home to Altitude Health Services of Chicago – which was one vote short of the required 17. A second attempt in February to sell to Altitude Health Services also failed.

In all, the special meeting lasted an hour and 45 minutes. A total of 20 legislators were in attendance, with Bob Duff (I-Sheridan), Shaun Heenan (D-Fredonia), Bob Stewart (R-Conewango), Lori Cornell (D-Jamestown) and Tim Hoyer (D-Jamestown) all absent – although Farbenblum said that both Cornell and Hoyer have been in contact with him to ask questions about VestraCare.

A map of the legislative districts for Chautauqua County, approved and finalized for the 2013 elections.

MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County’s Democratic Committee has approved its list of preliminary endorsements for the 2013 local elections.

Last weekend the party’s nominating committee met, and endorsed Ron Johnson of Pomfret as the candidate for County Executive and Lori Cornell of Jamestown as the candidate for Chautauqua County Clerk. The party also cross-endorsed current District Attorney David Foley, a Republican from Fredonia, in his bid for reelection.

For the county legislature, the party so far is endorsing candidates for 14 of the 19 legislative districts.

A total of 8 incumbent democrats were endorsed by the party. They are: Dunkirk’s Shaun Heenan and Keith Ahlstrom in Districts 1 and 2 respectively; Billy Coughlin of Fredonia for District 3; Tom DeJoe of Brocton for District 7; Chuck Nazarro of Jamestown for District 9; Robert Whitney of Jamestown for District 11; Paula DeJoy of Jamestown for District 13; and Tom Erlandson of Frewsburg for District 16.

Democratic newcomers this year include Fred Larson of Jamestown, who is running for the District 12 seat and Sam Ognibene of Falconer who is running for the District 15 seat. Other democrats running for the first time include Fredonia’s Janet Keefe in District 4; Amy Dillenburg Farnham in District 5; and Sherman’s Ed Carutis in District 18.

The Democrats are also cross-endorsing Mark Tarbrake of Jamestown in district 14.  That district covers the area of Ellicott north of I-86, plus the towns of Gerry, Charlotte and Ellington.

County Democratic Commissioner Norman Green says they are still looking for candidates for District 6 which covers the town of Hanover; District 8 which covers Ellery and North Harmony; District 10 which covers Lakewood and parts of Busti and the city of Jamestown; District 17 which covers the towns of French Creek, Clymer, Harmony and parts of Busti, and District 19, which covers Westfield.

For a complete rundown of all candidates, plus exclusive audio interviews, visit our 2013 Election page.

The Jamestown Post-Journal is reporting that During last night’s county legislature meeting, lawmakers voted 20 to 5 in favor of a motion calling on the state Legislature to enact, and Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign into law, legislation to protect the privacy of law abiding gun owners.

Among those opposing the law was Fredonia legislator Bill Coughlin, who noted that such a law would be a violation of the first amendment and the public’s right to know what transactions are taking place in government.  Other’s voting against the motion were Jametown’s Tim Hoyer, Robert Whitney and Vicki James and also Rod Rogers of Forestville.

The resolution calls for a $500,000 appropriation from the county’s fund balance to match a federal grant for the county home when they meet later today in Mayville. It is being sponsored by several democrats on the legislature, including Minority Leader Lori Cornell (D-Jamestown), Assistant Minority Leader Robert Whitney (D-Jamestown), Victoria James (D-Jamestown), Paula DeJoy (D-Jamestown), Tim Hoyer (D-Jamestown), Tom DeJoe (D-Brocton) and Bill Coughlin (D-Fredonia). Sponsors are hoping to use that surplus as a local share to match intergovernmental transfers (IGT) from the federal government. In order to secure the matching funds for the County Home, a local share from the county must be provided.

Other committees meeting later today include the County’s Public Safety Committee at 4 p.m., which will review a new labor contract for part-time Deputy Sheriffs and a resolution to increase sheriff services in the Village of Brocton.

And the Planning & Economic Development Committee will meet at 7 p.m. in Mayville. All committee meetings are open to the public.