If you don’t allow public comment at a public hearing, it’s not actually a public hearing. The arrogance and disrespect this Chair shows for the public is consistent, it’s not just disrespect for the public he perceives as enemies, but for everyone who was unable to comment on the redistricting maps, including his colleagues, and for democratic process, and I hope that those watching will vote accordingly when they have an opportunity. There may very well come a time when you are adversely affected by one of Mr. Doherty’s projects to privatize public services and to export the provision of services to providers outside the county, as well as to funnel money to his allies and away from his constituents who are not businessmen.
There is nothing ok about the Department of Health moving to Middletown and leaving 4 employees in the new satellite office at Public Health, and nothing that Mr. McGuire said has reassured me that Sullivan County will receive the same level of services, if that level can even be considered adequate at this point. I’ve heard anecdotally that there are many open camps hosting a largely undervaccinated population enjoying the beauty of our county, with few permits. This is again, part of the erosion of Sullivan’s health resources, along with the gradual closing of our hospital services, one department at a time. We have heard that the Chair of this legislature’s sympathies are entirely with the CEO of Garnet Health, rather than with our community, which is still rated 61 out of 62 in the state in terms of health outcomes. I hope the next legislature will put the community’s health the number one priority.
Lise Kennedy