Area reps: Saturday's rally to support the Elmira Psychiatric Center chance to show strong regional support

Elmira, N.Y., November 20— State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats), Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) are calling on local residents to join them at a public rally to “Save the Elmira Psychiatric Center” on Saturday, November 23, 2013 in Elmira.

The rally will be held beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Clemens Center (207 Clemens Center Parkway).  Immediately following the rally, supporters are also planning a “community walk” around the grounds of the Elmira Psychiatric Center (Elmira PC). See more details on Saturday's rally HERE.

In a joint statement, O’Mara, Friend and Palmesano said, “This week’s rally and community walk are critical steps in the fight to save the Elmira Psychiatric Center.  Step by step by step, we need to keep making the case to Governor Cuomo and his administration that the Elmira Psychiatric Center is irreplaceable.  A mental health crisis in anyone’s life, especially a child, can best be helped with the support of family and friends. If we lose our local psychiatric center, patient care will be put at risk and family support made much more difficult. Let’s come together to show Governor Cuomo that the Southern Tier matters too.”

On Wednesday, July 10, 2013, the Cuomo administration announced a comprehensive, statewide Office of Mental Health (OMH) reorganization plan that calls for shutting down inpatient services at the  the Elmira Psychiatric Center (Elmira PC) next year.  Under the OMH plan, Elmira PC will be merged into one “regional center of excellence” known as the Great Lakes RCE that will be located in Buffalo.  The plan calls for no inpatient services to remain at Elmira.

Read more in today's Star-Gazette ("Rally Saturday for Elmira Psych Center"), and The Leader ("O'Mara, hopeful for Elmira Psychiatric Center, will lead rally").

Find additional information, watch Senator O'Mara's recent public hearing and sign an online petition HERE.