Ulster County News

FROM: ULSTER COUNTY PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

DATE: March 12, 2004 

At the March 11, 2004 Session of the Ulster County Legislature, the legislators unanimously passed a local law which authorizes Ulster County to contract with the Westchester Health Care Corporation for the services of Ellenville Hospital and make payments to prevent the hospital's closure. An unplanned sudden closure of this hospital would create an immediate gap in the availability of medical services in the Ellenville area as there are no other hospitals within a 45 minute driving time from this hospital. The hospital has been and will continue to pursue all other sources of funds to remain open. The Ellenville Hospital is presently operating under the protection of bankruptcy statues, having initiated voluntary procedures in the fall of 2003, and its operations over the last several years have produced significant deficits which amount to $6.8 million in 2002 and $1.9 million in 2003. Ulster County Legislature Chairman Richard A. Gerentine stated, "We have worked hard by putting in a lot of time and effort to make saving this hospital a reality. It is a complicated process due to the many entities which are involved. We are working toward a solution for the survival of the hospital and one which minimizes exposure for Ulster County".

In other action, both majority leader, Michael Stock, and minority leader, David Donaldson, gave their platform addresses.

There were three presentations performed at last night’s session also. The first was a proclamation presented by Legislator Alice Tipp to Rena Hill and Margaret Phelan designating the month of March 2004 as Girl Scouting Month in Ulster County. Legislator Tipp also presented a second proclamation to Legislator Jeanette Provenzano, accepting on behalf of Arlene Bruck, designating the month of March 2004 as Women’s History Month in Ulster County. The third proclamation was made by Legisl ator Gerald Depew to Bob Sills, Lloyd Sellers, Roy Huchbert, Tom Emerick and Bert Darrow, all members of Trout Unlimited, designating the month of March 2004 as Trout Unlimited Month in Ulster County.