SHARON — The state Office of Health Strategies online public hearing on Sharon Hospital’s application to close its labor and delivery unit started on time at 10 a.m. and ended at 9:36 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 6.
Sharon Hospital and Nuvance Health, its parent, kicked things off. Hospital representatives stated and restated their argument that the labor and delivery unit is a low volume service (173 births in fiscal 2021) that loses $3 million per year and is economically unviable.
The hospital officials argued that closing labor and delivery is a critical part of its overall plan for the hospital, allowing it to expand and add other needed services, especially care for seniors.
The hospital officials also said that women can — and often do — choose other, nearby hospitals for deliveries, and that Sharon Hospital’s Emergency Department will be able to handle pregnancy-related emergencies should they arise.
The Save Sharon Hospital group, which appeared as intervenors and on the Zoom meeting as a group from Sharon Town Hall, argued that there is a crisis of maternal care in the country and that the area served by Sharon Hospital has been largely shielded from the national trend because of the hospital’s labor and delivery unit.
SSH said transporting pregnant women in emergency situations to other hospitals is a poor substitute, especially given the terrain of Northwest Connecticut and Dutchess County, N.Y. and the severe winters.
SSH advocates also questioned the ability of emergency room doctors to handle difficult cases, and took issue with the hospital’s claims of major financial losses.
SSH witnesses criticized hospital management on several fronts, including how the announcement of the closing was made, management/staff relations, poor or non-existent marketing, and an unwillingness on the part of hospital officials to try and find an alternative to closing.
Financial expert Victor Germack questioned the accounting behind the hospital’s $3 million annual loss figure, and Dr. Howard Mortman, an obstetrician, painted a grim picture of the future for mothers and babies if the labor and delivery unit is shuttered.
State Representative Maria Horn (D-64), Kent First Selectman Jean Speck, and Sharon First Selectman Brent Colley were witnesses for SSH.
Horn said “In order to have a thriving community we need a thriving hospital, which includes maternity.”
Speck said closing the unit “will do harm to our communities” and that local emergency services are not designed for inter-hospital transfers.”
Colley said he asked residents of Sharon about the matter and found a common theme: the hospital is the heart of Sharon.
“I’m worried about what else closes” if the labor and delivery unit shuts down, he said, adding that the emphasis should not be on “profit for the hospital, but on overall quality of life.”
The public comment portion of the hearing started around 3:10 p.m., but a few minutes prior the hearing officer, Daniel Csuka, said that the court reporter was no longer present on the Zoom meeting and he was unsure if the hearing could proceed without her.
He said he was trying to find another reporter and seeking an opinion on proceeding from the Attorney General’s office.
After a few minutes, and assurances from attorneys Ted Tucci, the hospital’s lawyer, and Paul Knag, representing SSH, that they wished to continue, the hearing resumed.
Public comment was mostly against the hospital’s application.
State Senator-elect Steven Harding (R-30) expressed his “absolute opposition” to the hospital’s plan, as did Cornwall First Selectman Gordon Ridgway and his counterpart in Salisbury, Curtis Rand.
Several hospital and/or Nuvance employees supported the plan in their public comments as did Kevin O’Connell, the CEO of Geer Village in North Canaan.
A running tally of the public comments, many from former or current medical professionals and elected officials as well as people with emergency services experience, showed 10 supporting the hospital’s plan and 27 opposing.
After public comment, in answering a question from OHS about the risk of closing Sharon Hospital completely, Nuvance CEO Dr. John Murphy said the losses from the labor and delivery have caused financial stress for some time.
“I do not want to close Sharon Hospital.”
He continued: “We are poor in resources at Sharon Hospital. The for-profits had Sharon Hospital and sold it for less, they ran away from it.”
He said of the opponents of the hospital’s plan, “I know what they’re against. What are they for?”
In closing arguments, SSH attorney Knag warned that “people are going to die, if this is approved, who wouldn’t otherwise die.” He then recapped most of the SSH’s arguments.
Tucci, the hospital’s lawyer, said the OHS will have to choose whether to decide the matter based on “facts, data and evidence” or “fear, anecdotes, personal attacks and speculation.”
And after three more comments from the public (all against the hospital’s plan), the hearing closed at 9:36 p.m.
PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains FFA Ag Fair brought a crowd to the high school on Church Street Saturday, Oct. 11.
Kicking off the day was the annual tractor pull, attracting a dedicated crowd that sat in bleachers and folding chairs for hours watching Allison-Chalmers, International Harvesters and John Deeres compete to pull the heaviest weights.
A large collection of food was on offer from the Pine Plains FFA and each one of the classes in the Pine Plains Central School District. The football team was selling pickles.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd enjoyed a dip in the dunk tank to raise money for the Pine Plains teachers’ union-sponsored scholarship.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd got dunked several times during his half-hour shift in the dunk tank. Proceeds from the throws benefitted the Photo by Nathan Miller
MILLERTON — Ten candidates for office in the Nov. 4 election will answer questions from Dutchess County voters at a candidate forum on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Annex at the NorthEast-Millerton Library located at 28 Century Blvd.
The forum, which is sponsored by the library, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Candidates for local and county offices will answer questions from residents in attendance or from residents who have submitted questions in advance.
“We’re excited to keep the tradition of the candidate forum going,” said Rhiannon Leo-Jameson, director of the library. “Some years we can’t always get candidates together.”
This year’s forum will include:
Rachele Grieco Cole, a Democrat, and Chris Mayville, a Republican, who both are running uncontested for the North East Town Council;
Casey McCabe, a Democrat, also running uncontested for North East Justice.
Among Dutchess County races:
Tracy MacKenzie, who is endorsed by Republicans and Democrats, is running uncontested for Dutchess County Family Court Judge;
Kara Gerry, a Democrat, and Ned McLoughlin, a Republican, are in a contest for a Dutchess County Court judgeship currently held by McLoughlin.
Chris Drago, D-19, and Tonya Pulver, a Republican, are competing to represent Dutchess County’s19th District seat currently held by Drago.
Democratic incumbent Dan Aymar-Blair and Will Truitt, the Republican chair of the county legislature, are competing for the Dutchess County Comptroller position currently held by Aymar-Blair.
Leo-Jameson is encouraging questions for the candidates to be submitted in advance, which will not be revealed to candidates beforehand. Dutchess County residents may pose questions during the forum. To submit a question on the library’s website, go to the calendar at nemillertonlibrary.org and find the link in the Oct. 24calendar entries.
The format calls for opening statements from the candidates, followed by questions from residents, and candidates will be able to stay after the forum to answer questions personally.
The “Elusive Ki Shusui” koi were temporarily relocated into a tub before being returned to their home pond at Maxine Pietro’s annual koi harvest at Broccoli Hall Farm in Amenia on Friday, Oct. 10. Speaking of their yellowish beauty, Pietro is pictured pointing out that the fish are scaleless but for scales that grow along the “zipper” on each fish’s dorsal ridge. The koi in the photo are estimated to be 6 or 7 years old.
The North East Community Center's Early Learning Program uses the research-based Creative Curriculum, which features a flexible, play-based approach with lots of time outdoors.
MILLERTON — In its third year, the North East Community Center’s Early Learning Program has become a vibrant, nurturing space for children and an invaluable resource for families in Dutchess County, an area identified as a child care desert by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. There are openings in both the toddler and preschool rooms for children ages 18 months to five years.
The ELP follows what’s known as the Creative Curriculum, a research-based early childhood program that builds confidence, creativity and critical thinking through hands-on, project-based learning.
“Kids are natural explorers,” said Emily Redmond, Early Childhood Programs Director. “Oftentimes, they tell us what they need to learn, so we leave plenty of room to follow the child.”
Before joining NECC, Redmond spent 13 years at Washington Montessori School in Connecticut, working in both classroom and administrative roles.
She explained that the Creative Curriculum allows teachers to stay flexible and build on children’s natural curiosity. For instance, worms appearing on the playground after a rainstorm can spark endless questions, leading to unexpected learning opportunities in math, science and beyond.
Redmond noted that children in the ELP practice pre-writing skills, work with small manipulatives to build fine motor skills, immerse themselves in nature and hone social-emotional skills. All the while, NECC’s team of educators understand that play is central to early childhood development.
One thing that sets the ELP apart from other child care programs, Redmond said, is “the mythical Chef Lenny.” Lenny Sutton, NECC’s longtime food service coordinator, prepares multiple meals and snacks for the kids each day in the on-site commercial kitchen, often using locally sourced ingredients. Known for his colorful aprons and bubbly personality, he has even been spotted in the classroom playing a few songs on the guitar.
So beloved is Chef Lenny that some students incorporate his role into their own play at home, pretending to cook and serve just like him. “Not many child care programs have an on-site chef to prepare daily meals,” laughed Redmond.
The only thing more colorful or bubbly than Chef Lenny is the new classroom fish tank, a favorite feature that provides both a calming presence and learning opportunities. A lively mix of fish adds to the ambiance, including several types of goldfish, a student-favorite pictus catfish, one powder blue gourami, a halfmoon blue betta, two dalmatian mollies and more.
The ELP is fully licensed by New York State, allowing NECC to accept state subsidies and help families access financial assistance.
“We truly value all forms of diversity, including socioeconomic diversity, and as a hallmark of NECC’s mission we strive to eliminate barriers to accessing quality education,” said Redmond, noting that the organization’s Family Programs department can provide support throughout the application process, including bilingual assistance.
NECC’s Early Learning Program is a New York Office of Children and Family Services-licensed day care center located at 11 Park Street in Millerton. Contact emily@neccmillerton.org for more information.
