MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards said that he was both appalled and encouraged by the special meeting between the county legislature and representative from VestraCare. Edwards – who’s been in negotiations with VestraCare and has worked on ironing out the details of the proposed contract – said he was appalled by the admission of some legislators that the sale of the county home was about politics.
“I would only hope that the voters of Chautauqua County, who depend on integrity and commitment from their elected leaders – that’s what they ask of me and that’s what my team has always endeavored to deliver – would demand of all the elected officials in the county that they are honest, forthright and commit to the process,” Edwards said. “This is probably the biggest decision the legislators will make in their careers. It’s an important one. And whether your for it or against it, a person should has to live by their character and their principles. What we heard tonight was the admissions that that is not the case for some of the legislators.”
Edwards added that the encouraging part of the meeting was the conduct of the representatives of VetraCare.
“They sat right here and they answered every one of the questions and were open and candid in their responses,” Edwards said. “So what they’re proposing for Chautauqua County is improved quality; expanded services; better care for the people of Chautauqua County; that the union can stay the same – it can be CSEA; and they’re already committed to a fair and open process on who they’re going to hire and what they’re going to pay them.”
As for the buyer, VestraCare co-owner Edward Farbenblum said he was pleased with the session and was confident he and his staff provided enough information to help the legislature formulate a decision on the sale.
“I hope the legislature understood what our vision is – our track record in implementing that vision. That fact that we’re really here. Unlike the two previous purchasers we’ve now deposited the hard money, a substantial amount of money. And that we’re not just stepping around, we’re here to pay ball.”
Farbenblum also said that he was not put out by some of the more confrontational aspects of the session.
“I understand that the legislature has to be a responsible steward of the resources entrusted to them. They need to be a diligent fiduciary of their constituency,” Farbenblum said. “I appreciate the diligence and the thoughtfulness that they’ve applied to this process and I think that it’s the right thing to do.”
The legislature is expected to act on the $16.5 million sale of the home on Oct. 30.
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