MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County Legislature will be meting for the third time this month when it convenes tonight in the legislative chambers in Mayville. At issue is whether or not to sell the Chautauqua County Home in Dunkirk to VestraCare at a cost of $16.5 Million.
On October 9, lawmakers held a special meeting to meet with and question officials from VestraCare, including co-owner Edward Farbenblum. Tonight, the legislature will allow the public to comment on the proposed sale. Following public comment, a vote will take place.
County legislature chairman Jay Gould (R-Ashville) says he’s expecting a large turnout tonight from residents interested in offering their thoughts on the sale of the skilled nursing facility, meaning it could make for a long meeting.
“I haven’t let the public speak much on this subject yet,” Gould told reporters on Oct. 23, “So I assume they will be here in droves. And if it goes to 11 o’clock it goes to 11 o’clock. They’ve got to have their say. I fully understand that.”
Tonight will be the third attempt by the legislature to vote on selling the county home. It failed the two previous times in January and February, when a proposal came forward to sell the home to Altitude Health Services of Chicago. The vote in January was 16 to 9 against selling the home, which was one vote-short of 17 votes that are required to sell a piece of county-owned property.
Tonight’s meeting begins at 6:30 in the legislative chambers and is open to the public.
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