Citizens Sound Off About State’s Plan to Close MVPC

Utica, NY (WIBX) - About 50 concerned citizens turned out to hear more about the proposed closure of the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center, the State announced its closure back in February.

Those who turned out to the meeting had a chance to sign a petition urging Governor Cuomo to reconsider the consolidation plan that would ship patients from MVPC to a Syracuse-based facility. 

Laraine Manley has worked at the Mohawk Valley Psych Center for nearly 8 years, she was devastated when she heard the news regarding the closure. " What they're doing is not right, it's very political, they dont care about our patients at all" said Manley, adding "they dont care about the patients out in Syracuse either or they wouldn't be putting that kind of burden on them".

The Public Employees Federation, the union that represents workers at the center, is planning a rally to save the center this coming Friday at noon. The rally will take place in front of the State Office Building on Genesee Street in downtown Utica.