Our Local Elected Officials
Borough President Marty Markowitz
L.I.C.H. Dr. Toomas Sorra
Assemblywoman Joan Millman
Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association President Maria Paganoand L.I.C.H. Dr. Jeffrey Viera
Rally To Save Long Island College Hospital
At a rally yesterday, our local officials gathered at a rally and press conference to warn Continuum that cutting services or worse, closing the hospital, are not options. Borough President Marty Markowitz had strong words for Continuum when he spoke in front of the doctors, nurses and neighborhood residents. He accused Continuum of turning its back on Brownstone Brooklyn and of bleeding the hospital. He urged the management company to "open the books and to show us the money, or the lack thereof."
Markowitz reassured everyone present that he has reached out to N.Y.State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo who " is all over the issue" and has launched a complete investigation.
Congresswoman Nydia Velásquez, Assemblywoman Joan Millman, Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries and Councilmen Bill De Blasio all reiterated their commitment to saving the hospital so it can "serve the neighborhood for another 150 years." They demanded financial clarity and answers from Continuum. Bill DeBlasio stated that Continuum has been selling off some choice hospital real estate, but instead of reinvesting the money into L.I.C.H., the profits were taken out of our borough to be used in Continuum's Manhattan hospitals.
A big question mark also surrounds the roughly $140 million grant that was left to LICH by the estate of Donald and Mildred Otmer. Continuum has yet to account for that money.
Dr. Toomas Sorra, a gastroenterologist and spokesperson for LICH's doctors was last to speak, but probably illustrated the problem between Continuum and L.I.C.H. best when he mentioned that of the roughly 120 board meetings held by Continuum over the last 10 years, only three were scheduled here in Brooklyn. Board members had to take taxis because they had no idea where L.I.C.H. actually was.
Related posts:
A Message From LICH's Pediatric Ambulatory Care Unit
Carroll Gardens On The Losing End Of Continuum's LICH Sell-Off
For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking
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1 comment:
The way LICH is headed is a sad commentary on our health care system, our civic responsibility and the economy. I have been very involved opposing the development of 340 Court St by the Clarett Group. Clarett purchased this property from LICH. LICH came to own the property by purchasing it with money from the Othmer estate fund that was intended to be for community health outreach as I understand the Othmer’s intentions. The purchase of 340 Court St should be a big question if the use of those funds are to be investigated.
How Clarett got to be the owner of choice, as there were several bids for the property, some of which were to retain the site for community medical purpose, is another question. This process has been discussed but not without lingering questions. Many in the community even before I got involved questioned the misuse of Othmer monies. This is not a new query and no satisfying answers seem available. I also have to question, but cannot completely fault Joan Millman and Bill De Blasio who say they encourage LICH to sell to the Clarett Group as the best choice for the community. The rational was that Clarett had agreed to build only to 7 stories tall. Were they just un-savvy at that point to Continuum’s grand plan ? Did they get played by Clarett so as to not have seen the bigger dismantling coming and did they consider the Othmer donations and the community at all. Both of them are very involved now and are doing a good job. I wish they would set the record straight in a clear way for us. They deserve our support and answers to these questions would make it more clear cut.
Vince Joseph
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