Statement on Pine Haven Nursing Home

We were advised on Wednesday, at a meeting of the County Board of Supervisor’s Pine Haven subcommittee, that work on the Pine Haven building project was being suspended.  It was explained that this was being done to allow the County time to explore all available options related to the facility.

I want to reiterate to the residents of Claverack that I will continue to fight for Pine Haven. Most important to me are the residents that live there and the care that they receive. Several members of my own family, including my father, were residents of Pine Haven and received good, compassionate care while living there. This facility is important to me, as it is so many other families in Columbia County.  

I understand that times are tough and budgets are tight, and I agree that we have a responsibility to the taxpayers of Columbia County to ensure every tax dollar collected is spent in the most fiscally responsible way possible. Several cost cutting measures have been employed at the facility already, but we continue to see large operating deficits.  I understand the need to do what we can to bring these costs under control.

What I’m not willing to compromise on is Pine Haven’s future. We must do everything in our power to ensure Pine Haven remains open, in Philmont, providing top notch care, and good quality jobs for years to come.  I will continue to fight for Pine Haven’s future!

Please, if you have any concerns or ideas related to Pine Haven – or any other town issue for that matter – send me an email at supervisor@townofclaverack.com.