County pushes back against Monterey closing

SCHUYLER COUNTY—Some 200 local leaders and residents showed their support of keeping the Monterey Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility open during a rally held at the Watkins Glen Community Center Monday, Sept. 9. The rally featured local leaders speaking out against Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s decision to close the facility, which included State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning), Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats, Chemung County Executive Tom Santulli and Schuyler County Chairman Dennis Fagan. Leaders and supporters who attended the rally spoke about the successful service Camp Monterey produces for the area, and the hardships that would occur when the facility shuts its doors.
The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision had previously announced July 26 it would close the Monterey Shock Incarceration Correctional facility in July, 2014. The state also will be closing facilities in Franklin, Wayne and Saratoga Counties. The state said employees will be sent to work in other facilities in the state.
Since the announcement, there has been opposition to closing Monterey due to the work the inmates perform to the benefit of the community. O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) and Palmesano (R-Corning) have already come out opposing this decision and are circulating online petitions to support keeping the facility open.
The Schuyler County Legislature also approved a resolution to urge Gov. Andrew Cuomo to maintain current operations at the Monterey Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility during a special meeting prior to their legislative review committee meeting Wednesday, Sept. 4. The reason the legislature outlines in its opposition to closing the facility is in respect to the savings to taxpayers.  The resolution states the facility saved taxpayers some $400,000 through their work efforts.
“It would be an absolute shame and a hardship to see it go,” Schuyler County Chairman Dennis Fagan said.
Mark Rondinaro attended the meeting and said he is “absolutely in support” of the letter.
“You are not going to find anyone around here who thinks it is an intelligent decision,” Rondinaro said regarding the closing of the facility.