Genesee County Assisted Living Center closes doors pending state funding
The Genesee County Assisted Living Center posted a sign on its front door yesterday informing patrons that the facility closed "until further notice."
Paster Charlie Piscitello, chairman of the board of directors, said the center has not received from Albany more than $53,000 needed to cover operational expenses for the first quarter. The state also owes more than $40,000 for the final quarter of 2008.
"Our funds were frozen that we need to keep the doors open," Piscitello said. "It got to the point where with no money you can't pay anybody. You can't even pay their health insurance."
The center employs 11 people and serves more than 1,100 clients.
"This is a money crunch in Albany," Piscitello said. "This isn't a case of mismanagement."
Piscitello said the center expects its funding by Tuesday, but WBTA quotes the executive director as saying the center won't open again until a week from Monday.
Meanwhile, the center's employees are on furlough.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley told WBTA that some paperwork had not been completed and that he's working with the Albany agency taking care of the reimbursements. Listen his audio quote from WBTA.
