Brien leaves hospital as financial woes mount

HARRIS, NY — Arthur Brien resigned as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Catskill Regional Medical Center (CRMC) on September 19, one day after an emergency meeting of the hospital board. In a two-paragraph statement, the board announced the departure and also said that Lawrence Cafasso, the Chief Operating Officer, will serve as acting CEO.

In another surprise move, Nicholas Lanza, the Chief Financial Officer who resigned earlier this month, has been reinstated to his position, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, the financial health of the hospital has come into question in large part because of a battle between the hospital and Crystal Run Health Care.

In May, Dr. Hal Teitelbaum, CEO of Crystal Run, charged the hospital with a number of health violations, specifically in the area of obstetrics. Teitelbaum lodged complaints with the NY Department of Health (DOH), which has been investigating the hospital.

In response, Brien claimed that Teitelbaum’s actions came as a result of his desire to gain more control of the hospital, a charge Teitelbaum denied.

As the name-calling grew increasingly intense, state lawmakers called for a cooling off period between the two medical men, but the call went unheeded.

On June 1, 62 physicians who practice at Crystal Run stopped referring patients to CRMC, in a move that cost the hospital some $7 million in revenue, and forced the hospital to lay off some employees.

Now, according to their statement, the board of the not-for-profit institution is “interviewing firms who specialize in hospital turnaround and anticipates selecting a firm the week of September 25.”

Local group urges new EIS on casino impact

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — During a 30-day public comment period that started on September 12, the local citizens’ group Casino-Free Sullivan County has criticized the recent decision by the U.S. Interior Department’s Bureau of Indian Affairs to forgo a complete, up-to-date study of how the proposed St Regis Mohawk casino at Monticello Raceway will impact the area, the county and the region. The bureau has ruled that a study done six years ago is sufficient.

Casino-Free Sullivan County maintains that the old study cannot possibly address the changes in the county, and that a current and more detailed Environmental Impact Study (EIS) is mandated by the National Environmental Policy Act.

“The only way the public can know the real impacts of this casino, the advent of which will dramatically and forever change our community character, is through the process of a new Environmental Impact Study,” says Dave Colavito, president of Casino-Free Sullivan County. “Why won’t the Bureau of Indian Affairs let the people of Sullivan County be fully informed? And, because of BIA’s decision here, other communities could now be vulnerable to cookie-cutter modifications to outdated studies that will dictate the directions of their communities.”

PEEC gets education grant

HARRISBURG, PA — Two local programs will receive state funding to offer environmental education to students in Monroe and Pike counties. The Pocono Environmental Education Center in Pike County has been given $9,254 in state money to host a workshop outlining the natural history of the area. The workshop, titled “Natural History of the Pocono Series,” will be presented to Pocono school districts. The Pennsylvania Environmental Council Inc., located in Monroe County, was awarded $1,500 in state grant funding. The grants were awarded through the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Environmental Education Grant Program. The program is open to schools, nonprofit groups and county conservation districts to help fund new or expanded environmental education programming.

Visit www.depweb.state.pa.us for more information or call 717/772-1828.

Hinchey urges end to oil giveaways

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Congressman Ed Markey (D-MA), and seven of their House colleagues have called on Interior Secretary Dick Kempthorne to support their legislative efforts to correct a government clerical error that could cost the federal government as much as $20 billion in lost royalty payments from oil and gas companies that operate on public lands.

“This problem of royalty-free leases started with a clerical error made by Interior Department officials in the 1990s, but it has been greatly exacerbated by the unwillingness of the Bush administration to put pressure on oil and gas companies to come back to the negotiating table... and operate in good faith with the federal government,” Hinchey said.

The error occurred in a 1995 Act that intended to authorize royalty forgiveness for deep-sea drilling when prices were below a certain level. The act stated that royalties for such drilling should be forgiven, but failed to specify the relevant price thresholds on contracts signed in 1998 and 1999.

STAR rebate checks coming

ALBANY, NY —New Yorkers eligible for STAR tax relief will receive rebate checks over the next few weeks. According to Gov. George Pataki, 3.4 million checks totaling $700 million will be sent to eligible homeowners across the state.

Homeowners who receive a basic or enhanced School Tax Relief (STAR) exemption on their 2006-2007 school tax bill are eligible to receive the rebate. New York State Tax and Finance Commissioner Andrew S. Eristoff said, “Taxpayers can check their school tax bill for a notice that they currently receive the STAR exemption, or they can call their local tax assessor. If you currently receive the exemption, the rebate will be sent automatically by the Tax Department. You do not need to contact anyone or file an application.”

Homeowners who may have been eligible for the STAR exemption but forgot or otherwise failed to apply may still receive a rebate check. They must file an application with the Tax Department between October 1, 2006 and January 20, 2007 in order to receive a check. For more information visit www.nystax.gov or call 877 678-1769.