Politics & Government

Village Residents Weigh in on Emergency Care Facility

Proposal dominates Massapequa Park Village Board meeting.

The issue that dominated Monday's Massapequa Park Village Board meeting wasn't even on the agenda.

But Village Hall was packed by residents with questions and concerns about a proposed emergency room facility that may come to the area.

The issue heated up recently when residents of the village received mailings expressing opposition to the facility which could be built on Sunrise Highway.

According to Mayor Jeffrey Pravato, the village has been looking for a facility since late 2011.  The Village called for bids in early 2012 when Pravato served as deputy to then mayor James Altadonna. 

The Village accepted a bid from the North Shore LIJ Hospital system which is currently looking for land.  Possible sites include the site of the Lexus of Massapequa dealership, which is moving from Sunrise Highway and the area once  occupied by a curtain store.

The mayor said that nothing is imminent.

"Nothing's definite at this time," he said, adding that that in addition to settling on a location, the state needs to approve the facility.

Pravato described the proposed facility as "a place that will treat critical patients that are in life or death situations."

But the idea of putting the facility on Sunrise Highway was met with vocal opposition from many in attendance.

"I've been the security director for a hospital for 20 years," said Steve Monty, who lives a few blocks away from Sunrise Highway. "You don't always get good people.  We have concerns about drug addicts, criminal acts."  Monty also expressed concerns about the heavy traffic on sunrise highway, which he said might force ambulances to side streets.

John O'Brien, a longtime village resident who regularly attends  Village Board meetings, spoke in favor of the proposal.

"Personally, I'm for it because I've seen what a heart attack does if you can't get to a hospital," he said, adding that the facility is needed for an aging population. 

Two doctors, with emergency room experience also spoke out at the meeting, one in favor of the facility and one opposed.

Dr. Cynthia Paulis, a resident of the village said that opponents" haven't focussed on the benefits here." 

Paulis said that responders to 911 might not have advanced training and the proposed facility would bring help closer. "When you're talking about a heart attack or stroke, seconds or minutes matter," she said."

Dr. Larry Kessler, who operates an urgent care center, acknowledged that "time is of the essence" in those situations, but said the proposed facility won't be helpful enough since it won't be attached to a full fledged hospital.

"What you're getting is a triage station," he said. What you're getting is a tactical depot to control patient flow to certain hospitals.

Pravato promised to hold hearings on the matter once a plan is put together.




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