Opposition to PEF’s fight to keep open half a dozen youth facilities operated by the state Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) took a nasty turn early on.
The union has been fighting the closures since the announcement to close them was made in January.
The OCFS commissioner proposed consolidating Adirondack Residential Center with Adirondack Wilderness Program, downsizing Lansing Residential Center and closing Auburn Residential Center, Brace Residential, Great Valley and Pyramid Reception Center.
PEF heavily lobbied state lawmakers, placed ads in newspapers in each of the communities where the centers are located and held a rally at Pyramid.
OCFS pushed-back in ways never seen before.
“At one of the newspapers where we had reserved ad space, a reporter called, asking questions about our position to keep the centers open,” said PEF President Ken Brynien. “We learned from the reporter that OCFS had asked the paper to pull our ad.”
The paper refused, but it was the first in a series of revelations on just how hard OCFS was willing to push.
PEF learned OCFS spokesman Edward Borges had begun meeting with staff at the various facilities and inviting reporters in for tours. At Pyramid, after PEF held a successful rally opposing it’s closure, Borges brought in a reporter from The New York Times after regular business hours.
“Mr. Borges directed staff not to speak to the press or legislators he brought through Pyramid,” said Roxane Rosario a youth counselor and PEF steward.
“Our members felt intimidated by Borges and his approach.
“He was abrasive and at times inappropriate in his remarks,” she added.
At Great Valley, Region 1 Coordinator Kevin Hintz held a public meeting in an attempt to set the record straight on the value of keeping the residential center open.
“It was clear our fight-back efforts had ruffled some feathers,” Hintz said.
Once again, Borges emerged trying to discredit PEF’s campaign to keep the facilities open.
“OCFS was spreading misinformation to confuse the public,” Hintz added.
A barrage of news articles, opinion pieces and letters to the editor continued throughout the campaign from both sides of the issue.
“Our battle was getting attention,” Brynien said. “And in the end, we were successful in saving Pyramid and Great Valley.”
Several members have called on the state to remove Borges from his position as an OCFS spokesperson.
According to published reports, Borges is now under investigation by the state Inspector General for alleged inappropriate comments and conduct related to his interaction with employees at some of the centers.
