Michelle
10-05-2006, 02:09 AM
S. Shore residents say OK to home for mentally disabled (http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf?/base/news/1159967738235720.xml&coll=1)
After voicing concerns during CB 3 meeting, they give full support of residence slated for New Dorp Beach
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
By KIAWANA RICH
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
Although some South Shore residents voiced their anger, concerns and fears about a proposed residence for the developmentally disabled in New Dorp Beach, members of a Community Board 3 panel gave their full support to the residence last night.
The Human Resources Committee voted 5-0 in favor of the proposal during their monthly meeting in the board's Rossville office.
The proposal next will be taken up by the full board.
The proposed residential site is located at 732 Tysens Lane, and will be operated by the Association for Retarded Children, AHRC New York City.
The property is scheduled to become a community residence for six developmentally disabled adults ranging in age from 36 to 50. The residence would be funded by the state Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.
Committee chairman William D'Ambrosio told those at the meeting that AHRC, with seven Island sites, has a long-standing reputation for caring for the developmentally disabled.
"We take pride in the houses we run," said James Flaherty, the agency's director. He noted that the residence will have 24-hour supervision and said AHRC is ready to work with the public to deal with any issues that might arise.
Some in the group were skeptical.
"I only moved here a year ago and I brought a home and I paid a lot of money for it," said one man, who said his first name was Manny, "and now it's going to be labeled because of this group home and my property values are going to go down."
George Smith, another concerned resident, said he has worked in the mental health industry and, like many others, wanted assurances that the residents -- who are mildly to moderately retarded -- would not harm anyone in the community.
Sheryl Minter-Brooks of Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Services stressed that the residents do not have criminal records. While they have behavioral problems, they do not pose a danger to the community, she said.
D'Ambrosino added that, as with anything else in life, there is no guaranteeing the actions of other human beings -- whether they are considered normal or otherwise.
But in the face of concerns about things like safety and lowered property values, people also need to see the issue from the other side, he said.
"If you are a mother and father or grandmother of a child who is mentally retarded, you ask yourself, 'What will I do as my child gets older? ... When I die, where is my 36-year-old son, who has the mind of a 10-year-old, going to go?' The family can no longer take care of them. 'Where is my son or daughter going to wind up?'" he asked.
Kiawana Rich is a news reporter for the Advance. She may be reached at rich@siadvance.com.
After voicing concerns during CB 3 meeting, they give full support of residence slated for New Dorp Beach
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
By KIAWANA RICH
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
Although some South Shore residents voiced their anger, concerns and fears about a proposed residence for the developmentally disabled in New Dorp Beach, members of a Community Board 3 panel gave their full support to the residence last night.
The Human Resources Committee voted 5-0 in favor of the proposal during their monthly meeting in the board's Rossville office.
The proposal next will be taken up by the full board.
The proposed residential site is located at 732 Tysens Lane, and will be operated by the Association for Retarded Children, AHRC New York City.
The property is scheduled to become a community residence for six developmentally disabled adults ranging in age from 36 to 50. The residence would be funded by the state Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.
Committee chairman William D'Ambrosio told those at the meeting that AHRC, with seven Island sites, has a long-standing reputation for caring for the developmentally disabled.
"We take pride in the houses we run," said James Flaherty, the agency's director. He noted that the residence will have 24-hour supervision and said AHRC is ready to work with the public to deal with any issues that might arise.
Some in the group were skeptical.
"I only moved here a year ago and I brought a home and I paid a lot of money for it," said one man, who said his first name was Manny, "and now it's going to be labeled because of this group home and my property values are going to go down."
George Smith, another concerned resident, said he has worked in the mental health industry and, like many others, wanted assurances that the residents -- who are mildly to moderately retarded -- would not harm anyone in the community.
Sheryl Minter-Brooks of Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Services stressed that the residents do not have criminal records. While they have behavioral problems, they do not pose a danger to the community, she said.
D'Ambrosino added that, as with anything else in life, there is no guaranteeing the actions of other human beings -- whether they are considered normal or otherwise.
But in the face of concerns about things like safety and lowered property values, people also need to see the issue from the other side, he said.
"If you are a mother and father or grandmother of a child who is mentally retarded, you ask yourself, 'What will I do as my child gets older? ... When I die, where is my 36-year-old son, who has the mind of a 10-year-old, going to go?' The family can no longer take care of them. 'Where is my son or daughter going to wind up?'" he asked.
Kiawana Rich is a news reporter for the Advance. She may be reached at rich@siadvance.com.