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AFGE Announces New Website On the World Wide Web
The Canandaigua Local of the American Federation of Government Employees announced on Monday that it has established a permanent presence on the World Wide Web. The Website that has delivered the most up to date information for it's member and the community at large has moved to a new home.
 
The new address is www.afge3306.org Just Click Here to take a peek. The new site will afford AFGE members easier navigation and a whole new look.
The site will continue to bring the latest and most concise information on the changes planned for the Canandaigua VAMC as the government moves to change the way veterans can access healthcare in the Finger Lakes. The new site will host a clean and professional look designed to simplfy the availability of news, opinion and access to the beneifits of being an AFGE Member.
The new site will also allow the leadership to provide a wider array of services through the internet including surveys and issue development. It will also allow for a better exposure to the general public by faciltating search engines to identify the site for those who are interested in veterans and veterans affairs.
While the site is under development we appoligize for any inconvienence to our patrons and hope the change is one that you enjoy.
Cares Commission Ends It's Silence Recommendations Released
After too many delays and and an endless amount of speculation the CARES Commission released it's findings on Friday.
While no one knows whether the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs will accept those recommendations or how much of the plan he will implement it is good to finally see the report in writing.
In essence the report has confirmed the rumors that have been circulating since late December. The Canandaigua VA has been spared from the chopping block for now, but will lose the fifty psychiatric beds that it has to the other VA's in the VISN. Reportedly The Buffalo/Batavia facilities will become the recipients of our inpatient psychiatry program.
Already the supporters of the Canandaigua VA have initiated a coordinated response to that plan by launching a protest aimed at Mr. Principi to keep him from going ahead with the proposal.
It is expected that the community will again depend on the letters, faxes and the emails of the public, combined with the political support that has come to the facilities defense to turn the tide on this new assualt.
To read the CARES Commission Plan and look at the changes planned for the rest of the VA's across the nation, it is available by Just Click Here
You can download the recommendations by each VISN. There is a Power Point presentation on the report. Pages 25-45 of the Powerpoint presentation are a VISN by VISN summary comparing the Draft CARES Plan and the recommendations of the Commission. I urge all of you to take a look at the report and let the local know what you think of the report, it reccommendations and what your concerns are.
"Canandaigua Unites Again to Support It's Veterans at the VA"
The Canandaigua Community again steps up to the plate and declares the CARES Commission Report and it call to move 50 beds from Canandaigua to other facilities in the the area and unacceptable alternative to the needs of the veterans or the community. Their actions should be heralded by all of us as true patriotism
The following statement was released to the press and political supporters of the veterans in New York State by the coalition.
STATEMENT BY DAVID BAKER, CHAIRMAN, THE COALITION TO SAVE THE CANANDAIGUA VA MEDICAL CENTER
CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. – “The Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) Commission today unveiled its recommendations to Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi on restructuring the network of hospitals that treat our nation’s veterans.
“In its original draft, the CARES Commission recommended the closing of the Canandaigua VA Medical Center, one of largest employers in the Ontario County region, and more importantly, a state of the art facility and campus that provides thousands of veterans from a large geographic region a wide range of services that we believe cannot be duplicated anywhere else.
“While we are reviewing the plan submitted to Secretary Principi, the members of the Coalition to Save the Canandaigua VA Medical Center believe that our Medical Center is a critical component to providing health care to our brave veterans and we will continue to write and call Secretary Principi over the next three to four weeks as he prepares to make a final decision about the plan.
“One of our strongest allies in the effort to save the Canandaigua VA besides local area veterans, the business community and residents from throughout the community have been our elected officials at all levels of government, but particularly from the Federal level including United States Senators Charles Schumer, Hillary Clinton and U.S. Representatives Amo Houghton, Louise Slaughter , Jim Walsh, Sherwood Boehlert, and Tom Reynolds.
All have been here numerous times standing shoulder to shoulder with us to denounce the original CARES recommendation. All have seen first hand the special work that is done here by over 800 people who are committed to providing the best health care services possible to the men and women who have so bravely fought for our country. We will be relying on our congressional representatives more than ever during this critical time frame to persuade Secretary Principi to reject the plan if it at all negatively impacts the Canandaigua VA Medical Center.
“Regardless of the final plan released today we believe this process is far from over and there will be other options available to us if indeed the flawed initial recommendation to close the Canandaigua VA by the CARES Commission remains intact, including congressional action.
“On behalf of the members of the Coalition to Save the Canandaigua VA Medical Center, we are grateful to everyone who has worked so hard over the last several months to fight to preserve health care for our area veterans. Like they have fought for us, we will continue to fight for them.”
AFGE Representation at ROPC Becomes A "Bone of Contention"
After a flutter of activity by the employees of the Rochester Outpatient Clinic the National AFGE reversed it's decision to align the clinic employees with it's parent facility for the purpose of bargining and representation.
After a campaign of faxes and emails the union decided to keep the employees responsible to the Batavia local of the AFGE while it reviewed the relationship between the clinic and the Canandiagua VAMC.
Currently the clinic is dependent on Canandaigua for bugetary and administrative support.
Colleen Combs has written a response to the proposal to realign the clinic with AFGE Local 3306, the ramifications of not doing so, and the uproar it created. It can be read by clicking here.
New York State Board of Nursing Calls for Mandatory BSN
Late last December the NYS Board of Nursing called for a move to require nurses in New York State to aquire their BSN within the first ten years of their professional life.
Those first ten years of a nurses life are often the most demanding of their adult life. With the demands of a new career and the hopes and dreams of family it seems that the board could have thought harder of the stress it was placing on new graduates as they adapt to being members of the workforce.
The New York State Nurses Association provided the following information when I questioned them regarding the decision -
"The New York State Board for Nursing at its December 2003 meeting passed a
resolution to recommend to the Board of Regents that nurses who graduate
from a diploma or associate degree nursing program (after some determined
point in time) would have ten years to attain a baccalaureate degree in
order to continue to practice as a registered nurse in NYS. All nurses who
were practicing prior to the established point in time would be
"grandfathered" and able to continue to practice without having the
baccalaureate requirement."
The AFGE Local 3306 is issuing a call for action for nurses at the Canandiauga VAMC to let the Board of Regents, the New York State Board od Nursing and the New York State Nurses Association Know what they feel about this new burden on our Profession.
Heres where to write:
Board of Regents Stategic Plan
New York State Department of Education Professional Licensing
Send an email to them both by clicking on either address
Democrat and Chronicle Weighs In On Canandaigua's Battle
The Democrat and Chronicle ends a month long silence on the pending fate of the Canandaigua VA last week with an outstanding review of the events that have brought us to the eve of the CARES Commission turning over it's report to the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
In a very supportive article the newsapaper reviews the actions that the community an the stakeholders at Canandaigua took to make the goverment stand up and take notice of our facility and the veterans we serve.
Moreover it takes a position on the effects of the comprimise that the CARES Commission has offered as an olive branch, That being the transfer of fifty beds to the Buffalo VA.
While the D&C has always supported the Canandaigua facility in the past this is by far the best article it has written regarding the events of the last year.
Take a minute to read about where we have been, it will encourage you for the fight that remains in front of us.
To read the article as it appeared in the D&C last week Click Here
Bush Signs 4.1% Pay Raise
In an era of fiscal scroogery the President signed an across the board 4.1% Pay Raise for Federal Workers. This is keeping in line with Congressional recommendations for more information please Click Here for the AFGE briefing that we recieved yesterday
Veterans to Veterans Connection Sponsors A Rally
Gene Simes announced recently that there will be an all out ralley of local veterans and other supporters to be held in Albany to send a clear message to the CARES Commission and the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs that the movement of any beds out of Canandaigua is unacceptable to the supporters of the Canandaigua VA.
The rally is scheduled for February 3, 2004 gathering in front of the Legislators Office Building in Albany, NY.
In support of our Veterans; the Veterans For Veteran Connection and Veterans, will lobby to send a clear message to the Cares Committee. This will assure that the fifty one beds or any other services should not be placed in jeopardy for the Canandaigua VA hospital or it's staff members. We will lobby and rally together. We are hoping to remind the Veterans Affairs of the promises that were made to our Veterans that served and volunteered for our Country.
On February3,2004 we will lobby at the Legislators Office Building in Albany, NY.
The bus will hold 47 passengers, call for a ride. 315 986-7322 or 585 329-4711 to reserve a seat. (REMEMBER ITS FREE YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED)
The bus provided by Blue Bird Coach USA will arrive at 12:30 pm and stop in front of the building.
Lobby Time: 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Location: Legislators office building
Reserved area: Third floor on the agency side of the building.
Chairs and tables will be set up for our Veterans, families, and friends.
Depart at 4:00 pm.
There will be coffee and soft drinks will be available courtesy of VFVC.
Please come out and support our Veterans, Call now to reserve your seat.
Bus pick up:
1st Pick up Location:
VA Outpatient Clinic - 465 Westfall Road Rochester, NY
Time: 8:00 am
Second Pick Up Location:
Chamber of Commerce - South Main Street Canandaigua, NY
Time 8:45 am
Depart: 9:00 am
CALL FOR RIDE 315 986-7322 OR 585 329-4711
EMAIL: gdsusa@rochester.rr.com
“Remember the Vet”
We Care Committee
Last week the Canandaigua AFGE Officers met with the Canandaigua born and bred "We Care Committee" to begin discussions of the CARES Commission plan that was leaked through the press just prior to the Christmas Holiday.
The committee according to rumor will need to develope in conjunction with the Canandaigua Administration a proposal to make use of the vacant space at the Canandaigua VA Campus. Additionally it discussed the rumor that the CARES Commission will cave into the VISN 2 Network request to move 50 psychiatric beds to the Buffalo VA.
Needless to say the We Care Committee was not satisfied that the CARES Commission would be able to justify that move and wanted those beds and any other bed on the campus to stay right where it was. Ralph Calabrese and others made it known that any attempt to move anything out of Canandaigua was seen as an attempt to chip away at the facility and would not be acceptable to the Veterans Advisory Counsel or to the Canandaigua We Care Committee.
The AFGE Officers agreed with their findings wholeheartedly
For more information of the opinions that came out of this meeting see how the Daily Messenger covered the procceeding by Click Here
If I Don't Laugh - I'll Cry
Art Linkletter wrote a monthly magazine letter on it, comedians make a living proving it, after all laughter is the best medicine. In keeping with this truism take a moment to see how the VISN plans to cut the Canandaigua Workforce by 300% in the next two years.
Of course I'm kidding or am I?
Read this article and you be the judge Just Click Here
Where is the Military
Ever wonder what the military is thinking when the VA makes plans to take apart their healthcare system when they finally come and leave the military for civilian life.
Well check out this story as it was carried by an Air Force Magazine reviewing the VA's overhaul of it's approach to healthcare and the comments that both the secretary of the the VA and the CARES Commission chairman had to say regarding their plans.
To read the article Click Here
Promise them anything…..then
Well the holidays are over; the decorations and wrappings all but a memory then…reality settles back in. Those problems we faced and fought in the previous year come flying back in to smack us in the face again. Whether it be the bills of a holiday well spent or the fact that even now in the middle of January we still don’t have any idea where the Canandaigua VA or the other seven sister hospitals stand from the standpoint of the CARES Commission. 
In December Senator Charles Schumer let it be known in the media that the CARES Commission would recommend to the Secretary of the VA, Principi that the Canandaigua VA be spared and alternative uses of it space be explored through the VA Administration and the local public and stakeholders.
However there was a catch to the recommendation it also would recommend that the current 50 beds that the Canandaigua VA has dedicated to their psychiatry program be relocated to Buffalo.
Let it be known that neither of the senators from New York found that idea one that they could be happy with. Both Senator Clinton and Senator Schemer embraced the decision by the CARES Commission to provide a vote of confidence for the care provided our veterans in Canandaigua but vowed to fight on to keep the healthcare structure at Canandaigua intact.
One voice, that of Assemblyman Brian Kolb urged caution, while the reports from Washington were indeed encouraging it was in his estimation best to wait until we see it in writing. Things change in our society and when something sounds too good to be true it usually is just that, too good to be true.
So where does that leave us, the veterans and the community at large. Well first off we wait, sometime in February Mr. Principi will get the formal report from the CARES Commission, he then will decide whether to accept or reject the report. Depending on the time of day and the winds that blow across the Potomac Mr. Principi has said he will accept the report in it’s entirety or was it he would pick and choose the recommendations he endorses. Either way a decision will have to be made.
I don’t think that he or Mr. Bush will want this lack of support for the veterans to become a political hot potato. So I won’t look for a stand from the administration before the upcoming elections.
So we’re safe at least until November next year, yes?
Don’t you believe it! While Mr. Principi won’t get his formal report until next month, the contents, I believe are known now!
Even now the hierarchy at Canandaigua is planning how to accomplish the intent of the CARES Commission Report, how to move fifty beds from Canandaigua to Buffalo while maintaining as much of the outpatient services as possible.
Indeed the reductions in unit census are already in motion. They are being transferred to other facilities in order to free up beds for the relocation when the word comes from Albany not Washington that the plan is a go. This includes the reduction of acute psychiatry to a grand total of 8 beds with a short stay allocation of 5 days. Veterans requiring more than a five day stay would, you guessed it, be transferred to Buffalo for continued care. Today as we speak the length of stay for veterans cared for at Canandaigua for psychiatric care averages from 13 to 17 days. Very few are ready for discharge within five days. In fact I would offer the following: If a veteran is ready for discharge in five days or less they should probably never have been admitted in the first place and should have been handled on an outpatient basis.
So for my money I am going to err on the side of Assemblyman Kolb and keep up my letter writing and emails to my elected officials urging them to remain vigilant and stop the VA, the network and the administration from doing anything to change the mix of services in Canandaigua. I believe the veterans deserve more than a bus ride to some other facility that the network feels needs more to do to justify their means.
For more information on the plans that the CARES Commission will be advising the Secretary of the VA in it's report click here
Just Like the Wind
The day seemed plauged by the weather, Anthony Principi was due to be in Canandaigua by 9AM, but the fog and rain forced him to be re-routed to Rochester International Airport which would put him way behind schedule. Forced to drive from Rochester Mr. Principi arrived an hour and forty minutes late. 
What was to be an update on the status and a tour of the Canandiagua VA became a hurried blow through conference rooms and a fifteen minute session with the media in Bldg 5.
The outcome... Mr. Principi has not made up his mind yet.
With the CARES Commission not expected to finish it's report until the first of the year the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs was determined not to encourage or discourage the Canandaigua VA, it's veterans, the employees or the community.
It was plain he was keeping his options open.
At the close of the media session Mr. Principi was ushered out the door to the rented SUV that was waiting for him, parked in the alcove in the tunnel and wisked away. Complete with State Police Escort to take him back to the Rochester Airport for a return flight to Washington with neither party any wiser than before he arrived.
It is a shame that his visit to the VA was cut so short, not only did the veterans get cheated out of any peace of mind or reassurance that an audience with him may have provided, but he also did not get to see any of the care that is being provided to the veterans enrolled here either.
I believe it was truly his loss, in fact with all the problems he seemed plagued by, perhaps this was a trip that was best left undone. It probably did more to alienate people than fulfill the fact finding mission it was contrived to be, by our congressional champions.
Take a monment to read what the Democrat and Chronicle and the Daily Messenger had to say about the Secretary's visit it can be reached by Clicking Here. Or read the Democrat and Chronicle's follow-up story from 11/18/03 by clicking here
And when your done check out our locals version of an editorial about the visit by Mr. Principi yesterday and how he may have missed the mark by clicking here.
Canandaigua - Community Joins Veterans in a Call for Action
VA supporters seek public's help Monday
By ANNE JOHNSTON / ajohnston@mpnewspapers.com
CANANDAIGUA — Get ready, Canandaigua.
U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi will visit the VA Medical Center on Monday, and supporters of the hospital want the community to turn out as well.
The public is invited to a special meeting of the Veterans Advisory Committee at 10 a.m., which is right around the time Principi is expected to arrive. The exact location of the meeting is yet to be announced, but it may be in an enclosed pavilion in the courtyard behind Building 5.
"This is to show the secretary of Veterans Affairs that we have not stopped fighting," said Ralph Calabrese, chairman of the committee. "Hopefully, he will see how valuable the hospital is, not only to the veterans and their families but to the community."
Accompanied by U.S. Rep. Amo Houghton, R-Corning, on a chartered flight, Principi is expected to meet with VA staff and representatives of local veterans' organizations, as well as tour the hospital. He will leave shortly after noon.
Dan Ryan, public affairs officer for the facility, said Thursday that the agenda was still being finalized but Principi will likely hold a press conference in Building 5 toward the end of his visit.
Calabrese said it is important that as many people as possible be there.
"This is a show of strength," he said, adding that he has no doubt veterans and others throughout the region will come through.
Approximately 2,000 people turned out at the VA Oct. 20 for a hearing before the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) commission. Thousands more have written to the CARES commission and others to express their concerns.
The commission is to make a recommendation to Principi regarding a $4.6 billion realignment of VA health services nationwide, which would cause seven VA hospitals to close, including Canandaigua's. The 70-year-old hospital has more than 700 employees and 275 inpatient beds. It also provides services to thousands of outpatients each year.
Principi has said he will decide on the CARES proposal in the coming months. He must accept or reject the plan in its entirety.
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., will also be on hand for Principi's visit.
"He's actually rearranging his schedule so he can make it," said Schumer spokesman Blake Zeff.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton may also attend.
"The word I got from her office is that she is going to try to make it," Calabrese said.
So citizens, veterans, employees and the families of each. Let's get out there and let the Secretary know just how important the veterans of this great nation are. Let's show him that Canandaigua intends to kepp the promise. We will care for those who bore the battle. We will make sure that no man is left behind. Today, tommorrow and forever!
For a complete copy of his plans for the day click here
Secretary Principi Confirms Canandaigua Visit
VA Chief confirms his visit to the Canandaigua VA where the "CARES" Commission recently held it's hearing rearding the palns to close the Canandaigua VA.
Mr. Principi's office confirmed the his plans when it released his planned itinery for the 17th of November. Mr. Principi will be arriving in Canandaigua at 9:00AM and plans to hold several meeting with senior staff members and the Veterans Advisory Board at Canandaigua prior to his tour of the facility.
There have many calls made by the community, veternas groups and even the AFGE to bring out the community to welcome Mr. Principi to the "Chosen Spot" and let him know how important the Canandaigua VAMC is to it's community and it's veterans.
For a complete copy of his plans for the day click here
See you there
Senator Clinton Calls for Action on Cares Amendment
On the day after Veterans' Day, Wednesday November 12, Senator Clinton acted to call for a vote on teh Clinton-Enzi Amendment that asks the Senate  to go beyond the rhetoric and truly stand up for veterans. The Senate will
decide whether or not to fix the glaring flaws in the VA's proposals to
close hospitals and eliminate beds. As part of the debate on the VA-HUD
funding bill, Senators will be asked to vote on an amendment that offered
by Senator Clinton (D- NY) and Senator Enzi (R-WY) which would require the
VA to fix flaws in the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services
(CARES) process before proceeding with any hospital closures or service
reductions. This amendment has strong bipartisan support from Senators
Clinton (D-NY), Enzi(R-WY), Cantwell (D-WA), Grassley (R-IA), Murray( D-WA),
Smith (R-OR), Schumer (D-NY) Wyden (D-OR), Harkin (D-IA), and Stabenow
(D-MI).
The amendment does not prevent spending on hospital improvements under the
CARES process. It merely puts a hold on the use of VA funds to close or
reduce services at targeted VA facilities UNTIL the flaws in the CARES
process are fixed. We recognize the need for the VA to fully consider
future health care needs and the ability of VA facilities to provide that
care for our nation's veterans.
The CARES process was intended to provide for a comprehensive examination of
veterans health care needs and services.
However, due to a number of reasons the impact of the proposed changes to
long-term care, domiciliary care and mental health needs were not
considered. AFGE and the supporters of the amendment believe that these
omissions are serious enough to warrant not closing facilities until these
omissions have been corrected. It is possible that once the data on
long-term care and mental health needs is considered many of the facilities
target for closure would be kept open. It is also possible that other
facilities will be expanded.
The Clinton-Enzi amendment would restrict funds from being spent on the
closure of facilities or service reductions until the VA modifies the CARES
plan so that no changes will be made to long-term care, domiciliary care and
mental health care without a complete and separate CARES process and
recommendation.
The Clinton-Enzi amendment would also require the CARES process to take into
account rural health care issues. Finally, veterans would be given a voice
in the process by requiring a hearing within 30 miles of a facility
designatedfor a reduction in services or closure and allowing veterans to testify atthose hearings.
The amendment DOES NOT DELAY OR STOP NEW CONSTRUCTION OR SERVICE
ENHANCEMENTS contained in the Draft National CARES Plan. This is the result
of a bipartisan effort to respond to concerns from both the VA and our
colleagues that positive elements of the Draft National CARES Plan might be
postponed indefinitely.
AFGE supports this amendment. The American Legion has endorsed this
amendment. It is expected that the vote on this amendment will take place in the next 4-5 days depending on the current "Talkathon" being held by the Republicans regarding the judicial appointments pending in the Senate.
Let your representatives know you too support this bill. Sign the AFGE On-Line Petition just Click Here
Mission and Vision
When you have a moment please take a look at our Mission as an organization and check out who are your current officers. If they can help in any way please feel free to contact them.
More information on the mission and officers is located here.click here.
Contact Information
To contact the leadership of the Canandaigua
AFGE please use the following contact information.
- Telephone
- 585-7588/585-394-1717
- FAX
- 585-393-8339
- Postal address
- 400 Fort Hill Road Canandaigua, New York 14424
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- Electronic mail
- General Information: Colleen.Combs@med.va.gov
- For Information about this website or to
report problems with access or content please contact the webmaster.
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Webmaster: Allen Chopik
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Canandaigua AFGE Local 3306
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