Use this to search our website for any archived article you may need.
Welcome to the AFGE News Archives"
As we travel down this road the news that started our journey in the battle to keep the Cananadiauga VA open and serving the regions veterans has grown. This site which once started as just an idea has grown to a lengthy state.
However it's contents can serve as a roadplan to help other organizations plan it's attack should the need ever arise. So with that in mind I am creating an archive which will house the news that while it may be interesting to review, isn't really pertinent to todays web reader. Should you ever wish to search the articles here I will include a website search engine at the top of this page to assist the reader in find what it is he needs to find.
Thank you for your interest.
VA Chief to Visit Canandaigua
By JULIE SHERWOOD
CANANDAIGUA Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi accepted an offer from Rep. Amo Houghton, R-Corning, Thursday to visit the Canandaigua VA Medical Center. A tentative date of Nov. 17 was set during a private meeting between the secretary and Houghton Thursday afternoon.
"Amo made the offer and the secretary accepted," Houghton spokesman Bob Van Wicklin said this morning.
Principi has visited the Bath VA in Steuben County and a number of other sites, noted Van Wicklin, but has yet to see the Canandaigua campus on Fort Hill Avenue. The 275-bed hospital employs 725 and serves thousands of veterans each year with its inpatient and outpatient services.
Principi will decide whether to close a number of VA hospitals across the country including the Canandaigua VA after hearing recommendations from a federal commission, the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Service (CARES) commission. CARES is expected to make a recommendation by the end of the year.
"We had a good talk," Houghton said in a phone conversation after Thursday's meeting with Principi.
"I always felt he was misinformed," said Houghton, add-ing that the secretary recognizes that a number of assumptions in the initial report recommending closure of the Canandaigua VA were wrong.
At a hearing before the CARES commission on Oct. 20 at the Canandaigua VA, for example, William F. Feeley, director of the VA Healthcare Network/Upstate New York acknowledged that closing the Canandaigua site would not create $20 million in annual savings as originally thought. After questioning by the CARES commission, Feeley amended the savings to be closer to $8 million to $10 million.
Houghton plans to charter a plane and accompany Principi in his visit to the Canandaigua VA, said Van Wicklin, because "seeing is believing." The visit would be a chance for Principi to see firsthand how the hospital works, said Van Wicklin, and talk to veterans being served there.
"If the secretary does have those experiences in Canandaigua he can't decide to close the hospital," said Van Wicklin.
Houghton "is proud of the Canandaigua VA and wants to show that to the secretary," said Van Wicklin.
Doug Nather, performance manager for the Canandaigua VA, said this morning that he welcomes the secretary's visit and a chance to show him one of the best VA hospitals in the country.
Nather, who specializes in managing the hospital's quality of services, said the facility has consistently received scores of higher than 90 out of 100 since 1988 from a joint independent commission that sets health care standards for hospitals nationwide. That high standard of care is evident to veterans and their families, as well as visitors, said Nather.
"Everyone who visits the VA walks away with the same impression," he said. "There's excellent care here."
 Gene Simes from the "Veteran to Veteran Connection" is calling for a muster of all veterans and their friends and families and our community supporters to come out on November 17th to support our Veterans and let Mr Principi know that Canandaigua CARES About Our Veterans.
AFGE Considers Alliance With the Save-The-Canandaigua-VA Coalition
and the
Veteran to Veteran Connection
While the dust settles on the hearing held last Monday in Cnanadaigua the AFGE Local 3306 is joining an alliance with the Save-The-Canandaigua-VA Coalition and other veterans, and their organizations including the Veteran to Veteran Connection to take the "CARES" Commission and the Department of Veterans Affairs to task as it considers closing seven other VAs across this nation.
In a move to drive the issue of closing VA Medical Centers to a National Forum the Alliance would draw attention to the folly of closing any veteran facility while it wages war with our soldiers, our children on a variety of fronts including Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo and the War on Terror.
The group will seek to unite the seven VAs and their cities that are on the "CARES" Commission "hit" list with their local citizens, businesses, and veterans groups, much like was done here in Canandaigua with such outstanding success.
Together each of us united can change the direction the Department of Veterans Affairs has chosen under the direction of Dr. Roswell and preserve our nations most sacred promises that were made so long ago.
For more information on these plans as they are made please check back here frequently and visit out partners sites as they are listed on the left side of this page.
We'll keep you informed as more is known on how you can be part of changing this history before it is written. In the meantime keep those letters coming let your congressmen and elected officials know we appreciate what they are doing to keep- Canandaigua Alive and Well in the Finger Lakes!
Thank You
The Canandaigua Community and it's Partners
Give Thanks to it's Supporters
On behalf of the We Care Campaign A Coalition to Save the Canandaigua VA
Hospital, we would like to publicly thank all of the people involved in
organizing the rally and show of support at last Mondayıs CARES Hearing.
Without their help, persistence and positive attitudes it would not have
been possible. Our deepest thanks and appreciation to the Veterans Advisory
Committee, City Manager Stephen Cole, County Administrator Geoff Astles,
Mayor Ellen Polimeni, Councilmember Val Fenti, Supervisor Sam Casella,
Supervisor Ted Fafinski, Director of Economic Development Mike Manikowski
and Deputy Director Roberta Hutchinson, from Thompson Hospital Bonnie Ross,
Deborah Weymouth, Joni Tiller, Dr. Martin Lustik and Linda Janzack, Colleen
Baumann, Warren Jordans, Doug Finch, Fred Schutz, Sarah Anderson, Sarah
Blumer, Joe Hamm, Dan Ryan, Colleen Combs, Dan VerStreate, Sue Kaszynski and
Jim Finkle.
We would also like to thank the following people for their help with a
variety of activities at the rally; Gary Johnsonıs RV, Mary Castiglione, Jim
Johnson, Peter and Peggy Kane, Bob and Dorothy Oldfield, Tom Baker, Lindsey
Hamlin, Don Semans, Jim Baker and Bruce Kennedy.
And last but certainly not least, we would like to extend our thanks and
appreciation to the 2,000 people who attended and helped to show the CARES
Commission and our elected representatives, that the Canandaigua community
cares about our veterans and we want them to remain here with their families
and friends.
While we were successful at the hearing on Monday, let us not get lulled
into a false sense of security. Contrary to what VISN 2 Director William
Feeley says there is no plan to open an outpatient clinic in the Canandaigua
area.
Now is the time to keep the pressure on our elected officials, the
CARES Commission, Secretary Principi and President George Bush by writing,
calling or faxing them your thoughts on Mr. Feeley's recommendation to close
the Canandaigua VAMC.
Please contact the Canandaigua Area Chamber of Commerce or visit the save-the-cdga-va.org website for the addresses.
Keep the Promise. Keep it open. Save the VA.
Sincerely;
David B Baker
President
Canandaigua Area Chamber Of Commerce
113 S Main St
Canandaigua
394-4400
Ralph Calabrese
97 Clark St
Canandaigua
394-1607
Presidential Update
As the hearing unfolded on Monday last week overwhelmingly each witness echoed the words of the witness before them. Simply this is not the time, this is not the place, Canandaigua must not close.  Each had their own perspective and spoke of reasons that are important to them. But in each piece of testimony the one reason that was ran through each testimony was the veteran and continuing to meet their needs.
Here's a chance to read the testimony of some of the people that the "CARES" Commission chose to hear, including the testimony of Colleen the president of our local of the AFGE
You'll find each one has a common thread, it is not in the best interest for the veterans that the Canandaigua VA serves to deprive them of the services that they have become to depend on by closing one of the nation's finest facilities for healthcare. Not today, and not tommorrow.
While your here check Out the Last Newletter from the desk of our AFGE President Colleen Combs she has a lot of very important information regarding the events that will brought us up to the CARES Commission Hearing. Catch up on the latest news and find out just who are our friends and how they will help us defend our facility and the veterans we serve and honor.
Don't miss the latest news from the battlefront Click Here Right Away
AFGE Local 3306 Joins Forces on the Web
In order to provide our members and the community at large the AFGE Local 3306 will now offer links to the other sites on the web that have been dedicated to bringing you the most up to date information regarding activites that are deicated to stopping the CARES Commission and keeping the Canandaigua VA open and providing services to the veterans of the Greater Rochester Area.
As of today two sites will be joining us to keep you up to date
Please join me in welcoming them to our efforts in putting up the good fight! Visit them often to be sure you know what going on and how we all can join to make this a sucessful venture
Those sites are
- The Save-the-Canandaigua-VA
- The Veterans for Veteran Connection
In addtion to this link you will find them on each of the major pages in the navigation links on the left hand side of each page. Again we welcome them as partners in the battle that lies ahead. Again Thanks from Local 3306 of the American Federation of Governmant Employees.
Remember the Veteran on this Veteran's Day
On this Veteran's Day many of us will relish in the extra hours of sleep we may get with the holiday that has been set aside for us to remember the veterans in our history.
 Yet as we enjoy the freedom to do with our holiday as we wish, we must take the time to remember that this day was set aside for the nation to remember honor and pay our respects to the men and women that put their life on the line yesterday, today and everyday to ensure that our freedom and indeed the worlds freedom go unchallenged by any would be despot.
So if you can take a moment, please read what one veteran thinks we all should know about our nations veterans and the sacrifices they have made and are making this day for us
It is the Veteran Who Salutes the Flag
Some more thoughts on the meaning of Veteran's Day
- It is the VETERAN, not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.
- It is the VETERAN, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.
- It is the VETERAN, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.
- It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.
- It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.
- It is the VETERAN, not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Veteran Who Salutes the Flag
Principi Can Feel Our Pain
On October 16th the New York Congressional Delegation met with the head of the Department of Veterans Affairs in an effort to pursuade him to stop the efforts of the CARES Commission and the director of VISN 2 to close the Canandaiggua VA.
Despite their efforts to lay out the facts regarding the services the VA provides to the veterans of upstate New York and the impact closing the facility wouyld have on those veterans and the community at large. Mr. Principi's only concession was to agree to meet with those lawmakers again prior to any decision being made.
On October 20th the CARES Commission will be in Canandaigua to conduct the public hearing regarding it's recommendations tha will be made to the Undersecretary. Mr. Pricipi reserves the right ot either accept the proposals or reject them.
For a more indepth look at that meeting see how it was covered in the Democrat and Chronicle on Friday. Click Here
For more information on Senator Clinton's perspective on what the meeting meant to her read her press release. Click Here
Principi Open to Change
Is the Tide Changing or Just Another Ruse
The Associated Press released a news story on October 2nd last week that was picked up across the country. It quoted Secretary Pricipi as stating that he was open to change when it comes to the recommendations of the CARES Commission that are due in December. The article said that he was not beyond sitting down with the commission and reviewing the changes they decide on and either accepting them one by one or rejecting them based on his understanding of veterans and their needs. Prior to this report Principi had proclaimed he would either accept the report as is or reject the whole review process.
This leaves an opening for the 7 hospitals slated to close to make it past the CARES Commission recommendations and survive their proposed demise.
Is the tide changing or is this another clever ruse on central offices part.
For more on this story, read how the associated press sent it out and how it was carried by the Finger Lakes Times on Friday Click Here
Standing United
One Little Candle
Simultaneously in Waco, Texas another group of citizens met to join in unisons with their counterparts in Canandaigua to provide for their community the same thoughts and prayers for their veterans as they share the same propsed fate for it's VA.
Members of the clergy from many of the faiths represented here on the grounds and in Canandaigua joined with the chaplains from local veterans organizations to lead the group in prayers for guidance and support in these troubled times. Their prayers were for those two communities and for those leaders who will make the decisions regarding the future of both Canandaigua and Waco.
 Led in song, the group made a joyful sound that inspired each participant with renewed strength to face the battle in the days ahead.
Senator Clinton Take Steps To Stop New York's VAs From Closing
Hillary steps up to the plate and takes steps to stop the Canandaigua VA from being marked for closure. Hillary remarked that:"The CARES process is fundamentally flawed. The commission should be forced to go back to the drawing board and evaluate the important health care issues facing our veterans - issues that the commission has clearly neglected thus far," Senator Clinton said. "I intend to fight on the Senate floor and before the CARES commission to ensure that New York's veterans hospitals stay open to their fullest capacity. At this critical time in our nation's history, we must show our veterans - not just tell them - that we are grateful for their service to our country."
To see the full version of her actions to stop the CARES Commission dead in it's tracks Click Here
And Senator Clinton does not stand alone in this battle. In her words the entire New York State Coalition stands behind stopping the Department of Veterans Affairs and the CARES Commission from closing any VA Medical Center, right when we need it most!
Canandaigua Braves Salute the Veterans of the VA
It's football time again and as a way of showing support for our veterans the Canandaigua Academy dedicated this Saturdays Football Game to the Veterans of the Canandaigua VAMC.
At their home game against Wayne HS the Canandaigua Braves showed the veterans of the Canandaigua VA just what ir means to be revered in the community.
The veterans made the trip down Fort Hill Road as best they could some walking on their own and others being pushed by volunteers and their fellow vets.
During the game the veterans and the crowd released red, white and blue ballons to be carried on the winds, much like the fate of those veterans are being carried by the winds of politics right now.
For more on the tribute to those who have served so well Click Here.
Brother Wease Goes On the Air Live from Canandaigua
On Thursday, September 11th, "Brother Wease and the Morning Show" went on the air in support of the veterans who depend on the Canandaigua VAMC for their care and support In an outstanding show of solidarity with the . Veterans he calls brother. Brother Wease broadcast his message live from the Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce on Main Street in Canandaigua.
In an effort to build on what many would already call a tidal wave of support from the community, Brother Wease spent from 6AM until 10:30AM calling on the goverment in Washington and the leadership for VISN2 in Albany to cease and desist with their plans to close Canandaigua
The broadcst heard from people like Brian Kolb, the Farmington Supervisor, the Mayor of Canandaigua and employees of the Canandaigua VAMC all who echoed his words. The Canandaigua VA will not close! Brother Wease demanded that the Department of Veterans Affairs look elsewhere for the cuts that Vincent Principe wants to make in the services that our veterans need here in Canandaigua.
In fact said, "Given a few hours in any politicians office Brother Wease knew he could find the money needed to keep Canandiagua open."
However looking back at the multitude of interviews by far the most moving ones were those provided by the veterans who had returned to a life that any community could be proud of. Those who could again look forward to a life that took on new meaning for them. Those interviews and the ones that were provided by the veterans currently recieving treatment at the VA were the ones that tell the world what our VA stands for. 
We the AFGE and the employees, their families, our veterans and the community at large want to thank Brother Wease and the Morning Show for taking a stand on this travesty, For standing up and saying not now and not here. In Brother Weases words,"We made a contract with those who stepped away from their lives, their families, their communities and their homes to serve our nation and protect our way of life. This VA will stand for this generation and the generations to come to live up to our solemn promise."
Brother Wease You have our heartfelt thanks!
Now that the show is over keep up to date with his battle for Canandaigua and, listen to the sounds of pure Rock & Roll on WCMF 96.5 in Rochester.
Schumer Says Veterans Being Shortchanged
By JULIE SHERWOOD/Messenger Post Staff
CANANDAIGUA Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., vowed Wednesday to increase health-care funding for New York veterans by $77 million. The funding is meant to offset flaws in the law, said Schumer, that shortchange veterans when it comes to benefits.
In a telephone conference from Washington on Wednesday, Schumer blasted a federal law that prevents most disabled veterans from receiving both retirement and disability pay.
"If you qualify for both, you should receive both," stated Schumer in a release calling for a repeal of the law.
Schumer also asserted that New York veterans are being shortchanged because of the formula for funding VA hospitals.
"It has had the effect of shifting funds to the South and Southwest to account for increased veteran populations there while ignoring the needs of New York and the Northeast," he said.
Local veteran's activist Al Merklinger of Canandaigua said he applauds efforts to right the wrongs regarding veterans, including funding cuts that are at the root of a plan to close the Canandaigua VA Medical Center.
"The whole thing is money," he said. "The government is always balancing budgets on the backs of veterans."
Schumer propose that health-care services for the 99,797 veterans in the Finger Lakes Region would receive $6.34 million more. In Ontario County, services for 9,407 veterans would receive $598,000 more; in Wayne County, services for 8,251 veterans would receive $524,000 more; and in Yates County, services for 2,425 veterans would receive $154,000 more.
Head VA Honcho May Visit the Condemned at Canandaigua VA
In response to the fuvor being generated by the Community and it's veterans Vincent Principe elluded to the possibility that he may visit the Canandaigua VA prior to his making a decision regarding its fate.
See how the Daily Messenger reported the story and keep in mind that none of this rumor could, or would be confirmed by Mr. Principe's Office.
To read the full story. Click Here
 Two events took place the during the week of the Labor Day Holiday, that showed how strong the movement to keep the Cananadaigua VA open has become.
The first was a motorcycle rally that brought together people from all walks of life to show their solidarity with our veterans and their demands that the VA stay right where it is.
For more information about the rally that was held on August 30th click here.
 The second event which took place on Labor Day in Rochester was the Labor Day Parade sponsered by the Rochester Labor Coalition. The Canandaigua VA Clousure was the center of the days activities and rallied the support of all the labor unions and coalitions in Rochester to the sides of the veterans we serve. Unanimously they called for the use of any and all measures necessary to keep our facility open and serving those who served our nation in it's time of need.
For more information about the Rochester Labor Day Parade that was held on Monday Sept. 1st click here.
VISN 2 Announces Plans to Close the Canandaigua
VA August 2, 2003
Out of the blue the leadership announced to the Veterans, employees and
the community at large that it planned to disregard the findings of a 1 1/2 year survey by the "CARES "Commission and close the Canandaigua VA by the year 2006. The Veterans, Employees and the Community are dumbfounded.
Read the story as it was covered by the Daily Messenger on August 2, 2003
Click Here
Regional Politicians at Local, State and National Levels Sign In - August 4,2003
An array of area federal legislators are urging the Department of Veterans Affairs not to close the Canandaigua VA hospital. Quickly mobilizing their support for the Canandaigua VAMC Politicians begin to sign on to keep the
facility open and running
Read the story as it was covered by the Democrat and Chronicle on
August 4, 2003
Click Here
As News of the Proposal to Close Canandaigua Spread Like Wildfire -
Reactions by Our Veterans and their Families begin to Sink In - August 6, 2003
As the word of the pending closure of the Canandaigua VA spread veterans
began to worry about what the government the defended in years past were about
to do to them now. Where would they live, where could they go. One veteran was
quoted saying he would just as soon be pushed under a tree and be left to die
than leave his home.
Read the story as it was covered by the Daily Messenger on August 6, 2003
Click Here
Read the story as it was covered by the Democrat and Chronicle in an earlier interview
Click Here
Hundreds protest plan to close VA - August 7, 2003
As the news spread that something had gone terribly wrong in Albany at theVISN 2 Network or perhaps in Washington at the Department of Veterans Affairs Headquarters. The Veterans Community quickly mobilized to set the record straight, the Canandaigua VAMC would not lie down and take this quietly.
Read the story as it was covered by the Daily Messenger on August 7, 2003
Click Here
Veterans applaud Clinton's efforts - August 16, 2003
U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton on Friday blasted senior Department of
Veterans Affairs administrators over their plan to shut down the 70-year-old
Canandaigua V.A. hospital, which provides jobs for about 800 area workers and
services for 16,000 Rochester-area veterans. More than 500 veterans, community
leaders and family members heard Clinton speak during a two-hour visit to the
garden-studded, 150-acre hospital campus.
Read the story as it was covered by the Democrat and Chronicle
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Canandaigua AFGE Local 3306
