Tupper Lake Sunmount facility to close by 2014?

Commissioner Courtney Burke, head of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, was on the public radio program Capital Pressroom today.

Host Susan Arbetter asked her point-blank whether the Sunmount facility — one of the region’s biggest employers — is likely to close.  Here’s Burke’s answer:

“We’re seeking to close all of our developmental centers by the end of 2014.”

She described the change as part of a system-wide effort to close large developmental centers around New York state, moving people into the “least restrictive” setting possible.

Sunmount has long been one of the primary employers in Tupper Lake.  Hear Burke’s comments here. And we’ll have more information during All Before Five this evening and on the 8 O’clock Hour tomorrow.