Closure of Agnews Center is Painful for All
Dear Editor,
I read with great interest the April 13 article entitled “Residents Embark on NIMBY Crusade.” I am the sister and co-conservator of a developmentally disabled resident at Agnews Developmental Center who will soon be placed in a community group home.
Most of the people leaving Agnews due to its impending closure in 2008 are leaving the place that has been their home for many years or decades. The lifelong friendships that they have with their fellow Agnews residents, caregivers and medical providers will be torn apart as they are placed in distant group homes in communities throughout the Bay Area.
The NIMBY issue is not unique to Morgan Hill. There have been two similar newspaper reports just recently in other Bay Area communities, nor is it the only issue of grave concern to the parents of the Agnews movers. The 250 or so residents who remain at Agnews now are some of the most profoundly disabled and medically fragile in our community. Their medical, dental and therapeutic care has come primarily from the outpatient clinic at Agnews, staffed with providers trained and experienced in working with the special needs of Agnews residents, as well as other special needs consumers in the community. That clinic will close when Agnews closes in July of 2008. The families are very concerned about where and how adequate health care will be provided to their loved ones in the community after that time.
The transition from Agnews into the community is an extremely difficult and frightening process, not only for the Agnews consumers, but for their parents and other family members who love them.
Molly Edgar, Morgan Hill
Thank You to All Involved in Health and Wellness Fair
Dear Editor,
On behalf of the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce, City of Morgan Hill and the 2007 Health and Wellness Fair Planning Committee, we express our deep appreciation to the first annual Health and Wellness Fair sponsors. Thank you, Dr. Walter Bortz! Your keynote address was truly inspiring! Thank you to our optimal health circle sponsors: Saint Louise Regional Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, and All About Care/Morgan Hill. Thank you to our healthy living circle sponsors: Hospira, Inc., Dr. Shawn Silva, Silva Chiropractic, and The Little Gym. Thank you to our recreation circle sponsors: Active Spinal & Sports Care, Advanced Chiropractic, Anritsu, Dr. Visoth Chhiap, Detailed Office Services, Healthy Silicon Valley, Rotary Club of Morgan Hill and Pacific Hills Manor. And thank you to our media sponsors: The Morgan Hill Times, Country News and Out & About!
The 2007 Health and Wellness Fair Planning Committee also deserves a round of enthusiastic applause! Chaired by Maureen Drewniany, Maureen Drewniany Hypnotherapy; it includes Sister Rachela Silvestri, Saint Louise Regional Hospital; Lisa Jafferies, Kaiser Permanente; Lou Mirviss, Rotary Club of Morgan Hill; Sherry Penn, Chris Ghione, Centennial Recreation Center; Malcolm Myers, Centennial Recreation Center; Debbie Cupp, Mount Madonna YMCA; Alex Kennett, HC Properties; Maureen Hunt, Michele Naylor and Patti De La Rosa, Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce. A very big thank you, as well, to the countless volunteers and staff from the Centennial Recreation Center and Mt. Madonna YMCA!
We salute all those who made the 2007 Health and Wellness Fair such a success!
Daniel L. Ehrler, President of the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce
Steve Rymer, Director of city recreation and community services
