``mountain Laurels'' Is A Regular Series Of Letters From Readers Conveying 
Thanks To Individuals Or Groups For Their Support, Help Or Kindness.

American Legion Visits Medical Center 
During The Holiday Season, The American Legion Post 132 Visited The Department 
Of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Wilkes-barre, And Distributed Canteen 
Books To The Veterans. Shown, From Left, Are: William Godlewski, Adjutant, 
George Ferris, James Williams And Gerald O'connor, Commander.

By BRIAN MALINA; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Monday, January 13, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





FOSTER TWP. -- Workers at the White Haven Center are concerned about their
jobs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 They recently watched 19 of their peers be let go. Now they believe a new
state proposal to cut costs at mental health facilities could result in more
layoffs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; State Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Butler Township, campaigned on the promise to
help save the center's 710 jobs. Now he's primed to fulfill his pledge. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He plans to meet with the center's board of directors next month and wants
to team up with state Sen. Raphael Musto, D-Pittston, to build support for the
center. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Center director Gregory Smith appreciates the public concern, but stresses
there are no plans to cut jobs, let alone close the center. He added that 18
of the 19 workers furloughed have secured other jobs with the state. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "There will be no furloughs through this fiscal year," said Smith,
referring to the 1996-97 fiscal year ending June 30. No decision has been made
about 1997-98. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Eachus is less optimistic. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Layoffs are inevitable if a five-year plan drafted by a subcommittee of the
Department of Public Welfare's Mental Retardation Office is adopted in present
form, he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 One proposed cost-saving measure recommends alternate living arrangements
for 1,500 mentally challenged people at centers throughout the state. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The proposal suggests allowing those individuals to live in group homes or
with families. If this feature becomes policy, it would mean fewer residents
at White Haven Center, Eachus said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Eachus said the proposal would result in residents being "dumped" into the
community before they are ready. "What this does is set the philosophical
basis for closing the facility." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Also, closing the center would be an economic tragedy for Northeastern
Pennsylvania. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It would mean the loss of 700 jobs where good jobs with living wages are
hard to come by," Eachus said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 What Eachus sees as bad for center workers could help the residents, Smith
said. Smith favors moving residents into less-crowded situations such as group
homes. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "The more people you have living together, the harder the struggle will
be," he said. "I think people are a lot safer and there are fewer accidents in
a smaller environment." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Workers Worried About Jobs