(TRENTON) – Assemblyman John Burzichelli and Assemblywoman Celeste Riley (both D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland) on Thursday expressed concern at the lack of details presented by the Christie administration on their plan to close the Vineland Developmental Center.
The administration was questioned about the plan during an Assembly Budget Committee with the Department of Human Services.
“It’s alarming that even after this hearing, the plan to close the Vineland facility still leaves us with many unanswered questions about the care of developmentally disabled New Jerseyans and the jobs of the working class residents dedicated to caring for them,” said Burzichelli, who is member of the committee.
“We know tough decisions are needed to steer us through this difficult economy, but those decisions cannot place the heaviest burden on disabled residents and the people devoted to their wellbeing,” Riley said. “Cumberland County has the highest unemployment in the state. With that in mind, we cannot make hasty decisions that put nearly 2,000 middle-class area residents onto the unemployment line while calling into question the care of developmentally disabled residents.
“We need more than vague budget language and scant details,” Burzichelli said. “This facility is too important to too many people. We need details and a better explanation.”
