Washington Workers and Community Supporters Rally to ‘Save the Disabled’

October 29, 2009

Local 573 members and community supporters picket the governor’s office in Spokane. (Photo Credit: Tim Welsh)

Members of the Washington Federation of State Employees Local 573 (Council 28), the City Council of Medical Lake and community supporters are protesting the planned closure of Lakeland Village, a residential facility for the developmentally disabled. Council 28 and others say the state did not take into account the cost of relocating most of the patients to state-run group homes or privately-supported living facilities.

The shutdown of Lakeland Village is part of the governor’s Office of Financial Management’s plan to close down all of the state’s intermediate care facilities by 2018.

“This isn’t about saving money,” said Council 28 President Carol Dotlich, who joined the picket at the governor’s Spokane office on Oct. 19. “It’s about letting for-pay corporations into the state and making some money off our disabled citizens.”

Adds Nikki Brayman, a resident services coordinator and a member of Local 573, “The most vulnerable won’t make it, and the most active will end up in jail, overwhelming local law enforcement.”

Delores Nettleton, whose adult daughter has lived in Lakeland Village since 1972, is concerned about the quality of care in privately-run facilities. “She has medical issues that require constant monitoring,” says Nettleton. “Group homes are fine for baby-sitting or those who don’t have severe medical issues.”

Medical Lake City Mayor John Higgins and the city council also oppose the shutdown. “A lot of people who work there live here,” Higgins said. “It’s a shame they are even thinking about closing it down.”

The governor and Legislature are expected to make a final decision on the closure by the end of the month.