Concerning the Legislature's desire to change the job description of the director of the county Mental Health Services and Community Services Board, I wish to congratulate Linda Albrecht, Deb Schwarting and Ray Bizzari for insisting that the Legislature's attempted proposal was first, illegal and secondly unnecessary. The Community Services Board should never serve at the pleasure of the Legislature. Still, Ms. Petrus is quoted as stating, “There could be some changes to the language of the resolution.” Doing it right, Ms. Petrus is relying upon the expertise of those who are knowledgeable concerning state mental hygiene laws. If it isn't broke, don't fix it!

Furthermore, I am tired of existing allegations that Mr. Blair accepted money from the National Alliance on Mental Illness for his personal use. Why wasn't it stated that these allegations were unfounded in this article? Upon review of the NAMI checkbook in Jan. 2008, Judge Fandrich found that there was indeed no check written to Mr. Blair for any reason whatsoever. Ms. Petrus was quoted in The Citizen in December 2007, “I thought it was wrong,” in reference to some unseen and unheard unethical act on part of Mr. Blair and the NAMI's president. Ms. Petrus admitted to The Citizen that she did not see a check being signed or handed over. What was it exactly that was “just wrong?” I think that the whole matter could have been resolved by a simple question to either of the accused parties instead of leaving the scene and telling other county officials about what was witnessed. Was there a check or wasn't there? It would have saved many people the time and energy wasted in trying to dispel unfounded allegations while reaffirming solid reputations.

This year, the National Alliance on Mental Illness hosted two fundraisers to provide much needed and deserved money to help families and those suffering from severe and chronically persistent mental illnesses. One hundred percent of ANY money raised goes to serving this cause and not handed out to people on a whim. It is my belief that such allegations from people like Ms. Petrus actually hurt the clients that she purports to serve. Mental health clients and their families in this county are Ms. Petrus' constituents as well and deserve her assistance, not allegations that only serve to damage reputations and sell newspapers.

Bart Wasilenko

Weedsport