In the eyes of many Broome County residents, nursing homes and transportation services are essential government functions that should remain in public hands.

More than 80 people gathered Thursday in the meeting hall at the American Legion Post 80, 75 Main St., Binghamton., to speak out against the possibility of privatizing B.C. Transit or the Willow Point Nursing Home.

“If you privatize any government function, that function passes on to whatever company you just hired it out to,” said Paul Goldschmidt, 60, of Binghamton. “They do what’s best for them, not necessarily what’s best for us.”

Broome County Legislators Tony Fiala, John Hutchings and Michael Sopchak sat at a table in front of the audience to listen as more than two dozen residents and public workers spoke into a microphone attached to a small portable amplifier in the cavernous legion meeting room.

Despite the concerns expressed by residents Thursday, there are no formal proposals to privatize either the nursing home or the transit system.

Members of Broome County Executive Debbie Preston’s administration have said they may study options to privatize part of B.C. Transit’s operations, but no formal action has been taken. Willow Point’s long-term finances have been an ongoing concern of county officials, and the feasibility of an ownership change is part of the scope of an ongoing study that has not been released.

Nevertheless, residents said the prospect of putting either of the services in the hands of a private company are a cause for concern.

Binghamton resident Helena Kosicky, 79, said her sister is a Willow Point resident and praised the care she recieves there. But she is worried the privatization of the facility is a a decision that has already been made.

“Our concern is that county residents like our sister be guaranteed a place to live in the community…so that they can be near to their family and friends,” Kosicky said. “Our citizens have the right to have a public nursing home.”

Ron Jones, 62, of Johnson City,said he is worried a private nursing home operator would make decisions based on profit, and not necessarily the needs of the residents.

“We need at least one municipally-owned, municipally-run old folks’ home,” he said to the county lawmakers in attendance.

Thursday’s event was organized by unions and community groups including the local branches of the Civil Service Employees Association, Amalgamated Transit Union and Citizen Action ofNew York.

Many of those who did not speak held up signs reading “No sell out” and “Keep our services public.”

While attendees at Thursday’s event made their feelings clear, privatization is a concept that does have its defenders.

Tim Hoefer, executive director of the Albany-based Empire Center for Public Policy, said it is reasonable for Broome County officials to look into cost-saving measures, “especially if it means turning to private entities that can maintain or improve existing levels of county services with fewer taxpayer dollars.”

“Municipalities across the state should be reviewing their expenses, whether it is the cost of a nursing home or a public transit system, in order to ensure taxpayer money is being wisely spent,” Hoefer said.

At the close of Thursday’s forum, all three county lawmakers rose to share their thoughts.

Fiala, D-District 13, praised the care his grandmother received at Willow Point and said he is an opponent of privatization.

“I defy anybody to prove to me that you improve service once you privatize something,” said Hutchings, D-District 15. “In every case I’ve ever seen, service goes down.”

Sopchak, R-District 12, said he appreciated the opportunity to hear opinions of residents on the issue.

“Although we have nothing in front of us in the legislature, I will certainly keep all of this in mind if anything does come up,” he said.

While there are no formal proposals to change the ownership structure of Willow Point or the transit system, discussions are underway about the future of both.

In August 2012, a county task force recommended Broome explore a change in Willow Point’s ownership structure. In June of last year, Erie County-based consultant Toski & Co., was hired for a $100,500 study of Willow Point’s long-term finances.

The scope of the study includes determining whether continued county ownership of Willow Point is feasible — and, if it isn’t, evaluating different ownership or management options.

County officials were also expected to begin accepting proposals from private firms in early 2014 to potentially take over operations of the B.C. Transit system.

Deputy Broome County Executive Bijoy Datta in a statement Thursday indicated the Preston administration has not yet made a decision on whether to release a request for proposal related to privatizing certain functions of BC Transit.

While there is no hard deadline for Toski & Co. to complete its study, he said the county expects to receive a report in the next couple months.

“As we’ve said in the past, we want to find the best way of doing business for all the taxpayers in Broome County,” Datta said. “We always welcome an open dialogue on any topic.”

© 2014, Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin