Hands Off Our Hospital

Hands Off Our Hospital

Vandervalk & Schroeder blast politicians; fight for Pascack Valley Hospital

 WESTWOOD – In response to recent remarks made by Assemblyman Gordon Johnson about the re-opening of Pascack Valley Hospital, Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk and Washington Township Councilman Robert Schroeder, joined with local residents in decrying Johnson’s actions and calling for the re-opening of Pascack Valley Hospital. 

“Petty politics and untrue claims by politicians from outside our community are keeping our residents from quality and timely health care,” said Assemblywoman Vandervalk.  “Once again, Trenton Democrats have decided to treat Bergen County’s suburban voters as second class citizens in this state.” 

Vandervalk was referring to records that prove that former Pascack Valley Hospital patients are not going to Englewood Hospital – and disprove Johnson’s main contention.  Both hospitals survived side-by-side for decades and claims they cannot do so today are specious at best. 

“Make no mistake about it, this is a turf battle for market share and nothing else,” continued Vandervalk.  “I won’t give up the fight to ensure that residents of the 39th District have the full-service medical facility they deserve.” 

“As a volunteer fireman, I know firsthand the importance of a quick response time. Just one minute could make the difference between life and death for those who need immediate medical assistance,” Councilman Robert Schroeder, a candidate for Assembly in District 39 added. “The fact that Trenton Democrats refuse to re-open the hospital is just another smack in the face to suburban residents in New Jersey.” 

Schroeder also took offense at Johnson’s claims that re-opening Pascack Valley Hospital would in some way adversely affect the economy of the region and provided facts to show that just the opposite is true. 

“When Pascack Valley Hospital closed, our area lost 1,000 jobs at the facility and countless more jobs and businesses that supported the hospital were adversely impacted,” said Schroeder.  “Our community deserves those jobs back…Our economy needs those jobs back…And for a politician from outside our area to deny them to citizens ready and willing to work is just plain wrong.” 

Estimates of the impact of re-opening PVH show that the initial restoration of services will bring more than 400 construction jobs during hospital renovations and there will be 800 permanent jobs when the new facility is fully operational.  Added to that are jobs and economic impact in the surrounding community and businesses. 

Both Assemblywoman Vandervalk and Councilman Schroeder noted, “Bergen County taxpayers send more tax dollars to Trenton and get less in return. New Jersey owes it to the residents of Bergen County to have their hospital re-opened. People need quality and timely health care no matter where they live - be it urban, suburban, or rural.  The time for political games must end.  It is time to what is right for all the residents of Bergen County.” 

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