The state has announced plans to close several upstate prisons and some state psychiatric hospitals. Many of these facilities are underutilized, so closing at least some seems to be inevitable. At the same time, upstate lakes and rivers are being challenged by invasive species, but staff and resources to provide a healthy inspection system are lacking.
According to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, staff members at the prisons and hospitals that are closing will not lose their jobs but be offered transfers to other similar jobs. This is a good thing. Maybe some of these transferred employees could be offered jobs of inspecting boats being launched in Lake George or other endangered bodies of water to help prevent the spread of these invasive species.
Richard Shore
Albany