More than 2,000 signatures, increasing by the minute, hope to stop the state from closing two local psychiatric centers. The New York’s Office of Mental Health is planning on overhauling psychiatric services throughout the state, meaning two centers in the Twin Tiers will merge with other centers. State, local officials and the community are trying to put a stop to it with petitions. More than 1,000 people have signed Sen. Tom Libous’s petition to keep mental health services available at the Greater Binghamton Health Center. If the services close in Binghamton, the closest center will be about two hours away in Utica. In Elmira, almost 800 people have signed Sen. Tom O’Mara’s petition to save the Elmira Psychiatric Center. The state says employees of the centers set to close will be relocated. The centers are set to close in 2014.
