By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Greenfield, MA) Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans’ Services Director Timothy Niejadlik has come out in opposition of the possible closure of the Northampton VA Medical Center. More than 2,000 veterans receive healthcare at the Northampton facility. Residents are encouraged to contact their local representatives in Washington in opposition of the closure.
“We are firmly against this proposal, and believe it would cause an undue burden on the veterans in this district,” said Niejadlik. “The VA has invested millions of dollars in the Northampton campus in the last two years. The construction is ongoing today, so why close it?”
Greenfield Mayor Roxann Wedegartner is also opposed to the possible closure.
“To close the Northampton VA Medical Center is preposterous and just plain wrong. The worst part is that the thousands of veterans and their families from Western Massachusetts counties would have to travel to either Springfield or out of state to Newington, Connecticut to receive their services, treatment and rehabilitation. This greatly affects our Franklin County veterans. Veterans Services Agent Tim Niejadlik and I stand together in strong opposition to this closure,” said Wedegartner.