The more than 300 people who live at the Valley View nursing home in Goshen are still trying to come to grips with the news that the center could be closing.

Orange County legislators voted in favor of County Executive Ed Diana's (R-Orange) budget for next year and as a result, the county-run Valley View will stop receiving funds in July.

"I understand nursing homes are unprofitable but we are human beings and deserve to be treated as such," says resident Ann Marie Fitzpatrick, who has lived at Valley View for 10 years.

Diana insists he does have compassion, and that the issue simply came down to money, saying the people of Orange County deserve a balanced budget. The nursing home could remain open if a private or non-profit buyer steps in, and Diana says there are interested buyers.

However, the nursing home's union president says the process could take almost two years and if there's not a speedy sale, Valley View will close.

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