Russell meets with state officials to
keep opportunity in North Country
Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) met with agency personnel
from the state Office of Persons with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) in
order to explore opportunities that would halt any state decision to close
Production Unlimited, a sheltered workshop.
“Production Unlimited has provided caring and stable employment for
many individuals here in the North Country, and I have experienced first-hand the
importance of this and other workshops in the region,” Assemblywoman Russell
said. “We can’t allow a one-size-fits-all approach that puts hardworking
residents out of a job or put those with disabilities at a further disadvantage
– it’s not right.”
Russell attended a meeting in Albany to urge officials to reevaluate the
state’s decision to close down sheltered workshops, as well as opening a
dialogue for additional funding to maintain current sheltered workshop jobs in
the North Country and additional public hearings.
“The community has rallied around our North Country friends at
Production Unlimited and I’m going to continue to stand by them,” Russell
continued.
Russell also wrote a letter to Governor Cuomo
urging him to take a closer look at the harmful effects that would result from
shutting down Production Unlimited and to look at the human value and dignity
which these employers offer. Russell closes her letter by saying that she looks
forward to working on a solution that does not put those with disabilities at
risk or disadvantage.
For forty years, Production Unlimited has provided over 1000
individuals with physical and developmental disabilities meaningful employment
and a variety of training opportunities in Jefferson County. Production
Unlimited has contracts with New York Air Brake, the U.S. Army and Fort Drum,
as well as with the state and federal government. The employment opportunities
which Production Unlimited offers to those with disabilities in our community
are vital to the workers and their families.
-30-