Santa and Elves Join Battle for LICH in Brooklyn; Contempt Hearing Put Off Again

Santa, Brad Lander and Stephen Levin. Photos: MK metz

Santa Claus and his elves -- City Councilmen Brad Lander and Stephen Levin -- joined the battle to keep LICH open today in a holiday skit put on for a crowd outside Long Island College Hospital in Cobble Hill.

The skit was funny but the topic was serious. Participants said they were thankful that LICH is still open despite SUNY's numerous illegal attempts to shut it down.

Santa drew up a list of the naughty and the nice -- Gov. Cuomo got a big lump of coal in his stocking, along with the whole SUNY gang and the DOH.  The "nice" included Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio, state Supreme Court Justices Baynes and Demarest, Patients for LICH, NYSNA, 1199SEIU, community groups and their lawyers, patients, the local press and elected officials.

NYSNA's Jill Furillo and Sen. Dan Squadron with his child

NYSNA's Jill Furillo, supporters of Interfaith Hospital and others thanked Lander and Levin for their support, and also lauded Sen. Daniel Squadron and Assemblywoman Joan Millman.

Supporters unfurled a petition signed by 15,000 local residents.

Monday's contempt hearing is on hold for another 30 days, according to the Brooklyn Eagle, and SUNY is expected to name a new operator in the next couple of days. It goes without saying that SUNY, again contrary to judges' orders, will chose an operator without consideration of the needs of the community and in total secret.

Lawyers for the community say more lawsuits are on the way. Read a letter from attorney Jim WaldenGibson, of Dunn & Crutcher at the Eagle.

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