July 8, 2026 — While Gov. Kathy Hochul was warning the public about extreme heat last week, PEF members and their developmentally disabled clients working and living in secure housing at the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities’ Sunmount facility in Tupper Lake were dealing with indoor temperatures that soared above 80 degrees.
VIDEO: President Spence, VP Giddings share Sunmount tour experience
“We have learned that the central air conditioning system serving residents at the facility has reportedly been inoperable for nearly three years,” said PEF President Wayne Spence. “These are some of New York’s most vulnerable individuals—people with developmental disabilities who depend on the State to provide safe, humane, and dignified living conditions.
“It is unacceptable that a critical infrastructure issue affecting the health, comfort, and quality of life of these residents has remained unresolved for such an extended period,” he said.
While at Sunmount on July 2 for a contract information meeting ahead of a ratification vote, President Spence and Vice President Bruce Giddings toured the secure center and experienced the oppressive heat firsthand.
RELATED: Albany Times Union reports on ‘oppressive heat’ at Sunmount
“Our most vulnerable citizens deserve better,” VP Giddings said. “They should not have to endure another summer without a functioning air conditioning system because of bureaucratic delays or a lack of urgency.”
The union will monitor the matter closely and hold the state accountable until this issue is resolved. President Spence immediately contacted Director of State Operations Jackie Bray to demand answers.
“If these reports are accurate, New York State must explain why this problem has persisted for years, what steps have been taken to address it, and, most importantly, when residents and staff can expect a permanent solution,” President Spence said.
Photos taken inside Sunmount on July 1 show an incorrectly installed mobile AC unit and an indoor temperature of 84 degrees.