Family members, workers, and residents gave emotional testimony describing the Altoona Center as a home and nurturing environment. Meanwhile the state contends the closing of the center is in the best interest of residents and the area.

Robin Wright, Altoona Center employee said, "What are 90 people's lives worth? Not much. Not as much as the governor thinks he is worth. His pay was $155,572 this year. It costs more to keep Rendell than it does for one person to live at the Altoona Center."

Workers and families voiced their frustration with the Rendell Administration's decision to close the Altoona Center for the mentally handicapped. The state says they're trying to mainstream residents into the community or move them to the Ebensburg Center, and they plan on assessing all 90 living at the center to figure out what's best for each.

Chris Novak, of the Department of Public Welfare said, "With the help of their family members, the staff that they're already involved with at the Altoona Center determine what they need to be successful in the community or if it's best they go to the Ebensburg Center."

Almost 200 employees will lose their jobs when the center closes at the end of the year, but not one mentioned their job loss at the meeting. It was all focused on their love for residents who they call family.

At the hearing, families were told the state is not going to change its decision to close. They encouraged families to move on and find the best alternative for their loved ones. Still, many said they will not give up.