They did it once and they'll do it again - that's what some people in Alexandria Bay are saying about keeping hospital services in their community.

Residents are uniting to keep River Hospital's nursing home open.

Last week, the hospital's board of trustees voted to close the facility because it's losing so much money that the entire hospital is in danger of folding.

For many people in the community, shock has turned into determination.

They say it's time to rally just like they did in 2002 when River Hospital (known back then as E.J. Noble Hospital) was set to close.

Thanks to the group, Concerned Citizens for E.J. Noble Hospital, the facility was saved.

Nellie Taylor, a former hospital trustee who resigned over the nursing home controversy as well as a former member of Concerned Citizens, is organizing a new group.

A meeting is set for Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Alexandria Town Office Building on Dingman Point Road.

Patricia Chalk, a hospital trustee, says everyone interested in keeping the nursing home open is welcome to attend.

"I'm sure there will be a big group there.  I already have heard there's people interested," she said.

Ben Moore III, the hospital's chief executive officer, said the program operates at a $300,000 loss, a loss the rest of the hospital cannot continue to bear.

Pending state approval of the decision, 44 people would lose their jobs.

It also means 27 families would have to find another nursing home for their loved ones.

Syracuse attorney Daniel French, who happens to be Nellie Taylor's son, says he's planning to help save the facility.

He provided legal representation for Concerned Citizens for E.J. Noble Hospital in 2002.

He said the new group will likely use the same tactics it used eight years ago to keep the nursing home from closing.

"It certainly can talk to the state of New York about options. It can turn to its elected officials and ask those elected officials to help them...understand what the options are and if there are options that can be pursued, how to pursue them," said French.

The state Department of Health must approve the closing, a decision that could take months.

It's also possible the DOH will not allow the hospital to close the nursing facility.

The hospital will host two open forums to talk about the nursing home's future.

The meetings are open to the public and will include a question and answer segment.

The forum is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Alexandria Bay Village Office on Walton Street.