10 contract staff members are being fired to save money, according to Cabinet for Health and Family Services spokeswoman Vikki Franklin. Franklin says the Bingham Unit, which houses 32 people with mental retardation and other serious mental disabilities, is facing an $800,000 deficit due to overspending. So Franklin says, cuts are needed.

But Carol Mueller, whose sister is a long time resident of the facility, says the 10 staff members being let go are some of the best friends of the patients and some of their best advocates for proper care. She fears that when the residents quit seeing the familiar faces, they'll act up, causing injuries to themselves or others. Mueller also worries that the state is deliberately trying to create problems in the Bingham Unit to justify closing it. The Bingham Unit has a budget of more than $9 million. Here's my story.