By the time Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland publicly announced major budget cuts Thursday, State Rep. Clayton Luckie, D-Dayton, had already been informed people in his district would take a big hit. Strickland said the state will close the Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare facility on Wayne Avenue, meaning 200 people will lose their jobs.

In an interview with WHIOTV.COM, Luckie said he feels sorry for the people who work there.

“We have a good administration that worked hard to minimize the hurt all around the state. I understand we have hard decisions to make,” Luckie said.

The timetable for closure was not disclosed Thursday.

Luckie said details will come later.

“It’s not going to be tomorrow. It will be the quarter of this fiscal year,” Luckie said.

Luckie blamed the move not on Strickland, but on the previous administration of Republican Gov. Bob Taft who left office a year ago.

“It’s the budget. Sixteen years of not really monitoring the budget before our present governor took over. I mean, it hurt. Now we are paying for those past inefficiencies,” Luckie said.

The facility had been a fixture in Belmont district of Dayton for 150 years.

Luckie said he has already begun working on possible new uses for the facility.

“Dayton is a hospital-rich city with health care industries, and hopefully we can place an outpatient facility there or a clinic for minor care,” Luckie said.

Luckie said he will urge the Strickland administration to work with the local community to redevelop the property and keep jobs there.

“For every setback, there is opportunity for a comeback,” Luckie said.

Jim.otte@whiotv.com