Sexton: Children Were “Living in Closets” at Parkway Inn

Vestal Town Supervisor Maria Sexton is lashing out at Broome County Executive Jason Garnar after he criticized her response to code violations found at the Parkway Inn.

In a statement issued late Tuesday afternoon, Sexton said the statements Garnar made about the situation were false.

The supervisor said the town code officer found "horrific conditions" when he conducted a fire inspector at the motel on the Vestal Parkway.

The Parkway Inn in Vestal on July 14, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

She said most of the rooms were "incredibly dirty" with "garbage piled high and serious fire safety violations."

Sexton said wiring in many rooms was overloaded, smoke detectors were inoperable and fire alarm pull stations were damaged or disabled.

She said when she visited the motel with code officers, "there were children living in closets (including an autistic child)" along with children "sleeping on the floor (in the middle of the day)."

Repair work appeared to be underway in one section of the Parkway Inn on July 14, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Sexton said the "rooms were simply not habitable." She said she described the situation to Garnar and the county social services commissioner in a Zoom call.

The town supervisor said the "conversation seemed constructive and productive." She said "it was agreed that they would scramble for temporary placements." She said she suggested steps could be taken to minimize displacement of residents.

Sexton said county officials last week advised her that they had determined the motel was "safe, clean, and appropriate for the residents." She said the town did not order anyone to leave the Parkway Inn. She said the motel was given 30 days "to correct all the issues."

The office area of the Parkway Inn in Vestal on July 14, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

In her statement, Sexton wrote that the assertion by county officials "that these conditions are acceptable for anyone is unacceptable."

She said a "real long-term solution must be found." She concluded by writing that "Jason Garnar's denial of the problems and refusal to assist with corrections is unacceptable."

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com.