White Plains, NY — On Wednesday, Westchester County Board of Legislators held a Committee of the Whole meeting to hear from County Executive George Latimer and members of his senior team to begin examination of the administration’s decision to terminate the County’s agreement with Standard Amusements for the management of Playland.
Board Chair Ben Boykin (D – White Plains, Scarsdale, Harrison), who convened the meeting, said, “The Board, in its oversight capacity, has a responsibility to give the current situation the appropriate due diligence, just as the Board exercised its responsibility in examining the contract when it first came before us several years ago. And we intend to do just that.
“Playland is a jewel in the crown of Westchester County's award-winning parks system. It's a jewel that has been tarnished over the years. But making sure that the park is properly run, and making sure that the necessary investments are made to restore the park to its proper luster, is of critical importance to every Westchester resident and every Westchester taxpayer.”
During the meeting, which ran nearly two and a half hours, legislators heard from and had a chance to ask questions of the County Executive, County Attorney John Nonna and County Director of Operations Joan McDonald, among other top administration officials.
The meeting was the first step in the Board’s examination of the current situation regarding operations at Playland and the contract status. Future meetings of the Board’s Parks, Planning and Economic Development; Law and Major Contracts; Public Works; and Budget and Appropriations Committees will continue the Board’s due diligence.
Video of Wednesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting is available at: http://westchestercountyny.iqm2.com/Citizens/SplitView.aspx?Mode=Video&MeetingID=5438&Format=Agenda