WPCNR County Clarion-Ledger. From County Board of Legislators Press Office. December 30, 2004 (EDITED):  On Thursday of last week, Bill Ryan,  Chair of the Westchester Board of Legislators, appointed Jose Alvarado (D-I-WF, Yonkers) to replace the current head of the Parks Committee, a move he said was necessary to protect two key attractions at Playland, the County’s historic amusement park in Rye, and to ensure strong advocacy for Westchester’s recreational facilities and open space.

THE DRAGONCOASTER at Playland today. The antique ride, dating from 1929. constructed entirely of wood, needs a paint job to preserve it. The battle over its refurbishment wound up ejecting Rob Astorino, County Legislator from the Parks Committee Coaster Car Chairmanship. Photo by WPCNR News.

The move ousted Robert Astorino from the Chairmanship of the committee, whom Ryan characterized as delaying important Playland legislation for the refurbishment of the park. Here is the text of Ryan's official statement on the matter issued at the close of last week.

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The move, which takes effect immediately, strips freshman County Legislator Rob Astorino of his Parks chairmanship, although he remains a member of the committee.

Sad Dragon: The intricate lattice construction of the rollercoaster is peeling, and requires a repainting, refurbishing. The peeling can be seen on the wooden supports in center of picture. Photo by WPCNR News.

Ryan said that Astorino was bottling up measures to provide needed maintenance of the 75-year-old Dragon Coaster, one of Playland’s most popular and valuable attractions, and necessary structural repairs to the park’s historic Boathouse.  The Dragon Coaster was referred to the Parks Committee last March and the Boathouse last August.

The Lagoon of Romance: Playland's quaint Boathouse today where patrons rent paddle boats and embark on boatrides about Playland's private lagoon,  will also be refurbished as part of the $3.8 Million expenditure. Photo by WPCNR News.

Ryan said that Playland is currently at a critical juncture, with a new Master Plan to guide its future well underway.

“The firm that’s preparing the Master Plan recommended that the work be done on the Dragon Coaster and the Boat House immediately to prevent further deterioration.  They further cited a concern for visitor safety and the need to preserve the park’s historic value,” Ryan said.

Dock and Storage Alcoves that Support the Boathouse, as seen today. Photo by WPCNR News

Ryan noted that the County’s Historic Preservation Advisory Committee has warned that the Boathouse’s structural decay “will lead to the building’s collapse without immediate attention.”

“The Boathouse provides access to the paddle boats that are enjoyed by seniors and by adults who are visiting Playland with their kids,” Ryan said.  “It’s a critical part of the Park, but without the rehabilitation work, it’s going to crumble.”

The Boathouse from the Landward side. Photo by WPCNR News.

Speaking of the Dragon Coaster, Ryan said, “besides being the park’s signature ride, the Dragon Coaster is literally the symbol of Playland,  It draws people to the Park.  It is a major attraction that contributes significantly to the park’s revenue and attendance.  During the past seven years a total of 1.5 million people have ridden the Dragon Coaster, producing $4.5 million in revenue.  Generations of people have grown up riding this Coaster.  Becoming old enough and tall enough to ride the Dragon Coaster is a rite of passage for a child.” 

One of the Original Thrill Rides: The legendary Dragon Coaster. Photo by WPCNR News

Ryan continued, “without the refurbishing, inspection crews are going to have to spend more time on daily maintenance, which of course translates into more expense. And there may be times where the ride just won’t be able to open because the daily repairs can’t be finished quickly enough. Rob Astorino would let his own political agenda inconvenience park patrons, escalate costs, thwart the will of his committee and deny Legislators their right to decide issues through their votes. This approach does not serve the public interest and I won’t tolerate it from any of my committee chairs.”

Ryan said that on November 22, when the full Board was set to vote on the Playland items, Astorino blocked the vote because, as he publicly stated, the Administration refused to give him a private briefing on the Parks Department budget.

“He couldn’t attend the Budget Committee’s briefing on parks because of his job, so he wanted things bent to accommodate him,” Ryan said. “But what he was asking violated legislative practice. And when this was explained to him, he just didn’t care. He acted out of anger and stopped the vote because he couldn’t get his way.”

“This is not an action I’ve taken lightly,” Ryan said.  “Personally I like Rob Astorino and had hoped that we could come to some accord on Playland.  Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.  I’ve spoken to him throughout the year, asking  that he fulfill his responsibility as Committee Chair to let the Board discuss and vote on the Playland measures.  But he’s resisted doing this.  After he blocked the vote, I asked him to convene a Parks Committee meeting and report the items out again, but he did not. Two weeks later I wrote Legislator Astorino making the same request.  I had three subsequent conversations with him. I told him I wanted to keep him as Parks Chairman and appealed to him to let the vote occur. I also explained that putting his own personal preferences ahead of the full Board’s right and duty to decide matters would force me to remove him as Chairman.  He said he understood the consequences of not allowing the Playland items out for a vote, but that he didn’t share my philosophy and wasn’t going to cooperate.”

“Legislator Astorino is standing in the way of good government,” Ryan said.  “We had some important proposals sent to us by a County department and ultimately recommended by the Parks Committee, but he has chosen to ignore his colleagues and to micro-manage and second guess the experts and his own committee members.”

Ryan said that Astorino’s removal in no way represents a weakening of the bipartisan Board leadership structure “which I’ve made a determined effort to put into place.” 

“I made sure that every Republican Legislator chairs at least one Board Committee with the exception of the Minority Leader who declined the offer,” Ryan said.  “We may differ on issues, but we all respect how the Legislature operates.  That’s what I find so disappointing about Mr. Astorino’s decision to create gridlock.  I think people are fed up with stalling the public good for political gain.”

The Spiffy-Good as-New Playland Casino Today: The county's refurbishment of the Playland Ice Casino at the South end of the Park over last summer on the Boardwalk where the movies Big  and Sweet and Lowdown were filmed, has made the old ice rink a brighter and more welcoming environment attracting more ice-skaters and hockey teams, including the Skyliners, New York City's synchronized skating team. Photo by WPCNR News.

 “Playland is a National Historic Landmark and a National Register Site,” Ryan said. “The Park has tremendous historic and emotional significance for the people of Westchester.  I don’t intend to see that diminished in any way during my tenure as Board Chair. I also want to see Westchester’s magnificent parks and open space holdings get the full attention they deserve from our Board and the key to that is a well-functioning, concerned Parks Committee with a clear focus and direction.  That’s what will now be in place.”