Dear Friends, the petition you signed is still open, and the questions about the private management deal with Standard Amusements to run Playland still exist. In fact, things seem to have gotten murkier with questions now arising as to whether or not the business partnership between Nick Singer of Standard Amusements and Jack Falfas of United Parks - the "best in the business" guy Singer was bringing in to actually RUN Playland under the management contract the County granted them - still exists. It appears that for the 2017 Summer season all things at the Park will remain status quo. The County will handle ALL management operations of the entire Park, and we expect at this juncture that the Pool will be open. We are pushing for expanded hours at the Pool and will be requesting that it remain open at least six days a week (the entire facility is closed on Mondays, but all other County Pools are open seven days a week during the season). There are numerous questions floating around about Playland right now and the only real way the Public has of getting them addressed is by having the Board of Legislators (BOL) members bring them up in committee meetings for discussion. The current Chair of the Labor, Parks, Planning & Housing Committee (LPPH) that oversees Playland and all other County Parks is David Gelfarb from District 6. As best we can tell he has not called any committee meetings AT ALL, let alone any meetings to address any of the Playland issues, since January 23, 2017. It's been TWELVE WEEKS since his committee met at all, and Playland's issues have not been on a single agenda yet this year. Meanwhile, the County Executive has requested millions of dollars for a new ice skating rink at Kensico Dam Plaza - after giving the rink at Playland over to a private management company back in September of 2014: http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/2017/01/11/kensico-dam-ice-skating/96403240/ http://www.lohud.com/story/money/personal-finance/taxes/david-mckay-wilson/2017/03/09/westchester-exec-rob-astorino-seeks-legacy-kensico-dam-ice-rink/98914968/ http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/2017/03/31/kensico-dam-ice-skating/99871552/ There are numerous issues of concern regarding Playland that remain un-addressed and will require several Committee meetings to discuss and resolve, or at least obtain some sort of answers for the Public. This morning we sent LPPH Committee Chair David Gelfarb and other Legislators on the BOL an email asking for answers: April 1, 2017: "Dear Legislator Gelfarb - As best I can tell from looking at the Westchester County Legislators meeting portal web site coupled with the complete lack of email notices received about upcoming meetings, it appears that the Labor, PARKS, Planning & Housing Committee (LPPH) has not met once since January 23rd. It seems that it has been a full TWELVE WEEKS since the last LPPH Committee meeting. I'm basing this assertion off of the Westchester County Legislators meeting portal link as can be found here: http://westchestercountyny.iqm2.com/Citizens/default.aspx If this information is incorrect, can you please let me know and direct me to videos, agendas and minutes of any meetings the LPPH Committee has had in Feb, March or April of 2017 as well as let me know when upcoming meetings are scheduled? If this information IS correct, I would like an explanation as to why you, as the sitting Chair of this Committee, have not called or held a single meeting since January 23rd, 2017 The public has MANY questions regarding Playland that we would like to see brought up in a Committee meeting and answered, and I'm sure there exists a plethora of other issues under the banner of the LPPH Committee that must need discussing also. Some of the most significant questions I'd like answered ASAP regarding Playland are: *Did Standard Amusements YET AGAIN fail to meet their deadline of March 31, 2017 for the "initial payment" ($1.5 or $1.75 Million) that was due to the County on June 15, 2016 - thus forcing yet ANOTHER "extension" (I believe now their FIFTH ONE)? If so, what new "extension" date has been granted and why was it granted? By whom was it granted? *WHERE IS JACK FALFAS and is there still a business partnership in place between him and Nick Singer of Standard Amusements to have Jack Falfas and his company United Parks serve as the management arm in this deal, as outlined in the contract and as cited as their number one selling point to secure the deal? Jack has not been seen at Playland in MONTHS, and I have witnessed myself several gatherings of "walk thru" meetings at the Park with what clearly appear to be business investors and Nick Singer as well as other meetings that appear to more oriented towards groups made up of people more along the lines of engineers/contractors etc. I have not seen Jack among these groups at any time since last summer. He is apparently full M.I.A. *If Jack Falfas is no longer going to be the management entity Standard Amusements will be using to run the Park, WHO WILL REPLACE HIM? Is that not a breach of contact? *What, EXACTLY, is Andy Maniglia's role in Standard Amusements and what will his role/job position/title be going forward? Will someone with his criminal record be at the helm of park or staff management in any way under Standard Amusements? If the County were hiring management staff at the Park would Maniglia be able to pass the same standard background check that any other applicant would have to pass? Referencing Maniglia's criminal issues: http://www.lohud.com/story/news/2014/03/04/ex-yonkers-deputy-mayor-andrew-maniglia-admits-videotaping-sex-clarkstown-woman/6023665/ I have many other concerns being voiced to me by people in addition to these questions, including concerns about the Pool, the North Boardwalk repair currently underway and the precariously propped up overhang on the main Boardwalk. I would like to see them all addressed by the BOL so that the Public can be provided answers. Please advise as to when you plan on next holding any meetings regarding Playland." If you would like to voice you concerns, please contact David Gelfarb's office: http://westchesterlegislators.com/legislators.html The GOOD news this year is that the North Boardwalk re-construction is well underway. The initial phase of driving new pilings in for the foundation was completed last Friday. Pics and video as well as more timely updates can be found on the 'Friends of Playland' FaceBook Page: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfPlayland/ Thank you, as always, for your concern for this beloved Park and for staying tuned to what is going on there.