Politics & Government
County Lawmaker Opposes Westchester Airport Privatization: VIDEO
The county executive's plan for a public-private partnership is meeting opposition.

HARRISON, NY — Questioning whether it is in the best interests of the county for Westchester to sign a 40-year-lease to a private operator, Westchester lawmaker David Gelfarb has decided to oppose the plan. In a statement, he said:
“Like many of my constituents, I have concerns regarding the airport privatization. For example, I question whether a 40-year lease in in the best interests of the County. I recognize the possibility of many unforeseeable events during that long a period of time, which can make it difficult to prepare a lease that will fully protect the County. It is also imperative to ensure that the County will be able to maintain control over capital projects at the airport. Throughout my three terms as a County Legislator, I have vociferously opposed any changes to the airport. In 2015, I successfully lobbied against legislation that proposed changes to the Terminal Use Agreement which would have allowed for changes to the calculation of passenger limits and increase airport use. I intend to continue to fight to protect my constituents and all County residents to ensure the airport remains a viable asset to our community without potentially disastrous results.”
Find out what's happening in Harrisonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
David Gelfarb Statement from West Cnty Board of Legislators on Vimeo.
Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino has stressed six advantages to privatizing operations at the airport: save taxpayers more than $140 million, improve the overall passenger experience, energize the local economy, and strengthen environmental protections, all while maintaining the current footprint of the airport and preserving the quality of life of the surrounding communities.
Find out what's happening in Harrisonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
SEE ALSO:
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.