Rally Against Privatization of Westchester County Airport

HARRISON, NY — A group of Westchester residents plan to rally outside the Westchester County Office building in White Plains before the Board of Legislators’ meeting Monday. They will urge the county to drop its plan to privatize Westchester’s airport. They will be joined by Legislators Catherine Parker (D-7) and David Gelfarb (D-6).

Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino has stressed six advantages: 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.

Opponents of the plan have formed Citizens for a Responsible County Airport, a nonpartisan grassroots group committed to holding government accountable and sustainable, conscientious management and improvement of the airport.

"Residents fear that privatization will incentivize expansion of the airport, resulting in negative community, financial, and environmental impacts," they said in a press release.

They called the county government's master plan "shocking," asserting that it ignores current passenger caps, calls for big increases in the number of flights and would develop a corner of the airport that drains into the Kensico Reservoir, which provides the drinking water for 9 million people - including most of Westchester and New York City.

Monday's rally is sponsored by: Citizens for a Responsible County Airport, Westchester for Change, WESPAC Foundation, Sierra Club, Federated Conservationists of Westchester County, Purchase Environmental Protective Association, Food & Water Watch, Grassroots Environmental Education, We Persist, Indivisible Westchester, and Lower Hudson Valley Progressive Action Network.

SEE ALSO:

• Public-Private Partnership Proposed for Westchester County Airport
  
• Firm Formed for Westchester County Airport Operation