Neighbor News
Parker Doubles Down on Shot at Rye City Officials
Confirms her opinion that Rye has no place at a negotiating table over Playland's future - even though Rye gets 100% of the project impacts.
(From a discussion about the future of Playland on the evening of September 10, 2014 between Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker and members of the Rye City Council on whether Rye, who would bear 100% of the environmental impacts of any Playland redevelopment project, should be considered an ‘interested party’ or ‘involved agency’ under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR). The county currently contends Rye has no such rights. It is clear from the following that Ms. Parker agrees.)
Mayor Sack: “In the future, that if the county is going to plan any project with Playland, I would ask that you please support our position that we absolutely have approval authority over anything that goes in there and that we’re not just window dressing and that, you know, we would appreciate having a seat at the table so that we can put whatever project that is there through our scrutiny and through our land use boards so that the City of Rye has an actual say. So that is our request to you going forward.”
County Legislator Parker: “Well, again, let me repeat, it’s a county park, and a county park that happens to be in Rye, and I don’t believe that ever, when a roller coaster was put in – a new roller coaster – when the Tiki Bar was built, I don’t think at any time did the county have to come to Rye but, again, I will repeat because I think it’s worth repeating, the opinion of the elected officials of Rye and the citizens of Rye is ex – is absolutely paramount in my decision for what goes on at Playland so, um, I will repeat again, that’s what, that’s what you need - and that’s what you will have.”
Find out what's happening in Ryefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Councilwoman Killian: “So but you’re only one vote out of 17 so if I can repeat again what Joe says not only we would ask that you support our position, which is not just your vote…”
Parker: “…it happens to be...”
Find out what's happening in Ryefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Killian: “…about what goes on there but advocating for us with your…”
Parker: “…it’s a county park and communities all over Westchester have county parks and I don’t think that um Katonah or Pound Ridge have any authority over what happens at, you know, Muscoot Farm, I don’t think that, um, you know, it’s a county park, but – I think that again, you - you’re missing the point, there’s an opportunity where I will certainly represent Rye and your opinions very strongly, um, but there, it’s a county, it’s a county…”
