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On The Record: Not-So-Fun Land
Amusement park paying a political price
Good morning subscribers. ☕This is your Wednesday, April 30, Rye Record newsletter, curating some of the latest headlines across the city of Rye.
Today’s Weather Channel local forecast calls for mostly sun and a high of 71 degrees 🌤 Check out the forecast for the rest of the week here.
No fun zone. The park once coined the memory-maker has become more of a headache lately — locked in a legal tussle that is likely to leave taxpayers on the hook.
Westchester County officials said last week that they still haven’t finalized a plan for running Playland this season and they no longer have a firm opening date.
At the time, Catherine Cioffi, Westchester’s communications director, told The Record that the county, which owns the landmark amusement park, still intends to open it this year though.
“At this time, we are actively assessing the situation to ensure that when the gates do open, the experience is safe, enjoyable, and up to the high standards our residents expect and deserve,” she said.
County Executive Ken Jenkins, a Democrat, also repeatedly has said his plan is to reopen the park, reiterating that stance again Wednesday.
But the growing uncertainty comes as a result of the county’s breakup with Standard Amusements — the for-profit partner that backed out of its 30-year agreement with the county to run the historic park.
Standard announced in late January that it would be exiting the deal after just three years, claiming the county breached the contract — likely leading to a lengthy court battle.
Westchester officials have been left scrambling.
“There are a lot of rumors out there now about Playland and what will be happening this summer, but everyone needs to take a step back and let us finish assessing the situation,” Cioffi said.
“Once we have a more definitive picture of what the upcoming season will look like, we will share that information publicly and transparently,” she added.
Time will tell.
To read the full article by Camille Botello, click here
At a time when workers would be busy prepping Playland for its season opening, the park remains mostly quiet.
-Today’s newsletter is curated by Christian Falcone
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IN OTHER NEWS
Calling all consultants. The city of Rye issued a Request for Proposals this month seeking a consulting firm to help update its comprehensive plan — a guiding document that hasn’t been redrafted in 40 years. -Rosie Newmark
Phony Baloney. A New York City man was arrested after allegedly trying to withdraw $20,000 from Webster Bank on Purchase Street with a fake ID, according to police. -Record staff
Queen of the arts. Janet Langsam, a highly regarded champion of the arts, has returned to Westchester exhibiting her own artwork in a retrospective exhibition at The Neuberger called “Improbable Feminist.” -Alaire Kanes
AROUND TOWN
-In one of the more exhilarating boys lacrosse games in recent memory that featured two of the top teams in Westchester County, Rye escaped with a thrilling 14-13 last-second win over Horace Greeley. -Steven Kearney
-Rye PD welcomed Lauren Duffy, who was sworn in as a new police officer at a ceremony in at City Hall on Monday. Duffy joins Rye police after a 3-year stint with the NYPD. She’s a graduate of Mahopac High School and holds an MBA from SUNY Binghamton.
Off the Record: At Saturday morning’s City Council-Board of Education joint session, school representatives expressed interest in playing a role in the city’s development of its updated comprehensive plan.
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FROM OUR PARTNERS
SPORTS
The Rye softball team played its first game on a newly unveiled field Monday.
After years of planning and advocacy for field equity, Rye High School unveiled the new-and-improved home for the Garnets’ softball team Monday.
The renovation had been a conversation for upward of eight years, and was officially approved for budgeting 18 months ago, thanks in large part to Rye Girls Softball president Genevieve Weber (Gilmore).
The multi-month rebuild began in September and was completed in time for the 2024-25 team to use for the second half of this season.
-by Ariana Ottrando
Retail prices finally fell under $4 for a dozen large white eggs, down from a peak of more than $8 in February.
NEWS
Small businesses nationwide are just now recovering from the crippling pressures of record-breaking egg prices — and eateries in Rye are no exception.
And now they are struggling with wider inflation fears as well.
Over the last few months, some consumers have shifted to buying individual eggs, informally called “loosies,” or stopped buying eggs altogether. Big chains like Denny’s and Waffle House added surcharges on meals that included eggs.
-by Mayra Kalaora
CITY
The crew of Apple TV+ series “Your Friends & Neighbors” was back on Purchase Street last Wednesday.
“Your Friends & Neighbors,” the Apple TV+ production starring Jon Hamm, Amanda Peet, and Olivia Munn, was back on Purchase Street on Wednesday.
The show centers around Hamm’s character, Coop, a hedge fund manager who resorts to stealing from his wealthy neighbors after losing his job and marriage.
The show has already been renewed for a second season.
Hamm and his castmates paid a visit to the city last April, when “The Mad Men” star was seen circling downtown Rye in a black Maserati during filming.
-by Mayra Kalaora
The McDonald’s on Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck.
POLICE & FIRE
A fugitive, wanted in two states for first-degree burglary and assault with a weapon charges, was apprehended outside the McDonald’s parking lot on Boston Post Road on Friday, according to authorities.
Christopher Arroyo, 43, was first identified by village of Mamaroneck police on April 18, after noticing his car, traveling on Madison Street, with an improper license plate frame that was obstructing his plate.
Police probed and quickly learned that Arroyo’s New York state driving privileges had allegedly been revoked.
-by Mayra Kalaora