McKinstry: Kids museum latest battleground for Astorino and Board of Legislators

Monday July 30, 2012 6:27 PM By Gerald McKinstry

Photo credit: Susan Stava | Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino speaks at a news conference in this file photo. (June 13, 2012)

The Westchester County Board of Legislators is sending a $1-a-year lease to the Westchester Children’s Museum to renovate and occupy space at Playland Amusement Park in Rye – nearly a year after its members actually approved the contract.

And you get a sense that more delays are coming, which museum officials say is hurting their fundraising.

The Astorino administration today said it wants to see the nonprofit’s financial statements before it approves any contract. And Astorino controls two of the three votes on the Board of Acquisition and Contract.

MORE: Analysis and discussion from Viewsday | Newsday columnists | More opinion

CARTOONS: Walt Handelsman's Cartoons | National Cartoon Roundup

CONNECT: Subscribe to our e-mail list | Twitter | Facebook

As usual, the Board of Legislators doesn’t see it his way. Its members don’t think they need the county executive’s approval on the deal, which would have the museum group pay roughly $6.4 million for renovations at one of the historic bathhouses in exchange for the two-year, two-buck lease.

Board Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers) called it a “superb example of the visionary public-private partnerships that can help shrink government spending.”

But if the past has taught us anything, this contract won’t be worth much until the two branches can sort out differences -- with or without the help of the courts.

Let's hope it doesn't take a judge to decide this one.

Tags: Westchester , children's museum , rob astorino