LETTER: County Legislator GOP Candidate Urges Caution As County Unravels Standard Amusements Contract
In a letter to MyRye.com, Westchester County Legislator candidate for the 7th District Kurt van Kuller discusses the political football that is Rye Playland. He argues the County needs to use caution in approaching the unstable bond markets as it works on unraveling its Standard Amusements contract. van Kuller, a Rye resident who lives in the Rye Town Park area, announced his candidacy earlier this month.
Dear MyRye.com:
Why is Playland Again in Limbo; Why Do County Taxpayers Need to Suddenly Shell Out $36 Million?
For generations, Playland has been a beloved public asset and economic engine for our community. It is therefore shocking—and deeply troubling—to learn through local press reports that it may not open for the 2025 summer season starting next month. This is despite repeated assurances by County Executive Ken Jenkins to the contrary. His statements seem to contradict eyewitness accounts of the park’s unpreparedness, as well as conversations that local businessmen have had with County employees. Equally disconcerting is a sudden effort by the County Executive to rush a $36 million emergency bond act through the County Legislature to fund contractual penalties arising from termination of the contract with Playland’s former operator, Standard Amusements LLC (‘Standard”).
Playland has experienced many years of instability. In 2021, Westchester County entered into a long-term operating agreement with Standard following a bankruptcy-related settlement which was intended to stabilize its future. However, Standard issued a termination notice on February 20, 2025 citing the County’s failure to meet its capital improvement obligations. This move not only left Playland’s future once again uncertain—it also triggered a huge termination penalty that the County Executive now proposes to pay for with these bonds.
The bond act in question was introduced to the Legislature on April 17; it was not anticipated in the 2025 budget. It would authorize borrowing $36 million for resolution of arbitration claims filed by Standard. It is not disclosed how much of this amount is a reimbursement of Standard’s investment in Playland or interest penalties. There may be an additional $11 million if the County loses the arbitration case. A letter from Mr. Jenkins to the Board of Legislatures states that an advance of $6 million must be paid within 90 days of the termination notice (i.e., in May) to avoid punitive 18% interest charges. (Note that the termination section of the 2021 Standard contract requires 12%.) This penalty deadline is what is driving the timing of this rush bond proposal.
But why fund all $36 million in such a hurry? The bond markets have been roiled by volatility recently, with municipal bond interest rates rising even more than those of Treasury bonds. The timing is poor. Prudent municipal management suggests that a $6 million advance could be made from cash reserves, interfund borrowing, or even a short-term bank line. This would be a less expensive approach. Bonds are long-term commitments that should only be used to finance capital assets with matching long-term economic lives.
This action also raises a larger question: How did the County get itself into such a terrible position? If taxpayers wind up suddenly having to shell out $36 million or more in wasteful penalties, there should be full accountability for this debacle. Why is Playland still in turmoil after nearly $150 million in County capital investment since 2018?
Playland is more than just a summer attraction in the heart of Rye – it is a critical anchor for seasonal jobs, nearby small businesses, and family memories. The perpetual crisis over its future is unacceptable. Why aren’t our County Legislators asking hard questions about this bond act? They should not just grant rubber stamp approval. We deserve answers—and government that treats fiscal responsibility and public accountability with the seriousness they demand.
-Kurt van Kuller
