October 12, 2004

Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) and fellow lawmakers this week approved a measure giving the legislature the power to approve any revenue-producing permits issued for County parkland or facilities, when the permit provides payment to the County in excess of $25,000. Legislator David Denenberg (D-Merrick), chairman of the Planning, Development & Environment Committee, sponsored the measure.

“The county parks and facilities are here first and foremost, for the taxpayers of Nassau County,” said Jacobs. “This new ordinance will assure that profits are not put before park patrons.”

The new legislation comes on the heels of much controversy this summer season, after several private day camps were granted permission, without legislative approval, to operate private, for-profit day camps on county parkland, with use of county park facilities. In the past, the County Executive and the Parks, Recreations & Museum Department could approve a use and occupancy permit for any amount, without legislative approval.

The legislature also confirmed the appointment of Margaret Mendez, and the reappointment of John Caraway and Sheldon Swirsky to serve as members of the Nassau County Board of Parole. The following appointments were also confirmed for the Nassau County Youth Board: Keith Little, Tanya McDonald, Carmen Pineyro, David Kreutz, Barbara Rivers Thompson, Roni Benson, Georgina Connett, Clara Gillens Eromesele, Marc Gruber, Carine Jocelyn, Darius A. Burton, Mary C. Ramo, Lennae Adams, and Eric Bevilacqua, and the reappointment of Indu Jaiswal, Richard Bennett, Charles Nanton, and Y.H. Parks.

Members also approved $1,071,835 in tax refund settlements.

The next full session of the legislature is on Monday, October 25 at 6 p.m.