The Wantagh-Seaford Citizen, 2004 August 19, Camps Stay

Camps Stay, For Now
by Laura Schofer

Originally published in the 2004 August 19 edition of The Wantagh-Seaford Citizen.
Published online with kind permission from our friends at The Citizen.

Both the Republicans and the Democrats are calling state Supreme Court Justice Bruce Alpert’s decision about whether Nassau County can issue permits to private day camps in county parks a victory. Bruce Nyman, a spokesperson for Nassau County, told The Citizen, “we’re happy with the decision.”


	It was a split decision. The courts said there was no damage and that the camps can stay.
	Bruce Nyman Spokesperson for Nassau County

Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Peter Schmidt said, “the decision validates that the permits were illegally issued.” He added that he was “disappointed that the camps will be permitted to stay in our parks for the rest of the summer. What happens if there is a liability claim?” Mr. Schmidt pointed to the fact that the courts have already decided that the permits are illegal. “Hasn’t anyone thought about the damage that could be incurred to the county?”

"The Republicans are trying to make this the trial of the century" quipped Mr. Nyman. “It was a split decision. The courts said there was no damage and that the camps can stay. It’s a technicality.”

Justice Bruce Alpert said the Nassau County parks commissioner did not have the authority to issue permits for private day camps to operate in county parks this summer, although the county’s commissioner of public works could have issued the permit. He also said that the camps may finish out their programs this Summer.

The two private day camps involved are Woodmont Sports, Inc. of Wantagh, which operates a day camp in Wantagh Park, and Oasis Children’s Service of Brooklyn, which operates camps in two other county parks. Both camps will finish up their programs next week.

Earlier this summer, the Republican legislature brought a suit against the County, asking the courts to “examine four points. The first point is whether the commissioner [of parks] had the authority to issue those permits. We also wanted to address alienation of parkland and whether or not private entities should have a lease rather than obtain a permit. Lastly we had concerns about whether an RFP [Request for Proposal] should have been issued. Unfortunately only the first issue was addressed,” Mr. Schmidt said.

“I really wished they would have addressed the issue of alienation of parkland,” said local advocate Bruce Piel, “although I am pleased that they ruled that they [the parks] did not have the authority to issue these permits.

County Legislator David Denenberg, 19th District, recently drafted new legislation requiring competitive procedures and legislative approval on permits that generate more than $10,000 per year.

Mr. Schmidt said it was “the Republicans who put in a draft of this legislation first but the Democrats control the legislature.” He was doubtful if the changes in ordinance would ever go before the legislature for a vote. “Judy Jacobs controls the calendar and she does whatever [County Executive Thomas] Suozzi wants. If he doesn’t want it to go before us, it won’t. If she doesn’t allow a hearing and a vote, I’ll be back in court.”

Carole Trottere, deputy press secretary for the Majority Press Office told The Citizen that the legislation should be “on the Sept 19th calendar. It’s still tentative but that’s what we’re hoping for.”