Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Montauk Playhouse in Suffolk County. The event marked the completion of a long-awaited community project that has been in development for over two decades.
During her remarks, Hochul acknowledged several local leaders and officials who contributed to the project, including Jennifer Carney Lacono, Maureen Cahill, former Assemblyman Fred Thiele, Assemblymember Tommy John Schiavoni, County Legislator Ann Welker, Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez, and former Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc. She noted the importance of preserving community centers like the Montauk Playhouse for future generations.
“Thank you very much. Well if this is the friendliest place in the entire State of New York, I don’t think I’m ever leaving. And it is truly God’s country here. Faith, thank you for that beautiful rendition of a song that I’ve never heard quite sung like that, it is so inspiring. I want to thank you for bringing your talents here to us. Let’s give Faith Muhally another round applause for that.
Jennifer Carney Lacono, I want to thank you for leading this incredible place, it’s extraordinary. I have got to peek at the pool even. Maureen, my good friend Maureen Cahill tells me it’s 23 years in the making to have that swimming pool. So little kids a long time ago were waiting — they can bring their kids, it’s how long it took. But it’s visionaries like those and many of the leaders that we have here today that really are profoundly changing people’s lives. And that’s what this center has been all about for over 100 years, a gathering place, and I know many of you realize that this must be preserved not just for us today, but for generations to come.”
Hochul highlighted funding contributions from both state and local sources: “And again, back to Fred. He is responsible for delivering $1.7 million that he fought for to this project, I want to thank him. And we have DASNY, our State Dormitory Authority, also put in money.”
She also discussed public safety initiatives and investments across New York State aimed at supporting youth and seniors through refurbished pools and community centers.
“We launched a $100 million initiative talking about how we can help some of the older pools across our state be refurbished and community centers and places for particularly our kids to be together,” Hochul said.
The governor addressed upcoming changes regarding cell phone use in schools: “I’m really proud — and I hope you are as well — that I’ve decided we’re going to save this next generation of kids and take away the cell phones during the school day… So, I hope you’re proud that we are the largest State in America to adopt a bell-to-bell cell phone-free experience starting in a couple weeks.”
Hochul further announced efforts related to fire prevention following recent brush fires on Long Island caused by invasive Southern Pine Beetles: “And so, I wanted you to know we’re on this because I told my team, get on it…I just want to announce this here today, a $2.2 million contract to manage the ongoing fire hazards as a result of the Southern Pine Beetles.”
She explained these funds will support fire hazard management at Napeague State Park and Hither Hills State Park with increased staffing during dry seasons.
The event concluded with Hochul expressing appreciation for local leadership before inviting Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez to speak: “Congratulations, everyone. And with that let me invite up maybe the most popular person around here…”
