Norwood News Exclusive

Klein to Make Announcement on Filter Plant

By JORDAN MOSS

Assemblyman Jeffrey Klein said today that he would make an announcement next Thursday concerning his position on the water filtration plant planned for Van Cortlandt Park.

Klein made the statement at a press conference in Woodlawn, where he received the endorsement of Council Member Oliver Koppell in his bid for the State Senate in the 34th District.

Several Woodlawn residents showed up at the press conference with signs protesting the plant, but they dispersed after Klein powwowed with Karen Argenti and Sally Regenhard, two opponents of the project.

After the two politicians spoke regarding the endorsement, the Norwood News asked Klein for his current thoughts on the plant, which the city just officially announced it would build at Mosholu Golf Course in Van Cortlandt Park. Klein said he was weighing the issue and that “there are major problems with the DEP’s” plans to build the plant at Mosholu Golf Course.

He then said he would make an announcement concerning his position on Thursday, July 22 and he asked his audience to bear with him until that point.

In recent weeks, Klein, who voted last year to allow the city to use the park for the plant, has moved away from his full support of the project. In the upcoming July 15 – 28 issue of the Norwood News, which went to press before today’s press conference, Klein says, “There is a lot more that has to take place before we walk away from the option of Eastview.” He was referring to an industrial site in Westchester that the activists have been pushing as an alternative.

Opponents are hoping they can convince Klein to use his influence with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who has the power to derail the project. Silver, Governor Pataki and the New York City Council must agree on a memorandum of agreement (MOA) specifying which park improvements $243 million in water bond money will be used for. (The city promised that money to Bronx Democratic lawmakers in return for their support for the project.) Without an MOA the city cannot proceed with the project.

Published July 14, 2004/Norwood News

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