Eastchester REVIEW THE
October 7, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 41 | www.eastchesterreview.com
Payment for Playland likely extended again
Preserving history
By JAMES PERO Staff Writer
According to Lance Herbert, an exempt Eastchester firefighter who now serves in the New York City Fire Department, this is the original bell from a 1929 American LaFrance fire engine. It was removed from the firetruck before it was decommissioned and stored in the Eastchester Fire Department headquarters, and then replaced on the truck in 1997. For story, see page 6. Photo/Corey Stockson
Doctor uses breakthrough ketamine treatment for depression By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer A doctor in the town/village of Harrison is using the experimental drug ketamine to treat patients with major depression, as the practice was recently placed on the fast track for approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in August. Dr. Alan Young, a longtime Westchester County physician who practiced anesthesiology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City, and was on staff as an anesthesiologist for more than 30 years at White Plains Hospital, began business for Ketamine Medical Solutions of Westchester, located at 450 Mamaroneck Ave., in June. “When I saw that there was
research that showed ketamine treatment can help treat people with depression, I became interested,” said Young, one of two doctors in Westchester to perform the breakthrough treatment. “It provides a way for me to fulfill a need in the community that no one seems to be addressing.” Traditionally, the generic medication ketamine—the drug is sold under the brand name Ketalar—is mainly used for starting and maintaining anesthesia. The drug is often used as a recreational psychoactive under the name “Special K.” If the treatment is approved by the FDA, it would offer psychiatrists a new method for treating patients with suicidal ideations, according to Young, and would
be the first major breakthrough for treating major depressive disorder in nearly half a century. There have been a number of studies conducted that have shown that small doses of ketamine can provide fast relief to alleviate treatment-resistant depression, as the drug serves as an artificial nerve cell stimulator. A completed study in May conducted by Janssen Research & Development, as a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, determined that there is preliminary clinical evidence to support the breakthrough therapy designation by the FDA for major depressive disorder with imminent risk for suicide. “Unfortunately, depression is not a disease that can be cured, but it can be completely allevi-
ated with ketamine,” Young said. He also told the Review that the breakthrough treatment for depression will work hand in hand with traditional cognitive therapy, which, according to him, has proven to be more impactful with ketamine. “When patients are really depressed, they can’t take advantage of cognitive therapy. Ketamine gives patients the ability to more effectively talk to a psychiatrist and find out what triggers their depression.” Cognitive therapy involves the individual working collaboratively with a therapist to develop skills for testing and modifying beliefs, identifying distorted thinking, relating to others in different ways, and changing KETAMINE continued on page 11
An imminent extension by the Westchester County Board of Legislators on the fate of Playland’s pool casts a shadow of uncertainty over a $1.5 million payment from new park manager Standard Amusements. According to county Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat, while the deadline for legislators to make a decision on the pool ends on Sept. 30, after press time, there is a possibility the date could be extended further. “We don’t want to demolish the pool, but we have some details to figure out if we’re going to rehabilitate it,” Parker told the Review. According to Ned McCormack, spokesman for Republican County Executive Rob Astorinio’s administration, with that potential extension for the pool could come yet another extension on an initial payment from Standard Amusements— the management company put in charge of operating the park— which is set to coincide with the county Legislature’s pool deadline. “All the parties are talking,” said McCormack regarding the prospect of another payment extension for Standard. “It’s likely that there will be another extension.” The extended payment— which is the second contractual payment to the county as part of Standard’s deal to manage Playland, struck in May—was originally due on June 15, but was granted an extension to Sept. 30 from the county executive’s
office on July 21, more than a month after the initial due date. Questions surrounding when Standard may make its initial payment have boiled to the surface over the past several months after county Legislator Ken Jenkins, a Yonkers Democrat, accused Standard of missing the $1.5 million transfer and breaching the contract. “That payment was not made,” Jenkins said. “I would question whether or not Standard is living up to their end of the bargain.” Both representatives of Standard and representatives with the county executive’s office have repeatedly refuted such claims. “There was no late payment,” McCormack said, adding that both parties have been in constant negotiations. “An extension was granted in a timely manner.” However, emails obtained by the Review through a Freedom of Information Law, FOIL, request, show correspondence between Associate County Attorney Tami Altschiller dated June 27—nearly two weeks after the payment’s due date— prodding the co-founder of Standard Amusements, Nick Singer, on when the payment will be received. “I have checked with the finance commissioner for the county and she does not have any record showing a payment from Standard Amusements,” reads the email. “As you will recall the payment was due June 15, 2016. Please advise when the county can expect this payment to be made.” PLAYLAND continued on page 8
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