Governor Kathy Hochul attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Montauk Playhouse in Suffolk County earlier today. The event marked a significant milestone for the community, as local leaders and residents gathered to celebrate the completion of a project that has been over two decades in development.
During her remarks, Governor Hochul acknowledged several individuals who played key roles in bringing the project to fruition. She thanked Jennifer Carney Lacono for leading the effort at the playhouse and recognized Maureen Cahill for her long-standing involvement. Former Assemblyman Fred Thiele was credited with securing $1.7 million in funding for the initiative, while contributions from DASNY, New York’s State Dormitory Authority, were also noted.
Hochul highlighted the importance of preserving community centers like Montauk Playhouse: “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.”
She also addressed public safety concerns related to water activities in coastal communities such as Montauk. Hochul emphasized swimming education as essential: “But I cannot wait to see the children experiencing that opportunity to learn to swim. And my God, if you don’t know how to swim in this area and you go in the water it could be life threatening. So this will literally save people’s lives, and for our seniors incredible therapy they can get by being in the water.”
The governor connected her own experiences with aquatic therapy to President Franklin Roosevelt’s use of a pool during his residence at Albany: “Franklin Roosevelt, as you know, had polio. So he turned the greenhouse into a therapy pool — very narrow, but there’s a way to get him in there from his wheelchair…I go in that pool every day too and relax my muscles as well…”
Hochul described recent state initiatives aimed at supporting youth through investment in recreational facilities: “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.” She explained these investments are part of broader efforts on public safety and youth engagement.
A major policy announcement was made regarding cell phone use among students: “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.”
In addition to discussing recreation projects, Hochul addressed environmental challenges facing eastern Long Island. She announced new measures targeting wildfire risks 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.” The contract is intended specifically for areas including Napeague State Park and Hither Hills State Park.
The governor concluded by emphasizing community resilience: “It’s the natural wonder here…but also a tight knit community that cares about each other — never take that for granted.”
Following her speech, Hochul invited Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez—who was recognized alongside other local officials—to address attendees.
