Pol seeks Cradle report

BY CELESTE HADRICK | Newsday Staff Writer

July 11, 2006

Prepping to open the Cradle of Aviation Museum

At the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Uniondale, employee Ricardo Calderone works in the glass and steel atrium preparing three radio controlled scale models aircraft for the museum's opening May 20. (Newsday Photo / Ken Spenser / May 12, 2002)

After giving the Cradle of Aviation Museum six months to show it can raise enough funds to operate on its own, a Nassau lawmaker has asked for an interim report on revenue-generating efforts of the county-owned museum.

Legis. Craig Johnson (D-Port Washington), chairman of the legislature's finance committee, notes in a letter to Cradle president Eric Ricioppo that more than 90 days have passed since Nassau forgave the Cradle's $2.5 million debt, and awarded $500,000 more to the financially shaky museum, which is run by an independent board.

While the county fulfilled its part of the deal, Johnson said, he has seen no evidence that Ricioppo has done his job as the museum's chief executive officer "to convince the philanthropic community that the Cradle of Aviation is worthy of their support. "

Johnson asked Ricioppo to reveal how much money has been raised and describe plans for future fundraising.

Ricioppo replied: "I appreciate Mr. Johnson's interest. ... We share a common goal of stabilizing the museum's operations and ensuring its continued fiscal vitality. Since my performance is evaluated by the museum board of trustees, I will forward the letter to the board for its review. "

In an interview with News12 Long Island, he said, "We're very pleased with the direction that we're moving."