A GOOD DAY FOR ISLANDERS HOCKEY
KC game finally starts the conversation
There’s been some great debate along the Information Superhighway over whether the Islanders’ “tactic” of scheduling a pre-season game in Kansas City will “work.”
Let’s review, shall we?
When we woke up yesterday morning in Islanders Country, the only storyline was whether a cult-favorite former farmhand in the organization was going to come back and play goalie for the rest of a season in which the Islanders are all but mathmatically eliminated from the playoffs. And then, when Darren Dreger dropped his bomb at 11:00 am, this is what happened:
Newsday changed its backpage from the latest bad scoop on the next Jets head coach to the headline, “Kansas City, Here They Come?”
Newsday published columns from Mark Herrmann and Jim Baumbach, fan reaction (not amused!) by Katie Strang, a Greg Logan interview with Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, Anthony Rieber on Kansas City’s goal and Eden Laikin on the scope of the Lighthouse Project. The paper also covered the game and the signing of Wade Dubielewicz.
Kate Murray, who doesn’t even try to hide the fact that she just wants this entire ordeal to go away, was put in a position to answer questions from journalists. (Remember this quote forever: “Of course I wouldn’t want to see the Islanders leave, but that will be a business decision by Mr. Wang and his associates that he makes for his own well-being).
The Post and Daily News, rightfully so, bagged game coverage for KC talk.
The switchboard at the Town of Hempstead was lit up like Dubie in Toronto last season. Emails poured in.
Gary Bettman spoke about the Lighthouse Project on his radio show. NHL Home Ice on XM Radio said it was the biggest topic of the day.
Point Blank blew away its record highs for Visits and Hits.
And the buzz from yesterday’s news is not over.
Who knows what will become of the Lighthouse Project? Who knows what the Town of Hempstead will do next? But as for the question of whether the Islanders’ maneuver to play an exhibition game in Kansas City will work, you have an answer.
It already has.
Comments.
179 Responses to A GOOD DAY FOR ISLANDERS HOCKEY
KC game finally starts the conversation
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If the Islanders put this much thought and planning in the on ice product instead of PR, we would have a Stanley Cup contender!!!!
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BeatleBailey says:
Kate Murray, who doesn’t even try to hide the fact that she just wants this entire ordeal to go away, was put in a position to answer questions from journalists. (Remember this quote forever: “Of course I wouldn’t want to see the Islanders leave, but that will be a business decision by Mr. Wang and his associates that he makes for his own well-being).
Murray Needs to understand she will be held ACCOUNTABLE if the team leaves and she should make decisions for her own political well being as well. She needs to understand that this decision will have negative ramifications for her politically if the team were to move. Well done Mr. Wang.
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Rich says:
CB, Please give us as fans some sort of outline on what we should do to keep the Isles here. I understand your point that you do not work for the team or county..and then you will politely steer me to the lighthouse web page. We need organization and your blog won’t exist if the Isles move. Maybe you have an idea for the true fans to organize and represent against Ms. Murray and the town of Hempstead. Maybe you can organize us through your blog. Please help before it is too late.
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For Isles fans, this is really the ONLY topic right now. We are a passionate bunch. Any word of the end brings us out in droves. Let Kate Murray understand that this is not only about the Islanders. Her behavior and retorts are all but sealing her faith and her political career. TOH Resident here who will surely be voting opposite Murray.
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cgs878 says:
So TOH is the hold-up and not Nassau County? How about the NY State EPA? What if it consumes too many natural resources and needs to be scaled down? So many questions, so little time before the Islanders decide to leave.
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the season ticket base needs to be energized as well. The isles should reach out to us again and let us know specifically where the pressure needs to go. Why cant the TOH get some of the Fed money to move this along. Shovels in the ground projects will get some fed funds. why cant the local government put their hands out for some of it?
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Darren says:
I never anticipated an election before in my life! But I can not wait for this women to run for re-election. I have it circled on my calendar.
I had enough of Mrs. Murry and her TOH “do nothings” dance around this issue.
It’s not even an Islander issue anymore.
That area is a wasteland! You would think the TOH would jump at the fact someone wants to develop it. Plus, I don’t think I have talk about the employment and revenue it will create for LI. So much upside to this project it’s not even funny.
The good thing is the pressure is back on all participating parties. Hopefully this will take it to the next level. -
kevin fitz says:
When is Kate Murray up for re-election again?
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Matt Brosseau says:
Howie and Billy were really taking the mickey last night during the first period. Howie was lauding the Islanders front office for being forthcoming about the state of their injured players (e.g. giving the specific injury instead of the good ol’ “upper/lower body injury.”)
What they failed to consider is that the Islanders may be intentionally making a big deal out of these injuries so they have something on which to blame this season’s poor performance.
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BSTSTH18 says:
IF the Islanders do in fact go. Bridgeport stays? I heard they have a 12yr lease.
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@#9 KFitz she was originally elected in 2003 and won election in 2005 and again in 2007, so presumably she can be run out of office this year.
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There is a glimmer of hope!
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volmeeezy says:
if only everyone put as much effort in actually going to games as they did in flooding this blog with millions of comments the NVMC
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would be rockin!
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Akeem says:
If only we could just talk hockey on this blog…now THAT would be great.
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Well than vote her out people!! Is she a Republican or Democrat??
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islestherapy says:
fitz, republican
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Brett says:
Obviously, th KC pre-season game made an impact today, but will this story be old news as quickly as it became back page news? We must keep this on the minds of the people who will ultimately decide the fate of the Islanders today, tomorrow and up until D-Day.
There have been may posts about why Wang won’t just do the re-build and let the decision about the rest of the project unfold over time. As a former Long Islander now living in North Carolina, ask Hurricanes fans how they feel about not having anything to do before or after the game. It was promised to them when the arena was built and now you have a great football stadium and hockey/basketball arena and mud lots (instead of the sea of asphalt)to walk through before you get to your car. There is no chance fo the RBC Center getting major events because there is nothing to do there, meaning the arena does not make money.
As much as people complain about Wang only caring about the real estate, you must understand he has to make money. He can only make money by making “The Hub” an attrative place to visit. He has owned this team for 8 years(?) and made $0. What person would own a business for so long with out making money if he didn’t care about it?
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Republican.
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Angelo says:
Time to play some hardball.
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Pat says:
Did they set a date for the game yet in KC ? Gotta get on Priceline.com and book our flights and hotels and go to the game – and tell Kansas City “NO WAY” Always up for a good road trip !!
Nothing like a good scandal ! What is next ?
Pat
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Typical Long Island!
Come on people… vote for the Democrat ONE time! You can live with a Democrat in there for 2 years. After all the lighthouse stuff is approved go back to your Republican voting ways if you please!
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Adam says:
As I said in the last Lighthouse post all the Town of Hempstead board members are up for re-election this year. This is the time to get behind candidates that will openly support the Lighthouse and the Isles to exert maximum pressure to get the project moving.
Even if you don’t live in the town, you can be apart of a campaign. Hopefully soon people will announce their candidancies and we can find people to support.
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Webster says:
Forgive me, but how does Newsday stay in business? Lighthouse Project doesn’t PHASE Murray? Are you serious? Did the headline writer even graduate from high school? Good lord.
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guerin13 says:
i agree that it was a very smart play by wang. he got people to talk about the project and realize that it stuck going nowhere. to top it off it forced kate murray to go on record basically saying that she didn’t care about the project or the isles. now everybody knows the deal and wants to do something about it. my predicion. murray blinks and approves the deal to save her political career which is up for review in november.
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something will eventually be developed there so why not some sort of lighthouse project. Both sides need to compromise. Give Wang a luxury hotel, convention center and a portion of the housing as long as he renovates the coliseum. Does it have to be all or nothing?
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michael says:
i think it was a great move by wang the more and more i think about it. no one would be talking lighthouse so passionately on january 16th 2009 without a preseason game announcement in KC.
this is certainly lighting a fire not only within the islanders fan base, but in the political landscape as well. the pressure needs to be put on kate murray and it needs to STAY ON HER.
we can’t let this woman take our team away. the money is there. the desire is there. the only thing between us and the end of the tunnel seems to be kate murray, and this wanna be politician needs to be put in her place!! i called her “hotline” today, and i advise many of you to do the same. i also emailed and will continue to do both.
she was elected to SERVE THE PEOPLE not her own personal agenda.
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and not for nothing this quote really pisses me off!!!!
“Of course I wouldn’t want to see the Islanders leave, but that will be a business decision by Mr. Wang and his associates that he makes for his own well-being). How F’ing condescending is that??..okay i have taken my meds..lol..
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John in London says:
The Isles need to schedule an exhibition game for Hartford… they too are looking for a team.
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JayK says:
Beetle, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing, but it does have to be most of it or nothing. The stripped-down plan that you are advocating is a non-starter. The only way for any owner of the Islanders to make money is to have a stake in surrounding economic activity (The Lighthouse) or operate close to rent free (which is what KC offered the Penguins).
Take your choice.
As far as what else is going to be developed there: well, let’s see. Given the number of retailers about to go out of business, a big new mall is unlikely. A new park costs lots of money, and it’s already right down the street from Eisenhower. I guess we could develop McMansions there, but given that we’re doing everything we can to drive young people off the island, why are we going to need them?
Let me say that I am a Republican who lives outside Hempstead. I hate to say it, but the Nassau County GOP has become a disgrace, a party with absolutely nothing to say and no vision. Their vision is the Nassau County of 1969. The only problem is that the rest of the world is moving forward. They’re not waiting for us.
And Kate Murray last time won with about 2/3 of the vote. Given how heavily Republican the town of Hempstead is, I can’t help but think that a lot of people who post to this board voted for her return to office in ’07.
OK, I’m not posting anymore today!! I have to go back to work!!
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bCarey says:
quick comment on last night’s nightmare promotion at the coliseum. my girlfriend bought me a third jersey for x-mas (then had turgeon and 77 sewn on it, she’s a keeper) and got a voucher for two tix from modell’s to last night’s game.
i brought my old man and it took me 35 minutes to get from the box office door to the actual box office window to get my tickets. they no longer had seats together. i was pissed.
but then they proceeded to hand me two tickets three rows behind the glass in the isles shooting zone for the first and third. have to say that was a classy move. don’t necessarily like sitting right up next to the glass because i’d rather watch the game unfold, but it was a lot of fun for a night (plus i was on TV most of the game).
it made me realize how upset i would be if this team were ever to leave. my dad was telling me all his stories about the team in the 70s and 80s and how much energy filled the stands. looking up at those banners, we talked about how intense it was when they raised them to the rafters. my dad used to go to 30+ games a year back when the called NVMC Fort Neverlose. I really hope we never lose this franchise. CB is right about the reaction. People are up in arms and should be. I was nervous yesterday when I first heard. Now I’m confident.
This team will always be (and should always be) the New York Islanders.
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What needs to happen is for another Republican to run against her along with the Democrat, then that could take a lot of votes away from her! Come on Hempstead Republican Islander fans, you need to make this happen! One of you need to run as a Republican as a pro lighthouse candidate. You obviously will not win, but maybe draw enough votes away from other Republicans who do not want to vote for a Democrat, but want the lighthouse to happen and realize that this Kate Murray lady will never allow it to happen.
That is this upstate Democrat Islanders fans two cents!
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Hank says:
Is Islanders moved and the wanted out of Bridgeport, the Rangers would move their farm team in a heart beat!
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IF should have been the first word!
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Ryan says:
This is a time when Islanders fans must unite together and fight for our beloved Islanders!!!!
We must be loud and proud of our team!!!
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Let’s not make it a partisan political issue if it doesn’t have to be. However, we do need to show, with a clear voice, that we support this team and stand behind the project. It was a masterstroke by Wang simply because he decided to show rather than tell, and they’re absolutely right that there would not be such outspokennness about the Lighthouse in January without it. We need to keep the pressure up, because the next phase is the public comments, and they need to be scheduled in a timely manner. If the hearings are delayed 6-12 months from when they should be (April-June) it could serve as a pocket veto for the project, if everyone’s familiar with that term. Rather than ratcheting up the angry rhetoric let’s concentrate on holding them accountable.
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isles72 says:
I’m not trying to be a wise ass but I dont understand what she is doing wrong if the process is still in motion (enviromental studies etc..are taking place arent they ? )
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Jimmy says:
how about we organize show that we’re a united front, show up outside murrays office floood her office with letters, phone calls, emails, everything and let her know that if she lets the Islanders leave (which inturn would result in the NVMC area becoming basically useless) that her political career will be OVER. Let’s get this done and let’s make sure those in charge and who have the power to do it remember that we have to power to put them on the unemployment line with the rest of us if they turn down this great oppurtunity for increasing the amount of jobs on Long Island, and keeping our Islanders where they belong on the ISLAND.
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d says:
isles72… Because she’s not talking like others that have said they want this to happen and how important it is. She’s the complete opposite. She deflects questions by repeating the same line about environmental reviews. She offers to renovate the coliseum when it’s not her place to do so. She stands around and says nothing positive about it and deflects everything.
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
Portion from my post on previous thread regarding Kate Murray’s previous election victory:
… here is the reality from News 12’s Vote 2007 page ….
Kate Murray* (R-I-C) 66,043 68% (X)
Kevin Gorman (D) 30,729 32%Sure she only won by 36,000 votes … but you neglected to mention that the oppnent only got 30k+ votes …. in election terms she not only won by a land slide … she wiped the floor with him … she won with more than 2/3 of the vote …. to put it in US Senate terms … she’d be fillibuster proof.
TOH residents would have to make a huge dent in KM’s support to topple her … are there enough TOH Isle’s fans that would make them a Light House Project a single issue voter??
I think EVERYONE involved … fans, TOH residents, elected officials and Islander / RexCorp should touch base and exchange ideas in a fact finding education … b/c from what I get from all this is misinformation … which is driving everyone nuts.
As far as I know the SEQRA (State Enviro Quality Review) is under way and is a 12 – 18 month process … it was declared in May I believe … it’s been said many times … and sure … OUR only interest is the Isles … but Kate Murray has to look at the entire process for her town’s sake … Ask yourself this …. What would Kate’s motive be for killing the project … and does she possess the SOLE Authority to kill it?
A lot of people demonizing KM is not going to help the process move forward … letting her know your grave concerns is one thing … but I think from all levels there has been poor communication from the Isles and the TOH regarding the progess since last May.
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jon says:
HOw about fans start showing up to games now to show some unity?
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19 Isles is again right, and I love that he’s parroting the “calm the hell down, everyone” terms I used to use on the Newsday blog.
The process is moving along, and the environmental review will be done in a month or 2. Demonizing Kate Murray is not the answer; making it crystal clear that we support this project for more than just hockey reasons is the answer. That means the phone calls need to continue, there should be rallies (let me get back to you on rallies!), and we need to show up to the public hearings in force. No project with overwhelming public support has ever failed, but no project without overwhelming elected official support has ever passed.
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Aim says:
One thing this shows is that there is no doubt a great passion here for the NYI. Weather we all agree or disagree on a topic or a thread the passion is still there for all of us and thats awesome. I have been at NVMC every night since 1985 watching islander hockey. It is a part of me like nothing else. Back then all of the players and staff used to come upstairs and exit the building thru the same doors we did. Mr T coach Al and all of the players used to stop and mingle with the fans outside long after the game was over. It was a family. Mr. T reeked of class and the people around him the same. I got to know some great people to the likes of Jill Knee Greg Bouris Jim Johnson Andy Smith oh yeah and there was a young fresh faced kid working on the Islander News (an actual newspaper we had then) whose initals were CB. All of that is gone now and I think that is what pains me the most. That family atmosphere and the class that the NYI were known as is no longer. The team is here the passion is here lets keep it here and hope shome how the circus does leave and we can all be proud again of a 1st rate NHL franchise
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JP39 says:
Jon (Post # 42) — EXACTLY!
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Yeah Nick I got that from you last year on Logan’s blog … and you were right … I took the time to educate myself more in depth about the whole process … and found that Kate Murray can’t just act in a dictorial role and declare the project move forward without the State’s review … there are so many things to take into account besides just the NVMC … it’s the traffic, water, sewer etc … you cannot use the current facilities for such an immense project … in effect you are building a small town in the middle of Uniondale … and adding more attractions to an already congested area. It can be done … but Kate is right .. it has to be done right … or we’ll all be bitching about the horrible planning when we miss the first period of a game due to traffic in 2015.
We just have to show our strong support for the project to the TOH as residents, fans / tourists, future residents and just people with an interest in the project in general.
Kate Must Go banners will only generate ill will between the parties involved … as Nick said … don’t make it a partisan issue … that is ONE thing that will surely kill the Light House.
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I wonder if last nights large weeknight crowd had anything to do with this news.
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Fitz sorry to say NO. Last night was a huge free ticket night for a Modells promotion
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BringBackNyles says:
I posted this in another thread but it bears repeating:
Guys, DO NOT EMAIL HER
Politicians don’t read email, interns/flacks/aids read email.
Call her office. Speak to her or her asiistant..provide your address and tell her your a voter. When she shows up to salute a high school band, or open little league, or greet shoppers, or holds a public forum..hold her feet to the fire. Ask her the question in front of other voters.
Make her public life all abut answering the islanders, thats how things get noticed.
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i4e11 says:
Still, 15,000 on a Thursday night is a good showing. Really good. After hearing this news, I think a sellout Saturday is a very good possibility against a local team.
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I also want to reinforce something else 19 Isles said. Kate Murray and other people at the TOH have said, to my face, that they realize the Coliseum land can’t be left bare any longer. They realize that something like this is needed, but the fact that you need to build something doesn’t mean you can just rubber-stamp it. We still have the state-mandated environmental review, which is going more quickly than most and needs to be thorough so nobody challenges.
Keep the Lighthouse advocacy positive – there should be a lot more Yay Lighthouse than Boo Kate. And I say this even though as a TOH voter this is my only voting issue. Everyone will do roughly the same job on the town services, my litmus test is Lighthouse, and regardless of political party I will never vote for anyone who obstructs it. However, that doesn’t mean the whole thing should devolve into threats and accusations. Let’s keep up the (positive) pressure and make our voices heard.
Also, BringBackNyiles (hope that’s an ironic name, man) is right.
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Marc from Troy says:
Nick Classic nailed it, above: “Demonizing Kate Murray is not the answer; making it crystal clear that we support this project for more than just hockey reasons is the answer.” Well said.
And, thanks for answering my question in the prior thread, Nick. Consider it a standing offer for the March 7-8 weekend: wife and I are coming down for that weekend’s games, and would be happy to do what we could to show support should anything further be happening by then. If nothing else, hopefully we could at least talk about it over a beer.
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she’s a saint
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Paul says:
Hey CB! is their any fault here on the side of the Islanders? Or is it Totally Kate Murrays Fault and evrythng is up to her?
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Word says:
When do we organize picketing outside TOH or dare I say, Mrs. Murray’s residence (assuming its whereabouts are public knowledge)?
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next up all night should be an out all day pickiting and showing support for the project.. if there is a massive uproar about the islanders leaving she’ll respond more to our liking. Politicans dont say anything because they’re afraid to pick a side because it could cost them votes which inturn costs them their job. However if she see’s that shes going to lose votes if this doesnt go thru trust me she’ll be singing the Lighthouses praises. It’s not so much demonizing Ms. Murray its pressuring her because politicans respond to votes, and votes alone.
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Nick Classic, your comment is excellent. think that in these kinds of situations, the public gets a bit of comfort (for lack of a better terrm) in having a “bad guy” (in this case, girl) to point at as the cause of the problems. Raving about Kate might seem easier than remaining frustrated about the bureaucratic red tape of environmental reviews and an apparent lack of urgency regarding something we all want so badly for Long Island and the team we all love. However, I once again urge, as Nick Classic urges, that showing support in a positive manner will do FAR more for the Lighthouse project than anything rash done out of anger or frustration.
I know that in an age of text messaging and emails this could sound odd and perhaps even outdated to some of you, but printing up or writing a letter that is sent to an office is more effective than sending an email. Making a phone call is more effective than sending a letter. And showing up to town meetings is even more effective than calling. AND, successfully encouraging others to support this cause is the most effective tactic of all. If we all make the effort to utilize these different tactics in a positive manner, encouraging progress instead of complaining about the lack thereof, we will be using our power as voters to our and ultimtely long islands advantage. No politician wants to hear what you think they are doing wrong, they want to hear what you think they could be doing right. Contact more than just Kate Murray… though she is a big part of this, she is not the only part of this. The more positive suggestion the voters get out there, the more attractive this project will be not only to those who want to garner votes, but also to those representatives who love Long Island as much as we do. They will know the right thing to do if enough of us tell them!
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kevin says:
speaking of ppl showing up to games. i miss sell outs as much as the next guy but what i really miss is something to cheer for and just cheering in general. there are literally no chants in the coliseum.even at the boston game there was no chants where at least half of the crowd was going with it. i wish everyone was like loudville. loved the thomas chants.
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TMC, couldn’t agree more. As someone else mentioned, those who rag on community organizing conveniently forget that this country just elected a president using many of those tactics. I have nothing else to add because your points are excellent and correct.
Marc, you’re on. CB, is there any way you could email one of us the other’s email address so we can set up a meeting?
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jim says:
CB,
I have a letter to kate Murray that I penned today. I’d send it to you for you review approval to use as you wish. Let me know what email address to send it to.
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AM says:
CB,
Can you go on Francesa’s show to give him all the facts and set the whole issue straight?
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Kudos to post 51 and 57! This is all going as planned and put into place from the Islander organization. Who else sch’d the preseason game.
Look the Project did not even go through the approval process yet, isn’t that July?
This is all a smoke screen to put the focus on the lighthouse and off of the Team.
Heck this Team cant even score on the Powerplay, yet win a game and we are focusing all our energy on Kate Murray!
How blindsided are we! I cant believe how this organization drags this once glorified Team through the Mud! -
Terry says:
If they call it The Kate Murray Lighthouse, there would be shovels in the ground tomorrow. She’d put her name on a VD clinic if the sign was big enough
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JPinVA says:
When the Islanders move to Kansas City can we get the Tampa Bay Lightening or Phoenix Coyotes to move into the refurbished NVMC or some other venue with mass transit access? Just tell charlie to leave the name, because KC will probably want to rename the franchise anyway.
(see cleveland browns) -
so can we now expect a sellout crowd tomorrow night vs the devs?
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edturner says:
whoever just set Francessa straight painted a very ugly picture (but probably true)
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Meanwhile back at the barn… The Isles have played two pretty good games in a row. Remember them?… the team this blog is supposed to be all about.
two games with their number 3(maybe 4) goaltending option they let up 4 goals to two division leading teams, and played hard both nights.
I’d almost like to post something nice about gordon… but instead… this.
What are the REAL stakeholders saying about what’s going on with the LH? The Marriot? RexCorp? the Contractors? Real Estate Assoc.? Is there a push from those folks as hard as from the Islander fans. I would think that they would have more weight to push town and county politicians… if there was any pushing to be done. -
Francessa is convinced the Isles are leaving … and i gotta say, he makes sense.
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CB, are you listening to Francessa and crapping yourself as much as the rest of us? He said Wang might already have a KC deal done for all we know … now he was speaking extemporaneously … but still, this really feels like it’s going to happen.
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IsleofNJ says:
Comment #63
PRICELESS !!! -
Comando says:
Francesa does make sense (hey, there’s a first time for everything I guess) but I love how all of his friends/sources are solid. He is always convinced of things because someone tells him (i.e. Ryan Church hates NY because of some great source, which turned out to be total BS). We shall see how this saga turns out.
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Paul says:
Francessa is not exactly a source when it comes to the NHL, so I’ll take what he says with a couple grains of salt. But it’s still painful to hear of the realistic prospect of the team leaving.
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Steve from East Islip says:
CB – you should call into the show, would love to hear you talk about it with Mike
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The last thing Franscessa was 100% correct about is that you can’t lose weight by eating three pounds of lasagna for lunch.
But… who’s gonna be the lookout for the mayflower vans on Hempstead Turnpike in April? -
Agree with Steve – this is the perfect time for CB to get on WFAN. It sounds like they are actually dedicating some time to talking about this topic!
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Guggs says:
I understand the Kate Murray is against the Lighthouse project. Perhaps you can tell us what her view is. I don’t know why she opposes it and I can’t seem to find out why. Perhaps you could enlighten us? Thanks
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Greg says:
I just got tix to the devils games, lets go people lets show our support for our team.
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jax says:
#74 LMAO!!!! He knows nothing about hockey. End Of Story!!!!
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UIF says:
Have you guys read the comments in the KC story Botta linked to earlier? Many of those people took the time to read the story, and write comments specifically saying there’s little fan interest in a hockey team there. Some comments from the ones who are interested are saying they only want to see top teams play meaningful games there (not preseason, but a reg. season game with, say, the Blackhawks). They drew a whopping 11,000+ to their last pre-season game. I highly doubt they’d show up for long to see a struggling team with as many issues to resolve on the ice as the Isles have. Wang has to realize that. LIers show up when the team even shows a hint of being competitive. I doubt KC will be nearly as forgiving…and just because there’s a “first class facility,” doesn’t mean Wang will be lighting cigars with $100 bills. See Phoenix. No real point I guess, just an observation.
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ISLESFAN999 says:
Supposodly wfan says isles are moving to kansas city.
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bettman is going to be on wfan is what I heard.
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Lachance7 says:
Botta you gotta get on the FAN, Francesca playing with facts he has no idea about. Causing panic, I’m sure you know him from the remote days they used to do every spring. Set the record straight before he panics half of Long Island. Guy is a joke.
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isles316 says:
can someone call him and tell him that KC already failed with the NHL and the fans dont want it cause there are none. what is WFAN number?
ill do it. -
aaahhhh what are you guys talking about with mike Francesca. what is he sayin.
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Maybe its a ploy to get the fags in the govt to get this goin!! We want the Lighthouse!!
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Francessa is never right so this is the best news ever. however, the NHL board of governors has to approve a sale of a team and a move. Why would they approve the sale to a team in a city where the NHL has failed once before?
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nhlfan says:
Atlanta failed once….and now maybe twice
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because, isles316, it’s all about money in the short term. KC is a sure moneymaker in the short term. whereas the Isles are more likely to have a bigger impact in the future (if they get the lighthouse.) KC will fill that building for at least the first 3 years, regardless if the team is competitive or not.
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Scott from Newburgh says:
I put ZERO STOCK in what anyone has to say about hockey on the fan. Especially Francessa.
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Dan says:
Aren’t Isles under contract to play in the coliseum through 2015???
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Thanks CB for going on the FAN
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CB on the FAN.
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mtrico says:
Botta is on with that fat piece of crap Francessa right now.
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THANK YOU BOTTA!!!!
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Can someone post a play by play, I can’t get the fan where I work.
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santino says:
francesa started it out by saying Tavares said he would never want to step foot on Long Island ever
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Dont know where Francesa heard that when he had no idea who Tavares is…
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Thank You CB
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Glenn says:
Soundin’ good on Francesa. YES Network in the house!
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mike francesa is truly a moron. he’s a guy that knows nothing about the isles or the lighthouse project whose trying to pass himself off as an expert. hopefully all the panic he causes will lead to some good though. hope he gets bettman on.
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Did he really say that about Taveras? Where the hell did he come up with that?
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Moose says:
Why would Tavares want to go to Tampa or Atlanta tho? I would think he would rather be the face of the franchise in New York
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“Why would they approve the sale to a team in a city where the NHL has failed once before?”
that’s funny.
See Atlanta(Flamed out)…
How far, really, is San Jose from Oakland (Golden Sealed fate).
Tampa… (well… it might be a better market than Miami… if you’re looking for a full contact lap dance after the game).. but demo/geographically similar.Cleveland(Truly Baron).. Columbus…
Bettman may not be the most savvy businessman… if you’re confused, check out his interviews between periods on ESPN games.
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If anything this appearance on the FAN will get CB out of Islander T/O … silver lining to everything.
CB gives it to Francesa Poiint Blank.
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The NHL failed in Colorado, went back and was wildly successful.
The NHL failed in Minnesota, went back, and was wildly sucessful.
The demographics and economies of Cleveland and Columbus are totally dissimilar.
So are San Jose and Oakland. And there was something like 15-16 years between when the Seals became the Barons. In this case, any team going to KC is going to be 30+ since the Scouts headed out to Colorado.
So the earlier failure is not relevant. The question is can they succeed now. I don’t know if they can, but the fact that the KC Scouts failed during the Carter administration doesn’t mean much.
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islanders1984 says:
U guys notice how Franchesa stopped acting like an idiot once someone with knowledge came on
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Dmarie says:
Wow..sorry I missed all this, yet? then again, also so tired of hearing about the LH project and what ball is in what court..
But All the blame can’t and shouldn’t be faulted on Kate, this is such a huge project that goes through a lot of political hands of all levels..true its been what? 8 years?..someone do something an lets get this show on the road..stop the stand still!
As for the Islanders..been a rough year, so much happen, but..it’s over, and sad to say all those that pick us for dead last were pretty much right..
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Nice job CB
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-jk- says:
“Greg on Jan 16th, 2009 16:10:41 said:
I just got tix to the devils games, lets go people lets show our support for our team.”
You are right! I would come too but there is one problem, i leave in Finland.
I really love Islanders so much and I usually watching all games too. I really hope, everything’s gonna be alright guys..
This is bad because i dont cant do anything. Only watch and wait.
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I like CB, but the thing is, he’s a PR guy, and PR guys will always paint the sunniest picture possible. I hope he’s right, but it feel’s f’d.
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Jimmy Sparx says:
If this project does not get done, let Wang sell the team…..
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good job CB! I’m glad you went on because Mike really had no clue about it.
Thanks! -
Sports is dotted with cities that got multiple teams. so don;t assume the NHL will block KC because of previous failure.
We are last in the league in attendance, last in media coverage, maybe last in TV ratings. our radio station is to weak to be heard in the arena parking lot.
I am not saying we should move but this is serious.
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thanks CB
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In all seriousness. Maybe we need to do a rally at the coliseum or something. It saved the devils, it could saves us. Even if wang sells, we could show another owner that there is a fanbase on long island. one that is far greater than any in Kansas
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1984: the problem is the attendance shows the true fanbase.
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SIR WILLIAM says:
First of all, let’s use some common sense here. Wang’s sole objective is to develop the land around the Coliseum. How does moving the team to Kansas City advance that cause?
Second, Kansas City already had an NHL team which quickly folded. Not a great track record.
Third, Wang can’t get out of the lease which has 6 years to run.
And finally Wang cannot afford to lose the Cablevision contract which is among the richest in the NHL.So stop the hysteria. This is all merely a PR stunt to attempt to force the TOH to speed up the process.
Nick, I have a great deal of respect for you and admire your determination. However, if I recall from other postings that you are in the neighborhood of 30 years old. Perhaps to young to recall just how Nassau County politics really work. Or how Al D’Amato got 500,000 for one phone call.
Do you own a home here, Nick? I have for longer than you are alive. And in the last few year have seen my tax bill from the TOH almost double to over 4,000 now. That’s not counting the other 8,000 in school taxes.
Meanwhile my tax assessment dropped over 102,000 dollars. Yet my tax bill rose by almost 800 bucks just for the TOH.Anyone who thinks that the ultimate bill will not be paid for by the public is fooling themselves.
Those who ignore past history are doomed to repeat it…….SW
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Yeah but winning brings back all the ones on the fence. It’s proven when they put a winning team on the ice the place is jumping.
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I find it odd that CB had to defend the Islanders with regards to Francesa saying that Tavares wants nothing to do with the Islanders … #1 Who were the knuckle heads that made that statement? #2 In an interview Tavares had while joining the Knights it was mentioned that this trade was perhaps his last move before moving to the NHL next Fall .. the interviewer asked JT … which team he prefered among the potential teams in the running right now … JT said … every team has their advantages … and I’m not going to say anything that would make the team that drafts me doubt my commitment.
Not even a hint of which team he prefered … I’d love the CBC to post a link to that interview … but it was such a trivial press conference for an 18 year old just looking to finish his Junior career.
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funny how francesa did a complete 180 once botta came on.
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Steve, That is somewhat true, right now the attendance shows the diehards, but this can be a hockey market. The best example of that is after the the playoff run against toronto. the very next season I believe 21 of the 41 home games were sell outs. Right now the team is bad. so the attendance is down. There is a merket for hockey on Long Island and it has to be better then the market in Kansas city
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The NHL has not – as of yet – officially failed in Miami. Last I checked, the Panthers are still in the league.
The NHL did NOT fail in Minnesota with the North Stars. The team moved because the owner had personal financial and legal problems, and he then started making demands of the public that would help get him out of his problems. Public didn’t cave, and he moved the team to Dallas. Wasn’t the NHL who failed there, it was the owner. League then made good for the area by almost immediately granting them a new team.
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guerin13 you hit the nail on the ehad, once someone with knowledge came on he backed off
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So, SW, you think your local property tax bill is going to go DOWN any time soon without new development?
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felix says:
taxes will never go down, but they dont have to continually escalate.
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Dan from Westchester says:
Mike Francesa is the last person who should be talking NHL – ever! Sorry I missed all this excitement at work -hopefully a link can be posted up somewhere with the audio of CB’s call -in.
CB is right – this KC game has energized all of us more than anything else ever could. Newsday backpage. . Islander talk on WFAN. . Bettman involved in the conversation. Great job by Wang in waking everyone up!
Chris – How about another Point Blank night? A Lighthouse edition. This way all of us can get educated on exactly what the facts are and plan an effective course of action / campaign?
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It’s clear that Francessa respects the opinion and knowledge of Chris Botta. We all owe chris a big thanks. That was huge. Francessa loves to rant about how he knows everything, if you ever meet him and ask him about horse racing you would think he invented the horse.
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1984: don’t get me wrong, the fans can get pretty crazy…but it’s been public knowledge for years that even if they sell out every home game, they still lose money.
SMG kills the Islanders. the only way Wang generates revenue is from other things…which leads me to SW…the overall scope of the project brings more jobs to the area, more tax $$ being thrown back to Nassau by the offices that will be built, the housing, the revenue from retail, etc.
Only way any of us are still posting to an Islander blog in the future is if something more than a simple renovation is done to the NCVM. -
Yeah SW the lighthouse would only help lower taxes, roosevelt feild lowers the taxes for people in Garden City, the lighthouse will do the same
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Just look at the discussion this has brought in one day. And this is all over an exibition game in Kansas City. I truly believe this franchise will stay. I just think its time the islanders and there fans force the hand a little bit. This is a step in the right direction. Discussion will lead to action
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SW: I think if Wang were to move to Kansas City, he’d do so in preparation for a sale of it. He would know that there is no chance he could sell the Islanders if the current NVMC is their home. He’d move, and then put up the “for sale” sign.
On taxes: there are two decisions that a government has to make on taxes. How does it value the land it has in its jurisdiction? And second, how much of that value do they take?
This goes on whether it’s a high tax area or a low tax area. So because I live in a school district that for reasons we have no control over is actually blessed with pretty good level of commercial development, our taxes are relatively cheaper than other areas. Yes, they are higher than if I lived in Reading, Pennsylvania. But for Long Island, they are better than our town’s neighbors.
So islanders1984 is right. The Lighthouse is not going to magically make taxes go down. But by expanding the commercial base, it can keep the rate from rising as fast as it would be if the NVMC remains a dump surrounded by a parking lot.
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Paul on Jan 16th, 2009 15:38:20 said:
“Kudos to post 51 and 57! This is all going as planned and put into place from the Islander organization. Who else sch’d the preseason game. Look the Project did not even go through the approval process yet, isn’t that July? This is all a smoke screen to put the focus on the lighthouse and off of the Team. Heck this Team cant even score on the Powerplay, yet win a game and we are focusing all our energy on Kate Murray! How blindsided are we!”A “smoke screen”? “Focusing all our energy”? Do you really believe that thinking about one thing pushes the other thing out of your mind? I cant speak for you, but I personally would not find myself “blindsided” and unable to even follow the team anymore just because I wrote a letter to Kate Murray or made a phone call to the town of Hempstead regarding the Lighthouse project. I can think about both, and IMO so can the rest of the Islanders fans.
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NVMC says:
Sir William you are right about everyone over reacting but your pt#3 wont bind the Islanders to the NVMC. Wang and Co. (REXCORP) have a lease on the property. The team can play where ever they want. Hey Steve74 from E Isip I do think there is a fan base out there.I think people are fed up with the drama that surrounds this team.
55 -
Marc,
You are correct, but if the panthers were traded publicly would you buy stock in them? Now take that answer and ask yourself if you would take your money and put a team in almost the exact demographic. That was my point.
I can’t see the Isles moving anywhere soon… but it’s nice to see the buzz this game has caused. -
55 – I’m part of the fan base, enjoyed the game from a suite last nite!
But 41 sell outs still cost Wang money.
74 -
What about another area in Long island. I remember a few years back before Wang got approval for the land. He said something about land being offered to him in Suffolk. Is there somewhere ele in Long Island to do this project. I love the Coliseum, but if theres another spot on the island for this project say in Suffolk where Kate Murray has no authority. please Wang move them there before selliing them to Kansas City
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ny711ot says:
if anyone has made it this far down let me share the dynamic here. nassau county executive tom suozzi is very.close with sterling equities…..sterling owned by wilpon has their own ideas of what should be developed in the area. which would of course include county financing….
undoubtedly suozzi has exerted influence on toh to delay the process….murray is the lackey to take the heat in return for something unbeknownst….cb some investigative reporting into the chain of ineptitude is warranted…. and influence on other nassau politicians is necessary -
“suozzi has exerted influence on toh to delay the process”
He is on the record saying he is behind the lighthouse. Why would he risk his post by lying to the people that elect him?
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2 things. anyone laugh hard at the coliseum when the isles said what song they like and bruno gerais said what he said. he was prob sooo embarrassed on the ice. lol. and the other is what did mike say and what did cb say. really want to know what was going on. especially after the tavares comment
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NY711ot I don’t think your conspiracy theory can work being that REXCorp owns / leases all the property they want to develop on.
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BR says:
(137) – I’ll hit the old B.S. buzzer on that one. The County held an open, competitive process, and the Rexcorp proposal won. Suozzi has been a vocal supporter of the Lighthouse project ever since.
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ny711ot: are you for real? Tom Suozzi and Kate Murray are not going to cooperate on anything. Kate Murray is not going to take the heat for Tom Suozzi. The Republicans are going to run against Suozzi this year, for God’s sake. She’s even been mentioned as a potential county exec candidate, though I doubt the GOP would risk running a non-incumbent for the most important job they hold.
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this really couldn’t have gone any better for wang. he has gotten an ENORMOUS amount of publicity out of this. this really does put the pressure on the town and it shows that people really do care about this crazy franchise. well played mr. wang.
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btw, suozzi had his chance to give the project to sterling and he passed. tom suozzi is our friend, not our enemy.
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MiKe says:
It doesnt matter. It hasnt mattered for the longest time. NASSAU COUNTY DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE ISLANDERS. The Islanders deserve a venue that WANTS an NHL team. KANSAS CITY is that venue. The Isles deserve alot more than what Nassau Co provides.
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Anychance Francessa went on air saying he thinks the team will move to stir people up?
Francessa thinks highly of Wang and his professionalism and part of me can’t believe that when a caller told him “Mike we need you.” that his response was “What am I going to do?”
Mike has ALWAYS been agaisnt teams moving and relocating and has always defended teams in that situation.
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Rick says:
The thing I found most interesting in all this political diatribe is Murray’s comment (and I am paraphrasing here) that ‘She has told Charles for 4 years that if he wants to redo the Coliseum, let’s do it’. If this is in fact true, then it’s time to step back & question Wang. Sure, he wants the WHOLE project. I get that. But at the end of the day, the bottom line is that the ‘Islanders desperately need a new building’. My question to him then is why not redo the Coliseum, then continue to work on everything else? I don’t buy for a second that the Coliseum couldn’t be redone without the rest of the project. I’m starting to wonder if our ire has been directed at the right person all this time.
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Sorry for the extra posts but Rick you really have to read prior. First off, Murray can’t offer that because it’s not hers to offer. Only the county can do that.
Plus, the coliseum will still have Wang losing money because of the lease on the building.
Remember in Ottawa 4 years ago when they couldn’t pay the players ? that’s because they didn’t have anything but a building there and the owner lost money with a BRAND NEW arena.
Basically Wang would just lose millions more if he did that.
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C’mon rick this has been discussed before. Wang will lose hundreds of millions just renovating. He needs the whole project to make money.He loses money every year. How is just redoing the building going to make him a profit. Think about it.
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I think it is quite evident that Katie goes to bed in Ranger pajamas! She is inept to handle this matter, she is in way over her head. Chris is right, she just wants Charles to renovate the coliseum and for everything to resolve itself on it’s own or go away.
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Kyle says:
I havent listened to Francesca is yearrsss…. however I do remember from the times when I was 10 (only 11 years ago) trying to call in Mike and the Mad Dog and being hung up on once I said the dreaded word “Islanders” Unfortunatly the only radio host in NY who knows anything about hockey is Don LaGreca. I also really wish I heard CB on the FAN as I’m sure he put Mike in his place as he does with some of the readers on here from time to time.
I was serious when I posted on the other thread this morning that CB should run for supervisor of the Town of Hempstead. He would probably get elected just from connections at the Islanders and from all the fans he has made here. Get the Lighthouse project through the town and then step down just in time for the 10-11 season.
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People, put down the tinfoil hats. Demonizing Kate Murray will not get us what we want. Asking the same questions that have been answered countless times adds nothing to the discourse. We need to pull together, realize this is a state-mandated process that has to take a long time by design, and we will hopefully reap the rewards this year or next.
MiKe – I’m assuming you’re either a troll or kidding because nobody with a straight face can say moving this team to Kansas City is a good idea in the long run.
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let me preface by saying this is all third and fourth hand and i am not directly connected to any of those involved. but i do hear things…
Ask yourself where is suozzis vocal support now? He is a wolf in sheeps clothing…He couldnt possibly give the deal to his friend saul katz as sterlings plan required taxpayer funding. The implications would be disastrous if wang was denied. By opening up the proposal process sterlings ideas were public knowledge…the crux of the plan from sterling was a light rail system to ease traffic congestion …this is where murray agrees as it compliments her quality of life initiatives and one of her biggest concerns with the lighthouse…..
end game …suozzi helps saul indirectly (the influence)….murray has a plan she wants and wang gets left in the cold.because the initial lighthouse plan does not include transportation and the implication is that the taxpayers will fund all of the future transportation center…if in fact wang moves and murray is re-elected i guarantee you sterling will get the deal shortly thereafter. -
GP says:
Why isn’t anyone fron Suffolk jumping into this great big space? I’m sure Islanders fans will show up in Suffolk and then Ton can thank Kate and all the other do nothing Nassau politiains as Steve Levy rejoices and all the jobs and money go to Suffolk County.
Any word from Suffolk that anyone has heard? -
CB,
A big thanks is in order for going on WFAN today especially from the big Isles fans. Francesca knows baseball, football, and horse racing but little to none about hockey this day and age so when he was going on and on with lots of assumptions and misinformed information, it was getting probably a good amount of hardcore fans especially annoyed (me as well) because make no mistake about it, he at least has some influence in this town and he’s on YES. Obviously, lots of casual fans listen to him so when he’s basically proclaiming that the Islanders are going to KC soon, the regular Joe sports fan of NY is going to believe him.
Where the heck did they get that Tavares information from? In that spot, that was the first he mentioned of it of the show. Also, did they end up telling you who his source was?
Thanks
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GP – the Suffolk issue has been beaten to death too. There are currently no potential sites and even if there were, since the state law still applies in Suffolk, it would be at least 6 years before they even began construction.
Can we please make a pact to stop beating this Suffolk nonsense to death and also to stop asking the same questions about Wang and renovating the Coliseum as a stand-alone?
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GP thats what im saying, is there anywhere in suffolk to pu this project.
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Jim Clark says: Will the CB interview with Francesa be posted on the WFAN website or anyplace else?
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Strummer's Army says:
Chris Botta, is Garth Snow going to be attending the all-star game? Many deals happen at events like that.
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Ironically on this same day it’s announced the Yanks and Mets will receive public financing for their new stadiums. Go figure.
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doug from sunnyside says:
I cant stand fatcessa but gotta say CB great interview.
Hopefully this gets the ball rolling where many of the HNIC start leting us know something
I among many of you are REAL fans who want the ISLES on the ISLAND
New Slogan
Where real hockey fans want to keep the Isles on the Island
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i say it again…if you want it done lean on suozzi to publicly vocally support his decision as much as murray to change her opinion…since the supposed okay from nassau county wang has not had the support of anyone in the nassau political mess…not just the toh. commercial interests in long island regularly cross party lines….if we hold both suozzi and murray accountable we have twice the voice.
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walter says:
im kinda shocked they let CB on WFAN considering he has his own show on 1050
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gmanhattan says:
quote, unquote former employee does good by the billionaire employer for the billion-dollar project, all in the name of the quote, unquote fans. right. i hope the isles stay but this one is offensive.
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Francescas *cough* “knowledge” about hockey is decidedly subpar at best. I wish I could have listened to you on the show talking with him, Chris. Id love to know what you said, a recap would definitly be appreciated.
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Francescas *cough* “knowledge” about hockey is decidedly subpar at best. I wish I could have listened to you on the show talking with him, Chris. Id love to know what you said, a recap would definitely be appreciated.
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mike 8 says:
Francesa was practically packing the bags and buying the tickets to KC before CB went on. And just before this, he says Tavares doesn’t want to play on Long Island.
I would bet my last dime that Francesa had never even heard of Tavares until 2 minutes before that. He got this information from someone and in fact he told CB that it was someone they both knew.
Who would spreading this negative and apparently unfounded information to Francesa??
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Jax & Isles316, Suozzi has already said that it’s not his call, it’s the town’s. Murray has basically said she could care less if they stay or go. Yet Wang continues to hold onto this fantasy where he is the ‘visionary who rebuilt Nassau County’, while the team he ‘loves’ and the fans that he ‘cares about’ continue to suffer.
Mind you, this is the same guy who cheated his way to fortune with Computer Associates, then to show what a nice guy he was, had his good buddy Sanjay take the fall for him. Wonder how much that cost Chuckles?! Probably more then he has lost with the team.
Sorry, but I’m done believing it’s all the town’s fault. Let me say this – I cannot stand Kate Murray or Tom Suozzi – I think both are useless and as crooked as they get. But I cannot & will not continue to believe the whole ‘Poor Chuckles’ angle that the team, the league, and the fans have been spinning for years.
There is more to this then we know, and I am tired of watching my favorite team in any sport be the ping pong ball that continues to get hit back & forth.
Sure, there is a very good chance that the Isles would be playing elsewhere by now had Wang not bought the team when he did. Kudos to him for that. But the free ride he got from that move ended a long time ago.
Look, I essentially grew up at the Coliseum. I was there in diapers for the dynasty and have been going ever since. I bleed orange & blue. I want this team to stay on this Island as much as everyone else. But unless Chuckles backs off his fantasy of being ‘the man’, I see ZERO chance this team is still here in 5 years. Then will everyone still be singing Chuckles’ praises?
Rip away boys, rip away.
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Rick, if he backs down there will be no team either. I love my business I’m in but if I dont make money, Id find something else to do.
You can say that Wang should go ahead with the Coliseum as a stand alone project with his own money and not see a profit. Why would anyone do that ? Why should they ?
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316, I’m not saying he has to do it ONLY with his money – find investors. He’s got enough contacts, he can raise the money if he really wanted to.
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I’m going to get banned and I’m sorry CB but if he gets investors, they would ALL lose money.
The Islanders CANNOT make a profit if they had 41 sellouts in a stand alone arena because the lease they are in won’t allow them too. SMG takes too much of the pie. When you pay parking or buy a hot dog, none of that money goes to the Islanders.
What about that can’t you see?
You could get 10 people to put up money for a house, but if you can only get 3/4 of the mortgage in rent each month why would anyone do that?
That is essentially the issue.
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And finally, since I’m heading out for the evening: Wang has been losing money with this team for YEARS – so again, if it was only about the money, then, 316, you’re right – he should cut his losses & move on, as you would with your business if it bled money year after year. But he hasn’t while bleeding cash – and that is something that makes me wonder what’s really going on here.
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What’s really going on here, Rick, is that yes, the key to Islander long-term economic success is the real estate around the Coliseum. But you’re part of the crew that seems to be insulted by that. Repeat after those of us who get it: you can’t make it as an Islander owner, no matter who you are, on the basis of the team alone, even if they turn the Coliseum into the Taj Mahal.
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I think the folks who think the Islanders will not move because they need the cable money miss the point of concern some of us share. It is true its the only thing keeping Wang from losing more money, but he is losing money.
Yes, if Wang were to keep the team he would not move, but if a buyer from KC pays Wang to buy the team, he isn’t going to care about the cable money because he never got it in the first place.
Wang would never move the team but he sure may sell it if he can recoup some money he has lost.
I also would not but it past Dolan to give Wang half the remaining value as a buyout if he moves, iit will get Dolan out o fthe worst cable deal his dad ever signed, it will open LI for a possible rangers minor league team, and he can take over the lease from Wang and SMG, eliminating more competition for MSG for concerts, etc
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Macch says:
A Petition has been started, dont know if anyone saw it. Pass it on
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I am not saying this to be a downer, online petitions are a waste of time.
We, as Islander fans, need to CALL elected officials, and politely ask to speak to them. if you are in their district they will listen. Politicans do what will get them reclected, if they feel a groundswell of support for working to keep the islanders, they will.
Sadly,I live in Rockland bu tthos ewho live on LI, need to pack Hempstead town meetings, take the microphone and voice your opinion supporting saving the Islanders.
I am on record as saying the Lighthouse porject is too ambitious, I have knocked the idea of a Grand Canal, but these people are not even meeting Wang halfway.
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JayK, I have no clue what you’re talking about or where you’re coming from. I could care less what happens to the real estate around the Coliseum – all I care about is my team staying on the Island. So yeah, I ‘Get it’ – thanks for asking.
Yes there is a lot of buzz surrounding the topic, but will it help the Islanders stay put??