LIVE BLOG: Hempstead Town Hall meeting
Scope approved; Developers deliver D.G.E.I.S.
1:10 pm - At the conclusion of today’s hearing, the D.G.E.I.S. (Draft Generic Environmental Impact Study) was delivered by the Lighthouse developers. I’m told the document is 1,800 pages.
Traditionally, after a scope is accepted - as it was today by the TOH board - developers take months before delivering a D.G.E.I.S. Charles Wang and Scott Rechler’s group produced it immediately.
Today’s hearing was a positive step, a good day for the developers and the Town. Plenty of bouquets were passed back and forth.
Will it lead to groundbreaking this summer? No way to know right now. But the immediate delivery of the D.G.E.I.S. means this: it’s back to you, Town of Hempstead leaders.
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12:20 pm - So far, citizen speakers, including impassioned blogger/PB comment-ator Nick Classic, have addressed the Town Board. All have been pro-Lighthouse Project.
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12:00 pm - Charles Wang just completed a brief but energetic stint at the mic. He thanked Kate Murray for fast-tracking the environmental studies.
He did add that if the Lighthouse Project had been approved when he first pushed for it years ago, thousands of jobs and millions of dollars of much-needed tax revenue would already be in place.
Wang said, “This is not adversarial” and that his staff will do everything in their power to work with the Town in a timely and cooperative manner.
Scott Rechler urged the Town board to act “with a sense of urgency” in these economic times. He cited Congress trying to push through “in two months what would normally take 20 years.”
The Town’s response has been that they agree with the need for urgency “but we need to make sure this is done the right way.”
Rechler: “When you see our studies, I think you’ll be pleased with the level of detail and attention we put into them.” Rechler said his development group has spent more than 10 million dollars on those studies.”
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11:15 am - The Town of Hempstead meeting started 30 minutes ago, but they have not addressed the Lighthouse yet. I’m in the crowded Hall and on Blackberry. Here’s all you need to know so far:
Charles Wang is here. Scott Rechler is here. Kate Murray, Hempstead Town Supervisor, is not. I’m told she is on vacation.
Comments on the Lighthouse in this thread.
115 Responses to “LIVE BLOG: Hempstead Town Hall meeting
Scope approved; Developers deliver D.G.E.I.S.”
Please Wait
Unreal. I think her absence speaks volumes.
what a surprise, she goes on vacation during a period when there will be a town meeting. YAY KATE MURRAY!
That’s just typical. Vacation? That’s too convenient
She is absolutely incredible, this is why we booed her
Kate is a no show. Are you kidding me!
Umm… you would think she would plan her vacation next week since there was a meeting this week.
Amazing!!
pathetic
BULL DUNG! I SMELL BULL DUNG!
All I can say is…not suprising at all
this woman is impossible…im starting to get very frustrated MURRAY!
She doesn’t need to be there guys. She isn’t voting on the scope today. Her being there would just be semantics.
She just needs the ultimate sign off, right? They can proceed without her??
… and a distraction.
lets see what happens when they start to discuss the Lighthouse.
I have 4 votes for TOH Supervisor. My wife, Mom, Dad, and myself. Since Three of us are BOIG Isles fans I’m sure Mom will follow suit.
No way Kate gets elected again!!!!
They can delay on this vote since she is not there, right?
Well, people make vacations months in advance. It’s entirely possible she made plans and THEN the meeting fell on this date. What does she do, cancel a non-refundable vacation and time spent with family?
I wouldn’t. Nor would any of you.
Kevin Fitz: OK, she doesn’t need to be there legally. But there is such a thing in politics as symobolism. She had to know the room would be filled, and she had to know that her absence would be noted. When you combine that with not showing up Saturday night, the only conclusion I can reach is that she wants to try to kill this thing without ever showing her face while doing it. A Profile in Courage.
the drama never ends with this team BUT as kevin fitz said - they aren’t voting on anything today so it’s possible that she doesn’t need to be there today. still doesn’t look good pr-wise.
She is an absolute disgrace to the Town of Hempstead and to Nassau County in general. She is making her own bed and is going to wind up sleeping alone! This lighthouse project is vital to the growth of Nassau County and she is hibernating somewhere. Very typical!
She is unfit for office. With power comes responsibility; she doesn’t seem to accept that fact. Even though it won’t happen, she should be impeached.
Wow, I guess it’s possible she planned her vacation way before she knew about this meeting. And I get that she doesn’t “need” to be there. But it doesn’t give me the warm and fuzzies that she’s missing it.
but does the board still get to vote?
JayK: I know a little something about politics. And politicians only show up when they need to be there or if something that is going on is a big deal. This meeting is not a big deal. It may be to us because we are islander fans. But the lighthouse is not the most important thing going on in Kate Murray’s life. They knew about this vacation for a long time and it didn’t effect the scheduling of this meeting because they knew she didn’t need to be there. I would rather not wait another 2 weeks for this meeting so she can “symbolically” be there. That would just be another 2 weeks of nothing getting done for the project.
I really don’t Suozzi and Nassau barely hesitated with their backing, however Ms. Murray does not like this. Has she ever truly explained why she is against this? Why she is against creating jobs? Why she is against developing a cement pit into a community? Unreal.
Typical Corporate America scam artist. All talk, no action. Maybe Wang can persuade people there today, while she is absent. Maybe we need to protest in front of her parking spot at her office.
Understandable Willis, but unless she was there waving a lighthouse flag I still wouldn’t get the “warm and fuzzies” LOL
Kevin’s exactly right, his post sums up reality perfectly, methinks
I hope you’re right. I’m not being overly cynical. But in the Town of Hempstead, I think this is the biggest deal. They don’t deal in schools, they don’t deal in police…what’s bigger than the biggest development in the middle of a horrible recession, a history-making project, than this?
Did anyone really expect her to show up?
This is classic. Kate Murray a no-show?? I don’t even know if that’s good or bad.
Charles wang needs to take a leadership role. His team, his project. He’s GOT to speak up.
One of the biggest projects in Nassau and Hempstead History has a major enviormental hearing and the supervisor is not there? Who schedules the meeting? Isn’t one of the key things to find out is if everyone can make it? You think Wang and Rechler aren’t busy people! Just unbelievable. Old Kate must be pretty comfortable in her job!!
I remember the “Tax freeze” fiasco in 2003. Kate claimed she would freeze the property tax. She was elected. Property taxes still went up. March 2004 there was a town hall meeting. 3 guesses as to who did not show.
Unreal! This is the biggest project going on in her town and she is not there to be involved. Does she do anything or does she sit around and collect a paycheck. She is supposed to work for the betterment of the town and the Light House is a stimulus package for the town with little taxpayer money. Maybe like some Governors she wants to refuse money that would create jobs in the middle of a recession.
I’m willing to reserve my final judgement until I learn the outcome of the proceedings today. If all goes well I’ll be satisfied in the spirit of the bigger picture. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to make it there today. Speaking of which…it sounds like a lot of residents took time away from work to be there (holding a public meeting at 10:30 AM on a Tuesday…a joke in and of itself). I guess Kate Murray couldn’t be similarly inconvenienced.
Sorry CB, I didn’t think that would fly.
I don’t understand how an elected official doesn’t have to show up for a town meeting.
Misten, if there is a hearing about the largest proposed development in your town and you as the elected town supervisor take vacation, then what does that tell you about said elected official?
Maybe she does not legally need to be there, but courts go dark for vacation days for lawyers or judges. They work around it because they know in advance whether the integral persons are available to attend.
Sadly, Murry appears to have lost her way about being an elected official no matter the project. This meeting could have been scheduled around her vacation, but it was apparently not.
Chris, what is the crowd size? Any idea how it compares to a “normal” (i.e. non-Lighthouse-critical) meeting?
Is this kinda like when you get a bogus ticket by a cop? Than when you show up to court to fight it, he isnt there so you get a free pass. I mean you would think if Kate was going to fight this she would be there. RIght?
If this project sees fruition, history can only view it as succeeding DESPITE Kate Murray at this point. I’m sure she gets enough vacation and has enough flexibility in her schedule that she could have been there for this if she was truly behind, or even unbiased toward, the project. This clearly sends a message that she is either opposed or disinterested. Why is this only a small meeting? Its not small. Whether this thing goes forward or not is big. These meetings are so few and far between, I’d say its significant. Take the next one off if you want but not this one. I’m past the point of thinking she’s playing ‘hard to get’ as a negotiating tactic on behalf of a portion of constituents and I’m finished giving her the benefit of the doubt. Hopefully her personal wishes don’t have significant impact on what happens.
If this is a political holdup (which is the only thing I can think of) does Ms. Murray realize that come her next election, she has now woken up the people who possibly wouldn’t have voted–to vote against her now?
Why is everyone mad at Kate Murray anyways? She has already recommended to the board today to vote to approve the environmental review. Would someone who was against the project recommend this be passed?
Kate will never publicly fight the project. She will never have an opinion publicly so that it can’t come back to bite her in the future. All her moves are made behind closed doors, and off the record.
cb — can’t you just delete posts like #32 so I don’t stay p-off all day?
this gets more interesting by the minute.
IF I’m Charles Wang? I move the team to Queens. Why? I understand Charles stands to make BILLIONS from this project & it’s not easy to walk away. But eventually he’s got to have pride. He’s not wanted in Uniondale. It seems all the begging & whining isn’t working, so either crack skulls OR pack your bags & move to Queens. Somewhere along the line Charles has to stand-up for the org & it’s fans. Charles look like a fool. Have pride. Fight to win or go where you are wanted.
It may only be a small meeting to some people.
But there are a couple millionaires in the room that need answers.
They are ready to spend millions in your town to stimulate the economy.
Be There!!!!
This sounds like good news.
Kevin #10, #22, and #40. You may be a little too close to politics. I don’t care if she has done things behind closed doors. I don’t care if todays meeting is symbolic. I do care that you think politicians don’t need to be at important meetings. That is everything that is wrong with politics today! Who does the Supervisor represent?I believe she is put their to represent and speak for the people who pay her salary!We expect representation!! The public is not to be dismissed!! Dude, get a grip, she needs to get her butt to these meetings and do her job!
CB–is the lighthouse discussion over??? is it open forum?
Kate Murray is not the dictator of the town of Hempstead people. She alone does not decide the fate of this project. She has a say, yes. But she does not have a say in this current step. The board does. That is why her being there is not the big deal everyone is making it out to be. symbolism is an overused phrase. Let’s stick with reality.
Why do i get the feeling this is just the towns way of grand standing to get the media and residents off thier back for a while?
Kate Murray really doesn’t need to be at this meeting. Yes it may have been a bit helpful, but for this step it is not that important.
This is probably the single, biggest thing to affect the town of heampstead since the first NVMC, she is the town “leader”, yes, she should be there, if merely to be the face of the town…But like most LI towns, she is assuming that she need’ent bother with us common folk. 5 bucks says she scheduled the Vaca BECAUSE of the meeting.
It sounds like the Town wants to approve this, just not do a half assed job. Read some of the quotes before you start flipping that Kate Murray wasn’t there. She recommended that this gets approved as long as it’s carefully thought out and within the law and all that other political jargain that I know and that most of us know little about.
It will be interesting to see what happens next….
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No…She is unfit period.
(Sorry - I’m just so worked up I couldn’t help it.)
This Kate Murray is a strange puppy.
Most politicians would want to be front and center for an issue that shapes their domain - be it for or against - or - just to get the “ice time ” - er - I mean media “Face Time”.
She seems to want to run away and stay under the radar screen. Just can’t imagine too many politicos who would do that.
She probably is out on “PTO” today in today’s HR lexicon…..and the day she needed to take as a vacation day was whatever this hearing date was.
Pat
I guess I’m going to have to change my name on here. Now2 other people posting under Matt. CB thanks for the update please keep them coming!
It seems to me that there is A TOH kronie moonlighting as an Islander fan on this board. Is it Kate Murray’s husband or what. I cannot believe I am hearing that it was OK for little Katie to miss this meeting. This is the #1 project is Murray’s life right now. I am not a politcal expert but has there been any doubt what issues have governed Ms. Murray’s e-mail and voice mail over the last two months. The Lighthouse Project is being disrespected. Sorry KF
They need to get shovels in the ground sooner rather than later on this. Move at a dinosaurs pace and end up like the dinosaurs. How many community’s are held hostage by their pro teams to get subsidies and tax dollars to finance their stadium builds… Am I missing something… Wang isn’t asking for tax dollars is he? I’m sure there are communities all over North America that would welcome the infusion of cash during these down times.
It will now take the TOH another 9 Months to go over the DGEIS
You obviously don’t know much about politics Rich. Sorry. Just because a couple hundred people sent her emails and voicemails doesn’t mean a thing to a politician. Let’s say 1000 people called and emailed about this. thats only 1000 out of about 100,000 people in the town. so she should dictate to the 1% of her constituency that is calling in about this? Welcome to politics Rich.
If it wasn’t important to Murray to show up why did Wang and Rechler even bother. Couldn’t they have sent their reprentatives down there and handed in the DGEIS. This thinking creates a slippery slope in our twisted politics of today.
Sounds like this is not that important to her and the rumors of her dislking Wang are sounding true. Total disregard shown on her part.
what needed to get done today got done. that’s all i care about right now.
Kevin as opposed to 1,000 calls about nothing. Sir. you have alot to learn. If she gets 1,000 calls that would represent a much larger sample size which didn’t contact her.
Not really Rich,
The only people that would care enough to have their vote effected by this would most likely call in. That’s the reality. Let’s look at an example. The stimulus package that was just passed has about a 55 to 60% approval rating nationwide. However, over 90% of the calls made to Congress by constituents were against the bill. That’s the way things work. The side that is more paniced will voice their opinions more clearly. In this case, the Islander fans who want this lighthouse project built are the more panicky of the two sides. Kate Murray and all politicians know how to handle these situations. That is why the continually get re-elected.
Now that I read the update above I feel a lot better. Glad Wang and Rechler were prepared with the DGEIS. I don’t doubt that they will keep the “friendly, not adversarial” pressure on now. GOOD!!!
CB, I thought PRIOR to this meeting the ball was already in the TOH’s court. From what you are saying now, the TOH needed to have some 1,500 report that the Isles produced immediately. So the TOH was waiting on the Isles??? Or am I missing something? Why didn’t Charlie just drop it off to Kate weeks or months ago?
This big ta-do, big meeting, marching bands, live blogging & for what?? Just to hand over a report nobody’s going to read?
I’m gonna go out on a limb & say the Lighthouse never gets done to Charlie’s specifications. Either A) he scales back the project or B) the team moves to Queens or Kansas City.
Someone needs to read 1,500 pages. It’ll take 2 years for the TOH to even read the title of the damn thing!
Regardless of whether she was there or not, I do think the town board does want to move forward. I spoke with councilman James Darcy’s office chief for about 20 minutes some weeks back and he expressed to me that seeing the lighthouse become a reality was going to be one of his last defining moments in office. This is still a democracy, so we should shift our attention off of murray and her lack of help and towards the other voting members of the board.
I live in Bellmore in the TOH, and in the last few weeks, my vote for Kate Murray has gone bye bye over this Lighthouse issue. Anyone who opposes her in the next election has got MY vote. Sheesh. Absense makes the heart grow fungus.
RE: Wang’s “He did add that if the Lighthouse Project had been approved when he first pushed for it years ago, thousands of jobs and millions of dollars of much-needed tax revenue would already be in place” - such talk is useless and just makes people angry, much like saying “the Islanders were stupid to trade Luongo (or Chara).” Yah, coulda woulda shoulda. How about we move ahead instead of opening old wounds? Thanks.
i could care less who Kate Murray likes or whether she was there or not. If the lighthouse project or a modification of it makes political sense for kate murray to vote yes on then she will do it. If CB says it was a good day then I believe him. Let’s call it progress and move on to the next step. I personally have always believed that some form of this project will get done. It just makes too much sense not too. Whether the height of the buildings needs to be shrunk or the minor league ballpark goes away after all is said and done the isles will have a new arena and we fans will have somewhere to go before/after games than wandering the vast parking lots.
What a morning.
Out of many speakers, only 1 was against the project, and that’s because he was advocating for 50% affordable housing and demanding things be held up until then.
Thanks for dubbing me “impassioned,” CB. And where were you? I looked around the room and never saw you.
I’ll have a full impression on my blog later today. It was an important step in the right direction, but we are definitely not out of the woods yet. We need to keep the positive pressure on the Town.
Positive steps, all i want to know is that it WILL be built. If shovel hits dirt this summer than it’s a bonus. As long as the Isles stay. The project itself seems pretty cool, long island needs something like this.
kudos to guerin13 and nystrom23 if they are the real 13 and 23. it helps to know that the backbones are willing to fight with us. this had better get done before they build a “sports complex” at Belmont. that seems to be taking off and moving rapidly. is that because it’s from a pols mind instead of charles wang? i live in elmont and i sure don’t want a sports complex. we are literally land locked on belmont stakes day. there wouldn’t be any land locking from the lighthouse, since the investors would know and probably already have a plan in mind. grrrr.
Anybody have any idea on what is considered a reasonable amount of time for the TOH to review and bring back comments on the DGEIS?
March or April we should see public comments.
What kind of turnout was at the meeting? Any union people? Wish I could have been there.
nick, how long after the public comments until they vote on the project?
Tom (#67) - This meeting was to approve the scope of the studies. Once that was approved the actual D.G.E.I.S could then be submitted. That is what Charles and Scott submitted. That’s why the ball got lobbed into the town’s court once again. The preparation of having this to put into the town’s hands immediately shows that, no matter who was responsible for this taking so long, Charles, Scott and the Lighthouse people have been wasting neither their time or ours.
Nick & CB, thanks for keeping everyone updated. This was an important step. To Thank you, you’ve been linked.
It’s difficult to say because we have so many other hurdles to climb, and it’ll be thrown back and forth between the Town and County a few more times. Like I said, you can click on my name later today for more details since I have to adhere to CB’s comment guidelines.
What are the chances that the groundbreaking gets done this summer? Actually, what are the chances that this project is approved at all?
hey nice job. hope it folds through. cb banned me so this may be my last post. GO ISLANDERS
Tom (67):
Before the environmental statement can be assessed, the ground rules need to be established. Those ground rules are called the scoping, and as the name implies they establish the scope for the statement to be submitted. It’s kind of like an examination–the teacher (the town) needs to create the questions (the scope) that the student (the developer) needs to answer (with the environmental studies).
Most of the time, a developer won’t commit the money needed to do these studies until they’re entirely sure what questions need to be answered. This is to avoid duplication or unnecessary expenses. By doing an incredibly comprehensive impact statement WHILE the TOH was still working on the scoping, Wang and Rechler were able to leapfrog several months of delays.
Essentially, what they did was answered every question that could conceivably be on the test before the teacher even finished writing it. That might mean they end up providing answers that weren’t necessary, but at least the test is finished immediately.
Oh, as far as reading the entire report, the ToH will probably hire a team of consultants to provide a condensed version of the report that highlights the salient points (the developers may even end up with the bill for that). You have to figure that a lot of that report is going to detail ways and means, which while important can be skimmed because most methods for environmental review are very standard. Lab reports, like soil sampling or lead/asbestos, will be long lists of numbers that just need to be searched for abnormal results (outside a specific range). The main review is probably going to end up being traffic, and in the next month or two that’ll end up being the crux of the conversation.
Thanks to Gary & Ryan for the clarifications.
I still don’t see the Lighthouse happening. IMHO Charlie has done an EXTREMELY poor job of selling the project to non-islander fans.
I hear a lot of “support the lighthouse, support lighthouse” rhetoric to Islander fans. Hello??? You’re preaching to the choir. We supported the Lighthouse LONG before the Support the Lighthouse schtick was even started. It’s becoming laughable.
Save the ‘Support the Lighthouse’ ad money you spend on Islander Fans & direct it to the people who need to know about it.
No doubt the absence of Kate Murray was carefully orchestrated. Whether her presence was really necessary or not, she would have been forced at some point to answer questions or make comments that would have shed some light on her position on this project. She now has plausible deniability, as well as additional time to develop a public stance which best suits her ability to get reelected.
I agree with #85. I think all of the islanders fans are on board already with the project. Those dollars need to be spent showing the residents of Long Island how much this project is really NEEDED and not just wanted and how it will personally affect each and every resident of Long Island. Charles and Scott, move those ad dollars to the right place.
It sounds like the meeting ended in a positive fashion for the Isles and the project.
They have been running spots on TV for the lighthouse. They have a website for it as well. What else do you need them to do? I also read some ads on newsday as well.
I live in Suffolk so I don’t know, but are ad run more often on TV in the TOH? I see zero adds on tv here.
So do I isles316. I’ve seen them on news 12 and metro traffic and weather.
I have seen them there too but it’s been a while. I also don’t watch those channels much.
I just know a lot of people out here that aren’t fans don’t know much about it. In fairness though, how often do people educate themselves about something that doesn’t really impact them, or thinks it doesn’t impact them.
Nick Classic deserves a big thank you from all of us. He cares about this and has taken it upon himself to be heard. Very admirable.
#89 - That’s sound good! Definitely glad to hear it, but something is ‘way off’ here. This has been going on for 9 years, something is very, very wrong. Either the size of the project, lack of greasing the right palms…something is very wrong.
I’m tired of the support the Lighthouse ads personally. I feel like telling Charlie YOUR the multi-BILLIONAIRE…you figure it out.
IMHO, I think this org’s got a pair of ****s to come to the fans for help. To me this org has been MIA for YEARS, God helps those who help themselves.
I’m tired of the Isles org bitching, moaning, complaining, losing, excuse making, back-tracking, pointing fingers at others for their plight…enough already. The Isles need to stop looking outside the org for empowerment. Get it done or don’t. Just SHUT UP already. Pick Tavares and shut up.
Tom, what part of the Islanders came to us for help? It was people like Nick Classic, Katrina, Chris Botta who are out on their own trying to rally people with the same intrest together.
If you had your facts straight, I’d take you seriously but when make comments like that, you are obviously not in tune with what the efforts are.
No one is bitching, in fact Wang has stayed quiet for the most part.
You said pick Tavares right? So if the Isles didn’t take this rebuild serious they would have jumped ship. So please bro, get your facts correct.
Isles316 (94): Since Katrina is the Lighthouse’s “Paid For” blogger, you can’t really say she’s on her own.
Tom, the Islanders want your support, not your help. There is a huge difference.
Unless Wang calls you up one day asking for money, or for you to drive the forklift for the construction… they don’t want your “help”.
As for Tavares, I want him as well picked, but realistically I want the Isles to pick whoever is the BPA at the spot they chose…whether its 1st, 2nd or 3rd.
True Ryan.
K Fitz, Is that the same stimulus package that has the Dow crumbling. Just sayin..it might not be a 60% approval rating
yes it’s the stimulus package that hasn’t gone into effect yet that has the dow crumbling… not the 8 years of tax cuts for the rich and massive spending… oh and let’s go islanders… and you notice kate murray has the same number of letters in her name as george bush? coincidence? i think not
guerin13(63): You said it!
Listen, I think it’s great people go to these things & speak. I don’t mean to belittle people’s efforts. BUT from somebody who has closly watch this org continuely fall all over itself I’ve grown a bit bored & just a tad skeptical.
At one point or another **** or get off the pot. Charlie wang is a little man with a big bank account who can’t sell an idea to save his life. The Isles have paid dearly for Charlie’s failures.
Besides, since Queens went public in the paper & on WFAN– as fans we don’t need the Lighthouse. The Isles have Queens. Tell Wang to stick a shovel up his goal crease, Islander fans don’t need the Lighthouse. We need a new arena, we can have one in Queens. Screw the Lighthouse.
Wang needs to divest 100% of financial interests in the Islanders & free the Isles & their fans. Then he can devote 100% of time & money to his dream of Utopia.
It was very good to see on Katrina’s blog that Rosalie Norton, president of the West Hempstead Civic Association, spoke in favor of the Lighthouse. Not that the West Hempstead Civic Association is some all-powerful entity. But I’ve found that any group with the name “Civic Association” in it usually has one favorite word: no.
That this group is not falling into that trap is encouraging.
Still no sign of organized opposition. It’s hard to believe that the NIMBYs are just laying in wait to do their stuff.
And if you’re all smart: you won’t respond to Tom and his views.
Rosalie is a wonderful woman who truly gets it. I’m glad I got to know her during this whole process.
“cb — can’t you just delete posts like #32 so I don’t stay p-off all day?”
Outstanding Chris — Thanks.
Islanders 360, your post is good…it was another one that CB blew off the site. WE ARE ALL ISLANDERS!!!
At this point, I really don’t give a crap who votes for what and why, so long as the Project is approved. I’ll give Kate Murray and the rest of the TOH politicans a nice shiny medal if that’s what its going to take to get this thing approved.
Maybe if Charles Wang names a part of the project after some of these TOH politicans it will get approved quicker (I can see it now: The Kate Murray Memorial Hot Dog Stand. The TOH Memorial Restroom).
As far as support for the team goes, I kind of hear Tom’s arguments. The team and this project have been stuck in neutral to put it nicely for some time. I understand the skepticism. But as Isles’ fans, this is what we signed up for so the best thing we can do is just try to support the project and team as much as possible. Maybe it won’t help, but I am positive that it will get the project and team nowhere if nobody supports them.
I read Forbes’ business of hockey piece over the weekend. It’s funny, since 2002 the Islanders’ payroll has been within the same $9 million range. You can’t talk about them being unwilling to spend money since the budget has been largely the same. Also, write-up is there in case anybody wants to head over there. I’m out on this thread.
Well … I’m happy to see the goals for this meeting were met and advanced by TLHG submitting the DGEIS. That should advance things a bit.
To those that are calling for Kate Murray’s head b/c she wasn’t there, be glad she wasn’t.
I’m ignorant to the TOH’s protocol for board hearings, but in these parts (NJ) … the Township Mayor (AKA Town Manager) doesn’t need to and normally doesn’t attend. It’s like the President being present while the Senate hears testimony during a committee meeting. So don’t get wound up about nothing … save it for it’s needed.
Everything this meeting is about is either a positve step or negative. It emerged positive and we should all be happy, as for the time being.
Thanks for education guys. Local politics in New York state seems a complicated process. Glad there is so much passion from all the Islanders fans. Keep the project rolling. Go Islanders!
Well, JayK, I’m not that smart.
So, to Tom… Since you seem to constantly feel the need to tell us what YOU’RE tired of, you know what some of US are tired of? YOUR bitching, moaning, complaining, pointing fingers, etc. Enough already. We hear you. Every freaking time you pound us over the head with your whining. Just SHUT UP already.
Tom does make some Valid Points!
Newsday story with Charles Wang quotes:
http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/ny-liisle2512491384feb25,0,7901186.story?track=rss
They don’t even have investors yet? I thought thet were good to go. That’s not a good sign.
Chris, Why was my post deleted from yesterday? That is such a bush move. I thought this wasn’t a pro Islanders site. I am a dedicated fan and go to 10-15 games a year, from New Jersey no less, but, can’t express my opinoin? Some guy tell’s you to remove it and you do! I am tired of losing aren’t you? We have done nothing for 18 year’s. Why should I have faith in Snow and Gordon?
What’s the latest here?