LIVE FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE MEETING
A Live Blog from the Marriott
Here is Newsday’s article on the meeting.
7:17 pm - The developers got the crowd they wanted. The Grand Ballroom at the Long Island Marriott is crowded. I’d estimate the attendance at this point at 800 - 1,000. Charles Wang is at the microphone. On the dais are Scott Rechler, Tom Suozzi and LDC President Michael Picker.
7:20 pm - Wang tells the crowd that as many people will get to speak as possible. If they don’t get a chance, he encourages them to reach out to everyone on the dais, even call his office if necessary. “As some of you know, I talk to everyone - not just season ticketholders.”
7:22 pm - Wang: “I’m not one to give up on Long Island. Don’t bet against us on Long Island. We can make it happen.” Later on, he urges everyone to work together “with a single purpose,” quoting a recent speech by Barack Obama.
7:25 pm - Rechler: “The Lighthouse Project is the future of Long Island. It is a defining moment for our future.” He also points out everything he and Wang own in the area. “We are not developers,” he said. “We are neighbors.”
7:26 pm - Picker: “We’ve listened to the community. We’ve modified our plans. We’re not looking to bypass approvals. Government needs to work faster.”
7:28 pm - In a speech many of us have heard before - albeit an effective speech - Suozzi lists Nassau’s four major problems:
- Property taxes
- “Our children are moving away.”
- Traffic
- “Pockets of poverty that people have been ignoring for a long time.”
The Nassau County Executive also outlines how Suffolk County is growing while Nassau is not. “We have to expand our tax base in a creative way. That’s what this project is all about.”
Suozzi on Wang and Rechler’s proposal: “This is the best sports deal in America.”
7:34 pm - Wang introduces all his consultants. “It’s expensive to have consultants.” He also intros many guests, including Betsy Gulotta of the Hempstead Plains Association, Bobby Nystrom, Mike Bossy, leaders of Veterans and Labor groups, and several community leaders such as Joseph Scannell, David Denenberg and Dave Mejias.
One of the most notable guests is Hempstead Town attorney Joe Ra.
7:40 pm - A new version of the Lighthouse Project video that I haven’t seen before - focusing on some of the history of the property - is shown. Charles says the video last 6 minutes 22 seconds. “The site has been waiting 40 years for a new vision, new growth,” goes the narration.
Mercifully, it is not the “Meet Me at the Lighthouse” video. This one deals in real life.
7:47 pm - Wang introduces a 92-year gentleman named George Kleinman, who has been on Long Island his entire life. “I can’t believe, with a project like this, that we have to campain for. I watched the development of Kennedy Airport. We did it, and we did it right. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a great thing, believe me.” Later on, he asks, “What is the answer? What is holding this up”? He also says Labor needs to get involved. “They can do the job.”
Matthew Pemberton, a young student at the Connolly School in Glen Cove, presents Wang with signatures in support of the Lighthouse he lined up from all the kids in school.
7:52 pm - A season ticketholder - saying he is defending four seats as his “real estate” - asks what happens if the Project is not approved. Suozzi: “It will be very hard for the Islanders to stay here if the deal does not go through.” Rechler takes it even further: “I think we lose the future of Long Island.”
7:58 pm - To a question about traffic, Picker announces that the developers have put up $55 million dollars for traffic mitigation. “Unprecedented,” he calls it. Suozzi says he has a plan that will take people from the Mineola train station to the Coliseum in 18 minutes without using their cars.
8:02 pm - John Durso from the United Federation of Labor says he does not want to hear talk of “what if” the project doesn’t happen. “This project has to be done. It has to be done union to be done right. This project makes Nassau happen. This project makes the economy happen. We will go to D.C., we will go to Albany, we will go to the ends of the earth to make this happen. And we will hold everyone accountable who tries to not make it happen.”
8:03 pm - One gentleman reads from the Declaration of Independence and demands the resignation of Kate Murray. Both Wang and Suozzi stand up for Murray and say it’s not personal and they don’t want to “demonize” anyone. Wang: “Let’s keep the politics out of it and make sure we are working together.”
8:10 pm - Nassau resident (and Point Blank reader) John K. talks about how bad the population loss is, saying Nassau has dropped four years in a row. Only Oakland County, Michigan matches Nassau’s lack of growth. “It is a horrendous, horrendous problem,” he says. Suozzi adds that the demo Nassau is losing the most is between the ages of 25-34. John is in the middle of a run of residents speaking in support of the Lighthouse Project.
8:15 pm - I guess I should mention that I’m at a press table with Eden Laikin and Katie Strang of Newsday. The Daily News also has a reporter here. There are also cameras here from News 12 Long Island, TV-55 and MSG Network. There may be others.
8:21 pm - In response to a question about bringing the Nets to Nassau, Wang asks a question back: “Can you imagine, if we had done this project when we first planned, what our chances would be now to get the Nets”?
8:23 pm - Bob Nystrom speaks, saying “I’m one of the oldest Islanders.” He talks about getting drafted by the Islanders and falling in love with the Island and making it his home. He expresses concern about Nassau’s future: “If you don’t grow, you die.” He ends by telling Wang that he doesn’t understand how he’s been able to have so much patience waiting for the project to be finalized.
8:30 pm - Wang announces that there will be “breakout” meetings all over the Marriott conference level if visitors want more detailed answers from the consultants and project leaders about traffic, the school system, environmental and other aspects.
Rechler adds to Wang’s Nets comment by saying the same holds true for big business. If Nassau had the infrastructure, it wouldn’t lose businesses at the rate it is.
8:40 pm - President of Building and Construction Trades Jim Castellane gets the crowd worked up. He asks for everyone who is behind the project to stand. Just about everyone does. He asks if there is anyone against the project. One couple stands up, the woman saying “I don’t want this in my backyard.” Ten seconds of mild tension. Okay, back to the speakers - several of them from unions.
8:45 pm - The veterans of war in attendance receive a rousing standing ovation.
8:48 pm - 90 minutes in, the most powerful comment is still Suozzi’s from 7:52 pm: “It will be very hard for the Islanders to stay here if the deal does not go through.” Other than that, lots of information, lots of support, little drama, no threats, no news.
8:53 pm - More speakers, including PB reader/commenter Adam Cohen, who discusses transportation issues. Suozzi, who’s been lovin’ him some HUB for a decade now, goes on a rant about the need for transportation.
9:00 pm - Nassau legislator Kevan Abrahams, who represents Uniondale, says the Lighthouse Project can be the Town of Hempstead’s “stimulous package.” Talking about the Coliseum, he says, “Think about that property if it goes away.” To his Uniondale residents, Abrahams says, “Think about your property values if this project goes away.”
9:05 pm - Joseph Scannell continues the run of politicians publicly supporting the project. He says he was impressed by Wang because “You took over this thing when it was sinking. You saved the Islanders.” Dave Denenberg speaks next: “Save the Island…Save the Islanders.”
9:10 pm - Bishop Harris from Uniondale says God supports the Lighthouse Project. Niiiiiiiiiice.
A representative from the NAACP speaks glowingly of the 18,000 construction jobs that come with the project. He asks for guarantees that there will be labor for minorities. Labor leaders stand up and give public assurances. They agree to meet off-line after the meeting.
9:20 pm - It looks like the main event is almost over. Mike Bossy is the final speaker. No one from the Town of Hempstead speaks. Press row is told that Wang, Rechler and Suozzi will be available in a scrum shortly. If anything comes of it, I’ll add it to this post. Thanks for following along.
I look forward to your reaction of my play-by-play, plus the Comments of the many PB readers in attendance. My plan is to do a follow-up column tomorrow with my take on the event.
9:40 pm - A trio of reporters huddle with Tom Suozzi. The subject comes up of Kate Murray saying she didn’t attend because of a conflict of interest, yet several Town of Hempstead leaders did show. Suozzi, as smooth on his feet as any politician, is lost to explain Murray’s absence.
I spoke to Suozzi one-on-one for a few minutes afterwards and will include that talk in a followup post.
Comments.
134 Responses to “LIVE FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE MEETING
A Live Blog from the Marriott”
Please Wait
god i wish i could b there!
Anything to substantiate the rumor that the Rechler group is involved in becoming the Willets Point developer?
Even though I’m Canadian and have never been closer to LI than Syracuse… I wish I could be there. To be honest, if the team moved to Queens I wouldn’t care one but, and yet I feel like I’m missing something by not being able to be there. It is a very strange feeling. Keep up the updates Chris!
This is what it felt like before I had access to the NHL Network and I could only get access to the otherwise blacked-out games by constantly hitting refresh on the game summary page of nhl.com lol…
Here in binghamton cheering for the LDG on my birthday…. I’d give anything to be there tonight..
Thanks for blogging Chris.
Thanks for the updates Chris. I got my beer and popcorn and am reading each one.
Is there a TOH representative there??
Is anyone from Queens there?
thanks for the updates chris. i wish i could be at the meeting tonight. keep up the good work!
Bossy & Bobby in da house! Is there anybody from Queens there? Somebody tell them to do all this in Queens.
I am loving this play by play, speaker by speaker action/blogging!! Nice work as usual CB!
“The site has been waiting 40 years for a new vision, new growth,” goes the narration. - DUHHH!
Joe Ra as a “guest.” Hmmmm.
I should clarify my comment above. I do want the Lighthouse project to go through. I think that is best for the team and its fans, but if it doesn’t happen, Queens is a very close second.
CB is a one man UPI.
noone else.
Sounds like status quo stuff so far
Of course they’re going to say it will be very hard for the Isles to stay if the deal doesn’t go through. If they said “no problem, we’ll just move ‘em to Queens”, it would take the pressure off of these politicians considerbly…
The LH needs to be sold to the public as ECONOMIC STIMULUS THAT DOESN’T COST THE TAXPAYERS A CENT.
Cant for the life of me figure out why Wang and Rechler havent jumped on this unless they do eventually intend to come for handouts.
What is that “plan” to get folks from the train to the arena. Buses?
i think a trolly
The Spruce Moose…From Idlewild Airport to the Belgian Congo in 17 minutes! Hop In, Smithers!
Unions behind this is a very good thing…
haha i like the guy reading from the declaration of independence!
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created
equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the
pursuit of Happiness.
Strong words by Durso. I hope he means what he’s saying.
The 5 Nets fans on Long Island would be thrilled to death…..
haha and god i would give almost anything to be there tonight
it may not have been the right place, but i’m glad someone had the BALLS to stand infront of a meeting such as this and demand kate murray’s resignation!! her actions and her cavalier attitude towards this project make me sick to my stomach to be a long islander!!
@28-Respectfully, I am a Knicks fan, which is as painful as being an Islanders fan, except I have to give my money to Dolan, which makes it worse….
If the Nets came back, as Ross Perot once said, “You would hear the giant sucking sound,” of the Long Island Knicks fans jumping ship and coming back to the NY Nets.
was this meeting worth all the hype?? I am confused as to why it was even necessary at this point. Please inform me what I am missing from the updates that I should be interested about
cb, thanks for doing this live blog, im here now (standing just to your right) but i have to leave and your blog will be my only live reference so keep up the great work. thanks again.
On a side note it entertaining to watch CB give you all a live update of this meeting. Pretty much we are getting simular answers to the same questions. A gentleman representing a local made a statement for which I agree with, “It is time for the Unions to let their voices be heard about the jobs that would be created from this project”. The Islanders a side, that is enough reason to move forward.
Solid CB. Thanks.
‘Twas a Pep Rally though…..
TO add to what Kevin Fitz just posted, what, if any will be Kate Murray’s reaction to all this? will this tip things in one direction or the other? I know I for one don’t like the remark about it being tough to keep the team on Long Island
IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME!
Has anyone at the meeting mentioned how this project will help lower property taxes?
Build it all over that woman’s backyard….I want a skyscraper in the way of her clothesline.
I would love to have heard what this lone dissenting couple WOULD want in their backyard. A vacant lot? I wish someone would have respectfully asked them what they would like to have done with the Coliseum and surrounding area.
Thanks CB for keeping those who are off Long Island updated to what has been going on at the meeting.
If she lives in Uniondale, she probably doesn’t have a backyard.
I can’t believe B@#$%!!!
I could just imagine the puss on that ladies face and the husband, that poor husband, imagine coming home to that every day!!!
his woman’s runnin wild.
What good is this whole rally if it is being ignored by the TOH? I know Joe Ra is there…but it doesn’t appear that he or anyone else from the TOH has participated in any way.
Chris, Thanks for all of your hard work tonight. I was constantly refreshing the page to get the latest update. Your coverage is clearly having a positive impact as NYI fans have been energized. A very good development tonight was that the labor unions spoke up for the project. I hope the TOH hears this loud and clear.
NJA - #19
They can not say they wont use tax payer money. Due to the scale of the transportaion issues and Suozzi saying only 18 min from Mineola to Uniondale without a car….they will need stimulus money and therefore that is tax payer money. I read that somewhere a week or so ago and have not seen it anywhere since.
Chris, thanks for reporting from the front lines…
Thank you so much for this Chris
i’d rather my tax dollars went to building the lighthouse than building executive suites at AIG or a runway for citigroup, or a freaking NAMING RIGHT for citifield. i say use tax dollars for it what the hell is the difference at this point? its better than throwing it at executive scum.
Another boring pep rally. Someone should have asked about Queens.
9:10 pm - Bishop Harris from Uniondale says that God supports the Lighthouse Project. Niiiiiiiiiice.
by far the best update hahah
If there were no anti-Lighthouse people represented, besides that couple, did this accomplish anything? Maybe some press? Otherwise, it didnt seem too much new info came out of it. But I guess you need to push it, and maybe this exposure will help the cause.
9:10 God doesn’t mind traffic
Get ‘er done in Queens if not Uniondale.
CB - Great, Great job of updating what’s going on. Not only tonight, but all season you have done excellent work on this blog.
“done union to be done right”. That sounds like an invitation to looting, feather-bedding and shoddy work. The equivalent of bringing back Milbury.
i wish someone had talked to that one couple against it. but if the town had been sending out emails (as rumored) trying to get dissenters to the meeting… then i think the fact that only one couple were against it says a lot to the town.
great job Chris. hopefully this opened some people’s eyes about how good this project can be for the Islanders and Long Island.
So basically nothing happened
Thanks, Chris. Great job.
If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make any noise? LOL
If anything maybe Hoe Ra and Murrays cronies who she might have planted will come back to her with the message…
“If the Lighthouse doesnt happen, then the Islanders are gone forever!”!!!!!!!!
maach: please let us know what you expected? i think the fact that nothing bad happened… like hundreds of people against it was huge. this was meant to just inform people and that’s what it did. even though you and i know a lot of this stuff already… the point was to get the message out to people who don’t know and hopefully hundreds there were informed of stuff they didn’t already know. plus we had politicians for it, labor unions for it. outside of the town people showing up… no news was probable
There is a reason Joe Ra was there. He was they eyes and ears for Kate Murray. What he saw tonight will get back to her and from the sounds of it she is not going to like what she hears. It will get her attention.
CB,
Absolutely awesome play-by-play. Greatly appreciate this. Thanks.
Great job! I am in the city and could not make it in but your informative real-time update made me feel involved. Thanks!
i felt bad for joe ra tough spot for him
The best moment of the night was when Wang told a story about his first game up in the owners’ box after purchasing the team. He admitted that he didn’t know anything about hockey and turned to ask Milbury when halftime was. He said Milbury looked at him like he was crazy and didn’t give him an answer. Wang said he couldn’t understand why Milbury didn’t answer him, and then somebody in the audience yelled out ‘…because he didn’t know’. Big laughs.
Thank you for the *minutes* of the meeting….well done. Atlanta just came back from a 4-1 deficit to beat the Rangers in a shootout.
And Tampa just went into O/T with the Habs
Well done, well written CB..
As a side note, as you are probably well aware of CB, Katie Strang was running a live chat on Logan’s blog. All was well and good on it (even my spars with Sir William) until the Rangers took a 4-1 lead against Atlanta in the 3rd. Then all the Rag fans showed up to spew their usual anti-Islander venom EN MASSE.
Well, they are all listening to John Lennon’s INSTANT KHARMA right now as the Rag’s blew their lead and fell to Atl in a shootout 5-4.
A wonderful evening….two time zones away.
suozzi did say by mid april we will know if this is going through or not
i keep seeing all these isles fans out of state… any in los angeles?
Tampa loses in ot, but 1 point isn’t bad
When can we expect to see the new video online? I’m curious.
with that tampa loss, the isles magic number for wins is 4. 4 or less and last is ours(and that’s under the assumption colorado and tampa lose out)
considering we haven’t been a 500 team all year, the odds are starting to move considerable in our favor
Any chance that couple against the project were Kate Murray’s parents??
CB, just an outstanding job for those of us who could not be there!! As stated earlier, loved the “God supports the Lighthouse”! That could be a bumper sticker!!
Suozzi laying the ground work for a run for Governor??
I believe TavHeduch is now becoming simply the TavHed watch!!
As Chris said I was there tonight and asked about transportation. I had hoped to be able to stay around to thank Suozzi for going on that rant. Transportation issues are very important to me. I was hoping to hear more concrete answers to certain questions such as the school districts issues. The numerous “we’re talking about it” type answers were disturbing to me. I know it’s a private project, but it is currently public land. it’s hard to give good opinions if we don’t know what happening outside of the one line descriptions they post on the website. Still it was a good meeting, and nice to see the support.
Thank you so much for that Chris!! I was kind of mad I couldn’t go, but this made it just as good (almost) !
So where, as CB previously mentioned, were these mysterious “cards” that Wang had to turn over tonight? It doesn’t sound like there was any major new revelation or news from the Lighthouse group or Suozzi. I hope that Joe Ra took good notes for Murray and crew back at Town Hall. I don’t understand why she’s scared of building the Lighthouse Project… it won’t be done until she’s long gone from office in the TOH. Ahh well, government moves at a snail’s pace.
LA Islander fan in the house!!! Watch every game on gamecenter.NHL.com. LETS GO ISLANDERS!! Fan since ‘79. Botta, thanks for making it so easy to follow the team as an exPat on the west coast.!! Lighthouse project might bring me back.
I was there tonight. Fourth row…center. I didn’t get called to speak, although I did sign up to do so. In my opinion, this evening was a mini-pep rally type of event. Politician after politician that was called on to speak was in favor of the project…problem was that none of these politicains were ToH Councilmembers.
Anthony Santino, my ToH Council member was in attendance. When the fellow with the unions asked for those who were in FAVOR of the project to stand, I immediately looked at Santino (next section to my left, in the front row, 14 feet away from me) and he stood. I was under the impression that he was poised to vote against the project.
This project must go through!!! Without it, we won’t only just lose the Islanders, but we will lose many potential jobs, and have in our region. Kate Murray must stop being isolated from this entire project, and as Chris said, this is the most important real estate project here since Levittown, and without the help from her, the project will die. Because this is an election year, if she wants to gain support for reelection, she must support the project, as almost everyone from the region wants the Lighthoue Project to get passed, and this will be a major help to Long Island during these economic times.
KC HERE WE COME
Hi Chris. I was there standing in the back about 20 feet from the press table you were at. Durso also had the crowd going crazy with his rant about doing it union and holding those who are against the project accountable. One thing you did not mention is that when Charles introduced the public officials, he mentioned that Town Councilman Santino from TOH was there. I didn’t notice him stand up, but I have it on good authority that he’s the one calling the shots for the TOH Republicans now. It would have been interesting if anyone asked him where he stood on the project. Also in attendance was County Comptroller Weitzman. He and I are “Shul Homies,” and he will likely be next in line for County Executive if Suozzi sets his sites on bigger and better things. While nowhere near as slick a politician as Tom, Weitzman is a great guy and solidly behind the LH Project.
CB, thanks for the play by play…
I have to say, regarding the anti-lighthouse couple, that some people in the crowd were extremely obnoxious. After the woman stood up and voiced her opinion (I was seated directly next to her), one guy near me yelled “LEAVE”. Really pissed me off.
Besides getting a standing ovation, the statement of support by the veterans is significant. They had serious reservations about the project, simply because they assume the Veterans name would disappear from the new building. That they were in attendance in significant numbers caused me a bit of concern at first, because I thought they were going to bring that issue up. So when their head guy got up to speak in support, it was a very welcome relief. That statement should not be underplayed. Opposition by the veterans over the name change could have given Kate Murray political cover, but it’s gone now.
Actually, a question I would have liked to ask is why is Suozzi obsessed with the bus line from Mineola LIRR Station to the Coliseum and getting it done in 18 minutes? The Westbury Station is much closer and I have personally Picked friends up at that station and made it from the Westbury station to the Coliseum in 10 minutes. In fact, if they ever wanted to do a light rail service, that’s where you start it. From Westbury down the center of Merrick Avenue. Makes sense to me.
Great to see so many familiar faces tonight- from other sites/blogs, PB night, people I haven’t seen since opening night, and I even met in person a number of people I only talk to online.
CB, you did a great point-by-point here, everyone appreciates it. I saw you when you got there by the door, but it was so crowded I wouldnt have been able to get over there, anyway.
Yeah it was a pep rally, no doubt… with a LOT of political schmoozing/thanking/clapping. But the amount of support for this is really notable and I think you could say that the lack of dissention is news in and of itself. When purple lady said that about her backyard, there were no cheers of support for her outburst. And when her representative Kevan Abrahams came up a little while later to point out the alternative, the property being unused/abandoned and explained why this is a good thing he supports, she and her son(?) had already left.
Ill say this- the unions and veterans were all outspoken regarding their support. They were all clapping for all the words of support. That is pretty big, actually. All the local residents (other than purple lady) were all supportive as well. Locals, Veterans, and Unions could spell doom for projects like this but
So… where is the opposition? What is it they have a problem with? Someone asked that very question and its just what I would have asked had I chosen to speak. Where are the groups against this project? Why dont they have anything to say? I honestly wish that all these people who supposedly exist would make themselves known. In real life, not just as anonymous dissenter Topix comments on Newsday articles with names like “Wang Is Stupid” or whatever. Where are you? Any of you? Prove that you are real or else I am not oing to believe you even exist.
All in all, of course Im glad I went. Yes I wish that it was more, well, productive. But I guess we just have to remember that this is just how politics works. When someone asked what we can do, they explained that THIS is what we should do… showing up at things like this and letting our reps know what we want. This IS “productive” when it comes to politics. So this is what we should continue doing… showing our support.
Does *anyone* believe this “18 minute” bus from Mineola to the arena makes any sense whatsoever?
If people really are calling for this to be the solution to “where will people park?” — then maybe Kate Murray has a point.
I want this built, but I really think putting this ridiculous notion out there discredits the effort.
(someone might want to tell Tom S that a cab from Hempstead takes 5 minutes.)
mrblem — because Mineola’s service is about twice as frequent as Westbury’s. There’s absolutely no comparison between the two.
i wish the night included someone to speak AGAINST the project. I really want to hear the ‘other’ side.
I can’t help but think this is a no-brainer.
Chris TMC. Read his post. #89. Basically hit the nail on the head. I’m glad I went.
Sorry I could not be there but I will continue to send my emails to Murray voicing my displeasure with her attempt to stop the Lighthouse project.
I think the people that are agaisnt it are people who dont want to see their neighborhood turned into something that they didnt move there to live by. I also think people dont trust Wang and Rechler to do right by the community.
People sitting next to me tonight were agaisnt the Lighthouse project but seemed to have learned a lot by their comments to certain pieces of information brought forth. Maybe tonight helped.
Isles_Goal (44) I believe there actually were other TOH reps there, they just didnt get up and speak.
Kate Murray is a disgrace. No matter how this whole thing turns out I’m 100% definitely showing up at the poles this year to help vote her out.
thanks for the updates cb
So basically.Nothing came out of this meeting at all. Same thing we’ve seen over and over again. This team is losing a lot of time.
where are people suppose to park who visit The Lighthouse?
I see on the site they have underground parking for residents. What about the people attending events, shopping, etc.
I did not see anything on the LH website on the matter.
Matthew (99): Where have you seen this over and over again? I have never seen all these TOH and Nassau politicians show up at a LH meeting like this before. And yeah it was a lot of political niceties and schmoozing, but thats what poltics IS. This is exactly what politiicians do when they are taking something seriously. I dont see how that is a bad thing.
Bryan (97): If everyone felt like you do and everyone stated that they were against KM no matter WHAT she does, then why the heck whould she listen to any of us?
Gillies #100- I was there and talked to David Van Del (I think that was his last name). He was in charge of discussing parking, I had many doubts but we went over everything. There will be a couple of thousand more parking spaces than there are now when this is done, but they will be located in various spots. Some will be closer to the colesium and he hinted that those would charge a bit of a premium. There are above ground lots and well as underground.
I was there tonight and nothing of any real importance happened. Was dissapointed nothing much came of it. Lots of politicians jocking for position. Talked to CB for a couple of minutes in Champions after it was over. I think the best all of us could do right now is to keep our fingers crossed that this all works out. No mention of Queens by anyone.
I learned a lot. I truly feel that anyone there against the project learned a lot as well and maybe changed their minds. And if nothing else comes out of this meeting, I sat directly in front of Bob Nystrom. Yay!
i never realized how funny wang is. that quick one liner about bossy was hilarious.
i was there tonight also and it was a very informative presentation but nothing we disnt already know.. i was a little annoyed i didnt get to speak because i truly wanted tot know what the opposition is saying or for them to voice their opinion on the mic provided.. most people that took the mic pretty much just vented, not really pressing for answers to questions that are of real importance..
“If you build it they will come”!!!!
i think i may know who that purple lady is, they are an angry couple, and are season tix holders for many years … me and my brother had season tickets in the same row… my friends father been a season ticket holder for 27 yrs spending top dollar and the only thing he won is a t-shirt.. he started with getting 4 tixs and has cut that in half and has threatened to only getting 1 for next year…wheres the loyalty to these season tix holders that deserve the best??? “Yes it Can”
Re (107): I was diagonally a few rows in front of them in the same section. If there are pictures in the paper or online that include the audience, you might be able to spot them- then you can see if they are the particular couple you are thinking of. Look in the section center stage left (the section in front of the table on stage), look maybe 9(?) rows back and you may see a middle aged(?) black woman in a purple sweater and a guy in casual clothes who looked to perhaps be maybe in his late 20s sitting to her left. My first thought was that he was her son, but others have called them a couple so maybe they got a better look at them than I did?
Regardless, based on her comment (as brief as it was) I would deduce that the woman and the guy with her do not have anything to do with the Islanders other than living in the nearby Uniondale area. Thats how it seemed to me.
Thanks CB for your updates throughout. I wish I was able to make it. I have my fingers crossed and I truly hope by beloved Islanders will stay where they belong. Also, thank you Mr. Wang for your patience, commitment and dedication to the Island and the Islanders. Kate Murray not in attendance, what is going on here, isn’t this her town, isn’t she supposed to represent the TOH. Is anyone of significance questioning her ability to perform her job? What is going on here?
maybe that couple that stood up are rangers fans
Thanx to all you home town fans representing all of out of town islander fans. And a special thanx to MR Botta for all he has done !!!!!
Great reporting CB. As someone who was there, I came away with the impression that the ONLY THING that will keep this project from happening is politics as usual. Time to step up Kate, the taxpayers are almost unanimously in favor of this thing.
That NIMBY stuff really bothers me. You’re talking about a project that puts millions of dollars in the county’s pockets, adds thousands of jobs during a time unemployment is at an all-time high, revitalizes an area that–quite frankly–could use it, not to mention keeps Long Island’s only professional sports franchise here and you’re seriously gonna complain about it??!!?? This NIMBY couple pisses me off and should take a walk around Penn Station and check out all the people (middle-class, Long Islanders, BTW) that have either been laid off, out of work for six months, had their salaries cut if they’re still lucky enough to be employed and work their vacations and hours of overtime just to keep said jobs. It’s a joke that this isn’t Island-wise praised, NY Islanders or no NY Islanders. Sorry for the long post, but this is something in these harsh economic times that needs to happen. Pronto!!!! I’m sure that couple will love it in a couple of years when there’s tumbleweeds blowing around Hemp. Tkpe. where there used to be jobs and revenue, and the same eye-sore of land will still be sitting there.
Not to mention, sorry, not publicly funded project. It just all makes too much sense.
108 thats not them…my mistake 110 you a probably right…My 2 cents on kate is she is worried b/c crime is high in Hempstead..
First of all, CB you have done a great job on this site and thank you. Second, I seriously think most of the drama from the last few months is being played up by Newsday (a paper in a not-so-great situation). This project makes too much sense for everyone on LI for the County to stand by and watch the TOH “mess” it up. The lack of dissenters tonight speaks volumes. We can worry about politics, but the fact is, Wang is a man who knows money and he is doing whatever he can to influence the right people, NOT Kate Murray (whose role, though important, I believe has been overblown by Isles fans). Sometimes you just have to take a step back and look at this whole thing in its entirety, and, as I believe, it will get done.
Chris, thanks for this! A prior engagement kept me from being their tonight. Your recap of the events certainly hit all of the major points in an honest fashion. Your efforts to educate and inform people regarding The Lighthouse Project should be applauded. My thanks to you again! -Joe
The more I think about the excuse John Ra gave me, saying Murray can get s0ed for showing any kind of feelings about the project is cowardly to say the least…Think about it, that’s what good politicians would do, stick their neck out for the people…I hope this gets doen and we can all be proud as Americans and Long Islanders alike for over coming this corruption!!!
Islander fans don’t stop the heat, keep calling these white collar criminals and let them know WHAT WILL HAPPEN!!!
Tim — #115 — sorry, I don’t think Newsday is to blame here. The reality is that the TOH clearly has serious misgivings about this project, for reasons that are both baffling but, given the history of the GOP on Long Island, completely understandable. There remains a chance this will die because of the town’s opposition, and I think Newsday has fairly reflected that. They are not stirring up a controversy where none exists; it’s real.
What happens next?
Good to hear there weren’t too many dissenters to the project. What I don’t get is that it’s not like they’re trying to pave over a rain forest or something. The Nassau Coliseum is the most outdated building in the NHL and its already in “your backyard”. It, and the surrounding area need to be re-developed. Its only one area of the Island - an area that can be made a focal point and get some badly needed upgrades in the process mostly through private financing during a recession.
Did anyone look at the opinion section in Newsday today? David Levy, the council to the supervisor of the TOH, basically blamed the county for the reason why the project is taking so long to get approved. He also writes how contrary to the belief of most Islander fans this project is more than just a new arena and then goes into the details around the arena. It made me so mad to read it cause it full of political crap and shows KM has croneys doing dirty work.
CB- It was nice meeting you last night. Thanks again for the great job you do on the blog and all the time it helps kill during work… For anyone who wasn’t there, the guy who read from the Declaration of Independence was pretty scary and made me nervous. I had no idea where he was going until he demanded Kate Murray’s resignation and he was talking like a wrestler from WWF getting interviewed right before a match. Pretty funny. Wang is a very funny guy.
Wang spoke of how he didn’t know anything about hockey before he bought the Islanders. He said he had only been to two hockey games, both Rangers in his life before he bought the team. He said the first game as Islanders owner, he asked Mike Milbury when halftime was. Someone in the crowd said, “And Milbury said he didn’t know” and Wang and the rest of the room burst out in laughter. Wang then said, that might be true, but I am good friends with Mike and I am actually seeing him in a couple of days. But I do understand why some of you feel that way.
That was the moment of the night for me. Well worth the hour drive back home to Yaphank.
I sat directly in front of the couple that said they were opposed to the project. They were local residents who seemed really concerned about the level of development in their neighborhood. They were also vocal when the young man asked about specific blocks across Hempstead Tpke and whether there were going to be any houses that were condemned or sold back to the town. I got the impression that there is some sort of local rumor that people are going to be displaced by the project.
Of more concern to me was the editorial by Murray’s attorney in today’s Newsday that tries to pass the buck of responsibility for delays.
Thanks so much Chris for another job well done.
Yes, Levy’s piece in Newsday was ridiculous and condescending. His suggestion that Islander fans don’t know this is more than just a new arena is insulting. His comment — again — that “we can approve a new arena immediately” is beyond stupid. And nobody connected to the project thinks the county has been the primary force for delay here. It’s the town.
Remember one thing about David Levy: in 1994, when the Republicans took over the House, he was the only sitting Republican congressman IN THE COUNTRY who lost his seat (in a primary to Dan Frisa). He’s a former radio newsman turned political hack, and a not particularly successful one at that.
I normally don’t get personal on this site, but his piece sent me into another bipolar spin. I was flying high last night after the meeting and then came to work with Levy’s words weighing on me. More obstruction.
what i dont get is how much would traffic really change. Please let me know of any sporting venue that does not create traffic on night of game. Big deal.
Have you seen how dead its over there when there isnt a game. Having somewhere to go during week would only help that ares.
As for the lady with saying its in my back yard. Im sure if she found out her property taxes would drop she would changer her mind.
So its clearly a TOH issue. Im tired of hearing the rumors that its Nassau.
I feel it gets down. Goverment employees just like use there power trip.
Lose the isles you can take that Area right of the LI map. It would be dead.
I think we will be ok here, apparently we have God on our side.
It was great to see Anthony Santino, Republican Town of Hempstead board member at the meeting. I’ve had my doubts about him over the years, but his willingness to be one of two ToH officials there speaks volumes about his integrity and willingness to take a political risk to do the “right thing”. It’s interesting that he wasn’t mentioned by name, either here or in Newsday, and the only reason I knew he was there is that his picture is on the Newsday website above the caption “Supporters attend a rally to speed up the approval of the Lighthouse project.”
GREAT JOB CB!! I grew up across the street from David LEvy. I took it upon myself to send him a note this morning. I fail to see how this is a no brainer…
Ryan (129): Anthony Santino was thanked for attending by Charles Wang early in the evening (when they were kind of rushing to get through the names so there wasnt clapping) and he was also referenced in another thank you by one of the other political speakers later in the evening. I was paying attention to his name because he represents me where I live. I too am very happy he was there, its a good sign.
Seems like a great turnout last night … From reading CB’s point by point it pretty much went as I’d expect it … no big surprises. Good Show!!!
D-man (72), I’m in Huntington Beach…
Is this the same David Levy that is married to Tracy Burgess?