KATE MURRAY UPDATES HER BIO: She’s now “protecting suburbia” from “overdevelopment”
9:15 am - Kate Murray may have scrapped her wrong-headed stimulus petition plan, but – with powerful mentors serving as her Henry Higgins – she continues to re-invent herself. The Hempstead Town Supervisor has recently added this paragraph to her bio on the TOH website:
Kate Murray is protecting the suburban character of our neighborhoods and standing strong in the face of threats to residential neighborhoods. Overdevelopment will not be permitted at the expense of the suburban tranquility that our families now enjoy.
At least she has given up the charade of wanting to stay neutral on the Lighthouse Project.
Thanks to reader K.L. for the heads-up. Comments. Tavheduch and hockey in next thread.
121 Responses to KATE MURRAY UPDATES HER BIO: She’s now “protecting suburbia” from “overdevelopment”
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isles316 says:
I still think that one of the developing groups that got out bid or not chosen by Nassau County is in her pockets. Just a theory but otherwise this entire thing makes no sense.
Her stand is also giving me less and less belief in our political system. The parties care too much about themselves and not about the people at all. This is a prime example of that.
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thepolishprince says:
“Suburban tranquility”? That’s what we’re calling the area surrounding the NVMC now? Really? No offense to any PB readers living within a stone’s throw of the old barn but I grew up in the Village of Hempstead and “tranquil” is not the right word. The Lighthouse would be a real shot in the arm for the area.
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UIF says:
So, given that Kate Murray has finally tipped her hand, what now?
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mtrico says:
I think that she should further update her bio to state that after the November elections, she will be the “former Town Supervisor.”
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#4 start doing whatever you can to spread the word so that she is voted out come November.
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Swiss#1 says:
I can’t stand that fat cow anymore…. does not have other problems?! Like being elected again?!
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Joey303 says:
Suburban Tranquility on the corner of Hempstead Tpke and Meadowbrook Parkway. Less than 2 miles from the “tranquility” of Raceway Mall. The “tranqulitiy” of Home Depot, Target, Wal Mart, 1000 condo units, 10 restaurants, 5000 cars on a Saturday nite. She must’ve followed the Grateful Dead on tour back in the 70′s. What a clown!!!
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Pat says:
Any chance of getting a rally together before the Draft?
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Dan from Westchester says:
I agree with #2. . This has got to be personal for her in some way for her to be acting this way.
“Suburban tranquility that our families now enjoy”. . . absolutely priceless.
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kevin fitz says:
I guess you residents in the town of hempstead will have to vote out Kate Murray in order for this to happen. There is no reason that the citizen’s should not do be able to do this. It will take hard work and people going door to door and campaigning for the Democrat. But if you really want this done you can make a difference. Politicians like Kate Murray rely on the fact that while people may be angry about something and may want to get her out of office, history shows that people are generally not willing to put in the work necessary for change.
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Kevin- the problem is that she cannot be voted out until a month AFTER Charles Wang has said he needs an answer.
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Spartiarti - RVC says:
i woudl like to know how many resident homes are in that part of uniondale?
Meadowbrook prkway is right there. What is she talking about.
I guess that picture CB put of murray with shovel is her digging her own political grave.
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Fist of Gillies says:
it sounds like any LH project with apartment building(s) is a non-starter. Perhaps they can strike a deal on retail/enetertainment in a scaled down version of what is on the table.
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mouthwash says:
Uniondale is a big dump. I can’t believe Kate Murray is proud of that.
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Chris TMC – I do not believe for a minute that Wang is packing up in October if he feels that Kate Murray may be voted out. That is just another excuse to not go out and do what is necessary. If you don’t mind them playing in Queens or KC or Hamilton than go ahead and do nothing. In all honesty it isn’t a huge deal to me because I live in Western NY now and I only go to games when they play in Buffalo. I would prefer they stay where they are, but I cannot do anything about it from where I am. People who live downstate need to take this into their own hands and get this done if they want their Islanders to stay in Nassau. If they don’t than you have no one to blame but yourselves. It’s one thing to complain about something on a blog. But it is another thing to get out and hit the streets and make a real difference in the election.
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(14): That kind of a deal should have been struck between the county and the TOH when the county was selecting plans for the area. The county had an opportunity to pick plans that did and did not include various aspects, but they voted overwhelmingly for this one.
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kevin fitz (16): Where in the world did you get the crazy idea that I am not doing what is necessary and telling ME to “go ahead and do nothing”? I pointed out that the timeline as stated is a problem- and it IS. That doesnt give you any reason whatsoever to imply what you have 9implied here.
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Wow…
Not being from the area, it is difficult for me to comprehend the inner workings of the local politics that are giving everyone a headache. I must admit that Ms. Murray’s actions are puzzling, and to those that are opposed to the Lighthouse project, makes me, as an outsider, scratch my head?!?! It will be interesting to see how this will play out over the next 4-5 months, I can only assume that this soap opera will only get more intense and will create immense devides among the people of Hemstead… Why would Kate Murray want this??
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JayK says:
Swiss #1 — #7 — She is convinced that the traditional Republican playbook that running against Nassau becoming the “sixth borough” will work for her again. She may be wrong…but she may be right.
TMC — #12 — You’re right, but I can also see Wang, if there is significant movement toward a Kate Murray defeat, finding a reason to hem and haw until after Election Day.
But she wins, and the Lighthouse is dead, and the Islanders are gone after next season.
But it all comes down to this: we all have to work to defeat her.
I just wrote my local Republican assemblyman, Tom McKevitt (who lives in the TOH) and laid out my arguments for the Lighthouse. I also told him that I would remain a registered Republican so as to be able to vote in GOP Presidential primaries, but that if Kate Murray defeated the Lighthouse, I have cast my last vote for a Nassau County Republican. My hope is that he, as another Republican in the TOH, will persuade her that the course she has put the town on is dangerous to the Republicans.
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I am not saying you are not doing anything. I am saying that a lot of people will need to mobilize and start a grassroots, door to door campaign. It is the only way and it is not that hard to do. American’s have become very lazy in the political process which is why politicians like KM can keep getting elected, because they know that people will really not do what is necessary to get them out of office.
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I have set up a new email address: beatkate09@yahoo.com. I don’t know exactly what we’re going to do with this, but this is a place where we can keep email addresses and then use them later to mount an independent effort, by concerned citizens, to help defeat Kate Murray in November. If you’re interested, please send a note to that address, and I’ll start to compile them. We’ll figure out what to do later, but for now, just sign up there.
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Vinny says:
This is a joke I tell you. There is nothing suburban about that entire area, what because it’s flat and has no buildings that makes it tranquil?? Seriously, the TOH and their cronies are grasping at straws, trying to find some message that will resonate with the anti-LH folk. It is a ruse that will not last.
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Gary says:
#2 – You mean she’s in their pockets or Mondello is. I’m sure the merchants at Roosevelt Field are “covering a few expenses as well.
#4 – Same as always, keep the pressure on, embarrass her and her supporters into doing the right thing. At the same time work together to defeat her.
#8 – So did I. what’s the point. She’s not a delusional a-hole because of the Grateful Dead. She’s a delusional a-hole on her own dime.
By the way, reading between the lines:
Protect Hempstead from overdevelopment means “there will be no development in Hempstead unless my cronies, patrons and I get something out of it. -
Healy says:
ARGHH!! I am so frustrated. Protect the tranquility of suburbia?…ITS A CONCRETE SEA! It features parking lots and abandoned lots. Damn! We better do all we can to protect that.
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Priest says:
OK, since Wang has said he needs his answer by Oct, and Kate Murray has (basically) given hers, and an election is being held in November. Is there any chance that CW revises his deadline, dependant on her opponent winning the elcetion. I suppose it is too early to ask even Charles that question, given that she doesn’t even have an opponent yet but it is something that has to be thought about.
I think CW has to be meeting with Queens reps now regardless of what the plans are in TOH.
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Gary, yea. It’s just a theory but maybe she was connected personally or Mondello was conncected personally with one of the other groups. Sorry if I said it backwards.
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therain93 -- terriers fan says:
I grew up on Long Island, my grandmother lived in uniondale and I worked in the industrial park across the street from the NVMC on Oser Avenue — there’s not a whole lot in that general area except traffic getting on/off the Meadowbrook.
Hempstead, Rockville Centre, Garden City would all get immediate and huge boosts from the Lighthouse project besides many of the smaller peripheral towns. The LIRR would like stand to make a good chunk of money as well.
The problem is, so many of the posters here aren’t from Hempstead (like myself, living in Boston now because it’s too expensive on LI) and we’re all preaching to the choir. Unless this becomes a true grass roots movement, when November rolls in, the residents are simply going to enter the polling station and select yes for the incumbent. And, frankly, if no one is out stumping for Kate Murray’s job already, then the residents simply won’t have a choice.
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dose says:
2 isles316 on Apr 6th, 2009 09:17:58 said: I still think that one of the developing groups that got out bid or not chosen by Nassau County is in her pockets.
if the project goes down without wang/reck, at some point later on other developers will end up with contracts to build something on the site. they will be the ones tied to mondello & co.
i hope there is some aggressive, hungry investigative reporter looking at this right now. there is a story there. better it comes out now. -
Gary says:
Well, i think shes right to protect the aquafiers, the trees, animals, grasslands, eco-nature and to preserve the remaining undeveloped lands from human destruction…oh wait…Its all concrete there now anyway…Forget what i said…
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Dave says:
Chappaqua has suburban tranquility. The area around the NVMC does not at all.
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
To protect K.Murray’s theory, she must build a small brick castle (instead of her house) with no electicity and restrooms with holes in the floor, she also need to ride a horse to work holding a spear and shield with TOH letters on it. “Overdevelopment”???!!! Give me a break! Looks like she running out of ideas.
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The Hollow says:
Priest (26) – I’m thinking October may be perfect timing for Wang’s decision deadline and here’s why: If the decision doesn’t go his way, Isles fans / LH supporters will be screaming bloody murder for the next month leading up to election time, and could be exactly what is needed to get her voted out.. in which case the door is re-opened for the TOH to pass this thing through and Wang sticks around to make it happen. Perhaps this is wishful thinking, but possible, no?
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Isles11783 says:
If Kate Murray and the TOH had 240,000 of these petitions printed up (even though they stopped the mailing after approximately 40,000 pieces) I would safely estimate that this mailing (designing, legal proofing, photo taking, actual printing –it’s a full color, heavy stock notice for those who have not seen it–,paper stock, postage actually used for initial 40,000 pieces, salaries/benefits of the Town’s printing dept., etc.) cost the taxpayers of the Town of Hempstead upwards of a half million dollars. CB’s estimate of $100,000 is way low. Since it decided not to mail all of them after 40,000 had gone out due to strictly political reasons (there is no other explanation why the mailing was abruptly stopped) I proffer that the Nassau County Republican Committee should reimburse the taxpayers for the cost associated with this mailing. These are difficult economic tims and the TOH should not be wasting the taxpayers money with these kind of frivilous mailings regardless of how one feels about the proposed Lighthouse development.
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Islesnut says:
Go to Queens already. The Ligthouse will never happen on Long Island- there is too much politics involved and too many wheels being greased…
My prediction- The Islanders get a new arena in Queens…
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mrlbem says:
Joey303 (#8),
I guaranty you that this nerd most certainly did not follow the Grateful Dead around in the 1970′s. Much more likely, she was one of the young republicans who openly cheered when Nassau County allowed DEA agents on the premises during the Dead shows at the Coliseum to prey on the unsuspecting Dead Heads. And while we’re on the subject, she likely never set foot in the Calderone or the Uniondale mini-cinema back in the day either. If that woman had any kind of coolness factor about her, she would be on the side of this project.
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Mike from Philly says:
If I am Charles Wang I am already in the planning stages with Queens. Enough with the TOH, if this cow feels she needs to protect suburbia like we are still living in 1955 then let her. When the Islanders are progessing in Queens and the Coliseum site is still abondoned and falling apart we can all look at her and laugh.
Go to Queens!
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pablo says:
I cant wait for Mr.Wangs response, this sould get real interesting. Kate Murray is floundering right now and does not know where to turn.
Wake up Kate! and get somthing done here for the sake of all! -
Hale says:
she borders on comical
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Bryan says:
Ok, at the risk of being offensive is Hempstead / Uniondale a real suburban paradise? This is the best thing that could happen to that neighborhood. With all the added business taxes would drop and increase property value.
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Wang needs to continue to pretend that he is trying to get the lighthouse done so he can “negotiate” a lease with the County. Because if after 120 days there is no lease than the Islanders can break their current lease. No matter what they do not wanna be in that arena til 2015 if the LH isn’t going to happen. If they can break their lease I say they go and play in the meadowlands until the Queens arena is built.
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Maybe Hofstra needs to get more involved in this. Some kid from Ohio applies to Hofstra and has never seen the area. What would the school rather happen. (1) The kid and his parents visit the Lighthouse Project right next door or (2) Kid and parents look at an empty lot with the Village of Hempstead downtown slum beckoning to the west?
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If Kate murray keeps this up, you might just see her working a HotDog cart at the coliseum.
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(17) Chris TMC – Was the TOH brought in when this was at the County for all those years? I ask because I really don’t know.
If they weren’t that is Wang and Suozzi’s blunder.
Much like how Jay Cross and Woody Johnson built a coalition of the Gov, Mayor and MTA but forgot to align (cou8gh: bribe) the two other most important people to the West Side Stadium – Silver and Bruno.
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I think most of you folks are missing the point Kate Murray is making. She isn’t speaking about ‘suburban tranquility’ in the concrete desert that is Uniondale. She is talking to her voters in Garden City, and other affluent towns in her district.
She is going to SCARE them into being on her side… The traffic and congestion, the lack of infrastructure, overdevelopment, the fact that she isn’t opposing the renovatioon of the arena…
Voters won’t know or care about the bad deal with the lease. That sort of thing gets lost on voters.
Bottom line: She will argue that this will hurt the quality of suburban life, and the majority of voters will likely believe her and vote accordingly.
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Islander505 says:
mrlbem…
“And while we’re on the subject, she likely never set foot in the Calderone or the Uniondale mini-cinema back in the day either.”
WOW…The Calderone!!!…thanks for the flashback sir….now I’ll have Stanton Anderson Band riffs of Springsteen and Skynnyrd music going through my head all day.
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Let me first apologize for the Grateful Dead remarks. If anyone took it the wrong way, I was misquoted
I spent many a summer night in the 70′s driving ‘cross the country to see them. For those of us who did, we certainly didnt go without “necessities”. That was what I was referring to, that maybe she had more “necessities” than most. -
isle1980 says:
LOL, suburban paradise and tranquility, Island of surprises…PR person responsible for that masterpiece paragraph should lay off a pipe…
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beatlebailey says:
you had to know that the “suburban way of life” arguement would come at some point. Similar to “we dont want the island to become like queens” is code for something not so nice…This is her last stand. There is no other arguement unles of course there are problems with the environmental review. Face it Kate – the county wants it, the unions want it, isles fans want it, there has been no orgainzied opposition to it, this will get done.
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Maybe she should walk down Fulton Ave in Hempstead at night to see how well her vision of “suburban tranquility” is working out. LOL
BTW, Garden City is about as far from the Coliseum as you can get in the Town of Hempstead.
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NYI FAN says:
Some random thoughts:
Nassau is way overcrowded now, the LH will add to it, she might be speaking for the silent majority in the TOH, people that are not on this blog. Most Isles fans are blindly onesided about this, Kate Murray could be playing BOTH sides FOR THE MIDDLE! There must be something that she secretly wants done for the TOH that she is using this public stance for. In the end, this will get done,(sadly) & Nassau will seem like an extension of Queens County. (Suburbia, no more!) I am tired of everyone throwing in their 2 cents about how Hempstead & Uniondale are dumps & the LH will make those communities better, that just ain’t gonna happen; but the LH will make other surrounding areas, E. Meadow, Levittown, Bellmore, etc less desirable to live. Reasons: traffic, traffic & more traffic!! That is a quality of life issue on LI & 3000 more cars a day into the area is the number being thrown around by the county & developers. I know that surely is not a good thing.
LETS GO ISLANDERS!!! -
bCarey says:
suburban tranquility? yeah, that’s a real “tranquil” area around the coliseum.
what a moron.
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rb says:
I have changed my mind…Kate Murray is right, the NVMC site should be left undeveloped so that Nigerian dwarf goats may freely graze and frolic adjacent to the Meadowbrook Parkway
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C$ says:
The islanders are better off in Queens anyway.
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Schultz39 says:
In that case, if her goal is suburban tranquility, then the Isles should look to pack up and go either to Suffolk, Queens, or elsewhere. I don’t know of too many suburban retreats that have 16,000 seat hockey arenas in the middle of them.
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49 – Not sure what you are talking about. Garden City borders the village of Hempstead (and Uniondale) and is in the very center of the Town of Hempstead.
These are the towns Kate Murray is talking to – many of them with money, power and shared concern over suburban tranquility:
Villages:
Atlantic Beach
Bellerose
Cedarhurst
East Rockaway
Floral Park (part; with North Hempstead)
Freeport
Garden City
Hempstead (village)
Hewlett Bay Park
Hewlett Harbor
Hewlett Neck
Island Park
Lawrence
Lynbrook
Malverne
Mineola (part; with North Hempstead)
New Hyde Park (part; with North Hempstead)
Rockville Centre
South Floral Park
Stewart Manor
Valley Stream
Woodsburgh
Hamlets:Baldwin
Baldwin Harbor
Barnum Island
Bay Park
Bellerose Terrace
Bellmore
Bethpage[1] (part; with Town of Oyster Bay)
East Atlantic Beach
East Garden City
East Meadow
Elmont
Franklin Square
Garden City South
Harbor Isle
Hewlett
Inwood
Lakeview
Levittown
Lido Beach
Malverne Park Oaks
Merrick
North Bellmore
North Merrick
North Valley Stream
Oceanside
Point Lookout
Roosevelt
Salisbury (South Westbury)
Seaford
South Hempstead
South Valley Stream
Uniondale
Wantagh
West Hempstead
WoodmereIslander fans need to start looking at this somewhat objectively.
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#50, if you are agaisnt the LH project, then what is your alternative for that area? You can’t honestly say it doesn’t need a facelift can you?
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NYI Fan #50 — Traffic is certainly a concern. But the point of view of people like you and Kate Murray has always been that we want to avoid density to ensure that we keep down the amount of traffic.
Has it worked?
I don’t like traffic either. But I also don’t like our tax base eroding, I don’t like our population declining, and I don’t like our young people fleeing for other places (which have traffic also, but still seem to attract plenty of newcomers).
There are lots of places in this country that don’t have traffic. They also don’t have significant economic activity either. The two go hand-in-hand.
If you are in favor of reduced traffic to the point of wanting lesser economic activity, please say that. And stop writing Let’s Go Islanders in caps at the end of your posts, because if your view prevails, the only place they’re going is Kansas City.
beatkate09@yahoo.com — that’s where we’re gathering for the final assault!!
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blitz says:
Go one. Rather, Ms. Murray would rather keep LI as some sacred suburbia. Yeah, Sunrise Highway, Hempstead Tpk, Old Country Road are leaders in suburban development. Right…
Sadly, the foreclosure farms in the west and south will be way ahead of ‘sacred LI’ for the future.
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I’m sure those people in Hewlett and Woodmere are really concerned that a project in Uniondale will disturb their “Suburban Tranquility”. Could it be any worse than the planes flying over?
BTW – Where do you think Islander Fans come from?
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(50) Nassau County is overcrowded now? Well, what does one expect in the future with an evergrowing population in the US, especially the NY metro area?
Is Nassau going to wall off Queens and not let anyone move in? How did your family arrive in Nassau to begin with?
Its myopic to think that Nassau is exempt from urban development – yes, urban, not suburban.
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IFIE says:
Chris you should check out the 7thmanblog.com as Art Feeney broke this mailing story on April 5th. Also he has some contact info for a TOH representative.
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#56, This area should be left as it is; a larger, more comfortable Coliseum should be built or it should be remodeled. (facelift) I know some people bemoan that big ugly parking lot, but why must every piece of land be developed? Look at the old CERRO Wire company property in Syosset, now THAT is a place where the Lighthouse would be more suitable. LIRR is already there, LI Expressway is already there, Seaford Oyster Bay EXP, already there. You know why Uniondale is the target for this LH, $$$$$$$$$ & less populational (I’m not too sure that is a word)opposition. TOO MANY NIMBY’s in Syosset & Jericho for it to happen, that is why these savy LI Developers (Rechler, etc) know where to build. It is a shame that suburbia is dying in certain parts of Nassau, I do not see any decay of it on the North Shore. Leave big development away from this overcrowded area & let it be just an arena. You know, if the Islanders were winning, no one would be complaining & it would be full. A bigger Coliseum will not make the Isles more profitable, If they had more control of operating expenses, that might make a difference. ( If Wang can get out of the county lease, why not the SMG contract)Remember, the Isles have one of the most lucrative CATV deals in the NHL, that $$ means something.
I do not know all the answers, or maybe any answers, I do know this: If you win, they will come. contrary to: If you build it, they will come.
Look at the new baseball stadiums, they were built to take your money, the Mets & Yankees actually made the seating capacity smaller!! But more places inside for fans to spend $$$. -
John R. says:
This is hilarious. The people who are opposed to this happening want the Isles to move out of town? They must because that’s the ONLY option. There will be no stimulus money nor will there be a rebuilt coliseum without the lighthouse. Wang will move the team and Hempstead will be left with a dilapadated building graced by goats and tumbleweeds. Is this what the residents want? “The area is already ovecrowded”. Don’t worry about that because young people are moving out every day and old people die, it’s the way it is. So soon, if the Isles leave as well, there will be plenty of room for the residents to move around in. And when your taxes go up to cover for all of the lost revenue and taxes from younger residents moving away you will lose even more residents, this will snowball. Unless ofcourse the elephant in the room decides to show it’s face. That’s where the funny comes in. The elephant is a big fat development project waiting in the wings that will be going up in the coliseum area shortly after the Isles leave. At that point Kate can say “I know I was against building here but this is a tad smaller and sheesh, look at all the jobs and tax revenue this is going to create, I’m helping you”!
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Jayk, please do not tell me that I cannot sign off my e-mails however I wish, this is a free exchange of ideas & I’ll write whatever I please, thank you very much! What next, spelling police,
LETS GO ISLANDERS -
Valentino says:
Wang should just walk away and leave them with a huge null and void to explain.
Let them have to account for the tens of millions of dollars of lost tax revenue.
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“I do not know all the answers, or maybe any answers, I do know this: If you win, they will come. contrary to: If you build it, they will come”. Iselsfan you make a couple of interesting arguments but the lease can not be broken because SMG will lose out on a lot of money. They’re not going to let Wang out of the lease. So there will be no rebuilt coliseum without the lighthouse. We’ve been over this a million times. So to suggest that they just build a contender and that will take care of all the problems is shortsighted. Not many teams stay at the top of the league for long and when they decline, ticket sales decline. Meaning Wang, in the horrible lease, will be losing money during those times. He is done losing money. He is sick of losing millions and has drawn a line in the sand. There will be no negotiating a refurbished arena. This is where we’re at and making suggestions that aren’t ever going to come to fruition is pointless.
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Well, regardless of what the county approved, I think both sides should look for a compromise. The problem is I don’t see either side budging. Wang will probably say all or nothing because that’s what the county voted on, and Murray will probably say “Renovate the Coliseum only,” which we know is a non-starter.
Still wish they could separate the Islanders from the rest of the deal – the rest of the project has enough benefits that it should be able to stand on its own merits. But that’s obviously not going to happen either.
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AZS says:
CB,
What do you think Wang’s next move will be? Clearly this has gone past the point of clear thinking on Murray’s part …
Do you think he has or now will really start to talk to the Queens people? Needless to say a move to Queens people could live with, but a move elsewhere would sting for life …thanks in advance!
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without the isles there is no deal – no one would care about the LH project – it would never get done. To the opposition what is your alternative? If the isles move the county should just bulldoze the arena and then TOH residents can enjoy the largest parking lot in the country…
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LOL @ Vlad (32) and isle1980 (47)… absolutely agree!
Fist of Gillies (43): I do not see how it is Wang and Suozzi’s blunder in any way if, when they invite Kate Murray to be part of things where input would be appreciated, she refuses to participate.
Fist of Gillies (44): I do not think most people are missing the point. It is pretty obvious to most people what she is doing here. I however do not think that the majority of voters are going to buy into what she is trying to do here.
NYI FAN(50): Overcrowding??? You think THAT is the big problem here? Nassau is not dealing with overcrowding problems, they are dealing with the countywide exodus of younger professionals who form the most desired part of the tax base. Your assertion seems to imply what SHE says, that this is all about Isles fans. If you went to the meetings and talked to people, you would know that is not the case. I was in the home of a Uniondale resident last night- a coworker of my cousin-in-law. She is a Uniondale homeowner with a husband and kids and she is a HUGE advocate of the project- as are her neighbors. She was expressing her frustration to me and told me her opinion of things: she thinks that the TOH is hesitant for the people of Uniondale (who happen to be more Hispanic and Black than many other parts of the TOH) to be the ones benefitting the most from this project. Just to let you know, she would not know an Islanders player even if he walked up to her and said hello. You have to realize that this is not all about hockey, it is about Long Island. Talk to residents of the area and not just to people on an Islander-related blog and you will see the truth in what I am saying. With all respect, I think that anyone evaluating this only by looking at the statements of Isles fans are the ones not getting the full picture and being one-sided. -
“Well, regardless of what the county approved, I think both sides should look for a compromise. The problem is I don’t see either side budging. Wang will probably say all or nothing because that’s what the county voted on”. Actually UIF, Wang came out on national t.v., looked right in the camera and said, “just tell us what you want, just sit down and lets talk about it”. He has stated that he is willing to compromise more than he already has but Murray refuses to even talk to him about it. That’s why we all think someone is pulling her strings.
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Well said Chris TMC.
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Peter in VS says:
Wang already compromised by scaling down that one large building with the light beacon on top. I am sure he would do it again in some form of negotiations.
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beatlebailey (69) – Isn’t it a valid concern then that, as you say, “no one would care” about the project if they weren’t threatening to move the Isles halfway across the country? It is a very big project, and if it is a valuable one – which I think it could be – there shouldn’t be a need to hold the Isles hostage to generate interest in it. People should be able to support or decline something of this magnitude based on its own merits.
Personally, other than the Isles, I have no stake in the LH project. I don’t live on LI anymore. I can certainly see how it would benefit the area, for sure. And I’m hoping and praying it gets done for the sole reason that I don’t want my team to move.
I just wish the Isles getting a better arena and the apartments/restaurants/young people staying on the Island/hub of the Island stuff could be mutually exclusive. But I recognize that unfortunately this is the way it is.
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RobsIsles says:
Mr. Wang please give the Town of Hempstead until the election to show you how “THEY” feel about the LightHouse. Give them a chance to oust Murray. Hey fans, lets get something together for the last weekend at home. Bring in a sign supporting the LightHouse and encouraging voters to get rid of Murray.
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Chris TMC
It is absolutely Wang and Suozzi’s blunder IF they did not have attain TOH buy-in during the initial County process. Completely shortsighted not to bring in the TOH YEARS ago to see where the problem areas were and what further compromises needed to be made to “fast” track the project.
As for the exodus argument, I don’t think most people really care. The fact is, this is not Buffalo losing young people to NYC – it’s Nassau County. They go work in NYC an then most of them (or people like them) move back to LI to raise their families.
People have come to the Island because they want suburbia. They are not looking for economic growth per se. They are looking for a nice safe place their kids can grow up.
How the LH project contributes to that vision is a mystery to me.
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cgs878 says:
Who is Kate Murray kidding? Nassau County is one big pseudo-parking lot already. It’s not like they’re bulldozing a County or Town park and paving it over. Suburban character / tranquility? Uhhh… right… go east to Suffolk County for that. Can the developers revise the Lighthouse plan and put up a 15 foot barrier wall around the site from the Meadowbrook down Hempstead Turnpike and up Chaz Lindy Blvd? That’ll keep all of the NYC-ish Lighthouse area from spilling over into the beautiful surrounding area.
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John says:
From Ms. Murray’s bio….
“Today, Kate Murray remains passionate about serving all 762,000 members of the town’s family. In fact, she commences each workday by asking herself a question that guides her actions throughout the year . . . “How can I improve the lives of the people I serve?”"
Maybe it should read…’How can I grease my pockets.”
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alex says:
Supervisor Kate Murray often says, “What good is the finest fiscal standing if you aren’t serving the people whom you represent.”
START SERVING KATE!
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74 UIF – I see the point you are making however the islanders are the coliseum. Less and less events are booked there and without the isles as an anchor there would be no discussion of a coliseum renovation. If the isles move the coliseum will rot. There should be development in the area. The county approved Wang’s plan 16-2. Something will get done there so why not Wang’s plan unless of course as other posters have stated Kate Murray is being paid by developers who lost out on the inital bid to obstruct Wang. He moves then those developers get the rights.
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The Express says:
Yes. Let’s save the tranquility of Uniondale.
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CT Isles Fan says:
tran⋅quil⋅li⋅ty
–noun
quality or state of being tranquil; calmness; peacefulness; quiet; serenity -
Since there are other Garys in these threads, I am going to start using my handle from all my other forums, geduffer, which speaks to my golf prowess.
Fist of Gillies a(#55) – When you speak about objectivity, try looking in the mirror. You seem to have a serious antipathy for Charles Wang which comes dripping through your Lighthouse comments. For all we know you may be with the TOH. You’ve made your points, I happen to not agree with them. All of the villages and hamlets that you listed have one thing in common – plummeting home values and flatlined credit markets, so that their homes could be at risk. There is a compromise out there that could be reached, but not if everyone is going to be as hostile and closed minded as you appear to be. Since we know your position, it’s not really necessary to continue commenting unless you have something new to add.
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UIF (68): If you “don’t see either side budging” then you have not been giving this your full attention. This is the time in which all compromises and discussions are supposed to be being made. the LH group has said that and they want to hear peoples concerns. You and Fist of Gillies (77)might want to consider which side in this is asking for open discussions and compromises, and which side is refusing to enter discussions with either the county OR the development group.
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Hoser14 says:
Agree, Who is Kate Murray kidding? Not me. Nassau County looks more like Queens each day, suburban tranquility my foot!
Did anyone expect anything different from Ms. Murray? She just another soul-less politican living on the public dole.
I can’t wait till she cries “were my tax money?” when Mr. Wang moves the Isles to near Republic Airport or maybe to near Citi Field.
Hey Ms. Murray, the Town of Hempstead is on the clock!!!
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Fist of Gillies # 77– The comment that they aren’t looking for economic growth per se is..well, I will hold off on the description.
To argue that they don’t care that much about economic growth is going to ring pretty hollow when the results of the current trends continue: companies not interested in our boring stand-alone outdated office space; jobs developed elsewhere in the NY Metro area; the outflow of our youth (who are not all coming back, despite your comment to the contrary); a tax base increasingly taken up by senior citizens on STAR benefits, meaning non-seniors are going to share more of the burden; a crime rate that is going to increase as economic hope disappears. I could go on.
There is a place where you can have “no economic growth per se,” as you put it, and still have good schools, parks, low crime, etc. It’s called Fantasy Island.
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BR says:
(83) – Serenity now!
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Joe says:
This makes NO sense. Hempstead is arguably the worst neighborhood on the island, with Uniondale being a close second. Doesn’t she read the news or police reports? Theres a new shooting or stabbing like every day, what tranquility is she talking about? Shes literally good at nothing, including story telling.
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Brooks Simpson says:
Kate wants to “save” the NVMC so it can someday be Murray’s Tomb. Shovel-ready, even.
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islestherapy says:
suburban tranquility? has she been to Uniondale?
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NYI Fan (65) – Forget JayK. Chris Botta has requested in his comment guidelines that we not use “all caps”. Of course Mr. Botta is a forgiving sort, because many of us occasionally exceed the comment guidelines (including myself). Let’s Go Islaneders!
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we need to make a petition to get Kate Murrat to Resign!
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Smokey says:
#77: The youth are not coming back. You are delusional.
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michael says:
KATE MURRAY IS A LIAR!! PLAIN AND SIMPLE. she attempted to deceive every member of the town of hempstead with her outrageous stimulus claims, and furthermore frauded the TAXPAYERS out of money in my opinion to push that GARBAGE into each of our mailboxes. I’d like an explanation!! The only reasonable direction we can go from here is DEMAND kate murrays resignation at the town of hempstead board meeting on April 14th and 10:30AM. someone should go up and DEMAND it infront of her and the rest of the towns officials!!!!!!!!
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(84) geduffer Wow. What have I ever said here that can possible be perceived as “close-minded” let alone “hostile”? Seriously. Are you kiddding me? I pose realistic questions. This is a HUGE proposal. It will have a major impact on central Nassau, its infrastructure and its resources. It is amazing what happens when you try to shine the light of objectivity on an issue. Dare disagree and be accused of working for Kate Murray. This type of reaction to those who don’t wave the flag is expecially “close-minded” in my opinion. I wouldnt dare call anyone here “hostile”
If you have actually read my posts, my comments have usually centered around what I think Murray is doing/thinking and how people will likely react. I don’t necessarily agree with the rationale, and i’m certainly not defending her style or tactics to date.
It’s part of being “open-minded” – ya know, put yourself in other people’s shoes.
This whole thing has become a political quagmire and I am personally disgusted with the behavior of both sides. Yes, both sides. Kate has been an idiot the last week, but that pep rally at the Marriott was not something done to help foster an environment of cooperation. If you do, perhaps you should take off the orange and blue shaded glasses.
At the end of the day, I want the Islanders in Nassau. That’s what I want. I could really care less if the LH becomes reality or not. I don’t buy the arguments about it being a hub (it won’t be, can’t be w/o direct rail link) or that it will stop young people from leaving (if you really feel this is a problem (i don’t), do realize that they won’t be able to afford these condos anyway). We have enough retail in the area, so eh, take it or leave it.
Lastly, your point about credit markets and home values is nonsensical. If you think the LH will have any impact on those macroeconomic issues, i wish you the best of luck!
(85) Chris TMC – Murray comes off badly. She may be a puppet. I don’t discount that idea. But Suozzi and Wang are not boy scouts either. It’s hard to say if that rally helped or hurt the process. They certainly called her out. All I know, is that they had to know this TOH was going to be a huge issue, and if they did not factor Murray years ago, they made a huge mistake.
(86) You are making Murray’s point for her. She will say the LH project will only make Nassau look more like Queens, faster.
(87) JayK – The “they” I’m speaking of is the typical voter in TOH. I’m not defending the stance, siimply explaining her tactic. Murray is going to say I am preserving what you came here for. That will be her campaign. My guess, it will work. Cuyte remark regarding Fantasyland, but at this point, there will be just as many people living there as will in at the Lighthouse development.
My personal opinion is that this exodus argument is way overstated and over relied upon. Overstated: As I said, this is not Buffalo which has lost half its population since 1950. We’ve grown by over 2 million since then. Overrelied upon: If you really think this is an issue, the LH project is not going to be the remedy.
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LS says:
In response to Mrlbms comment in post 36 about the young republicans cheering against illicit drug use, just a question sir: where you one of the young democrats breaking the law and destroying your body, and that of your offspring by shooting and snorting dangerous drugs? This is a hockey chat, so best to keep your distorted political preferences closer to the vest. Furthermore, the fact that you would make a comment about Murray not having enough coolness factor because she was potentially a republican against the use of drugs is utterly disturning. Society here on Long Island has slowly been deteriorating, and its attitudes like yours which further escalate that downward spiral
Kate Murray must be defeated mrlbm, but not because she wasn’t cool enough back in the 70′s. -
The population decline is nowhere near like Buffalo. I never said that. But it is striking in the context of the rest of the NY Metro area, including the city itself. We are the ONLY county in the region to have lost population for four years.
I didn’t say the Lighthouse is going to be the remedy. But the signs are clear that Nassau’s absolute opposition to more rental housing, density, etc. is starting to have an impact, and something must be done. Lost population, almost no venture capital funding in the county (see the Long Island Index), and something that I find most interesting of all: I’ve seen lots of opposition in my own area to various projects at one particular site on the grounds that “it will bring in more families with children, and we don’t want them here, because that is going to put pressure on the schools.” What kind of future do we have if we are now discouraging people with families from moving here?
Do we have to wait until we get like Buffalo before you think we should do something? You may think supporters are over reliant on that issue, but at least we’re not blind to the problem. You dismiss it simply as “overstated.” It isn’t.
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Jim in the UK says:
Hi its me Kate Murray,
I just want the good people of LI to know that I am here to protect them in this county from having the 21st century invade. I am speaking to Mr. and Mrs Flinstone and Mr nad Mrs Rubble. I have seen some people trying to come in here named the Jetsons who want to move here and bring in new things such as flying cars, moving sidewalks and cars that can fold into breifcases. Well I say NO WAY on my watch. I am sure like others here we would rather keep our stone houses dino bridges, dino pay tolls bird record players and most of all dino vacumms. I promise not to let the people down with the help of Slate Construction. Also there is NO WAY I will let the WAY OUTS ever play in NVMC and have that hippie way out music affecting the brains of our young. I know will can get it done as long as we pull together. 4/6/0112 BC -
bill neftleberg says:
people need to call the supervisors office and voice their disapproval every day give reasons why the Islanders mean so much to you —516-489-5000— Ive called every day for 2 weeks if we all do and leave messages she’ll get the idea
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Peter21 says:
I’m a longtime Islander fan now living up in Boston and I admittedly haven’t followed the Lighthouse Project drama nearly enough to have a complete understanding of the situation, but it seems like the current TOH administration are prepared to drag their feet on this as long as they can. So why not move the team to Queens? I’m all for memories and nostalgia and i have many from the Coliseum, including a stint interning there in the 90s, but nothing lasts forever and if it’s time and they can get a deal on a new arena in Queens, maybe that’s the move to make. My question is, since there wouldn’t be any development deal for Wang in another location like the Lighthouse, is that really the best move for him from a business standpoint?
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bill neftleberg, i’m glad i’m not the only one who calls near daily.. i’ve been doing it for a month or so now. today was the first time i ever got hung up on, when i repeatedly asked if kate murray was deliberately deceiving tax payers with her stimulus “plans” and if she ever intended to deliver on her promises.
i’ve said a lot to those people but never once got hung up on, even accused kate of seeking bribe money! i guess when you ask if she was LYING to the people of hempstead, which she clearly was, you have crossed some kind of line!
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Mike says:
UMMMMMM…. Saving Long Island from over development?????? Really??? Last I checked the lighthouse wasn’t riping up Eisenhower park, but rather land that has already been developed just done poorly…Last I checked anyways
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JayK – I’m genuinely interested in learning more about the population decrease on LI as it relates to other NYC regions, but specifically Westchester. I feel that is the only true measure as CT and NJ are states and more of an apples annd oranges type situation. If you have any links I would appreciate you posting them.
That being said, assuming everything you just said was true, i don’t see the ‘exodus’ argument something that will turn a LH skeptic.
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paul says:
JayK,
I think you’re right. I grew up on the Island and tried to move back after graduating from college with the hopes of purchasing a home and eventually raising a family. I quickly found out I was utterly insane. People should be leaving the county in droves for a number of reasons, living expense is outrageous, there are few quality jobs (unless you commute to NYC), oh and tack on price/service of the LIRR to commute to said city. Its a sad state of affairs in Nassau these days.
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Refhater99 says:
My family moved me out of Nassau and into Suffolk because it was already way, waaay, overdeveloped where I lived in East Meadow. The only under developed parts of Nassau reside in the Golden North Shore where you own 3 acres and the values are in the millions. Kate Murray is a horrible example of a Republican. She has a haircut that should be combed with a spade shovel and has not a single clue what is best for Nassau. All she cares about is what is best for Kate Murray. For God’s sake change your haircut first and let the men worry about developing Nassau County.
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With an election taking place in less than 7 months, wouldn’t we have someone running against Kate by this time???If so who is the candidate running against her? See here is the problem, no-one from what I understand is running against her yet. She has nothing to fear unless someone runs against her and supports the lighthouse project. Until that happens she is feeling pretty comfortable and her complacent Republican strategy stays intact.If there is a solid, respectful person named to run against her, someone who she fears or really respects, she may sing a diferent tune. Until that transpires, she will continue to drag her feet and kill the entire project.
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Mike says:
To the people that say the young aren’t moving and they will come back. I am 28 and I have 8 friends plus me that have moved out of Nassau county to other states in the last 5 years. Guess what 7 of the 9 own nice houses or condos. I assure you none of them are coming back.
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Terry says:
The idea that Long Island is tranquil is laughable. The last time it was quiet around here was the day with no immigrants because there was no lawn mowers. Anyone who thinks Long Island is still suburban either 1) lives in Muttontown and can’t see his neighbors, or 2) Has never been to another city. Boston reminds me of Rockville Centre. DC is like Mineola, but with the President. We are an urban area in the megalopolis of New York.
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Dominic says:
I said it in many letter to her and the TOH Repub machine. Self Serving Interests Ms. Murray!!! That is all this is about.
Where are all the Democrats who should be pubicly opposing her and her party. How could Suozzi not have anymore power to intervene here? -
ALL ISLANDER FANS REVOLT!!! says:
Now we have to organize!!!!!!
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Now what are we gonna do???
The area surrouding the Coliseum is not suburbia, there is nothing there to be saved…What the hell is this coming too?!?!?
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Fist of Gillies #96 – Actually you’re right. I read back and NYI Fan was the person this should have been aimed at. (Post 50 and anything else he’s posted).
Sorry for the brain fart.
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Erika says:
It’s time for Kate to look at the immediate area around the Coliseum–too mush asphalt and unused land. There is NO tranquil Suburbia there! Even Hempstead itself. even a more compromised Lighthouse would help the surrounding towns’ residents to get jobs–right around the people who need them!
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Jethro from Finland says:
Has she hired writers from the old Knight Rider or why does her text sound so familiar? It could be:
“Lighthouse Fighter. A shadowy flight into the dangerous world of a woman who does not exist. Kate Murray, a not so young loner on a crusade to champion the cause of the innocent, the Republicans, the Rangers, in a world of Islanders who operate above the law…
…Kate Murray, a lone crusader in a dangerous world, the world…of the Lighthouse Fighter”
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Newsday has an article calling out David Denenberg for game playing politics.
Its titled, “High Sticking Penalty”, “Denenberg plays politics with Lighthouse” on Page A38, another small one without an authors signature.
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DSW says:
Ok…so I have gone through Hempstead numerous times, and if you want to get technical, I know for a fact Rockville Centre is part of the town of hempstead…I can see that as suburbia, but to say that where the isles play is well separated from that part by what i can only describe as ghetto…not being racist here but when you see a number of minorities with no vehicles, jobs in good times, and a high violence and crime rate, it is fair to say you are not in suburbia…nice try Kate Murray…stupid (expletive).
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IslesHostage says:
Perhaps the rationale could be……too much **** in too little space? Perhaps if we allow for monster developments to go through yet again, we further reduce suburbia, turning the area that is expansive (but in serious need of cosmetics) into downtown LA (by the looks of it) by Staples?
Maybe there is a compromise that no one wants…..hawks on both sides refuse to step away from TWO hated parties? Why not one central building on the Coliseum lot, surrounded by a BEAUTIFIED lot, ample parking and the one giant and esthetically pleasing building which houses activities, the rink, shopping (because we need more shopping on LI!) and other features? Trees line the parking lot, the view from roadside is not office buildings and malls…….how about Plan C? Money for Wang, Murray and anti-crowd are satisfied and the area is not built up like your typical sprawl neighborhood development, with room to actually feel the suburbs?Nah, let’s put up Wang’s skyscraper (which thankfully was nixed) and 9 parking garages to make everyone late for games. Pack the most **** into the lot and make our owner rich, because we DID get Thomas Pock afterall…..and Neil Smith, humiliation, last place overall, jokes in every paper about our team…..please help Wang make money, folks?
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How about building on a wide area, Wang…..buying up land (forclosed) surrounding the lot and making the area better for everyone, not just the condo owners on county (your) land? Refurb NVMC AND Hempstead/Uniondale? We get to keep our parking lot and 10,000 acres of improvement is far better than your squeezed in glut.
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section203pete says:
Kate Murray wants to protect our suburban way of life? This so-called suburban life is too boring. I’m sick of going into NYC every time I want some entertainment.
Almost 4 million people live in 2 counties of LI. We are a city- let’s start acting like it! Build us a downtown with bars, steakhouses, restaurants, clubs, pro sports teams (yes, bring an NFL team to LI)
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And we need more hookers, as well. Tear down houses and let’s get apartments going, too. While we’re at it, let’s get rid of any and all grass, views and affordable living and let’s get some direly needed $200/mo 1 bedrooms.
Or ask people not happy with a beautiful Long Island to move to Manhattan?
You don’t know what you have until you lose it. Trust me on that one.
Freaking drive through Hempstead.
A real suburban paradise!