CLIFF NOTES: WHY OCTOBER 3 WILL PASS QUIETLY
Also: Kate Murray begins re-election campaign
Catching up to the Comments after a day primarily away from the laptop, a persistent question from readers was why I wrote what I did. Why, yesterday, did I decide to write that the Lighthouse Project will not be approved by the Town of Hempstead by Charles Wang’s deadline of October 3? My reasons, most of it a summary of the story:
- Wang met with Kate Murray in late January and urged the Town Supervisor to join meetings about process and work together to get a shovel in the ground and people to work. Murray has not spoken with Wang since.
- Murray has skipped at least seven meetings, including some in her own Town Hall, and has not participated in a single meeting related to the development of the Coliseum property.
- Murray started a website and direct mail campaign smearing the Lighthouse Project, then took it down three days later when she was advised that her call for federal stimulus money would be viewed as a clueless hoax.
- The Town’s planning consultants, past an agreed-upon deadline, continues to send tweaks to the Lighthouse developers to address.
If nothing positive has happened in the last year, why in the world would anyone expect the Town of Hempstead to move on the Lighthouse Project in the next four months? With an election coming up in November? On Long Island, where politicians rarely seem to accomplish much between Memorial Day and Labor Day?
What would possibly suggest that anything will magically get done between now and October 3?
Nothing will. The next major story in this saga is what does Wang do on October 4.
That’s why I wrote the story. And yes, I also wanted to get it out of the way this month because I’d prefer June to be about the draft. Call it living in denial, but it would be nice to spend the next five weeks talking hockey.
To the readers who, after all this time and coverage here and elsewhere, still say Wang should just renovate the Coliseum…if you don’t know, don’t want to know, reject the premise or still don’t understand how we got to this point, there’s simply nothing else I can tell you.
Kate Murray launches her re-election campaign on Friday at 1:00 pm at Levittown Veterans Memorial Park. Her opponent faces a daunting challenge to un-seat her.
Comments.
122 Responses to CLIFF NOTES: WHY OCTOBER 3 WILL PASS QUIETLY
Also: Kate Murray begins re-election campaign
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Strummer's Army says:
If someone wants to unseat Kate Murray I recommend using a forklift. It’ll save your back.
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Seth says:
we should get a bunch of us pro-lighthouse guys at this launch in levittown veterans memorial park….
in fact, maybe charles wang should show up and he can talk to kate for the first time in months. -
WildcatChris says:
I will be in front of the Levittown Public Library (where the park is located) at 1pm. We can be loud, we can make signs…but we must keep it classy.
I urge all who can to attend!
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d-money says:
Ok, so no new insight at this point? I look forward to your post sometime in late July–after the pleasantries of the draft and the frenzy of free agency (for teams other than the Isles)–that gives your opinion of what Charles might do on October 4!
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ed says:
If you can find out who she is running against, I will gladly donate money to that campaign. Money seems to come in handy in these races so I will throw whatever I can at her opponent.
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NYISLES says:
We should all start a “KATE MUST GO!” chant!
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Section 320 rocks!!!!!! says:
i will be there
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VALENTINO says:
“You gotta know when to fold em, know when to hold em, known when to walk away, know when to run…”
Being a die hard fan since 1975, having watched 5 cup runs, 4 wins, and 19 playoff series won in a row….as much as it rips my heart out to say this…..WANG NEEDS TO RUN…AND FAST…
Absolutely nothing is going to change in the next 4 months..the writing has been on the wall. The ISLES are leaving long island people, and hoping for anything else is wishful thinking.
All we can hope for is that Wang keeps the team in the NY area…thats the best we can do….support the team..show him there is a market here…show him we care…and we might have a chance.
CB is not being negative, just realistic…and I for one…appreciate it.
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
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alex says:
CB… r u gonna go tomm?
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Bruce says:
The main idea that we need to keep in mind is that the Lighthouse will be great for ALL residents of TOH not just us Isles fans.
What will happen to the Coliseum if the Lighthouse deal dies and the Isles move?
Where will all of the families that currently go to concerts, WWE events, Disney On Ice, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, The Wiggles Live, Harlem Globetrotters, and all of the other shows each year need to go to see these shows? Obviously outside of the TOH? (so we will be losing tax revenue) Because the events won’t be here anymore! We all know that this building is in terrible shape and if the Isles move it will go downhill quickly.
So Kate what is your plan to fix-up the building? With what funds? Or is your plan to just close it and build another project that you want?
I think that we need to get all Long Islanders that use the building each year for their entertainment regardless of what event, to realize that if the Lighthouse deal dies, it will be the downfall of this venue !
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If you want to unseat Kate Murray use a forklift! For those of you lucky enough to get to crash her little party tomorrow good job make us proud!
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Hockey83 says:
You’ll all be happy to know that even when the Isles leave the area, the Coliseum will still be housing a professional sports team. That’s right, the newly formed NY Majesty of the Lingerie Football League. Pride of Long Island, indeed.
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Isle be Damned says:
Lingerie Football League? LOL, I thought you were joking, but I googled it. I can’t believe such a thing exists.
Move the team to Queens Charles.
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Lou says:
Next stop Queens. Draft the star JT and bring him along for the ride.
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Bryan says:
CB – If Islander fans actually do show up the the voting polls Kate Murray doesn’t stand a chance. The problem is that so few people show up when it isnt a Presidential election. This website has the power to get more voters at the polls than ever before. I for one know I’m going to show up and vote against Murray even if she approves the deal before election day.
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anthony c says:
Vote that fat cow out of office everyone. She is setting LI back by not letting the lighthouse be built. She is basically kicking the islanders off LI. If the islanders leave LI then all LI will be is a piece of land that barely connects to the U.S. and the state of new york. The coliseum will cost you taxpayers more to keep open and maintain without a major tenant year round. LI’s population will drop substantially, and hundreds of jobs will be lost when the isles leave. I feel disgusted to even have been raised on LI because of what it has become in such a short amount of years. The lighthouse is the future of LI. It is what will help keep whats left of my generation and future generations on LI. As well as hundreds, possibly even thousands of permanent jobs which is what LI needs now more then ever with the U.S. being waist deep in a recession, and N.Y. state struggling to create jobs and in debt which has caused thousands maybe even millions of long islanders and new yorkers to relocate out of the state.
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Leviticus says:
we’re goin to KC!!
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dominic says:
One thing that is killing us here and has been for years is that there is no political public advocation campaign by the Opposition party. The Democratic Party needs to begin opening public discussion and awareness of the importance of this project. As soon as her Democratic opponent begins publicly addressing support and pushing for this project watch how quickly she and her party start showing at meetings and voicing theirs.
The Democratic party needs to get the voice of the Labor Unions involved and the Trade Organizations to start coming forward and recognize how many Trade and Construction jobs will be lost if the project is not approved. Isles fans will represent a large voter turnout but think of the voting representation by the tens of thousands of individuals that represent the construction trades who can vote her out if this is not approved.Bottom line here….Only way this will get approved(and certainly not before Oct.3) is if the Dem Party running against the TOH brings this issue TopShelf, makes Long Island aware of this project( most people never even heard of it) and what it can do for everyone(especially jobs) and what will be lost if the Isles leave the Island, and I am not talking about losing a professional Sport Team.
It is a game of Politics now and the only way to get some reaction from the Repub Party is for the Dems to get off there ass launch a Public Advocation campagin for the LHP and swaying Voter Opinion against the Repubs. -
Frank D says:
Thats true 19. Get the labor unions behind this, vocally and in the media and you’ll see how fast Kate the skate will start answering questions about why she is so against this project. There is a self beneficial motive my friends. We just need to find it.
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Ugly Roe From Massapequa says:
Friday afternoon with Kate Murray, eh?
I’ll stop off at Dunkin’ Donuts along the way. Clearly, she would love that.
By the way, after Malkin’s hat trick last night, would anyone like to re-visit the idea of trading our first pick for him?
I would. But then again, why trust a woman as ugly as I am to make good decisions?
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thor says:
I will be there tomorrow.
WE MUST RISE AND GET HER OUT OF OFFICE !!!Her administration shall not win. But we need YOUR HELP !!
Attend and all wear your Isles Jersey -
kevin fitz says:
Long Island does not deserve the Islanders at this point. This has been going on for 15 years. I now HOPE they move to Queens or Brooklyn. I don’t want them to stay on the Island. They deserve more. They deserve to be wanted and given every chance to compete on a year in and year out basis.
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#22 and all those saying Long Island doesn’t deserve the Islanders, you are all entitled to opinion, but I strongly disagree. If anybody deserves the Islanders it is Long Island and its local FanBase. We have endured years of torture full of hope and expectation in what may be coming full circle with the rebuilding of this team. We are a passionate FanBase who absolutley deserves our Team to stay right here where they were born…in the Barn we call home!
What Long Island DOES NOT deserve is the crooked Politicians and Regime who are responsible for running the TOH with their own SELF SERVING INTERESTS and no regard to the wellbeing of the public they were hired to serve! Fortunately we have the ability to change this!
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Wang should just say “screw you” and start talks NOW with Queens, Brooklyn, and whoever else in the area wants our team.
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Brian says:
To demonstrate what I believe is utter contempt for those she claims to serve, I cannot get any response from the Town on my repeated inquiries on her Lighthouse stand. No reponses at all.
I even emailed the editor at Newsday to see if I could encourage them to cover this story from a news angle. Let Murray tell her side. No response there either.
I mean, what the heck else can you do?
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Staten Islander says:
this is terrible, you guys have a republican town supervisor that wont build anything and we have a boro president that wants to build everything. the difference is, the lighthouse was supposed to be built on land that that was already something before. our guy wanted to rip down wooded areas to build a nascar stadium, which was also going to have shopping outlets next to it. what a shame.
i’m not sure if wang would move the team to ratner’s arena in brookyn, it seems that he wants his arena with HIS development. to me, it sounds like queens or sell the team to somebody, and i’m praying that that somebody will be someone that will keep them here.
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We have to keep it classy if we do attend. We do not want the media targeting us as fools for the way our mouths are run. We know the facts, and we can spew them. No need to run our cause into the ground by embarrassing ourselves.
#21, I actually think the LESS Islanders jerseys the better as it would make us seem more like upset constituents than angry hockey fans.
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Jon Mac says:
Who are some of the potential democratic candidates running against Kate? I want to make a donation. Are the Dems holding a primary?
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I really wish I could attend today. If even 20 people from this board went, you would definitely outnumber her supporters. Please, if you can make it, tell this (expletive) that we mean business.
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Angry Bill says:
Same as Jon Mac. I would like to hear more about her opponents? If I remember correctly she only won by something like 30,000 votes last time. There should be enough Islander fans (plus family and friends)to make a difference.
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jeffy says:
I know that Suffolk and Nassau are considered Long Island, but I just wanted to point out something that people who live in the city tend to forget. Queens and Brooklyn (Kings County) are on Long Island. So going to either location would allow them to remain Islanders and technically LI wouldnt be losing the Islanders. That being said, I hope they dont move anywhere.
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All Isles fans REVOLT!! says:
I wish I could be there for that 1PM rally. I can’t get there and even if I could I’m working. I hope you guys pull together a good showing and make our voices heard. Let’s not die without a fight!
Let’s Go Isles!
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C.J. says:
Who’s the animal standing next to the goat in the picture?
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Ted says:
I read all this & think the Islanders are as good as gone .
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Fist of Gillies says:
I may be alone on this, but Ratner in Brooklyn is bad news for the Islanders because it means Queens is no longer a realistic option. I cannot see the city advocating TWO world class arenas in the outer boroughs. And I don’t see Wang partnering in Brooklyn with Ratner. Ratner already has his business partners and his development. He aint sharing.
Bottom line: The Nets in Brooklyn kills the Queens option.
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bulldogs7 says:
let me just put it this way if the isles leave and the nvmc closes LI will be in its own recession because you have people that work at the coleisum losing there jobs than people who dont have jobs wont spend money and the buisnesses on li will suffer when that all happens you have long island as the once model suburb to a model of what happens when corrupt politicians take control of the rights that we the people give them. since we all realize that you dont have to be a genious to be a politician why doesnt someone from this blog go to the democrat party and run against murry and actually trey to help the lighthose project get moving again
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Otter says:
If she doesn’t go to Charles’ meetings, he should go to hers. If I were him, I’d show up unannounced this afternoon and ask her why she hasn’t returned his calls. Nothing like putting someone on the spot. At least she’d be forced to respond.
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Chris M says:
Hey Bruce (11)- I assure you the Coliseum will be renovated. I guarantee it. The catch is that this will happen after the Islanders leave. Kate will balk, the Isles will most certainly go, and Kate will renovate the Coliseum. A few new seats here, a few coats of paint there. Maybe even a complete overhaul. But the main attraction at the new Coliseum will be The Wiggles and Hannah Montana, just like any other miscellaneous small town in America. The Isles will move on, the history books will blame Wang and our modern day Robert Moses will have a park named after her. What a shame.
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mt275 says:
Fist of Gillies (37): Good point, but I think Ratner is having trouble with financing the entire development. The ground breaking in brooklyn will only be for the arena, and not the apartments/offices, and whatever else he put in the plan. So, partnering with Wang might have some merit to getting the entire Ratner’s vision built.
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OK, people – I can’t believe I need to say this again.
All you screaming about moving the team now ARE DOING EXACTLY WHAT KATE MURRAY WANTS YOU TO DO. You’re giving in to defeatism and moving on without fighting. That’s why nothing gets done on Long Island and nobody bothers to say anything about the corrupt politicians robbing us blind.
You want to do something? Start by showing up this afternoon AND NOT BEING VICIOUS. Loud is fine, but showing her numbers can’t hurt.
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Hey CB, what’s the chances of Newsday showing up at her rally and providing some coverage? If the Lighthouse project were something Dolan cared for, you better believe there’d be coverage. He DOES NOT want the Islanders in New York, make no mistake about it. Newsday is a Long Island paper, and receives NO print about this. The same way Dolan blocked the West Side Stadium for the Jets (he wanted no competition in NY for MSG with the concerts, shows, etc.) It’s exactly what the silence in Newsday is doing by not informing the public of the issues and keeping them informed.
You read and Knicks or Rangers artlicle in Newsday, and their writers refer to their teams as, “the Ranger, who are owned by Cablevision and Newday”… “the Knicks, owned by…” It’s pathetic.
CB, you know people in Newsday… Could you find out why there’s no coverage about a major sports franchise possibly moving?
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admin says:
Friday, 1:00 pm
Southern State Pkwy
Take exit 27N to merge onto Wantagh State Pkwy toward Westbury 2.1 mi
Take exit W3E toward Farmingdale/NY-24 394 ft
Turn left at Loring Rd 476 ft
Turn right at Hempstead Turnpike/NY-24 0.4 mi
Turn right at Shelter Ln 367 ft
Levittown Veterans Memorial Park is on left
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Mark P says:
How angry will Brian Burke be if Baldsilly buys and moves the Isles to Hamilton with JT has the main attraction. If Blackberry man was smart he would partner with his fellow tech man to make it happen. If Wang wants to move the team, Bettman would have to support it———–I HATE this scenario, but CB’s post yesterday was the first time that it really hit me that this could happen. I grew up an Isles fan in Rockland County, and now work behind the
NMVC and have young kids that love the Isles….this is all really sad. -
Jay says:
I’d love to take the day off from work today just to go there and heckle Murray at the beginning of her campaign
Alas, I’m in the office today, so I’m not able to do it. My anger at Kate Murray and the Town of Hempstead is so intense, I fear that I’m going to get an ulcer from the rage that burns inside of me.
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Brian From Jersey says:
There is only one person who could unseat that disaster (did you notice she looks like a fatter, uglier Hillary Clinton?)
Vote Botta ’09 for Town Supervisor!!!!
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I will stand up and ask repeatedly and loudly, why are you against the light house Kate? why? and keep yelling until I get an answer
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My more PC post…
There is only one person who could unseat that disaster (did you notice she looks like a full figured, less attractive Hillary Clinton?)Vote Botta ‘09 for Town Supervisor!!!!
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mapisles2025 says:
Just wait until a kid by the name of Johnny Tavares steps on the ice wearing and Islanders jersey. Then we will see some movement in the Lighthouse.
The Islanders can’t move until 2015. By then, I would expect John, Kyle, Josh, Kirill, etc. to play some exciting hockey – bringing out the dormant fanbase, and ultimately, some real action for the Lighthouse. -
19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
CB ~ I didn’t think it was necessary to have to explain the reason you wrote that article yesterday … but I guess some wanted one.
I think it was best to get that out a month before the draft so we can return our focus on the draft … I also thought it was important to remind everyone that a larger battle is still being fought … and to keep up the fight. Good Job!!!
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I don’t know why people still think Charles Wang can rebuild a building the County owns … or why Wang can’t make a profit under the current contract and County deal with SMG … The Isles’ shouldn’t be a charity … they should be a vibrant business in a GREAT market, but the current arrangement in an outdated building makes that nearly impossible.
I haven’t read anyone’s comments yet … I’ll do that later … but I just want to say that I’ve always been proud that my 3 fave sports teams … Isles, Yankees and Giants played in stadiums that beared their own name without a corporate name tag … or in the Isles’ case … Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum … beared a name that honors our fallen heros, and perhaps CB you can do a piece for Monday that honors that history about the old barn and how the Isles have always honored that name. It will be a shame if NVMC is abandoned … to me it’s almost akin to abandoning our history and the honor of the fallen heros. Wang holds a shovel … Murray a wrecking ball.
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german islesfan says:
I pray from germany for an miracle and the lighthouse will build in the time after murray. I’am an islander since 1979 and i hope this traditions club deserve it to stay on long island. isles fans are over the world.
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Vote Botta ‘09 for Town Supervisor!!!!
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Dan says:
Who ever is running against her has my vote. I will vote for anyone else regardless.
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BR says:
Someone should dress-up in a goat costume. It’s not respectful, but it would get a front-page picture. Once a politician becomes an object of ridicule you have a changed game.
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Nick Isles From Brooklyn says:
Nick Classic is a determined man – and I respect that totally – however – with CB feeling this way (as others) – Maybe accepting the defeat in LI is the way to go (Easy for me to say being from BK) You cnat have 1/3 of the fans wanting the LH still 1/3 Brooklyn and 1/3 Queens.
Im born and raised in Queens – live in BK now – I related to LI and want the isles to stay there. My opinion is if its not BK its going to be KC – IMO of course – because I think wang will sell without the real estate involved.
To me – Queens – WP might not start development until 2012 now – per julissa Fereras (Say all end all vote of WP) Brooklyn with a new Arena is the way to go to stay in NY IMO. If Wang really wants to keep the team there.
Perhaps it is time to say – LH is not happining anymore – perhaps all the fans should decide on BK and just push for that in an organized fasion!
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CB, it seems like you may be attending this Rally. Is there any way you can take some pics and post them for us? I’d love to see the turnout.
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edTurner says:
We can defeat Kate Murray this November.
Everytime she is out campaigning, we have the wild Islander fan with the wig follow her around. We put him in a “re-elect Kate Murray” t-shirt and he gets himself in every picture she takes between now and election day.
Kate loses – Islanders win!
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Tom says:
CB something you may want to look into regarding The Lighthouse…you have a pic in your previous entry showing Suozzi & Charles B. Wang in 2002. The ToH didn’t get involved until a full FIVE years later. What Suozzi doing for FIVE years with the proposal. If Suozzi moved at all on the project, perhaps it gets into the ToH hands sooner??
Kate Murray is problem no doubt, but she’s not bigger a menace to Islander Nation than Suozzi.
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Noomz says:
Possible Dem candidate for TOH [from Newsday]:
Dave Denenberg (D-Merrick) wondered if he would get [Independent Party support] should he decide to challenge Hempstead Republican Town Supervisor Kate Murray’s re-election bid this November. “I’m considering that challenge, but I enjoy serving my district,” he said.
The Independent Party has said it would back nearly all Dem candidates in Nov.
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mrlbem says:
The fact that Newsday, an institution with a very liberal editorial board that never misses an opportunity to bash a republican, puts this story on the back burner is very disturbing.
On another note, I have a question for you or Nick that hasn’t been answered yet. Please don’t misinterpret this question as another Wang should just renovate the coliseum comment. My question is if there was a different, more favorable lease arrangement with SMG or another arena manager, could the Islanders be profitable? If the answer is “no”, then that’s all well and good. If the answer is “yes”, then that undercuts the need for the Lighthouse argument, but it provides some hope that the team can exist if Wang should bail.
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JPinVA says:
I’m completely out of the LI political loop, but I’m guessing that Charles (and all involved) wants to keep this a non-partison issue.
Another thought is, if they move to the area by CitiField they can start calling Hunter the “SEVEN TRAIN”. -
UIF says:
mrlbem – I’ve asked the same question. I don’t think anyone has been arguing that the arena should be renovated with the same lease. The lease is obviously the 800lb gorilla. But it’s been stated in previous comment sections here that even w/ an arena upgrade, regular sellouts, and a re-negotiated lease, the team can’t be profitable, and I don’t know about that. If that’s true, then it doesn’t matter if the team is on LI, Queens, Brooklyn, KC, or Hamilton, because a full arena w/out the lease is apparently not good enough w/out the owner owning all the surrounding real estate. Who knows…probably my last comment on the LH since I’m so jaded by now I just don’t believe anything either side says anymore. But I’d be interested to see the answer from someone more knowledgeable than myself.
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Why don’t the Islanders ask for help from all of the Youth Hockey Leagues from across LI. Lets get the Mites and Peewee’s Parents from each rink on LI, to bring thier kids with their youth League Jerseys and bring save the Islanders and Hockey on Long Island signs to all Kate Murray appearences. Maybe have some LI NHLer’s show up to some appearences as well.
Islanders have a far reaching impact on Long Island, for us its not about Real Estate. -
UIF – nobody is saying the team can’t be profitable with everything you said. People are saying they wouldn’t make enough money with just a renovated arena to justify the investment. As 19 Isles pointed out, Charles Wang is not Santa Claus and can’t be expected to throw money down a pit just to spare people’s feelings.
Nick/Brooklyn – I respect your opinion, but this has nothing to do with being determined. We have known for a while that the deadline would likely pass, and in lieu of any new information there are people willing to throw down their arms and back a pipe dream. Disunity will give Kate Murray exactly what she wants and almost certainly lead to losing the team. I can’t believe people can’t see that.
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I hope people are working on some signage.
“Jobs, not goats!”
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Matt says:
man, this is a shame. i just wish i could do something about this. i always tell people that i don’t hate anyone but kate murray is on my dislike list and i haven’t even met her.
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(64)Great point. The Islanders need to send their players out in force! You want to get Long Islanders fired up, send Bossy and Trotts on a flat bad with a bunch of youth hockey players to her campaign stops. Put huge “Save the Islanders” banners all over long Island. Why is the team not using its most valuable assets?
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eye on the island says:
im gonna try and get down there
called news 12 to drum some news coverage of our cause
lets do this
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JohnnyC. says:
mrlbem – The problem with that is the county does not have the money to renovate the Coliseum. Wang would have to. So how would you recoup your 400million dollor or so investment in refurbishing the coliseum that you do not own. The county struck a deal with developers. You get to develop the land but you also have to pay to renovate the coliseum. Not aimed at you but I still can’t see why some would say Wang is only in it for the Real estate. He will be paying out of his pocket to renovate the arena.
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Great point Jon Mac. It seems that the team isn’t doing enough to get the support for this thing going. Maybe they want to keep the LH seperate from the team but they are missing an opportunity. The residents need to know the facts and the team is part of the Lighthouse.
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Joe says:
Why do i get the feeling the Islanders will be like the Avs and Canes. After 15 years of misery, the team is finally building the right way and when they are about to become a cup winner they will be playing in KC or somewhere in Canada. F U Kate Murray.
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Mike says:
What does kate murray plan on doing with the coliseum if the islanders leave? this is absolutely horrific…
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matt c says:
the County is responsible for the Coliseum not Wang…it is the Countys responsiblity to build a new arena, they own it!…
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I’m heading there now. Hope to see other people there. Shoot me an email if your gonna be there. Jc77318@yahoo.com
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This is unbelievable that this lady is so dumb. Give u the damn lighthouse already. Its an amazing thing Charles Wang is trying to do and all this lady does is eat pizza and cupcakes. Get a clue fat ass. This lady needs some serious repercussions. She deserves to be voted off the ISLAND. Get her in a different state the *****…
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IslesHostage says:
Question: Isn’t she getting the state mandated approval process completed way ahead of schedule so far? The state does, afterall, require a VERY lengthy study and approval to protect taxpayers. So if she is rushing the report and not wasting time with premature pep rallies fans clamor for, getting all the t’s crossed and i’s dotted and ensuring the procedure is STRICTLY adhered to and all concerns answered, and the Wanger is forced to make every correction of omission…..
doesn’t that mean a politician is doing her job well by not catering to a special interest (very special to all of us: the team) and going by rule of law?
If she rushed an approval through and residents were made to suffer…….bravo Isles. The local residents sure will love hockey then!
She’s doing her job, like it or not. I’d rather be thorough in the interest of the residents instead of rapid in the interest of the billionaires (or millionaires in Chuck’s case after the SEC took the money back and gave it to the shareholders he screwed over).
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Matt….the county won’t condemn the SMG lease and could very well not care if SMG pays out contributions enough…..D’Amato was with SMG and Computer Associates. I’ll do research and see if SMG is paying the County officials in campaign season. No SMG means the Isles can make a tidy profit according to Forbed data. A nicer profit with more seats and luxury boxes and no SMG to take the revenue from advertising, luxury boxes, ticket wondow purchases, parking, concessions……all that.
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DOC says:
Once again… it’s nothing but politicians acting in the their own best interest… in grandiose fashion… and using the “sympathetic cause” as their platform excuse for making the decisions that they make… ie: “were looking out for the best interest of the residents and to protect their way of life and the suburban lifestyle…” when in fact by killing the LH project it will be destroying the progress and growth and stability of the suburban region.
DOC
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Rangers SUCK says:
Do you really want the Isles to stay and have to deal with this idiot Murray for years to come? Wang should OPENLY start negotiations with Ratner or Brooklyn or Queens, TODAY at about NOON. Learn to play hardball Wanger.
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Making them reduce the size would sure be helping local residents avoid gridlock, since not everyone is a hockey fan but I’m sure 100% of the people like to get home at night in time for dinner.
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Hey David… I don’t really like what she’s doing either… but seriously… those are some pretty harsh words. You might want to reconsider posting such things in a public forum such as this.
DOC
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Tond says:
move them to queens already, it pretty clear the people of long island dont want them, because if they did this murry lady would be pushing thing ahead…if the outcry isnt big enough she wont do squat..
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Isles fan Ken says:
Anyone who maks it out there, nice work on your part, let your voices be herad. Let us know how it goes. Let’s crash every campaign stop! She must be defeated at all costs!
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
To IslesHostage: would you, as a resident, like to walk around empty parking lot trying to cover youself from the strong winds or to spend your precious time in a nice restourant with good food and a great view(or many other choises of entertaiment)? Besides hockey.
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IslesofNJ says:
#80 Isles Hostage
Doing her job? Does that include never showing up for any of these meetings even ones that she committed to and then backs out? She screams she must be objective, but she puts up websites, sends out asinine mailers with tax payer money, etc making her intentions perfectly clear. She is a hippocrite of the worst kind ! -
Vlad, I’d love a small development that didn’t overwhelm the residents in the area who would be stuck in traffic every cold night trying to get home. I would love a small project that had restaurants, entertainment and shopping and didn’t pose serious environmental problems, make navigating through the surrounding five or six villages a nightmare and make Nassau County even more unpleasant to live in. I would love keeping suburbia around and not building a city. I would love a comprimise between both parties far more yielding than reducing a skyscraper down to two highrises.
My ideal is a HUGE building in the center with all ameneties, no ball park, any office spaces or businesses WITHIN the confines of this massive building, a deck atop it to view the area, the parking lot remaining and beautified, a practice rink within the structure that residents could use or watch practices while eating if they choose, a flurry of things to do within it on off nights or summer…..and it’s all doable given it’s approved to build on the existing block the Coliseum sits on.
But it’s not big enough for Wang, and it’s probably too sensible for the all or nothing crowd.
But it sure could be beautiful. And it would make a lot of money. And it would be a way of eliminating ALL concerns detractors have. But again, it just won’t make Wang the billions he seeks. Just many millions.
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david says:
I AGREE WITH MY PAL VLAD!
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MJS says:
The “party of no” strikes again… I’m not sure if anyone can say that Kate is following a political agenda, but this is the GOP format of the last few years. Rather than take any action, just do nothing and hope the problems go away. For all of the Republicans out there, the alternative is choosing a party that promises big, spends big, and only delivers once in a while. Nevertheless, the possibility of getting someone to take action on the Lighthouse is better with the other party. It strikes me that, at the very least, the viewers of the site are not being represented by an elected official. If it is really in everyone’s interest to have the Lighthouse, and I believe it is, then you should transcend political affiliations and vote Murray out. You can always get rid of the Democrat at the next election.
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Phil the Thrill says:
What’s this about Kate Murray joining the Majesty in the Lingerie Football League? She could play the whole defensive line by herself. In fact, when Wang had that idea of putting a sumo wrestler in goal, I hear he really said “a sumo wrestler, or Kate Murray”.
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-Big Van Vader says:
Any way we can find out what’s happening at this thing at the memorial park online? Anybody there right now? If so, please give us a blow by blow.
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Vlad,
With all due respect, Have you been to Uniondale lately…. I could put up a nuclear power plant and it would improve the area.
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Rick says:
You know what this proves? That the residents of the Town of Hempstead are some of the dumbest people walking the planet. There, I said it. Don’t think so? Then don’t vote for this corrupt, waste of space that is Kate Murray. But everyone who lives there will. You always do. Say goodbye to the only Pro team this Island has ever had or ever will have. Kudos to the residents of the ToH for helping to show our beloved team the door.
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JayK says:
IslesHostage – #90 — if that plan is so profitable and wonderful, how come nobody bid anything even close to that? Everything that was bid in the RFP was a very expansive project, very ambitious. If what you’re saying is such a big profit-generator — not sure how you know that, but anyway — why wasn’t it bid?
And I do want to say that we supporters of the Lighthouse do appreciate that even opponents like yourself concede that the project would be a success in attracting corporate and residential tenants. Obviously, you must believe that; otherwise, traffic would not be a concern of yours. So thanks for joining us in acknowledging that.
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Noomz says:
i was at the “rally” for about 15 minutes.
There was approx 50-60 people there. Most were white males. Most seemed to know her directly. And i bet most were ToH employees – who work for her & were possibly there on Town payroll time (1pm).
A couple Isles jersey/tees in the crowd. one guy in an Okposo jersey had a sign “Build the Future”.
Charles Wang was specifically mentioned within the first 3-5 minutes. He was supposed to be the villain of development in Hempstead.
For an incumbent re-election for TOWN sup, there was very little support. The best the crowd could muster aside from tempid applause was “I LIKE KATE” chant. Very pathetic. A decent challenger with 3rd Party support (Independents) could beat tis campaign. Poorly attended, poorly organized affair.
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RICK,
I seem to remember another Long Island pro sports team named the NEW YORK NETS!!! How could you forget about them. Especially since they played in the same building. -
Thanks for the preliminary update, Noomz. I am glad that she had little support.
For me, I cant wait to find out who is running against her. Id rather promote someone who actually DOES care about bringing the ToH out of the 1970s and DOES want to do the will of the people and let everyone know about that. I only hope that such a person chooses to run for the position. We will soon find out.
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Jeff Speight says:
IslesHostage #90, wow a LH redesign on the fly. Question for you, did you submit your bid to the County when they proposed redeveloping the area? If not get those plans together in case the LH is not approved! You could be our savior!
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JayK #95: do you recall the COUNTY asked for the BIGGEST plans, that the size was paramount for approval? They want revenue. I seem to recall the County government was always crooks. They still are. Taxes are insane, spending ridiculous and they want more money.
So sensible alternatives are not on their mind. They just want big revenues, with the local residents holding the bag. It’s NOT about the team or the idea of keeping it here, it’s about the Lighthouse bringing in money so they can spend it.
My concern with its calue in attracting tenants: is it too much? Will getting it filled be easier than vacant spots elsewhere where traffic isn’t going to be a concern? With all the vacant space available on LI, why will the LH fill up? Is it too ambitious to you in that regard as well when you consider the size? I believe it could do better than other areas, but not by much. It’d be funny how everyone being late for work would bode for those seeking to work there, not to mention how pleasant finding parking would be. Leaving for home in conditions similar to manhattan, maybe?
And again, this doesn’t bother the County. They will get their money if the big three plans are any indication (Wang’s actually allowed for a hockey team, the other two that went by county guidelines for submission didn’t really focus on hockey, just the guidelines of the real estate equivalent of stuffing Rosie O’Donnel in spandex – so to speak.
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Millsie says:
I think one of the biggest problems is that there simply aren’t enough people like us (meaning hockey fans) here on Long Island. So while this is a huge issue to us, there are plenty of people who don’t give a rat’s a$$. To them, the threat of the Isles leaving town carries the same weight as the threat of the Lizards or Dragons leaving town.
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RichM says:
#100 is right. No one cares about hockey in the NYC metro area. April baseball games get higher ratings than playoff hockey. Read the newspapers, there is no hockey coverage at all. The idea that other places in the area will take the Islanders is a fantasy. If the Islanders were very popular, Murray would have supported this project awhile ago. Obviously she sees an advantage politically in being against it. I love the Islanders but everyone needs to be realistic. It would be nice if the people who disagreed with Murray would do it without making personal attacks against her. That hurts the cause.
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Hi Chris,
Bruce Ratner has had an NHL in mind since he unveiled his Brooklyn plan, I wrote about that on September 21, 2005 in the New York Sun and revised it for my examiner.com piece yesterday. I know people who worked on the economic package with Ratner who told me so and Ratner is not interested in an AHL franchise. Cjeck this out.Evan
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OldTimeHockey says:
I don’t understand why Wang and Kiss Me Kate can’t get in a room together to mash things out.
Why can’t KMK offer up her counter proposal since it’s obviously too big for her liking.
Perhaps if the local buffet were to close down there would no longer be any more scheduling conflicts with her schedule…
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This is a little long, but that’s it for me:
IslesHostage, equating the space at the Lighthouse to the vacant space on Long Island indicates that you haven’t thought much about how people and companies like to work today. Do you get off Long Island much?
You talk about the vacant space that exists today on LI and compare that to the vacant space that would be built at the Lighthouse, like they are so many pounds of soybeans…all commodities.
Anybody who has traveled in this country and had business dealings in mixed-use complexes or resurgent downtowns knows that our office space is pathetic. Stand-alone three-story buildings, lobbies that contain nothing but an elevator, no amenities, no ability to walk even to a local eatery for lunch. No way to bump into other people out on a plaza to talk about business…to talk about life…to walk to a popular watering hole after work or at lunch….to check out the women (Had to put that in there…but it’s true).
Instead, you go in your little three-story space on Hempstead Turnpike, you stare out the window at the parking lot that surrounds your boring building, and that’s it.
And then you go elsewhere in America, and you see the places where leading-edge companies are growing, are hiring, are building strong work forces. And you come back to Long Island, you drive down Hempstead Turnpike or Jericho Turnpike or Sunrise Highway and you think about the people on this board who insist that boring space must be filled before we can build something like the Lighthouse. That view implies that the existing space is just as good as the space you’ve seen elsewhere, and it implies a belief that the existing space is going to attract the cutting-edge companies of tomorrow, and that young people want to work in places like that.
And all you can do is laugh at the absurdity of such thoughts. Or cry.
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I was there, was very disappointed with the crowd of isles fans and lighthouse supporters. I met nick from lettherebelighthouse.blogspot.com and I heard chris you were there. The behavior by the people in the audience was disgusting, there was a kid in his 20′s with a dp jersey on and a sign build our future. You had grown men in their 50′s and 60′s putting there signs in front of his pushing him out of the way when he would talk they would tell him to shut up and be respectful they were putting signs in front of my face as well. Overall we need more people to turn out.
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Jack says:
Hey Rick: Where exactly do you live? The residents of the TOH are all idiots and dumb? Then why exactly do we enjoy a quality of living superior to that of the city? Why are our roads plowed when it snows before we leave for work? Our garbage picked up 3 times a week? Our streets cleaned? Why do we have some of the best public school districts in the country? Why are we one the biggest towns in the country with the highest wall street bond rating possible if we are all so dumb and the town is run so bad? Why do we rarely have an increasin in town taxes? You must be from that city next door that is run so incredibly well! You’re opinion on the lighthouse is fine, but your comments about the TOH are way out of line and a complete falsehood.
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Hey JayK,
Isles Hostage doesn’t live on Long Island…
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tom says:
jack: your roads get plowed? really? wow. very impressed. when the coliseum is gone and it’s an even bigger parking lot… those plows will come in handy… all the happy little residents of the TOH can park there, sing and dance there way to…. well… someplace. I guess they could walk over to hofstra and the park or walk to roosevelt field… but they have their own parking already. but it will be wonderful spill over parking for the hordes of happy TOH residents.
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It’s just the start section 320. It was a work day and we had little notice. It’ll get better. And ps that was me with the dp jersey on
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Chris Mc says:
Eye on the island, Section 320- appreciate you and all those who got out there in our support. Unfortunatenly for whatever reasons most of us could not make it. I mean, who launches their campaign on a Friday afternoon? Doesnt Fake Kate have work to do? I couldnt think of a sadder thing to happen sports wise for me, if the Island loses the Islanders
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Eye,
Were they really putting signs in front of you and telling you to shut up and be respectful!?!??
THESE are the MORONS we need to BOOT out of office! I WISH this thing would have been tomorrow so I could have attended. I would have LOVED for these political
$%^%’S to tell me to shut up. My friends and I live on long island, are in our 30′s, pay our taxes and are TOH residents. They wouldn’t get very far with us, to say the least.
Alot of you say we shouldn’t demonize Kate Murray. Heck with that. That’s all her and her cronies understand. They NEED to be threatened in some way. Call her out VERY publicly and she will have no choice but to respond. Charles Wang should be showing up EVERYwhere she is. MAKE her face the music. MAKE her acknowledge what’s going on. MAKE her open her FAT VOID of a mouth about her stand on the Lighthouse.The next time she’s out in public, and every time she shows up for some goat lovin’, MAKE her uncomfortable.
Let our voices be heard.
Islanders 4-LIFE
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BillyIsle says:
From what I have read and the few people I know who work in the TOH, there are a lot of people unhappy with the way the government is being run. The town does have a good credit rating and a tax surplus (not many governments can say that). However,this is due to a lot of funding for different things being cut. There is also the issue of Townworker’s contracts are about to expire and murray wont sit down to discus one (sound familiar). Did you know the TOH is one of the only governments that has 2 workers in each plow when it snows (maybe the extra guy is there to change the radio station?). The point is, there seems to be a lot of things that dont make sense, and plenty of waste and stingyness (unless you’re related to Kate)
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IslesfanND says:
CB should run against Murray
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Steve S says:
Aww, what a cute picture included with this story. Two barnyard animals.
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And #102 is so far off it’s ridiculous.
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Kate Murray’s weight has nothing to do with anything, and by using that in your attacks you are making your points (even if they ARE valid) seem rather pointless (Strummer’s Army’s joke failed at #2, so he had to use it again at #12 – and Ugly Roe #21? Dunkin Donuts is good, we’d all like some). Obviously, not every1 here does it, but for the people that do, how about some class? I understand the frustration, but it REALLY makes Islanders fans LOOK bad -like the fans I’ve seen spit on Sabre fans or throw beer bottles on the ice b/c they can’t stand losing – Grow up. This is from a die hard Islanders fan who wants nothing more than the Isles stay ON Long Island.
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CB, any news regarding the unions putting pressure on the TOH. I would imagine they can get a significant turnout protesting all the construction jobs that will be lost if the project doesn’t get approved. With the Nassau unemployment rate climbing to 7% and above they have a vested interest in the LH effort and the resources to get some much needed publicity.
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RichM (102) and TomUnfiltered (117):
I completely agree with you both! I am not interested in comments about buffets or weight or any of that. Those kinds of comments are, to an outsider hearing or reading them, the mark of uninformed minds. Id like to think that Isles fans want to present themselves as informed, intelligent voters. I hope that when people voice future objections, even if they dont choose to be polite, that they stick to the matters at hand and leave someones look or attractiveness out of things. You want to make comments about her making that ridiculous website or pretending that there are simulus funds for things like this? Fine. You want to point out her blatant nepotism? Great. I simply hope that people leave their opinions of her looks or attractiveness out of it. Unfortunately, even in 2009 the first way someone attacks a female is to rate her physical unattractiveness negatively. I sincerely hope that we as a group can move past it and focus on what really matters. -
Jeff Speight #118
Unemployed people are not Republicans so Please Kiss Me Kate has no concern over their well being.
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#112
Yeah I was standing and a man probably in his late 40′s to early 50′s discreatly slid a sign into my face blocking my view so I went over and stood in the middle. They were terrible to the kid Joe though. TOH reps instructed people in the audience to put there I Like Kate signs in front of his Build our future sign. Not only did they do that, they were shoving him around and in one instience him and a Murray supporter got into it verablly. I was disgusted by the behavior of the toh and the people (non lh supporters) in the audience.
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I learned a lot from this entry and will definitely save it in my bookmarks. Thanks for the effort you took to explore this issue so deeply. I look forward to future posts.
I agree with getting it over with now. I don’t want it to get in the way of what should be a very happy Draft Day.