PB READER FOLLOWS THE MONEY
Identifies Murray consultant as a contributor
Well, of course Frederick P. Clark Associates helped Kate Murray push back on the Environmental Impact Study of the Lighthouse Project. As noted by the politically-savvy Point Blank reader known as Hye Dray, Frederick P. Clark Associates has contributed to the Committee to Elect Kate Murray for the last three years.
Only natural that a company based in Westchester County feels strongly about a candidate running for Supervisor of the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County. Duh.
Look, we get that this is no big whoop, that it’s politics as usual. We believe - although we haven’t received confirmation - that Clark Associates has consulted for the Lighthouse Development Group. (That turned out to be false.) Our reader’s findings just illustrate how twisted this all is. Here is the Comment from Hye Dray:
Excuse me - how can Frederick Clark Associates be trusted? I have mentioned I was politically active. And in politics if you want to know the truth - find the money. Well I ask you all to check this link.
Scroll down about 1/3 of the page. It is in alpha order. You will see contributions to Committee to Elect Kate Murray in the amount of $4,750.00. According to the data, the first contributions began in 2006, but the bulk of money came into her campaign coffers in 2008.
$4,750 is not much in politics, but keep in mind there are limits to how much a campaign can raise from corporations and individuals. I am letting Newsday know of this as well. It should get them to look a little harder at the facts - I hope. Chris, I hope this helps. And if you can get this into the hands of the Islanders’ powers that be, I think it could be of use.
Comments.
48 Responses to “PB READER FOLLOWS THE MONEY
Identifies Murray consultant as a contributor”
Please Wait
Will this sort of Politics on Long Island ever end? Is this how it was supposed to be? Money talks over the shouting masses and is the only voice heard. great.
It had to be something, this was obvious that someone was working the strings. I’m Canadian and have only been to Long Island on two occassions. So who is this guy?
OK, and here’s my horror story, not that it’s surprising.
At a local civic meeting about a week ago, a politically-active resident - a Republican operative, though not elected — spoke some nonsense about the Lighthouse. I heard about it second-hand. I know this guy, so I called him.
We talked about a lot of things related to the Lighthouse, and then he let it out: “We’re not going to let 1,200 New York City Democrats move into the Town of Hempstead.” His bottom line was that the residents at the LH were probably going to be Democrats (which I will concede, I really don’t disagree with), and at the end, this is clearly the core of the Republicans’ oppositon.
At least by accepting this, we know now what the Republicans are all about. Keep out the young people, keep out people who might think the Lighthouse is a cool place to live, and just age out the county. Get their votes by playing to the “sixth borough” nonsense.
He did say that eventually, he thinks that “something” will be done. But their view of something could be just an arena rebuild, which we know isn’t going to happen.
So far all you people who on this board write “I don’t understand how anybody could be opposed to this,” I’d say: now you understand.
jayk - the housing situation does seem to be the town’s biggest (and maybe only) complaint. i think we all assume that the current plan will be tweaked. you would think that everybody could sit down and work out a revision so the town isn’t “overun by democrats”. turn some of the housing into office space.
As a registered Republican, and staunch conservative I am appaled by this political play by the Republicans of the TOH. It is reprehensible and if we lose the Islanders over this I will register as a Democrat and vote against every Republican voting for office on Long Island.
Can we please not make this a politcan Democrat vs Republican Post. Im Republican and in full support of Lighthouse. Kate murray is a moron and should really figure out what her political view are as she might have the mixed up.
I push for less government involvment. Free Market. Reward those who work hard. If Wang wants to build a new project. Let him. its his wallet. Who is the Town of Hempstead to say whether they should or shouldnt do it.
Hey Kate, Uniondale is nota Residential area, its a Long Island Waste Land. Look at the area where Roosevelt Raceway was. They fixed that and look how nice that turned out. Think of all revenues, Tax’s collected by Nassau County from Source Mall, Restaurants, condos in that area.
Light house can be just that and More.
I want to thank chris for breaking this out as it’s own story.
I also want to point out that my intention was NOT Democrats V. Republican. The same argument can be made if a Democrat was sitting in as the TOH Supervisor. My point of bringing this out was that I am somewhat surprised that Wang/Rechler etal. would not do a complete study. While there could be some issues or areas that need adjustment on the study, the article in Newsday makes it seem like the Lighthouse people are dolts without a clue. Nothing is further from the truth. Rechler is a top developer and Wang is no slouch.
I am just curious to see who else connected with this project made contributions to Murray or the various clubs and committees and PACs associated with Murray. The only reason it is a “republican” thing is because Murray is a Republican, and the GOP is in control of the TOH. But I DON’T want this to degenerate into a politcal cobat zone. The money trail is simply a statement of fact—politics not withstanding.
Who owns Roosevelt Field Mall?
I wonder if they could be found on the list.
Just wondering, how much has Charles Wang & S. Rechler contributed to Nassau County Ex. Tom S & the Democrats who approve of the LH?
Not shocked at all just fed up already and I wish Wang would just move the team. Enough playing around with these morons just cut ties and declare you’re moving. I also don’t understand why anyone would back Republicans OR Democrats. It’s almost anti-american the way some people vote their party lines no matter what. Towing a line for any party is ridiculous and we should all be independent and vote for the best candidate. What a concept right? The two party system is a joke.
Roosevelt Field is owned by Simon Properties. They are the ones funding the fight against the mall in syosset so I imagine they are involved here as well.
Yo John why would you want the team moved. I understand your frustrated, but dont be stupid! Donte embarrass islanders fans on this board! What real fan is going to say “just move the team already”?
Why didn’t Suozzi read the submission when all along he’s been portraying himself as the politician who supports this project? Ask yourselves that.
This political posturing has to stop. Real negotiations need to take place and I just went and looked at all the contributions to Suozzi’s campaign’s dig deep and you’ll se who he owe’s favors to. That’s how politics work. Nice contributions from Cablevision eh?
I am pro Lighthouse, but NYI FAN brings up an interesting question.
guys like rechler and wang contribute to everyone associated with anything they are doing. I am sure they are donate to the dems and reps in the town of hempstead. Just like rechler donates in the towns where he has real estate and just like wang does in oyster bay where he owns a ton of real estate. I doubt they are putting all of their money on one side of the equation.
I understand people not wanting to make this a partisan debate. However it is the only way to pressure these idiots into doing the right thing. If enough people say they will not blindly vote across party lines and vote based on actions I feel we have a better chance at forcing their hand.
#15, point well taken, that is how politics works, one hand washing the other so to speak. But, I guess it is ok if Wang gives to dems, BUT, if one ‘interested’ firm gives to KM, it is portrayed here a vast conspiracy to torpedo the LH project!
stevedepot - i agree. the ridiculous political volleyballing has to stop and real negotiations have to start (if they haven’t already). at the end of the day i do think that a comprise will be reached to satisfy all parties involved. we really don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes. hopefully the backroom dealmaking has begun.
Brett and NYI Fan: sorry to be so nasty, but why don’t you get off your duffs and go find out? Political contributions are a matter of public record; that’s how the tie between the consultants and Kate Murray was revealed here. I see this tendency in the opponents, here and in Newsday: they ask some deep conspiratoral question that could be answered if they’d just do some friggin’ work themselves. And then they never actually get off their butts to do it. You want to know if Wang etc. contributed to Suozzi? GO RESEARCH IT.
I think it is a little different though when a consulting firm that is based in Westchester is donating to Long Island elections. This firm seemingly has no interest in anything going on here except getting business from the supervisor. Why do they care about anything else that is happening here? At least Long Islanders who donate to local politicians can pretend that they have other interests, like roads, schools, taxes, etc. This company from Rye is just looking to get some business from her. I feel the same way about anyone from out of the area that donates to Suozzi.
For anyone who might know the answer to this question: How vital is the housing component to the Project. Seems as though the major concern of the Republican party is the infusion of a young Democratic voting demographic. Would Wang go through with the Project without the housing component? At the same time, would the Republicans approve the Project without the housing component?
This obstruction of the Lighthouse development project is a lose-lose proposition for the GOP in the TOH. If they succeed in keeping non-republicans out and chasing the highly educated youth away then the only people left to pay the taxes for all of the services they must deliver are a steadily aging demographic who will begin to experience a decrease in their ability to pay those taxes. The loss of the youth, around which future business development would have been able to grow, will lead to a loss of potential buyers for the existing properties of the elderly who can no longer afford to live in them. Eventually you end up with too little tax revenue to fund the TOH’s responsibilities and the GOP loses its power base anyway -its just that this way it loses the town itself as well.
Sigh. I despise party politics.
“If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all.”
-Thomas Jefferson
Relax JayK. I know CB doesn’t like it when we go back and forth, but I am not an opponent. My post clearly states that I am pro Lighthouse. I just thought it was a good question. I actually did look it up right after I posted, but once you post you can’t go back. I did not see any obvious contributions to Souzzi from Wang/Rechler. Again, you can make your point without the negativity.
This is BS, we should all find a politician to run against kate Murray and him/her tell Wang that their first priority is the Lighthouse Project. We can all rally around this politician and oust Kate Murray out of office. I would hate to see the Islanders leave, but if they have to I would only want queens. Im ready to go for a rally against Kate Murray
Botta for ToH Supervisor!!!
Yes, this should not be an “Us vs. Them” and/or a “Dems vs. Reps” issue. I’m sure the vast majority of us don’t want it to be a “Us vs. Them” and/or a “Dems vs. Reps” issue
But…with these rumors about “The ToH is concerned that the majority of residents would be Democrats…” “they” are making it an Us vs. Them” a “Dems vs. Reps” issue.
And no, I don’t see Simon Properties (those in charge of Roosevelt Field Mall) on the list. (I could’ve missed them though…)
Here is my email to Lainin, though newsday reporters never, ever, ever reply to emails critical of their work:
Ms. Laikin,
Curious why there is no mention of the fact that this consultant group (Frederick P. Clark Associates in Rye) is a regular corporate donor to Ms. Murray’s campaign (See: http://www.elections.state.ny.us:8080/plsql_browser/CONTRIBUTORA_COUNTY?ID_in=C20307&date_From=&date_to=&AMOUNT_From=&AMOUNT_to=&ZIP1=&ZIP2=&ORDERBY_IN=N&CATEGORY_IN=ALL).
This would seem to be a conflict of interests, and I am curious as to why/how this Group was selected and awarded this contract to review the Lighthouse environmental impact submission, considering its Murray-donor status.
At the very least I would think that your article would have mentioned this. As it stands now, i.e., by omission of this information, your reporting is a bit suspect and appears biased. I am not suggesting you did this with knowledge, rather that you need to amend your article to fully disclose the interests of the parties. It reads as if some “independent” consulting firm has made statements regarding the insufficiency of the Lighthouse projects submission, and that is simply not the case.
Regards,
C. Felix. They are actually on Suozzi’s contributors. My last post.
There is one 3.5 million contribution to Suozzi’s campaign in 06 from the “Friends of Thomas Suozzi”. There are also others as well but smaller sums.
Anyone know how to find out who contributed to that?
I checked online but the transfer was a “miscellaneous” receipt” along with a $900 contribution in the 2006 January Periodic Report Summary Page. Interesting. Why are their loopholes like this available to politicians to hide sources of contributors? As much as I have a sick feeling about Kate Murray not being more helpful, that’s how much I do not trust Suozzi nor Wang.
By the way, the comparison to whether Wang gives to Suozzi’s campaign is not a relevant analogy. Wang has actual interests in the area’s development, not merely interests in being awarded government contracts.
I’ll tell you what I would be very suprised to see Kate Murray win if this lighthouse isnt approved. How many Islander fans who never bother to vote will be at the polls on that day?
C. Felix - what are “these rumors” you speak of? I’ve seen one rumor…a handful of posts above yours…from one commenter on this blog citing a conversation with a “politically active resident”. I’m not doubting the sincerity of the commenter, but I hardly take that as solid proof that this is some conspiracy perpetuated by “they”.
It’s not as much who’s names are on that donation list … It’s also who’s names are not … NO: Computer Associates, Islanders, Light House Development Group, New York Islanders, Rechler and NO Wang … there is however Cablevision for those conspiracy theorists… LOL!
All this proves is that in politics candidates have people that work for them,support them in campaigns, big deal that goes back centuries.
Please let’s stick to Hockey!
Yeah, stick to hockey! CB, playing Devils Advocate as usual, you should comment on todays’ Newsday article, it seems that CW & SR failed to include some small issues like how to cope with TRAFFIC, GARBAGE, etc. It looks more like they should change the name to the Ant-Farm, because it will be totally dependent on everything from outside of the project.
It just stinks that the ToH is trying to kill this thing off. If they would just look at the huge increase in income they’d get from taxes from all the businesses and residences and stuff, not to mention if they’d get extra profit from more people showing up to Isles games and other stuff as well in a renovated Coliseum(At least until the novelty of a new stadium wears off; the Mets aren’t doing good yet this year yet Citi Field seems to have a decent number of people going). Murray and Co. have got to be Guinnes-Book-Of-World-Records-stupid if they don’t do this.
Does anyone know if Fredrick P Clark Assoc. have published their report calling for “routine” revisions to the DGEIS submitted by the Lighthouse Development Group so that those of us who want to be better informed can actually read it? I would like to compare the thoroughness of their report to that which was submitted by Wang/Rechler with regard to the Traffic issues and the amount of Garbage (I mean fuel for the Garbage to Energy plant located just a couple of miles to the North along the Meadowbrook) expected to be generated by the development of the Uniondale wastelands.
I’m sorry but this CAN’T be news to Mr. Charles B. Wang. Suozzi HAS to and HAD to know ALL of this before this story landed into the hands of “John Q. Public.” Mr. Charles B. Wang has all the answers he needs. The LH is dead. Why is he waiting until October to do something is ensure the Islanders future in NY? Call Queens– iron out a new arena deal, sign a long term lease to keep the Isles in NY, then put the team up for sale to a local buyer.
That’s been how I’ve wanted Mr. Charles B. Wang to play this for close to a year now. When does Mr. Charles B. Wang factor in the betterment of Islanders hockey? At one point or another, he’s going to have to take off the Real Estate Mogul hat & represent the NY Islanders & their fans. At what point does he do that?
This isn’t about HIS legacy, HIS land grab, HIS dreams. When will he view the Islanders as a beloved hockey team & not some sort of bargaining chip to pad his own pockets?
When I first read about the “we wont build it because only democrats will live there” rumor I took it as just that-a rumor. Now after hearing it here, on Gallof’s blog, and on Lettherebelighthouse I’m starting to believe it. I don’t care if the politicians in the TOH are Republican, Democrat, or Communist. They were elected by the people and should serve them. They are civil servants. I know i sound idealist and every politician is of course concerned with their career, but how are no media outlets getting on this!
CB, I would also just like to let you know that I disagree with the people who are saying stick to hockey. Please continue letting us know about these things. You havent accused anyone of anything, youre just reporting. The argument doesnt really work anyway since without this project there is no hockey.
#40- You want to know why this isn’t a big story? It happens EVERY SINGLE DAY. Sad but true. What could Suozzi say as a Democrat? Kate Murray could just rebuttle with a similar situation the Dems are doing. Politicians are consumed with the demographics of their districts. Next year is the National Census…all sorts of under the table dealings will happen to boundaries/certain districts as they are. This is not really a big story politically. It happens every day.
Also, IMHO the LAST thing Mr. Charles B. Wang or Suozzi what to do is make this debate about “ethics”. That opens the door to the CA debacle & Suozzi needs his unethical dealings bandied about like he needs a hole in the head.
This is a BIG story for Islanders fans only. Suozzi, Charles B. Wang & Kate Murray are doing business as usual for people of their ilk. Unethical slim. Islander fans are the only ones “shocked” by this story. Read Mr. Charles B. Wang’s wiki page. Ethics isn’t his strong suit, believe me.
Both sides need to sit down and iron out a deal. The Islanders are a part of LI and belong on LI. If the town will not approve teh lighthouse then Kate Murray needs to get 100% financing for a new arena and offer that to Wang. Then the ball will truly be in his court. Right now its in Kate Murray’s hands and she’s not getting the job done.
Kate Murray is hiding behind the ” I have to do the right thing for the TOH” excuse but in the end she will be remebered for her failure to launch…..
I do a good bit of development work for power generation and other capital intensive facilities throughout the US and Latin America. The basic fact is that a good developer will always spread the cash around to both sides in a local election during the development process (unless someone has staked their career on blowing up your project). That’s the system - it’s either covert or overt depending on the jurisdiction, but it is what it is.
As to the draft EIA, it will take time to resolve open issues. It always does. I don’t view the initial feedback as some harbinger of doom - it’s another step in the process and better now than never. Let’s hope that the Lighthouse guys can respond quickly (nb - their lead development counsel - Lawrence Feldman - died suddenly in March which will probably affect their response time).
The bottom line is Mr. Wang is a private developer who is willng to shell out bundles of cash on this project and Kate Murray has the audacity to tell him to request federal/tax payer funds for a renovation project. It should come as no surprise that this woman, who is a sorry excuse for an elected official and “representative” of the people, would want to ride this out until after her November election and keep potential opposition voters our of her Town. Way to mortgage of the future of our community and our children over partisan bickering. Thanks Kate! I’ll be contributing to your opponent this year and I don’t even live in the Town of Hempstead!
And for today’s lesson in how government REALLY works … Sorry folks this is all part of our wonderful governmental process. The ONLY thing that will get Ms Murray to move is the grim reality that her position on this issue will keep her from getting re-elected. The republicans will sacrifice her in a minute if they think they can move another one of their pawns into position, but our friend Kate still has the power to make things happen (one way or the other). We can all sit here and bitch about it or we can do everything in our power to make people aware of the real issues behind this debacle. JayK says he’s doing some organizing in this area. I suggest that anybody that gives a rat’s ass about keeping this team around needs to get organized and recruit at least 10 of your most vocal friends to do the same
Time to look at Queens. Nuff said.