THERE’S ERIC, MARC, JORDAN AND JARED
And then there’s the Stall Sister, Kate
On Wednesday, the Lighthouse folks submitted their response to the Town of Hempstead’s comments on the Environmental Impact Study. On Thursday, Kate Murray and company broke out some consultants from a company based in Westchester to tell Newsday the study is incomplete.
The most ominous part of the article is when writer Eden Laikin reports that “repeated calls” to Lighthouse officials for their response to the Town’s response to their response were not returned.
With Charles Wang pushing for approval by the start of the season, there are times when you just want to make like Billie Joe Armstrong. Wake me up when September ends.
Comments on the Lighthouse here, draft in next thread.
55 Responses to THERE’S ERIC, MARC, JORDAN AND JARED
And then there’s the Stall Sister, Kate
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Yashin for President says:
Bring on Queens
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Rangers SUCK says:
Looks like you have politicians who are douchebags as well, I guess that’s just the way it is anymore.
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WildcatChris says:
I’d like to hand in a 6,000 page paper to my English professor and have him tell me it’s incomplete.
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stopthepain says:
Let’s be honest – the only thing politicians understand is political movements, and specifically political movement funded by money. Want something to change? Find out who is likely to challenge Kate Murray and send a donation check (no matter how small) to the opposition. Then call and tell the TOH that you did so. The politicians holding this up for political purposes are unbelievable. Hurt the Island’s long term economic growth for short term demographic advantage in elections is their motivation. But the truth is the demographics are changing on the island (whether the remnants of the Republican machine likes it or not). Encourage them to embrace the future so that they may be part of it. If they are unwilling, support the opposition. It’s that simple.
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Tom Chillemi says:
What about the Pilgrim State grounds? It’s huge, accessible, and still LONG ISLAND! Chris, have they ever looked in that direction?
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AJ says:
So tired of this never ending BS. I almost want them to just move to Queens and forget the lighthouse project
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Ryan says:
If this was a movie, wouldn’t Wang have offered Kate like $20 million in a silver briefcase by now? Why can’t this woman be bought? I’m sure she’s a corrupt politician, just like most of them. As my man Ted Dibiase said, “everybody has a price.”
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I’m not shocked in the least…I wrote this on my site yesterday:
This is a very critical point in the Lighthouse approval process. The Town of Hempstead is required by law to hold public hearings on the project as part of the environmental review, but the million-dollar question is When. If the Town of Hempstead is serious about moving this process forward, we will see public hearings happen in the month of May. If they are not, we could continue to see delays and requests for revision ad infinitum…
Need I say more?
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duff says:
wang and co turned the first revisions around in 11 days. i expect a speedy reply.
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NJA says:
Can there be any doubt the lighthouse is dead and the Isles are gone? Queens is a pipe dream.
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JPinVA says:
I really do hope the Queens proposal is real… because there’s not much that could make me a KC fan… just like my father could NEVER become an LA Dodger fan.
Go OVECHKINGTON!!! -
VIVA INSOMNIA!
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Ajax says:
I think its time for us all to join all of the facebook groups, mailing groups, blogs, petitions, ALL OF IT and get everyone we know to do this as well. VOICES ARE HEARD IN NUMBERS!
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Perhaps we should consider hanging out in numbers in front of her office, say … I don’t know … May 24th, the day that the Isles won the first cup in 1980. I think planning this far in advance could give Katie the crowd we need.
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Pete M says:
The non response of the Lighthouse group doesn’t bother me as much as the shot taken at Suozzi from the TOH spokesman. It’s obvious that this whole thing is turning into a Republican vs. Democrat battle, with people of Long Island once again caught in the middle.
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JayK says:
Ajax – #12 — I’m working on it, along with a few other people. But it has to be planned. It can’t be rushed. So please write me at beatkate09@yahoo.com. There still is time to influence the political process, if we don’t all run off in different directions. Contact me there, and I will let you know what we’re planning.
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gary9-19-22 says:
Kate Murray’s vision is blurry
She can’t see that people will scurry
Build the fk’n Lighthouse
The future depends on being leaders not a muse…
Ok.. I’m no Lennon-McCartney.. I’m on the train going to work and its early.Wang should go on the offensive and run a real media campaign. In this economy someone willing to invest billions just to be slapped down.
Call Lou Dobbs, call the Dolans, get a g-damn airplane to write sky messages.
Shame them into it. -
Same old process by TOH, stall, stall, stall. At this time Wang has spent too much money on LHP to jump ship for Queens. Hopefully when October finally gets here the process for Queens will start.
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Nick Isles From Brooklyn says:
Empty stomach!
Ive said it before – I really dont see Queens happening. If they are saying its incomplete – dont they have to start the 12 month process over??? If so, Sorry all – its over! Kate Murray is to the Islanders what Robert Moses was to the Dodgers! I know can feel what my old mad did back in 57!
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Great infusion of Pop Culture, CB. The greatest thing is that the Lyrics and tone of the symphony of that tune are as solemn and bleak as the Project.
Thanks for making this dreary day, that much more…
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kevin fitz says:
I have been saying this for over a year. THIS IS NOT HAPPENING! I say we just stop even talking about the LH because it’s not a reality. We need to talk about QUEENS. That is the best hope of the Isles staying in New York. We need to hope someone will step up and buy the team from Wang who wants to move the team there.
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drouin says:
Ooohhh Kate Staal I get it.
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misterpink says:
@16 – Lou Dobbs made me laugh.
I’m not so sure he wouldn’t line up behind Kate on this one.
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When does Kate (Stall) Murray tell the citizens of TOH that their real estate taxes are going up because the Isles are leaving Uniondale.
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bergie20 says:
to play devil’s advocate, it is actually possible that the lighthouse group didn’t do what the town had requested. we’ll see what happens. i’m not jumping to any conclusions yet.
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avolp55TURGEONFICHAUD says:
this is the worst feeling ever. somebody stab me.
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art says:
CB lets stop the endless talk about Tavares etc we wouldn’t care if he is playing in KC. Wang can’t discuss fall back positions to the LH while he is trying to negotiate a deal. Let’s hope he has some that he is keeping quiet if the LH fails in it’s current configuration. Bottom line he is losing 25M a year now and thats not acceptable. ALSO assume he wants to stay on the island or at least sell to someone who will keep the team here. The answer might be for the county to sell the collesium for $1 and then have the new owner rebuild the property at big expense but end up with all the profits from concessions, parking, exec boxes, all other events,concerts, the circus etc. The exec boxes alone at 100G times 20 boxes for ten years is 20M The county gets jobs in return and is not left with an empty dump. Where is the flaw in my suggestion?
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Froggy says:
As a TOH resident and die hard Islander fan I am slowly coming to grips with the fact that this is just not happening. No more Isles and higher taxes. Kate Murray and the Long Island republicans are in the process of destroying the future of Long Island. It is so sad.
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thepolishprince says:
Kate Murray, I loathe you. It’s funny because she does a spot for the Town of Hempstead Industrial Development Agency which airs often on Bloomberg Radio going on and on how she and the IDA do everyting possible to improve the economy in the TOH. What a load of ####!
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Mike from Philly says:
Queens sounds so good right now just because Kate Murray does not work for Queens County!!
Move West Boys! West to Williets Point!
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Johhny K. says:
This is standard operating procedure, don’t get your panties in an uproar. If any of you have dealt with contracts, RFP’s etc., they NEVER get approval on the first response, so this is not another stalling tactic. Keep the grassroots mindset going of course, but this isn’t anything to get worked up over.
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mrlbem says:
Can’t we get a national conservative or republican figurehead on board to support this project and butt heads with the TOH. There was a rumour on Islandermania last week that Sean Hannity would get involved. How about Rush Limbaugh or Newt Gingrich. Someone who could say that a true republican would embrace this project. Damn, this is frustrating.
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Mikey Isles says:
The Islanders need to move to Queens near public transportation. And when they draft Tavares, they will be able to market him much better playing on NYC turf. I know The Islanders are Long Island’s team but ownership will not be able to survive that terrible lease and the lack of attendance during weekday games. If the Isles move out of NY then I will root for the Brooklyn Aces who play at The Aviator in Brooklyn.
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lovin lethbridge says:
the only problem with waking up when September ends, is you could be awakening to a Boulevard of broken dreams…
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Ben says:
I would like Wang to consider other options to the development of the “Lighthouse Project” and hockey facility.
I heard at one time that Suffolk County would be interested in having the Islanders but further discussions on blogs/papers seemed to focus more on Queens as the best location.
I think it would be fruitful if Suffolk County offered an attractive site as close as possible to the Nassau County border, offer to build/assist in financing of a facility and provide the grounds for the Lighthouse Project.
While I think that Queens is the front runner option, I think most Long Islanders view something out on the Island as more Long Island than in Queens, which is more connected to the city.
I’m in no way putting down Queens but the identity of the two areas is different and Queens would be seen by many around here and outside of the area as another part of the city.
Suffolk County (the western edge) can still offer easy access for those traveling.
Nassau County is disfunctional in it’s ability to handle this type of project, it is clear. Nassau County is also in financial trouble and is not well suited to absorb this type of project in terms of monetary scale and size.
In the end, when this project is finally completed (in Suffol County) then maybe we can build that bridge to Connecticut next!
One can only hope for common sense.As for Kate Murray, I don’t know what to say. It just seems that she if Wang and the Lighthouse Project was not around she would not feel a need to do anything. It almost seems that she is being forced to say something because Wang is pushing for his project but she would rather do nothing! A minimalist approach at best.
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I cant help but laugh at the notion that “that ‘repeated calls’ to Lighthouse officials for their response: were never returned. Yeah RIGHT. Calling two times from a blocked number and hanging up after about one ring counts as repeated calls, Im sure. this is ALL they are waiting for, I dont buy this BS for a minute. Neither should anyone else.
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pennst92 says:
A couple of things:
I don’t live on Long Island anymore – if I did I probably would be more proactive in trying to put together a grass roots movement to get things moving in the right direction – not saying it would work, but for many of us it would help assuage the feelings of helplessness that come with this. A website should be constructed (firekatenow.com?), and beginning ASAP, flyers should be passed out to local citizenry in ToH and on cars, etc. to increase local awareness. It would be helpful to contact union organizers and the local Dem party to see what they’re willing to do in regards to that effort as well.
That would be a start.
In regards to follow the money, good idea – I’d also look to find any developers on that list of doners…finding them, you’ll likely find out what Kate Murray’s…excuse me, the repub machine’s real interest in the Colisseum property is. Perhaps they have their own plan but need Wang’s proposal out of the way first.
As was mentioned money talks in politics – this time is no exception…find the REAL source of the money and you’ll possibly see what the repub strategy is, and why they’re willing to risk ToH over this issue.
And Queens and Suffolk are pipe dreams in my opinion…there isn’t the attraction that the Lighthouse project offers in either place, and approvals would have to start all over…Wang wouldn’t, couldn’t have the patience to go through that process again.
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pennstate92 — #37 — the web site approach, with email links to EVERY Republican office holder in the county, is one that a couple of us are working on. As they say…watch this space!!
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
Come on guys … you don’t think that was unexpected?? The writing has been on the wall… I’d expect that an independent consultant would find some holes … and quite frankley … you should be glad … because no original plan is air tight … I would agree that the sanatation and traffic issue hadn’t been solved by the 6000 page EIS … with a project that size … it’s going to take a 6000 page plan just for traffic alone IMO.
My solution for sanitation is privitization … it’s a less of a burden on the town … and it gives the consumer the choice of sanitation .. I’ll submit that it works out great in NJ IMO.
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Let me preface this by saying that I hate what Kate Murray and Mondello are doing to our future here. That said, I have three observations:
1) The lighthouse project is dumb. Do we really need more $750,000 condominiums and townhouses? We all know the whole “affordable housing” that Wang promises will never materialize. There’s still a whole batch of McTownhouses at Roosevelt Raceway under construction and they’re not selling. Additionally, has anyone looked at the proposal to put virtually all stadium parking in a large underground garage? How in the world is that gonna work? Its tough to get out of the NVMC now and its a huge paved lot. Parking at the lighthouse would be a disaster. Which brings me to another point- there’s still no LIRR connection in the plan. This is Wang’s plan- you cant park and cant take the train??? Finally, no one wants to park at the RXR center when its 5 degrees with whipping winds in the middle of January and NO ONE is gonna take a bus from Mineola.
Further, has anyone considered where Wang is gonna get $1B in private investment for real estate development in these times? Maybe the lighthouse corporation has kept quiet about their best point- that they arent asking for public funding- because if the project is approved they plan to come with their hands out for public funds.
2) Suozzi’s outspoken support of the lighthouse HURTS IT. He has made it a campaign issue in the upcoming election which naturally has made the Republicans oppose it with all their might. Lets face the facts- Kate Murray is NOT gonna lose in November. Even if every person that really cares about the Isles votes against her, Republican dominance of the TOH is so strong that it would be miracle if she lost. In Nassau- much like the rest of NY- the system is corrupt. Too many people owe too many favors to Mondello & Murray, who butter the bread of far too many voting blocs. I believe she won the last election by 60,000 votes, which is a landslide in town politics. Suozzi’s vociferous support = death of the lighhouse
3) Queens is not gonna happen. The whole deal for Charles Wang is a favorable land grab in Nassau County so that he can build luxury housing. There will be no luxury development in Willets Point, thus there will be no Islanders hockey arena.
We are in a major bind. I put our odds of losing the team at 60% or better. This sucks.
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Tom says:
ToH has come this far, no way they fumble at the goal line & allow the LH to happen. Mr. Charles B. Wang, don’t wait for October to hear a NO. Call Queens NOW to hear an immediate YES. It’s what I’ve been saying all along…the ToH doesn’t want the LH or the Islanders. Go to where you are wanted.
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Picture Long Island as a “gang plank” … Suffolk Cty. = walking the plank to sports obscurity.
Queens’ Willets Point site has already undergone the SEQRA / EIR process … and the possibility of a large venue was included and approved… you can read up on it at the NYC website… I still want the Light House done in some form … but Queens is best plan B IMO.
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42- You cannot say Queens is not going to happen WHEN they approached the Islanders about a new building and land development. They have already completed or are close to completing the Environmental Review and are looking to break ground summer 2010. There is a good chance that the option of Queens is there and it is real.
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AK says:
I have said it from the beginning. As much as I would love for them to move to Queens, there is no way it happens. It is either the Lighthouse project or out of State or Country. Unfortunately with all this nonsense and the TOH’s actions, our beloved NY Islanders will be gone within the next two years.
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bob l says:
coulda swore i read somewhere that the isles pretty much get hosed on everything but actual ticket sales at the nvmc…parking, concessions are all the going to the operators, if that is the case, it’s no wonder the county would just let them build a place where wang would make those $’s instead of them making those $’s…again, not sure if it’s accurate info, but makes sense when kate says refurbing the nvmc is the better option vs the lh
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I’ve said this before … DON’T POLITICIZE the LH Project!! Isles fans will lose in a landslide … You’ve drawn a line in the sand and it became a Republican vs. Democrat issue.
The Staten Island (NY) Slapshots team was killed in the mid 80s after one season because of politics. Those that live on SI and drive the West Shore Expy see a Dana Lincoln dealership where a multi-purpose arena was to be built & became choked of money by delays b/c of NYC dominated Democrats that leaned on zoning issues to kill the project that had heavy support from a Republican leaning South Shore.
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People who say Queens is not going to happen make the correct assumption that in order for Wang to hold onto the team he wants a land development deal along with a new arena. But he is not moving to Kansas City folks. He is going to sell this team if the LH doesn’t happen (which is NOT going to happen). We need to hope who he sells to moves the team to Queens and not Kansas City.
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49- Yes, agreed. With wang its all about the real estate which is why Queens will not work while he’s owner. He will sell if he doesn’t get the LH. Problem is that I doubt an ownership group will emerge that isnt from Canada. Looking @ the Coyotes and other American franchises as well as the Isles long term history of losing money in NY, who would invest in an NHL franchise other than to bring a team back to Canada?
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cgs878 says:
I’m gonna take CB’s advice and wake up when September ends.
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Jake says:
Maybe its a dream, maybe wang and ratner can build a joint stadium for isles/nets in Queens. This can save them both tons of $$ on building the stadium and taxes
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If Wang does not get the Lighthouse Project approved, and he were to move the team, outside of Kansas City, what options are out there?
Hamilton? Anywhere else?
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Al L says:
Enough of this crap already! It is time for these dirtbags to SHOW CAUSE before an appointed arbitrary NYState committee specifically pointing out the so called incomplete aspects of the Study!!! This stonewalling tatic should not be tolerated for a minute!!! The point has now been reached where exposure of the dirt on this collection of vermain takes precedence over the passage of The Project itself!Kill two RODENTS(Birds are too nice) with one stone. Expose them!! Impeach them!! Indict them!! Clean up the residue of garbage they left,replace them with community minded people who care about their constituancy and get the ball rolling on a County saving and enriching Project!!!!
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Frank D says:
Has anyone considered that if CW ups and takes the team somewhere else he would be breaking the lease with SMG, which expires in 2015? Who knows how much more money he would lose in fighting the lawsuit SMG would bring against him and the Islanders. I’m not sure he would move the team before 2015. He will probably sell before doin that. SMG is the killer here. They give nothing in concession revenue to the Islanders. Who wants to be stuck with that contract.
UT-OH