WE SAID WE’D PRAISE KATE JUST FOR SHOWING UP
Alas, Murray skips another Lighthouse meeting
Are you sitting down? Kate Murray blows off another Lighthouse meeting. This time it’s a major one at the Marriott with Tom Suozzi, Charles Wang, Scott Rechler and top union officials – a meeting she had committed to. Maybe she was lining up more great-paying gigs for family members at the TOH. (Actually, we’re only half-kidding. Stay tuned).
Funny how Murray scrambled for a cover-up, only when Newsday started looking into her absence. A source told us late tonight, “It just gets worse.” Mr. Wang, pick up the phone. Queens is on line 1. Comments. Point Blank on Twitter: http://twitter.com/nyipointblank
84 Responses to WE SAID WE’D PRAISE KATE JUST FOR SHOWING UP
Alas, Murray skips another Lighthouse meeting
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hathead68 says:
Unbelievable!!! Just unbelievable!
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VALENTINO says:
I really have to hand it to WANG. I know this means a lot to him. It certainly means a lot to us.
At what point does he just throw in the towel, and notify the TOH that it is over. I am sure the minute that happens, the TOH will go on a media blitz making him out to be the bad guy.
The writing is on the wall. When does one simply accept the fact that PERCEPTION IS REALITY.
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Frustrated Voter says:
Kate Murray is acting like a MORON! We need to vote her out of office. She is clearly on the take from someone and should be investigated. This is irresponsible behavior.
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beatlebailey says:
at least with center ice we can watch our kansas city islanders!!
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Bryan says:
I hope my kids give me a job that pays $40/hour to answer the phone one day
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michael says:
How can she be a public representative if she doesn’t represent the public at a meeting. She should resign her post, she is unfit for public office. She will never get elected again in any position.
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The hypocrisy is what makes this so unbelievable. She doesn’t want to show her face at a meeting because she “needs to stay objective” since “she will have to judge the project.”
While attending a meeting is bad, taxpayer-funded mailers with misleading information, phony petition drives, and flat-out lying to any media outlet that will listen to her are apparently OK and not covered under this requirement. I’ve written a lot about this, and will continue to (click my name if you’d like to see), and I continue to be astounded that she can call herself a representative of the people.
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You said it, Nick.
It is unreal that we the people let our representatives get away with being so unbelievably self-serving and smarmy. Why is the will of the people of absolutely no concern to those elected to serve them???? And when with the time finally come that the residents here realize that it can be so much better than this????
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Matt says:
terrible. just terrible. we are on the verge of losing something we love and this lady will get the last smile. very frustrating. Mr. Wang deserves credit after losing millions of dollars and still trying to make it work.
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Jim M says:
Hey CB I’ve got a question. Bettman clearly stated that the New York Islanders cannot play in their building they have now after next season without some sort of plan underway. If this team is not going to move and just say Wang sells off to someone that is willing to take on the burden to keep the team on Long Island,what happens at that point???? I think about the possibility of the isles moving every single day and it kills me inside. I know if it really comes down to it, I would obviously want Queens to be the destination but even at that it would be taking away something that means so much to me. As I live just 10 minutes east down that turnpike from the Coliseum and havent missed an opening night in 8 seasons now I couldnt imagine the NYI no longer calling it home.
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alex says:
CB… ur source said It Gets Worse?… how?
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RRL says:
We seriously need to organize a protest or demonstration of some sort.
Who’s with me?!?
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RRL… I AM!!!
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I urge you and others to call the town of Hempstead, RRL. Voice your concerns to them directly. Write letters. Send emails. Let them know that you are watching what they are doing. That will help a lot more than 40 people standing around in a parking lot because a protest wasnt organized well enough and people who care didnt even know about it. In fact, if anything that could really hurt things.
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Ted says:
This is a never ending PI$$ contest. I am soo sick of Politics. Sadly Katy’s locked in & It wont be easy to get her out !. Looks like our days our numbered. Thanks Republicans !
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i always enjoy when people speak of “conflicts of interest”, then get their father hired part time at $40/hr.
between this and that poorly executed petition, whomever is advising this women must wear a red nose and clown shoes too the office. no wonder the republicans are getting routed everywhere. its all about stalling, making Wang realize its not worth the effort as he loses millions. its just being done so poorly. she must have a rock solid voter majority, and not care. you get the leaders you elect. -
Mike from Philly says:
I am all for Queens, enough to playing in the suburbs. I was watching the Hawks-Canucks game tonight and the Islanders are so in need of what has happened to Chicago. The hawks were as dead as you can be, what a differnce great drafting, signing key FA’s, and a new building can do.
Ahh to dream!
Tavares and Queens or bust!! -
The Real Vukota says:
Kate Murray is not the problem. The problem is coming from the people who are pulling Murrays strings. She is a puppet at best. She is being told what to do. You can take that to the bank!!!
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michael says:
kate murrays gonna have a lot less tax dollars to waste on failed plans of self promotion when the islanders move to queens.. no one will miss her after she undoubtedly loses her next election.
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doc says:
When I read this morning that KATE MURRAY’S 83 year old FATHER retired from a SIX figure job in the TOH Attorney’s office… I figured he WAS an attorney.
Only to learn that he was a clerk… and then was hire part time at $40 an hour to be office help.
You can’t make this crap up!!!
DOC
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Strummer's Army says:
The only job Kate Murray is qualified is Grimace outside at McDonald’s and I am sure it will be the only place she is working in November.
That woman is pure scum.
CB, is there anyway for the state and county to bypass this woman in the process since she is unwilling to do her job or cooperate?
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Sean says:
I really hate Kate Murray. She needs to be elected out.
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charles wang knows she isn’t going to show up at meetings..So he is the idiot and fool. All he has to do is meet with Queens and this will get the ball rolling. Murray and the Town don’t want the whole lighthouse crap. Wang wants it all. There is someone who is willing to play. Why doesn’t Wang go play with the person that wants to play?
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call it. tuesday may 12, 2009 time of death 12:01 am. as previously stated by wang, he wants an answer by october whether or not the lighthouse project will be approved or not. seeing how kate hasn’t been to a single meeting, hasn’t stated her intentions, and even started up a campaign to completely end even the concept of the lighthouse project… there is no way this gets approved by october, or ever.
charles, stop wasting your money on the development of the development. these costly meetings are only adding to the bottomless money pit that has been the new york islanders these last 9 years. please focus on queens and making that work for you. we need to keep this team here especially now that we finally are building a strong base to look forward to. i’ve waited my whole life for the next dynasty. here’s hoping i don’t have to watch it on versus live from KC.
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Chris TMC – Clearly, the calls and letter writing has not worked since I’m sure a lot of us here have already tried that.
A demonstration can help if organized properly. More than 40 people show up at the Lighthouse meetings. I don’t agree that people would not show up to a protest. There are plenty of ways to inform people.
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walter says:
how can she stand in the corner when so many peoples livelihoods stand in the balance. I think the big picture is getting missed buy a lot of people out there
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JP says:
Mets owner Fred Wilpon was exploring a MLS team for Queens. Any chance he modifies that plan and thinks “hockey team!” ?
At this point, I just sigh and think “as long as they keep them in the NY area…”
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Noomz says:
Maybe Kate can drop the puck at the season opener in October and get boo-ed out of hockey arena like Sarah Palin.
Unfortunate timing for her that the election will be 1 month into the hockey season. Tavares will have 10 goals when she’s clearing out the TOH Supervisor office on November 5th.
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Brooks Simpson says:
Unfair, unfair. Kate was at her dad’s retirement party.
You know, the guy who got rehired at $40/hour by your TOH.
Wake up, Long Island.
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MJS says:
Whether she is having her strings pulled, or is doing this herself, whether this is political or not, and whether B.D.’s town insider is right in saying that Wang is a big meanie to the TOH people, it doesn’t matter. Queens is starting to look good. Maybe Wang will wait to see if Kate’s ousted from office in November and make one last try to move forward. Any chance of that happening? I think it could happen. Thoughts CB?
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isles72 says:
sure , move to Queens and deal with their version of kate murray
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I think it’s time for Ms. Murray to explain herself to those that elected her. Oh wait… this is politics… she doesn’t have to.
Maybe she was out getting more lawn mowing goats. -
Bob Bassen says:
Wow. You really can’t make this sh** up!
Kharma, baby,….Kharma.
( I hope…
) -
matt c says:
CB can you tell us who the source was?:)
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UIF says:
I don’t see how Queens is even an option. Wang will not be able to build his whole LH project there, so if a new building even w/ a re-negotiated SMG lease is a non-starter here, wouldn’t it be a non-starter there as well? A sellout is a sellout…and if sellouts w/ a re-negotiated SMG lease won’t make Wang enough money on LI without the surrounding projects, the same sellouts won’t make him enough money anywhere. Even if Queens has better surrounding infrastructure, Wang would not own it all, so whatever revenue he gets comes from the building…and that’s true with a new arena on LI or Queens or even KC. Maybe I’m missing something obvious here, though.
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AM says:
I cant wait to see her at the Mineola train station in November trying to get re-elected. Wearing my Islander gear that day and I will be sure to say hello.
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JayK says:
UIF — #36 — well said. I think you’re exactly right. That’s why I’ve always questioned whether the Queens option makes any sense.
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Thomas32 says:
She makes me sick , I just got a “welcoming” letter from her for buying my new house in Nassau in the mail , I ripped it in SHREDS!!!!
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Darren says:
$40 a hour part time AND he collects his pension.
WOW!! -
Scott W says:
An idea may be polling our resourses and creating an ad in Newsday detailing exactly what has been going on. I think as Islanders fans, we have been kept in the loop about this project. However, I wonder if the rest of Long island realizes how their elected officials are handling this major project. This situation with Murray blowing off a meeting and hiring her…wait for it….her 83 year old father at $40 an hour would sure get their attention.
Anyone know know how much an ad in Newsday is?
CB: think you could get a deal on this???
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Robert says:
They shouldn’t have knocked down Shea stadium so quickly. Since these outdoor winter classics have gone over so well, we could have been the first team to play an entire season outdoors.
But seriously, I am starting to feel real sorry for Mr. Wang. He has put alot of effort into this team and the woman won’t even sit down at the table with him… Ridiculous.
Would she rather have an eyesore of a parking lot, and an old decrepit stadium that holds less and less events and doesn’t generate any money for the county??
That area of uniondale will become the next crackstead, I mean hempstead without the Lighthouse project.
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RIP Islanders…..
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C. Felix says:
She doesn’t want to show her face at a meeting because she “needs to stay objective” since “she will have to judge the project.”
Uh…how can she vote on it (when the time comes) if she isn’t “up to speed” on things? Ya know, getting up to speed on things might happen if she attends the meetings.
Queens and Willets Point. I see the parking lot at CitiField a more viable option.
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/nym/images/ballpark/citifield/img_citifield_siteplan_450x338.jpg
Perhaps there’s enough land there for the LightHouse.
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Healy says:
Un-effing-believable. I kill myself in Manhattan at a financial firm for the same amount that Murray’s father will make part-time working for the TOH. Give me the job!
The more I read about Long Island politics the sicker I get.
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Robby D says:
Wang needs to keep digging and come up with as much dirt on this wench as possible. Yesterday’s article was a good start. Now, we need a picture of her at MSG with a Rangers jersey on. Also, Islander fans who live in her town need to vote her out of office in November.
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Jimmy Sparx says:
Why in God’s name does this only have to be Queens???????? Why hasn’t Suffolk County joined in on this?????? I would much rather have this team move to Suffolk than Queens.
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Gillies Goring says:
Can’t give up this fight now. If you give up, she wins.
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-Big Van Vader says:
CB, I really like the idea of us all throwing money into a pot and putting an ad in Newsday. It could go into detail about all that’s going on and it would urge all Long Islanders to get involved.
What is your feeling?
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Willis says:
I don’t see where anyone from either side proved she “committed” to this meeting. (Murray’s side: she committed to “a” meeting, Suozi’s side: “assumed” she was coming). Sorry but you don’t plan this without her firm committment so I have no sympathy for Wang’s side on this one.
Other than that, seems the games are in full swing. Believe me, I am not laughing. This sucks.
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Oliver says:
Now that so many of the Islander fans visiting this site have called for a move to Queens there are some issues we need to start considering.
1) The Willets Point area is at present a giant conglomeration of independently owned Auto Salvage Yards or rather a large collection of wrecked vehicles. Every fluid you would find in a car has been spilled there over the many decades that the areas use has remained for this purpose. It is a brownfield in need of major clean up – including the removal of surface soils and many other forms of pollution remediation followed by the capping of what can’t be cleaned up. It is doubtful that this can be completed in time to build a new building for the Islanders to play in after their lease at the NVMC expires.
2) Taking the LIRR to Woodside and then hopping on the 7 train is not really an option due to the incredibly large number of passengers who at present use the busiest line (yes busier then the 4 line) to get to their homes during (C)rush hour – take a trip on the line for yourself if you disbelieve me and you too will wonder how it is possible for so many people to fit into a subway car. -
Nick Isles From Brooklyn says:
“It just gets worse.”
What does this mean? Does this mean because she missed the meeting or is there more we should be preparing for?
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Tom says:
Emerald City resides in Queens.
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Isles6 says:
Suffolk County would also be nice, but you have the same mass transportation issues. As for the poster that said you would have the same problems in Queens, no you would not. One, $mg would not hold the lease. Two, they want to do at Willets Point, what Wang wants to do with the coliseum, and three…if the information is accurate, they called Mr. Wang inquiring about the possibilities, not the other way around.
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With respect to Kate Murray ‘s ongoing saga of under performance …. in politics perception rapidly becomes reality and while generally any news is good news in this case it is quite the opposite. Nepotism (hiring her dad for a job after he reired – hmmm I wonder if he is collecting SSI as well), failure to represent her constituents at meetings that will impact their future – especially with respect to the higher tax rates they may have to pay should the main tenant of the NVMC move, mismanagement of TOH resources for the purpose of misleading the Public … there is much fodder for a Political campaign to oust her from her position. Now it is up to the Democrats to find a worthy Challenger who can best use these many gaffs to effect regime change in the TOH.
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Big Dog says:
Since this is a family type forum and with respect to CB i’ll keep this clean. Kate Murray you make me sick. You dont have your feet planted on the ground you mindless twit. You would pull each and every isles fan heart out and find it humurous. Enjoy your time in office because i hope nassau speaks loudly and gets your dopey kiester out.
Die hard isles fan keeping the faith!
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Well hell lets move to Queens. As a Suffolk county resident and long time Islander fan, I would have no problem hopping a train to see the Islanders. Build a new arena in Queens and watch the place fill up with an exciting young team with Taveres…..or Hedman for you Hedman fans, KO, Baily Neilson, Bergenheim,Comeu, and hopefully DP. Then we can all watch the NVMC turn into an even bigger dump with tumble weeds blowing across the parking lot. Murray can keep her goats there. At this stage I dont want the lighthouse, the TOH pukes do not deserve it. Then Murray and who ever in pulling her strings can answer to the residents as to why their corruption and stupidy cost them the NY Islanders and all the revenue it would create.
Queens is sounding good. There is interest, and the Islanders would thrive there. Then maybe we can have a winter classic with the RAGS!
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My last post on this subject matter deals with the article by Eden Laikin. Reading between the lines it almost seems as if Ms. Laikin feels as if she got hosed by someone or several people at the TOH. The worst thing that a Politician can do is to treat a Reporter like a dog does a fire hydrant because then the reporter digs and digs because their is this fire thats been lit under their butt. Sit back everyone because undoubtedly there is plenty more dirt for Ms. Laikin to dig through and soon enough the TOH will rue their decisions that caused a reporter to focus on their actions.
We should all send Ms. Laikin an e-mail congratulating her on breaking the story of the Town Supervisors act of Nepotism vis-a-vis hiring her father so that she will continue on her mission with renewed vigor. -
Joe says:
Vote this cow out. She has to go. She will cost us the Islanders and for that she needs to be voted out. Remember this at voting time.
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Everybody needs to call 516 571 2411 to make sure they are registered to vote on November 3rd. If we all register now voting Kate Murray and her secretary dad out of office will be a lot easier.
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In addition to registering to vote, we should also try to engage with our neighbors about this project. We can’t assume they follow it as closely as we do, and we should provide them the means to get to the truth and sift through all the garbage.
Shady dealings fall away under the light of truth. Let’s not forget that.
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Bryan says:
Sure we can all complain about Murray and her lack of concern for the Islanders. But we need to get ahold of local media outlets such as news 12 and newsday. We need their help to reach all of long island and make it known that this woman is not only willing to let go long island’s only professional sports franchise but that she’s abusing her political power by hiring her “double dipping” father. We also need to find out who the Nassau Dems are going to put up against Murray in the upcoming election. We just cant let her win this battle nor another election.
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As cynical and depressed about this whole situation as I am, the one thing I feel sure about is that the Republicans don’t want the Islanders to leave. There is no upside in that.
But what does concern me is that they are deluding themselves into thinking that the hard-line results in what they see as a compromise, one that is basically a stand-alone arena and nothing else. If that’s their view, then this is a disaster in the making.
I’m clinging to the hope that there can be some in-between resolution. But if all the Republicans in the TOH will agree to is an arena-only project, the Islanders are goners.
Of course, the other positive aspects of the Lighthouse that so many of us support, like the mixed-use development, etc., are then lost, with other regions being the beneficiaries of the jobs that would have gone there.
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Bryan, it was Newsday that actually is on top of the stories regarding Kate Murray (surprisingly enough… maybe they are actually becoming objective reporting.)
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BR says:
Willet’s Point – While it may not have as much area as the NVMC grounds, the plans call for more housing units than the LH, along with a convention centre, hotel and retail. Plus the NYC and Queens County officials don’t sound like they have a problem with towers, so you could build-up big to compensate for the lack of area. It would be a scaled-down version of the LH. The LH is still my first choice, but I’d be surprised if the LHG weren’t considering Queens as Plan B.
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IslanderNation says:
I’m thinking she doesn’t want to show her face becasue she doesn’t want to be remembered as the one who made the Isles leave Long Island. Only Islanders fans and persistent readers following the situation know that she’s the reason why this project is not getting pushed through…and would be the reason if the Isles did leave Long Island. However, if she goes to a meeting and pictures are taken of her fighting the project and quoted in the captions, she’ll surely be remembered if/when the Isles move.
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Reading some comments that Murray will be impossible to dislodge from the ToH stronghold, I’m not convinced that it will even be necessary to vote her out in the fall in order to move the LH along. If the LH is a major campaign issue, and she sees her margin of victory reduced significantly, it will wake her up. Two things politicians listen to carefully – polls/votes and money. Reduce her margin and dry-up her fundraising.
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CDrama says:
I cant believe that Kate Murray is actually going to make me vote Democrat
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Isles fan Ken says:
Can we poll our resources and start a campaign of our own? What about taking out a full-page ad in Newsday, and perhaps even the Post or Daily News. We can set-up a paypal account, I’d be happy to make the first donation. Any thoughts? This madness needs to stop.
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joe hates katemurray says:
#70 im in
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What’s ridiculous is that Murray’s father is actually making more now that he’s retired, than he did when he was working as an overpaid glorified paralegal. His salary before he retired was $130k give or take. Now that he has retired, he has a $39k severance package, and a $59k pension, on top of the $40k he’ll make working 20 hours per week, 50 weeks out of the year. So, in essence, he is being paid almost $140k to be somewhere between an intern and a paralegal. Not that Mr. Murray shouldn’t have been rewarded for staying in the town office for twenty or so years, but this is the exact crap that is sinking a number of states, especially in the recession. Maybe now that Kate has this off her plate she can actually show up to a meeting with the developers, or call that town attorney’s office and find out that there is no real conflict of interest.
Those that doubt Queens as a project should consider that Willett’s Point would likely be an eminent domain project. As some have suggested, Wang has only been offered a new building for the Islanders, but I would be surprised if he wasn’t given some kind of preference as a developer for the area surrounding an arena there. There would be much less of the crap we see with Murray because when there is an eminent domain taking the government wants to have the area developed as quickly as possible. They tend to want to avoid Kelo v. New London situations where the homes and businesses are taken, given to the developer, and not developed. Everything would be expedited. The only problem with Queens in the extreme likelihood of litigation from any ED taking and the fact that the government may be less willing to pay market value for the properties during a recession which is usually required in ED, but hardly ever done (hence the litigation).
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sorry for the huge post CB
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art says:
Please read UIF #36 He’s correct. I won’t repeat his comments. The reason the Rangers can spend huge amounts of money is not sellouts or ticket prices it is because the Dolans make lots of dough outside of MSG. This is what Wang was hoping for with LH. This is why: ATL TB Col Nas Pho Buf Col Fl are for sale or need to move, orwill be eliminated. The only real hope is a much lower cap remember that labor costs are #1 in most businesses including GM! Not a pretty picture that will not be solved by a move to Queens unless the arena costs for construction are shared by the city and amd another pro franchise. Otherwise we can only hope that near billionaire Wang keeps his hockey hobby Feilding a playoff caliber team next season might delay what we all dread.
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Tom says:
Kate Murray is really playing with fire in thinking that Islander fans don’t vote, or ranger fans, or devils fans ect. When she is up for re-election it will haunt her and the rest of the Republicans on the town board they should be screaming at her to fix this for thier sake as well ( and I’m a Democrat ) but there is something we don’t know and it’ll come out sometime and it’ll be another long island political disaster, the sorry thing is we as Islander fans suffer as usual.
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Helene says:
It’s time to get proactive (read TOUGH). Who can put pressure on this abomination who is currently calling the shots for our town. Obviously, not the Governor, since he has already proven that LI is low on his list of priorities; don’t count on Mr. Mondello either. There has to be someone with POWER that can bring this lady (and I say that with trepidation) to heel. I would be more than happy to contribute to an ad in Newsday (Ranger product that they are). Hey all you Ranger fans that love to come to the coliseum to boo us, how about joining in the fight. What will you do w/o our rivalry, even on the nights we’re not on the ice together. Since all of the proposed project is not coming from taxpayer pockets, how can it be bad. I just don’t understand. Oh, I see. Better to have your Dad work, while on pension (and age qualified for SSI) than give the rest of the taxpayors a break. I, too, am on SSI and work – my annual salary a heckuva lot less. And the town and school taxes (thanks to new payroll tax) are drowning us. I hope some of you politicians out there read us and give us some hope. P.S. Thanks Chris for always keeping us in the loop.
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KO21 says:
I spoke with Mr. Murray’s pawn she set in place to field the LHP calls…They are wasting our time…We can keep calling but I doubt its going to even matter because these people are of the baby boomer generation…These people are already comfortable and have their nest eggs so they are not motivated to work on Long Islands major issues…
This is a crime and I wouldnt stop calling even tho they dont care…
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I just got off the phone with another pawn and she said that thier are allot of people AGAINST the LHP and there will be a “public town meeting” to discuss it…
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obxislesfan says:
I’m sure glad I’m in NC, not there. I’ve been keeping up with the lighthouse prodject as much as I can. I’m so frustrated with it and I’m not even a resident. (good thing) I feel sorry for all of you.
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I lost several family members to NC as well…
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So I ask the question again, who is running against her???? Nobody has been named yet? That is not a good sign at all!!
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#81 – the conventions will be this month. It’s pretty normal for this to not be decided yet on the local level.
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Jeff says:
Here is a wonderful suggestion since Murray is not going to go to meetings.
The only way to organize a protest other than advertising here on the Internet, is at the Draft Party on Friday June 26 since there will be a lot of fans at our biggest draft in a long time. Notices and save the date messages should be given there. A major way to spread the word on what Kate Murray and her Republicans are doing.
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Pete says:
Send Letters to Town Hall, keep reminding her you are registered to vote and are excited about the announcement being requested prior to hockey season because it will strongly sway your vote. As a Republican registered voter I can say I am not thrilled with the party but her ability to get it done with the Islanders will be a big enough gesture to get my vote regardless of how corrupt the republicans are becoming. Maybe she should put the project on the ballot see how many people are really against it. Bottom line this is one Republican voter who will cross party lines without the lighthouse!
Unbelievable with this woman, she makes me want to puke.