FOCUS SHIFTS COMPLETELY TO LIGHTHOUSE
Tuesday: Rally, March and ToH Public Hearing
UPDATED - with a comment at 2:15 pm
If you cannot make the hearing, make your official statement on the Lighthouse Project to the Town of Hempstead at lighthousecomment@tohmail.org
*
Noon - The support for Islanders Point Blank over the last 36 hours has been astounding, more than anyone could have expected. I figured it would have died down by now, or the Islanders would sign a free agent and the conversation would return to hockey.
As Adam Rubin said to Omar Minaya, for anyone to think I “planned” my blog announcement six days before a crucial day for the Islanders, that’s “despicable.” Especially after all I’ve written about the project, all the times I guested on ESPN and XM radio and my 20-minute fact-clearing session with Mike Francesa. I’ll just leave it at this: with all due respect, there’s a lot some people out there - including a few of my friends - do not understand.
No matter what happens, I thank you for the support. But now it’s time to put it aside for a bit, because nothing is bigger than the Islanders’ survival on Long Island.
From now through Tuesday, the complete focus of Islanders Country needs to be on the public hearing for the Lighthouse Project. The event is on August 4 at 9:30 am at the Adams Playhouse on the campus of Hofstra University.
The Islanders are hosting a rally beginning at 8:00 am at Field 8 in the lot of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Charles Wang is speaking, Howie Rose is the MC. Josh Bailey and Joel Rechlicz will be there. I’m sure there will be other well-known participants. I expect the unions to be lined up hundreds, if not thousands strong.
For more details on Tuesday’s event, follow Lighthouse executive Katrina Doell’s blog. Nick from Let There Be Lighthouse usually has all the latest on the project and is on a heady playing field that I never tried to match. Follow the Lighthouse on Twitter. If there are Facebook groups you want readers to know about, link them in Comments.
There’s plenty of time to talk about the future of Point Blank, to get back to the Comments and Facebook Group and Petition. The Lighthouse rally-march-hearing, as important for the Islanders as any day (including the Tavares draft), is Tuesday. That’s where all attention must be paid.
It should go without saying that Tuesday is about the Lighthouse and the Lighthouse only.
I thank you for the support but I ask that 100% of our efforts the next few days are placed on the Lighthouse Project.
Respectfully,
CB
Comments on the Lighthouse Project and the rally-march-hearing only in this thread.
52 Responses to “FOCUS SHIFTS COMPLETELY TO LIGHTHOUSE
Tuesday: Rally, March and ToH Public Hearing”
Please Wait
Let’s just hope beyond hope this project gets approved, brings jobs to the Island, saves the Islanders and maybe saves you. You’ve been the biggest voice of the Islanders for the past year plus. They’ll be letting go a huge asset who brings many Islander fans together…sadly more than what the Coliseum has seen at games. I wish you all the best Chris and hope this little hiccup doesn’t silence you.
your a classy man CB.
We wouldnt even know about half of the lighthouse events and news without this blog. As I see it, IPB is key to the projects sucess.
Now this is more like it CB!! I click my favorites on my toolbar for your site and there is an update…I wish I could be there Tuesday but scheduling a day off is tough when you are not a full-time employee…Anyways, I am sure it will be a great rally and the support for the project will be huge. I know I am rooting for this to happen much like I am rooting for you to keep this blog up and running!
What can I do to show my support if I can’t make the rally?
Point Blank is vital to the Lighthouse project, why can’t they see that? Let’s build up this rally and swamp the NVMC with support…. and maybe a couple of “Save Point Blank” signs
great to come back to the site and read a hockey article. thanks CB. on facebook you can type in lighthouse project and join a support group and they will send you emails about the meetings.
CB, I respectfully disagree that the Lighthouse and Pointblank remain completely separate issues. We the fans of the New York Islanders are willing to support the Lighthouse if that’s what it takes to make the Islanders viable, but we also expect a little bit of support in return. No PointBlank is just one more straw on the camels back, add it to the decisions for no local radio team, no communication on the status of players and coaches from the team, turning fans away if they aren’t season ticket holders to view practice and there is a pattern developing. What are we supporting if we are cut off from all access or any unbiased news?
To not support the Lighthouse because of actions of the Islanders management since the Tavares draft may be short sighted since keeping the team on Long Island is the top priority, but it seems that the only time the fans have any leverage is when it is convenient for the team and that needs to change.
i know this is too big a leap and nothing should be assumed, but not being on LI and separated from the hearings etc., i can’t help but look post-approval at all the pressure and expectations shifting to wang/reck to get the thing done. we know basically nothing about the financing plan (i hope)they have. i’m a little worried. someone please tell me to “shut up, they’ll get it.” or “nevermind that now, one step at a time.” please.
You are a class act CB. I was really pulling for the Lighthouse from Ohio. Truthfully though without IPB the Isles only existance for me will be a stat in the newspaper. PERIOD. No story, no coverage, unless they play a team with a big name. There are many boggers in Islander Country, but non have the same inside info, and all have full time jobs, so they cannot do what you did. Without the IPB as a pure source of Isles news, the Isles will hardly exist in my world. So at this point I find it hard to care much about anything Isles related. For the sake of LI and Long Islanders in general I guess I must still hope that the Lighthouse gets built, and I hope that you can continue this in a way that is feasable for you family. Judging by the Arena district in Columbus, which is very similar to the Lighthouse, the Lighthouse will be a bright light to the community! It must get done! Will drop another round of polite calls and emails today to the Isles on your behalf.
Thanks & GOD BLESS,
Jonathan
PS Thanks for the long awaited blog. I was Jonesing!!!!
and these guys and/or gals are right. hard to believe after only 10 months, but this site and the LH issue are inseparable now. this is the town square for islander fans. it’s where fans meet to decide how we feel about what the team is doing and how we see the future. it’s vital to the team itself as well as to us.
CB - I agree, Let There Be LightHouse (http://lettherebelighthouse.blogspot.com) has excellent coverage regarding the Lighthouse project.
What I don’t understand is why the official Lighthouse site, http://www.lighthouseli.com is not as comprehensive nor thorough. If you have any contacts over there, tell them to step it up. It’s probably the 1st place most people go since its on the Isles website. Over the last couple of years I have sent many emails and have received no response. This is not helping the cause.
As much as I’m upset regarding the very possible loss of this website, I will be there on Tuesday with my full support. I will use one of my precious few days off from my job and be there.
Let’s face it, without the Islanders on Long Island, there won’t even be an Islanders PointBlank to fight for.
We must save this site but how long will the meeting last?
CB.. Class move on your part to try to redirect attention back to Mr Wang’s pet project.
It leaves a really bad taste in my mouth that the Islanders can cry out for our support while stabbing us in the back with moves like cutting the radio team and Point Blank. I have supported Mr Wang for a long time now, but he is wearing on my last nerve. If I didn’t love this hockey team so damn much, and if the future of the franchise didn’t ride on this project… I’d tell Mr Wang to take his lighthouse, turn it sideways, and …
Agreed w/ 12’s contention that IPB has become like a town square for isles fans. CB, I guess that makes you the town crier, the guy that rings that silly little bell and yells out “hear ye, hear ye.” (ha, but that’s intended as a compliment) But as the Polish Prince mentioned above, how can we show our support if we cannot be there? I’ll be stuck in DC but wearing blue & orange, if that’s any consolation.
Hockey1919 is right CB, You can’t separate the two. PointBlank is just as much responsible for the project getting as far as Tuesday as anything or anyone else. We count on this site for the play by play, and minute by minute progress on Tuesday. Some of us Islander fans live out of state and can’t be there. We count on PointBlank to keep us abreast of the happenings.
Chris the Islanders will survive on Long Island because of you.
Are have energized us in a way that no one else has.
Charles owes more to you than he can ever imagine.
We all do.
I know I know, Lighthouse. However, it can not be understated how important this blog has been keeping those who care in the know and the groundswell of support for the project as a result of this site. Just sayin……..
You know, the Lighthouse Project (I am keeping it on topic) could really use a Stanley Cup caliber PR genius.
Nothing but CLASS CB!!!
Charles Wang should kiss the ground that you walk on.
im planning on heading out to this..i will be honest though.. im going to make ipb heard that day win lose or draw.
chris dey and the islanders better be prepped for a point blank party in conjunction with thiers
Living down the Jersey Shore, I can tell you that Islander’s coverage is non-exsistant. That being said, the BS about the Lighthouse being important is one thing, but I feel that the organization (buisness end) USED YOU to fuel the fire about the project. Now that it looks promising, they’re just going to cut you off??? Hey Mr. Wang…sponser this site!!! I demand it as a fan, of both the team and the writier of this blog. The team doesn’t get 1/100th of the coverage with out PointBlank. GET IT DONE. I’m embarrassed about how DEY and the organization have used this site to better the cause. YOU HAVE BETRAYED THE LOYALTY OFF YOUR FAN BASE FROM HICKSVILLE TO WHO KNOWS WHERE. I know what the next question will be…..if the team is successful, will I and others even care about this blog…….YOU BET YOUR #$# WE WILL!!!!! Pointblank and Botta and all of us fanatics are responsible for this resurrgence, not you Mr. Dey. Because of this selfish and classless move, I am putting on hold my order of a Classic third jersey. I’m disgusted. DO THE RIGHT THING NEW YORK ISLANDERS.
(24)No, I’m sorry. I appreciate it Big Dog and everyone else, but that’s exactly what CANNOT happen. Tuesday has to be 100% about the Lighthouse Project, I beg of you. Anything else would be a mistake and, though well-intentioned, not helpful to the blog.
Going forward, all comments in this thread have to be about the Lighthouse and the event on Tuesday. PB discussion continues in next thread. I appreciate your consideration and hope you understand where I’m coming from…CB
CB, the fact that you are attempting to turn attention back to this important cause is actually a demonstration of why the Islanders need you- and need this blog.
thepolishprince (5): Whether you can make the rally or not, it is important to register your thoughts regarding the development. Please contact them using one of the following:
Snail Mail:
Lighthouse Project Public Comment
Town of Hempstead
1 Washington Street
Hempstead, NY 11550
E-mail:
lighthousecomment@tohmail.org
(include “Comments on Lighthouse” as the subject line)
You can also check out the guide to public comments that is up on LetThereBeLighthouse for more information:
http://lettherebelighthouse.blogspot.com/2009/07/comprehensive-guide-to-public-comments.html
I for one will not be able to attend.
But I do support the Lighthouse. Not to sound like everyone else but….
The Islanders have to stay on Long Island as the region’s one and only Major League Professional Sports franchise. Look at it this way, Nassau seems to be covered in debt and is constantly raising taxes (the impression I get don’t have the facts on me). If the LH gets built, the tax revenue should be great and the jobs it will provide (temporary or not) will boost the area’s economy. On the flip side, If the Isles end up pulling up stakes because this project was not approved the loss of tax revenue from the team would be significant. It’s time to move construction on Long Island forward for a change.
I have to fully agree with (#8) Hockey1919 and (#12) dose … as #8 has stated … a big part for the positive progress of the LHP has to do with Isles fans from all over Isles country … and that conduit of fans had been energized in what #12 dose had so accurately described Islanders Point Blank as … The Town Square for Islander fans. I think as unique as the Islanders are as an NHL club … so are we the fans of the team … CB is correct … We have to get back to the business of supporting the LHP … but let there be NO MISTAKE … this wave of support was built on the back of IPB … and the info provided by Nick’s site Lettherebelighthouse.
I love to now and the go to Islandermania to see what’s going on … but nobody has that INSIDE info and the contacts that CB has … it really helps fans like me stay in first person touch with the team I love.
Ooops … I accidentally deleted the core of what I was trying to say when I cut and pasted … insert after letherebelighthouse …
CB said there is plenty of time to talk about Point Blank … which is promising … but right now Aug. 4th is the ONE time we as ONE voice have to make the TOH understand the benefits and need for the LHP.
I can’t be there … but I’m drafting a letter that I will have Nick read before sending to make sure I’m accurate.
I won’t be there — vacation out of state — but I do hope CB is right about one thing: that “thousands,” not hundreds of union members are there. About 10 years ago, a union protest in NY about some non-union labor turned into this giant unplanned march/parade down 6th Avenue, completely blocking traffic, but non-violent nonetheless. It was an amazing sight. Imagine something like that next Tuesday. It would make great television.
I took a vacation day and will be at the rally. I may not actually march though. I may be lazy and drive over to the playhouse to show support and may even speak.
RRRIIIIIIPPPPPPPPPP, there go my season tix, well worth the $100 loss after this bullshit!
Chris.
Stop making yourself out to be a martar. You make ONE post a day, sometimes TWO and complain to everyday hard working Long Islanders that your hours are too long and exhausting. Look at Matt Cerone who posts 20+ times a day. Your team sponsorship is a luxury. Almost every sports blogger funds his site on his own and makes money. They Islanders gave you a gift. Stop making them out to look bad because you have a bone to pick when they fired you. Also, your timing is horrendous. You could have waited one week as you know that this will look real bad when anti-Islaes-ownership themes become prevelant in your defense on Tuesday. You have brain washed your readers. Get a real job if this site isnt lucrative enough….or maybe cold call and sell some ads.
hockey man… anger issues? it’s maybe possible for some dork in his pajamas to post 20 times a day and make enough to pay rent and food… without having a second job or help from his mommy… but not someone with a family and home…etc. you tell him to get a real job? ummm… i think that’s what he’s saying he’s gonna do. try reading and understanding what’s going on. and chris’ posts are way more thought out than that cerone guy you’re in love with.
I gotta say..the whole losing this blog stuff has put a huge damper on my Lighthouse excitement. Don’t get me wrong I still am still very in favor of the project, just my frustration with this team is increasing.
I just sent my email to the lighthouse TOH email address. Lets get this thing done!
To Hockey Man
1. I don’t see Chris making himself out to be a martyr.
2. I don’t see Chris making the Islanders out to look bad. In fact, he has defended them.
Are you reading the same blog that the rest of us are? You really need to chill.
DMan & Others. Let me clarify by saying that I enjoy IPB and respect and appreciate what Chris has done getting Islanders Country excited about hockey. HOWEVER, the current circumstances are very difficult to digest. Nothing would have changed if Chris waited until Wednesday to make his post. Now, there will be a public outcry against Islanders ownership leading up to and during the event on Tuesday. This will poorly portrait our support of Wang and his project to the rest of the public. Waiting a few days would have avoided Chris detracting from the team and its fans. Second, teams do NOT in general support blogs and certainly not start up blogs. The success of this site will generate even more opps for Chris (who was very well respected to begin with). Without Dey and the Isles he would not have had this chance in the first place. If he wants out that is fine, but stop encouraging readers to call and protest. It is not the Islanders fault that they dont want to put money into a private blog. Finally, the crying about hours and vacation is enough. Many of us work long hard hours and do more than make one daily post…often reciting an event that occured. Cerone was just an example of one of these people. I will miss Chris’ words and his site like the rest of you, but I am not too nearsighted to see that the way this has been handled on his end is a far cry from the professionalism that he has exhibited throughout his much respected career. Chris…I wish you all the best! You have done a lot for this franchise and I mean that.
Hockey Man CB was for 20 years an executive for the NY Islanders.Because of his contacts.he has attracted the Bob McKenzies,Pierre Macguires,The John Tavares.The Victor Hedmans, Pat Brissons among others for interviews to this site.He has galvanized support for the Lighthouse project which for 8 years remained in quicksand.He has a wife,children and a mortgage to support.In the ensuing years as the Lighthouse gets built and attendance at the coliseum grows and the value of the NY Islanders appreciates don’t you think that Islanders point Blank had some significant role in it?If you need surgery don’t you want the most qualified doctor?[You surely do not want a first year med student}CB is an incredible man whose worth should be rewarded!
I agree that Chris has done a lot for the organization. I just think this is fine spinning by a pr genius. He created a buzz and encouraged an uproar and only now that the protests against ownership in his defense are inevitable is he backing up the organization. He has forced Wang into a spot before Tuesday where he has to work out a very generous payment for Botta or risk looking like an idiot in front of all of New York. Great negotiating…but I worry at the risk of the team fans and project. Again…Botta has done great work, 400K hits a month is awesome! More than we do in attendance. For the sake of the project…I am done negative posting. I wish you all the best. Sorry for my frustration.
Hockey Man (34): There seems to be some seriously misplaced anger here, Hockey Man- as well as a disconnect with the reality of professional blog sponsorship vs fan blogs. You are also talking about this in the comments section of an entry that is supposed to be about the LH.
I really hate not being able to go to any of these LHP public meetings….
Fellas, CB has kindly asked us NOT to discuss the future of the blog in this thread for the Light House Project Rally’s sake…
i live in Canada and i did my share i sent an email if i lived on long island i would make Aug 4th a must to attend i will be keeping a very close look to see what transpires…THIS IS THE TIME NO TURNING BACK NOW COME ON LONG ISLANDERS JOIN THE LIGHTHOUSE TRAIN
folks please remember that irrespective of the past, present and future of this blog, the success of this site was due to the passion exuded by YOU the die hard new york islander fans.
Yes this blog has helped galvanize many a movement over the past year, but now is NOT the time for us to break into squabbles. We need to help push the project through. It is because we LOVE the Islanders and want them to stay as Long Island’s only main pro sports team (yes..i am looking at the island as nassau and suffolk counties only) - we have come too far to let august 4th unravel us over the future of a blog, however much affection we may hold to it, and however grateful we may be for what the blog has done in uniting us far and wide, nationally and internationally.
The day of judgement looms my brethren.. we need to stand united.
Hey west coast isles fan, I think your name is giving me cause for filing a trademark infringement action lol…
This was on the LIBN website, and I think it’s really huge. It undercuts the whole idea of the Uniondale school district opposing the project:
http://libn.com/spacedout/2009/07/31/lighthouse-gives-schools-4-million-sweetener/
This is getting weird.
And that’s where I come in. (LOL!!)
Seriously though, I guess it is the right thing to do on Tuesday, just focus on the Lighthouse and forget about IPB for a minute. We’ve been building up to this Public comments meeting for a long time, let’s give it our full attention and see if we can’t keep the ball rolling (or should I say the puck moving yuk yuk) in the right direction.
Since I have some days built up at work and since I want to see for myself the general tone of the discussions (curiosity!), I am coming in from Jersey and I will just represent one of you LI’ers who couldn’t make it.
Question: I probably won’t get there in time for the rally - think someone could snag me a T-shirt? I would REALLY appreciate it!
I think Tuesday should be solely about the Lighthouse Project. Maybe we can all organize an IPB rally at a later date. As much as I love IPB and will do what I can to keep it going, we’ve been waiting for the LP to get off the ground forever now, and CB is right, to shift the focus now would be detrimental.
im going to be there tuesday, and the lighthouse is going to be there for the rest of my life