KATE MURRAY PLAYS CUTE: Zoning hearing same day as KC game: ALSO: Fanhouse column talks NYI
11:40 am - My column for Fanhouse on the tough life of an NHL fan references the NYI and the Lighthouse. Please talk about it there. As Katrina Doell reports on her Lighthouse blog, the Town of Hempstead has scheduled its Lighthouse zoning hearing for Tuesday, Sept. 22 at Hofstra. The date sound familiar? That’s when the Islanders play in Kansas City, an event Charles Wang planned to attend. Just as sports teams can play politics, Murray is playing games. The LDC has approved the date. Let’s see who gets to checkmate. Comments.
61 Responses to KATE MURRAY PLAYS CUTE: Zoning hearing same day as KC game: ALSO: Fanhouse column talks NYI
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El Exigente says:
It sure beats October 3rd.
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Joe says:
Are the public allowed there??? Is this an important meeting to go to???
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Joe – this is THE meeting, the biggest one of them all.
If they approve re-zoning, very little stands in the way of this happening. Be there, be supportive, and let’s get this done.
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art says:
This sounds like garden city vs the rest of the TOH and the county. Kate is finally on the line and like they say you don’t want to know how sauseges are made or root canals are done or how laws are passed. I’m optimistic that the LH will be approved but we probably will never know the details and like the analogies above we will be better off being ignorant. The biggest day in Isles history after the Nystrom OT goal will be oppening night at the new Coliseum!
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Tom says:
So kate Murray scheduled the meeting to end all meetings when she knew Charles B. Wang was going to be out of town? Charles B. Wang stated on WFAN he was going to be in KC, will he change his plans? Kate’s playing games. This girl don’t play.
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bergie20 says:
well played kate. i would assume that wang will skip the kc game now. i’m glad that they scheduled an evening session for this. means that i don’t have to skip work to go!
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Nick- Thank you very much, I’ll be there
I want this done!!!! -
Bryan says:
You would think that when nobody showed up against the Lighthouse that Kate Murray would just give in and get it done. Instead she plays games.
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Oh hells yeah, Joe!
The public is DEFINITELY supposed to be there, we NEED the public to be there! Check with Katrina and with Nick over at LetThereBeLightHouse, they will have all the details on that. -
Big Van Vader says:
Will the Labor Union workers be there in full force? I mean, if they DON’T approve for rezoning at this hearing, that means the Lighthouse is dead, right?
They approve rezoning, the Lighthouse happens. Am I correct in this thought process?
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mrlbem says:
Charles can make the morning session of the zoning hearing at Hofstra and still make it out to Kansas City by mid-afternoon, enough time to be wined and dined by the KC folks.
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(Nick is so prompt lol)
Posters, people, cheering, enthusiasm, this meeting is more important than the last one. It might be the most important of them all.
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JayK says:
You know who better be there? Kristin McElroy, Murray’s Democratic opponent. Has anybody seen her on a train platform or anywhere, pumping hands?
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Alex says:
viva la lighthouse!
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mt275 says:
What is a zoning hearing? Are they actually going to vote Yes or No to re-zoning?
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F kansas city. i hope it gets done on this day so wang can just cancel his evening plans and stay home
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Willis says:
Well at least I know how to get there now.
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
I guess it means that Murray wants Islanders to stay on Long Island. Interesting move.
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Strummer's Army says:
See this is why you don’t ever trust Kate Murray. I’ve never taken her to be sincere. I think if she and her puppet masters had their way she’d have told Wang to jump in a lake long ago. Public opinion, the election, and County and State governments are dragging her forward but it’s against her will. She’s still looking for a way to kill the project and lord help us all if she wins the election and all of this hasn’t already been approved she’ll drag it on for more years and try to force Wang to move out. She can talk about Mike Bossy all she wants but she has always been oppossed to this project. I personally would like to see her destroyed from the fallout if the Islanders did move. She keeps begging for them to move and if they did their would be a devestating financial impact. You don’t just lose Isles games but without Wang’s money the NVMC would have already been fallen apart. He’s invested a ton in repairs and upgrades (not his responsibility but the county doesn’t have the money) and this haas enabled it to continue to draw special events like concerts, skating, circuses etc. Watch how fast that dries up if the Islanders move. I don’t have a vote to reelect her but if I did, even if the entire project was approved prior to the election I still wouldn’t vote for her. I haven’t forgotten how long she has dragged this out, all the negative and mean spirited comments to the Isles and their fans, all the stupid stunts she’s pulled that stuff cannot be forgiven, she’s proved she isn’t a good public servent. Amazing how the county and state can be 100% behind it but the TOH can hold the entire thing up. Ass backwards.
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Healy says:
If this is really it we should do our parts to get the word out in the coming weeks so support at this thing swells. Lets go Lighthouse.
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McLovin21 says:
This is good news right? Werent we worried that they were going to drag the scheduling of this zoning hearing out forever? Or did they have to schedule it within a certain timeframe?
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Frank D says:
Right, Vlad. If Charles doesn’t get to see KC, he won’t get any ideas about moving. I guess she does want to keep the Islanders here.
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B says:
Have to get TLH done!!! This #$@$! can’t stand in the way any longer, make your voices heard. Islander fans need it and so does Long Island!!!!
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isle5 says:
What time do you need us there on 9/22? Let’s have more people at the hearing than they have for the game in K.C. It will make more news without Charles Wang being there, because he didn’t lead us, & we did this ourselves. No disrespect Mr. Wang. Attention TOH Supervisor Murray & Board Members turn off your Crackberries you are going to listen to us. Attention Village of Garden City, the people on the North Shore refer to you as the HELP. So get off your High Horse & get on the right side of history & join us. We have room on the bus for you. Let’s make this happen & Meet Me At The Lighthouse. God Bless America!
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Mike L says:
To bump the question at (#16)- When will the zoning actually be voted upon.
Nick- I see there are also two steps on your Lighthouse status chart, before the approval of the rezoning. What is happening with the final scope and EIS and the approval of the sub-divisions?
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Mikko Makela says:
Look, this makes sense. If Wang REALLY wants the LI, it’ll be at the expense of the courting KC. I think if Wang shows up here, he shows how committed he is to LI. However, if he doesn’t, and stays at the KC games and lets those people woo him, then I’d be worried.
I still think Murray’s gamble will backfire on her when Wang shows up, and the people cheer. -
This is poker, not chess. The Town proposed 9/22 because they knew it was the date of the KC game. They gambled that Wang, et al., would turn that date down and then the Town would say it was Charles causing further delay. Charles called their bluff. Good for him. But why the gamesmanship from the Town? Is it purely politics (the Repubs don’t want it because the Dems do), is it money, or is it something more substantive?
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Blizzard says: lol @post # 26!!!! This is gonna happen. It has too. And its not KC im worrying about, its those deep pocket Canadiens up in Hamilton that scare me. KC has no market for Hockey.
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Maverick says:
Ima Be there, This is GREATTTTTTT NEWS. There are three sessions. On teh 22nd of sept it is 930-1:00, 2-5, 6-9. Ima be there Ima bring my GF, my friends and my STEP DAD. LETS GET THIS DONE!!!!!!!!!
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McLovin21 (23): Yes, this is really good news!
They didnt have to do anything in this timeframe, really- they could have brought up all sorts of reasons to hold things up. But, they arent doing that… they are fast-tracking like they said they were going to do and like they told the state government they were going to do. I think the governor stating his support and the additonal assistance that the ToH has been granted is a big part of why things are moving like this- and its great to see! -
TM says:
Can someone answer this? Is the zoning the same whether the project stays as first proposed or gets scaled down some? If TOH say the project has to be cut down, what stops them from starting the process all over again? Preliminary meetings, environmental study, re-zoning, etc…?
I still think NYI should be in Queens as LI is too small media wise, infrastructure wise and fan wise for proper attention and support but just want a winner no matter where they play as long as it’s in NY.
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C U Next Tuesday Kate! God I hope ppl come out during election season and vote her ot no matter what happens w/the Isles. This is just blatant game playing. Just when things seem to move in the right direction this…ummm…*insert bad name here* has to screwh wit progress.
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Matt says:
so what exactly is going to take place at these meetings? is Mr. Wang going to explain what he wants and the design for the entire property?
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
CB- Great Fan House!
**I have to say … I’m just glad that the zoning hearing is scheduled … Whether or not Wanger gets to go to KC or not I really don’t care … because his focus should be on the Light House project before Oct. 3 … NOT the fancy new digs in KC.
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The New Isles GM says:
I bet Charles Wang skips KC game to attend this event. There is already a rink in KC. What else is there to see ? Prepare to be dominated Kate Murray !
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Islesin2010 says:
great story on Fanhouse CB, it seems the NHLPA is as stupid as the ISlanders management
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miket says:
Interesting game of chicken they are playing. Murray has turned the screw. If wang shows up..well he is supposed to it is his project. If he does not show up it looks really bad on him since I am sure kc investors will be there.
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Staten Islander says:
Gonna be very interesting to see what event Chuck goes to.
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LouD says:
I don’t get this. Is she just trying to be cute? Some other posters have guessed that maybe she’s holding it that day so Wang doesn’t meet with the people in KC. I have to say I don’t think she’s THAT stupid. I mean come on already, it’s not like he can’t fly out there any other damn time he chooses and have a sit down. So lets come at this from a different angle. Is it possible that Kate wants to have Charles in there before he does get wined and dined? Maybe she wants to show him that they want to keep the Islanders and is planning on a big day as far as cooperation is concerned. I know, I know, I could barely get that out without cracking up but you never know. I guess one could counter that she could have it the day before the K.C. game if that were the case. I’m so sick of this B.S.
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Shoe says:
I agree with those saying good for murray. I am not a fan of hers, in really any way, but, in this case, I feel she is in the right. If Wang is truly committed to this, there is no reason for him to be in KC. In fact, it is pretty disingenuous for him to be there regardless. It is clearly a message, and one he claimed he wouldn’t be sending until oct 3 at the earliest, to give the town time.
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Blizzard says:
…..on further review, well played Kate. Got to hand it to her. Well Wanger do you go to KC to prove your point or go to the zoning hearing on your megalopolis you want to build? Better cancel those plans to KC.
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Wang can go out to Kansas City a day before. He can do interviews with the Kansas City Star, local television, sports bloggers, etc. All of those interviews will hit either the day before the game, and in the actual KC star hard copy the day of the game. Then he flies back to NY. No problem!
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isles99 says:
let me keep this nice, smiple, and short. if the LH project gets approved on this date, then great! if it doesn’t, everybody should seriously consider voting for kristen mcelroy.
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a REAL hockey fan says:
**** Wow what a surprise a politician ‘playing games’ and losing the publics respect and trust, say it aint so! – sadly this is how the game is played, anyone watching “out of control” Wash D.C. these days, disgracefull!….
…Back to the topic – We MUST MUST not “have a letdown” and MUST MUST have our voices heard! – keep up the pressure everyone….
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Bocks44 says:
33- I totally disagree that the Islanders should be in Queens. New York City has enough teams and attention. The Islanders are Long Island’s only professional team and they should stay here. All of their great history from the 80′s and early 90′s happened on Long Island. I hope the meeting goes well and gets the same support as the meeting in August. Lets go Islanders!
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BR says:
Nick G can speak to this more thoroughly than I, but from my understanding there will be no vote at this hearing. Basically, the purpose of the meeting will be to hear from local residents as to whether or not they want the TOH to vote yes or no on re-zoning. As Nick has indicated on his blog, this is actually a more important hearing than the DGEIS one. Where the DGEIS hearing was intended to gather input on environmental issues, the re-zoning hearing is intended to gather views on whether or not the public actually wants the project to go ahead.
As for whether or not Wang will be there because of the KC game, he could easily attend the first two sessions and then hop his jet after 5pm in time for the game. Media deadlines for print, as well as for the early evening newscasts (which have more viewers than the late news), are typically around 5:00PM, which means he wouldn’t lose much impact by skipping the evening session. I suspect he will be well-represented.
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gary says:
so had Charles indicated what he will do?? I think the post above that states he can show up to KC the day before and do the interviews etc. That seems like the best option but For the meeting to be scheduled the same day, it doesnt seem like she is working to get the Lighhouse done…just the opposite
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battfist says:
Hey folks…
I was thinking how can we as Isles fans get our point across to these game playing politicians at this hearing…which I will be attending.
Can we bring in signs?
If so-lets come up with some good stuff here…. Any ideas? -
50 – signs not allowed inside the theatre, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have them outside.
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Blizzard says:
This meeting isnt about the fans. Its about TOH residents. I want to stay optimistic, however I have a bad feeling about all of this. I hope its just jitters, but there is somehting about all of this that just stinks.
As for KC, we know there is an NHL ready arena, however is there an owner? Would Wang actually move the Islanders there and still own them? I seriously doubt that. If he did he better be ready to move there himself…lol.
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Look he will find a way to work it out. If we all sow up this will get done. There are NO EXCUSES. Atleast she set a date. She could have waited later. THis gives us ample time to all go and support. AGAIN For people who are not going are they going to allow us to email the TOH to vote.
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I know alot of people out there who told us that the LAST hearing was THE hearing to go to. Well, now it’s THIS hearing we have to show up to. I think,(THINK) this one will be the LAST time we will be needed to show up in numbers. I believe this will be the meeting where the Garden City faithful make their voices heard. We need to be there and we need to have numbers and be MUCH louder than at the enviromental hearing.
We get passed the rezoning, and the lighthouse will be a reality. This is the last part of this that the TOH has any control over. Once they are out of the picture we SHOULD be ok.
Again, SHOULD.
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Jay says:
I am very skeptical. I dont trust Garden city residents. Let’s all keep our fingers crossed and hope we can keep the Isles here.
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Blizzard its about anybody that cares about this project. You can be from CA for all I care. WE NEED TO SHOW UP in UNISON.
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Big Van Vader (54): I of course dont know who told you what, but I do know that sites like let there be lighthouse, islanders point blank, the light post, etc did not say that the last meeting was THE most important meeting to attend. What they did say was how important it was to have good numbers at it- and they were correct. If that meeting didnt have the great showing it did, it is very likely that this meeting (which is extremely important!) would not have been the priority of the ToH.
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Chris (57) It seems as though you read it as somewhat of a negative statement. It isn’t. We NEEDED to go to the enviromental hearing. We NEED to go to the re-zoning hearing. In addition there were PLENTY of people who said that if you can only make one hearing the enviro one was the one to go to.
But, whatever. It’s time to drive home our point and let the TOH know on the 22nd that we want this and we want it NOW!
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mht says:
There is an interesting letter published this week on the opinion page of the Garden City Life newspaper/website by Mr. Dennis Donnelly.{Garden City Trustee and liaison to the business community.It is totally obvious that the big guns of Garden City do not want the Lighthouse built under any circumstance.They could care less about the possibility of the NY Islanders relocating.We must keep the pressure on all elected officials of authority.
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Anthony says:
It would be quite pathetic if Wang went to KC on the 22nd… If there’s a question on wether he’ll be here or not, then this whole Light House thing is a joke. I don’t know how many of you have ever stood in front of the zoning board, but EVERYTHING depends on this outcome. I had to for a dinky 600 sq ft extension on my home. The obnoxious board thought they were the Supreme Court – they made me revise my blue-print before they gave me the permit; I had to appear at a variance hearing at a later date before it was passed.
Expect the same thing to happen here – there’s no way they’re saying “yes” to everything… The best we hope for is a scaled down project…
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Thanks for the info…
As fans-we need to come up with something creative.
I think that works to our advantage. The coverage the next day will be Islanders seek a future in two places — here on Long Island or maybe in Kansas City. It puts in the viewer/reader’s face the very real possibility that the Islanders could be somewhere else if the zoning process doesn’t result in a successful outcome. It asks the people of Long Island: do you want column A or column B? At least that’s my take on it, FWIW.