THE LIGHTHOUSE HAS SEEN BETTER DAYS
5:15 pm - LDC traffic guy gives it another try
Live play-by-play of the Lighthouse zoning hearing at Hofstra University, for as long as I can take it without losing my mind…
9:48 am - Hearing officially kicks off with Kate Murray’s introduction of Charles Wang. Crowd is about half the size of Aug. 4 environmental hearing. Approximately half the crowd consists of union officials and Islanders employees. Nevertheless, Wang gets a raucous standing ovation. Murray makes her point: “The crowd is not as big as last time,” the Supe says, “but you certainly have your fans, Mr. Wang.”
9:51 - Wang intros the latest version - by my estimate, the 137th over the last six years - of the Lighthouse video.
10:00 - A second vid rolls, this one with testimonials from Gary Bettman, Mike Bossy, business owners, young children and noted Rangers fan Norman Esiason.
10:08 - As I just posted on Twitter, the game tonight in Kansas City - no matter how it may be spun - is now a non-event. I’ve heard from reliable sources that KC has comp tickets flying all over the joint and yet the crowd will still be far under capacity. Yes, John Tavares may be held to play in the Islanders’ one preseason home game - Wednesday night at the Coliseum. Still, if the Kansas City game was perceived as a difference-maker, Tavares would be playing.
10:12 - Wang giving speech. My translation: “Yo, we’ve done everything you asked for, we’ve worked with everyone we were supposed to work with. This is beyond stupid. Let’s get this sucker done, people.”
10:19 - Wang going through specifics on all the big buildings in the development. As an aside he says, “Although this building was not as tall as I originally hoped…”
10:23 - Hempstead Town-distributed press release sets tone for what lies ahead. In opening sentence the Town says the Lighthouse calls for “the construction of over 30 buildings - many of which are between 10 and 20 stories high.” Kate Murray does, however, acknowledge “Development is coming to the property surrounding the Coliseum. I know it and anyone committed to the future of our region knows it too.”
But will that development be what Wang and Scott Rechler have drawn up as the Lighthouse Project?
10:30 - Wang talking parking, water, etc. Seems to be wrapping up. “Our project can be a catalyst for tax generation and job opportunities,” he says.
10:33 - Wang challenges each Town board member by name. “We are at a defining moment, one that will determine Long Island’s future.” Talks about decisions the board may make, “or not make,” determining that future.
10:35 - Jim Castellane, Labor prez and Point Blank contributor, takes the microphone. Points out this is the 213th Lighthouse meeting. “We are facing the worst economic times that Long Island has ever seen. I personally have 35% unemployment.” He makes an impassioned, effective plea to the Town board to approve the Lighthouse.
10:43 - Unlike the star-power of the Aug. 4 hearing, this one is more business-like and dazzle-free. No Gary Bettman, no Bishop Murphy. Third speaker is an attorney from Farrell Fritz (a Town resident) and fourth is the director of the Long Island Progessive Coalition. Both speak nicely in favor of the Lighthouse. Prediction: the Adams Theatre will start to clear out over the next hour.
10:46 - Nick from Let There Be Lighthouse speaks.
10:47 - Nick gets the bell.
10:47:30 - Nick gets a second bell.
10:48 - Kate Murray tells Nick to “wrap it up.”
10:48:18 - Nick finishes.
Oh, brother.
10:50 - First Lighthouse opponent is speaker No. 6. I couldn’t tell you his name because the bells for Nick are still ringing in my ears. He believes the developers have not reponded appropriately to many concerns.
He rips on Tom “The Broker” Suozzi, which I can deal with. I’ve been consistently supportive of Suozzi and the Lighthouse, but couldn’t get him to return several calls over the last month.
Opponent from Garden City is booed when he finishes. Murray asks for respect shown to all speakers.
10:54 - Another opponent says the Town should take its time and ignore threats about losing the Islanders.
10:58 - Nick Eposcopia (sp?), a Trustee from Garden City says “the Lighthouse is not the answer.” He cites a meeting Wang had six years ago in Garden City, saying the Lighthouse vision has clearly grown since. He is ramped up, bitter, passionately against the developers and the development.
He’s effective. I’m just wondering what happened to the bell.
11:05 - Half the crowd splits.
11:06 - Labor leader Jim Castellane waves for his officials to leave the theatre.
11:07 - Another Garden City Trustee firing shots, including one at Scott Rechler for having plenty of unused office space on 110. “The Lighthouse Project will lead to the deterioration of the communities surrounding it.”
11:09 - Scott Rechler asks to repond to Garden City complaint. Kate Murray says he’ll have an opportunity after two more GC speakers and a break.
11:10 - It appears most Lighthouse propnents have left the building because, after the most recent Garden City complaint, there was nothing but applause.
11:11 - This is starting to remind me of the day Charles Wang’s Old Plainview project was met with resistence and he shocked a packed POB middle school auditorium crowd by withdrawing his plans.
11:12 - Break time.
He probably won’t, but I can see Wang packing up and going home. Trouble is, he has the 6:00 pm edition of the hearing and understands he shouldn’t miss it. For the record, I’d be having a plane at Republic gassed up for a trip to Kansas City.
*
11:30 - Jim Baumbach tweets that the Sprint Center in Kansas City is “magnificent” and that the Islanders should cancel their return flight home.
11:32 - Wang again asks to respond to Garden City complaints. I’d heard the ToH over the break had been reconsidering their decison to not let Rechler speak. Rechler is given the floor. “If the Lighthouse was built today, you would have companies that are going elsewhere staying on Long Island.”
11:37 - Water consultant for Lighthouse speaks. Says all matters have been addressed. He speaks more technically than that, but you can’t expect a hockey writer to keep up. About 150 left in the theatre.
11:44 - Lighthouse traffic consultant responds to Garden City concerns. ToH board member Dorothy Gossby puts on her usual big show to let everyone know she has the backs of her residents in Uniondale. She asks a few parking questions. Dot should really learn to not be so obvious about it.
11:55 - Town board, led by Anthony Santino, beating up LDC traffic consultant with lots of questions. Some testy moments, like Santino blustering, “Just tell me - yes or no”! Wang suggests they put the parking plans up on the big screen.
Noon - No question, LDC traffic consultant needs to sound more confident in his findings.
12:01 pm - LDC president Mike Picker just got slammed down by Santino, as if they were in court for a murder case. Body language at the Lighthouse table not good.
Hasn’t been a good last 90 minutes for anyone hoping to meet at the Lighthouse anytime in the next decade.
12:20 - The pushing around of the traffic consultant continues. Lots of questions to the LDC about how much things cost and who is paying for it. ToH seems to ignore that without their approval and an executed county lease, the LDC cannot get all of its answers.
12:25 - Rechler, who is good at this stuff, interjects to make the point that traffic is as important to the developers as the Town because he owns many of the buildings in the area and traffic coordination must work for those businesses. Rechler says they have presented a 2,000-page document breaking down the traffic mitigation and the town needs to read it.
12:26 - As if she didn’t listen to a word Rechler said, Goosby takes a “Meet Me at the Lighthouse” shot and again asks about the traffic on Long Beach Rd.
12:30 - Word was that the Town of Hempstead board was not going to allow Charles Wang to make a second presentation at the evening portion of the hearing. This, of course, would be silly because several new visitors are coming to Hofstra tonight after work or school. I suggested to a ToH official that the board might want to re-think their stance.
12:42 - Baumbach of Newsday reports that Kansas City will have 10,000 tonight in 18,000-seat arena so “the Islanders should feel at home.”
12:47 - Town says traffic answers are “a 19th century response to 21st century problems.”
Nick from Let There Be Lighthouse believes the Town of Hempstead is acting fairly and asking the right tough questions today. Cool. Never mind my critical view if you wish.
Just seems odd this show is taking place on September 22.
1:10 - Lunch break. Again, the Lighthouse Project is far from doomed. Maybe there will be some positive momentum at the night session.
But here’s the equation right now:
Today’s hearing + 50% capacity (with freebies) tonight in Kansas City + maybe 5,000 for Coliseum debut of John Tavares tomorrow = not a good 48 hours for the Islanders and the Lighthouse.
Your move, Charles Wang.
*
3:20 - Post-lunch, the focus is now on the physical structure of the Lighthouse. I’m at home, but from a constant stream of texts and by following on Twitter, I can see that Town board member Anthony Santino asked what are the heights of the buildings. Not for nothing, Mr. Santino, but it’s Sept. 22, 2009. You really need to ask what the heights are?
3:30 - Baumbach tweets that the man pushing for the NHL in Kansas City blames tonight’s crappy attendance for Islanders-Kings on no John Tavares, KC citizens not wanting to be used and - wait for it - Greinke pitching for the Royals tonight.
On a day when I’ve heard a lot of funny stuff, that dude gets First Star.
3:50 - It appears the Town of Hempstead board took a crash course from Miss Manners during the lunch break. They are prefacing most of their comments with “I have the utmost respect for Mr. Wang and Mr. Rechler…”
4:10 - This says a lot about the ToH board’s attention span. One member actually asks about a deal between the Lighthouse and the Uniondale Fire Department. The deal was struck the day before the Aug. 4 environmental hearing. Like all of you, I learned about it from a large story in Newsday.
5:15 - Hello. I’m back at Hofstra. Funny thing when I walked in. The LDC traffic guy was back at the podium, taking another round of whacks from the ToH board. They were supposed to break for dinner by now. The few people here at this time seem to be LH advocates. Big rounds of applause every time traffic consultant tries to set the board straight.
Curious to see if a bigger crowd gets here by 6:30.
5:25 - After watching this for several hours, super Islanders fan and Lighthouse psycho Joe Conte stops by the Point Blank laptop and says, “A Town with this leadership does not deserve the benefits of this project.”
213 Responses to “THE LIGHTHOUSE HAS SEEN BETTER DAYS
5:15 pm - LDC traffic guy gives it another try”
Please Wait
Someone give Kate a Tavares jersey!!!
Go Wanger!!!!!! KC sucks!!!!
I am here, and the (lack of) attendance is embarrassing…we will get what we deserve…no whining Isle fans.
She probably doesn’t even know who Tavares is.
Yea well you could have expected lower attendence. This isnt a LH hearing in the middle of the summmer. And get Murray her own jersey. Maybe then she will join our side.
A lot of people will be at the evening meeting I bet. BOTH for & against.
Hey Guys- I’m at work & need to make $ to attend some games- Its tough to judge a crowd during a weekday in September.
The big moment will be when Kate speaks!
___ I can understand a politicans “genuine concerns” (if there legit) i really can to a small degree
___ But it seems like Kate Murray just doesnt have a clue or has a hidden agenda or simply doesnt get or see the big picture. Has she really had a honest and concise answer to her biggest concerns? Does she have a legit concern or is this just “NO NO NO NO” by a politician?
__ Whats the real deal? Seriously i dont get it??
ugh, enough of this politicking.
If Murray tries to shoot this down, there’s going to be hell to pay.
I’ve already lost my mind on this. This is like the 500th hearing. Just reach a decision already. LH or not. Scaled down LH version or not. Uniondale or Queens/Brooklyn. Wang selling or not. Do SOMETHING. This is ridiculous. (The small turnout means people have had enough.)
-#11
The small turnout means it’s 9 clock on a tuesday. The afternoon and evening sessions will have way more people, unlike last time when the only time they scheduled it for was in the morning. Now that it’s at night too, people aren’t taking off of work to go.
I wouldn’t read too much into it.
Thanks CB for the updates! Keep up the good work and try not to go completely insane!
After all of the bloviating, B.S. And pouting from both sides, in the end this thing gets done and the Lighthouse gets built. Mark my words, the Isles get their new (renovated) building and don’t go anywhere. I really think people just like to complain and that’s why we keep getting bombarded with all this nonsense every three weeks.
Hmmm, maybe Kate just wants us to squirm before she gives “it” up
I’d really like the opinion of someone “in the know” as to whether this gets done and or beloved team stays. I’m just getting a real sinking feeling about the whole thing at this point.
Do any of the people claiming Kate will pay for stopping the lighthouse actually live in Hempstead? Have you ever voted for a Town Sup? The 1500 or so people who are actually eligible to vote, how many of them are Hockey fans?
CB was right, this nightmare is real, if only because the system is designed to respond to the people who are actively involved in politics in their town. Kate could care less what the average Joe thinks. She can & will hold out & then hand the land to a cronie.
Wang needs to make this a issue known nationwide, get it into every paper, in front of every high ranking Pol he can find. Scream from the highest mountain, maybe publicly offer the team to Basille??
He is being to nice to survive NY/LI politics. He should go all Jethro on them
looks like the whining waaaambulance has arrived.. they want nobdy but them to prosper. .greedy GC idiots… did someone tell them if the isles leave, their taxes go up to pay for maintenance of an abandonded parking lot? im sure theyll love that and drive their property value dirt low
The GC people are slamming the LH now. Next stop, Brooklyn. Or better yet, Queens!!! Hopefully, Wang sells the team to someone who keeps it in the NY metro area but not LI.
Supporters chose to not be here…the opponents are. And, please please please stop deluding yourselves Bklyn and Queens are pipe dreams!! This is very frustrating. Everyone talks a good game, but when the $$ is on the line, nothing!!
i’m a grad student @ hofstra. i’ll make it for the 2nd session to show some support.
Just curious, but if we choose to go to the hearing and speak, are we permitted to respond to the Garden City arguments, as in rebutting them point by point, or are we limited to saying yay or nay to the Lighthouse?
Bklyn/Queens is NOT a pipe dream. CB said yesterday leaders of the Bklyn project approached and expressed interest. J Liu and board memebers, Chamber of Commerce people have expressed interest from Queens. The infrastructure and environmental studies for Bklyn Queens have been done mostly. It’s a real possibility that come 10/3 the talks with Bklyn, Queens becomes very real. Seems you’re deluding yourself #19. NO SLEEP TILL BROOKLYN! OR QUEENS!! DO IT!!
One more note, Greenberg & the city Council would jump on a multi billion dollar project, city politics are screwed up, but not a screwed up as LI. The Isles to Brooklyn, might happen. An NHL team might just push that project over the edge, & remember that Greenberg & Dolan have clashed before, I think Greeny would love to stick it to Dolan by having the Isles set-up shop right accross the river from MSG.
As for Queens, Greenberg again would support a project that might be paid for by Wang, especially after the city laid out some cash for the two new stadiums. Think about it.
I am laughing over “take their time”…its been almost 10 years! Something needs to get going…and let the islanders move? I wonder what they will get going…Kate Murray performing Icecapdes?
Hamilton and Basille are watching, just saying
#21, if you register yourself to speak, yes you can!!
and #22, will never happen, I know you want it to, but never will.
PS for all the bright people in Garden City and Long Island that love paying high taxes and that oppose the project… by doing this project its more tax revenue for the TOH and therefore in the long run can help lower the crazy property taxes…but if you like paying astronomical taxes then I say have fun!
Probably Eposcopia, the trustee that the GC news interviewed in their “article” (read: propaganda) last week. For balance, they made sure to include a quote from his wife supporting his views (without identifying the relationship).
Clearly…this is not good news at this time. I feel as though someone just punched me in the gut.
someone please stand up and say that garden city is a has been town with has been residents, most of whom are gonna die in the next 10 years and leave a wasteland for their children! i can’t make it there, but i wish i could. i’ll write someone up a fiery speech right now if anyone would want to read it!
Good! I don’t want the lighthouse to get approved. I want this team in Queens or Brooklyn. NYC = bigger market, which = more corporate money, which = better chance at being COMPETITIVE, which is all I care about. Forget Nassau. They have been jerkin the Isles around for 20 years.
Funny how the bell works when Nick is speaking, but when the GC residents are up there… not so much.
So effing transparent.
it just sucks that this meeting is before the ‘certainty’ date and now all of the opponents are finally deciding to show up and try to yell the loudest.
The LDG and Wang got slammed by this GC question -
“Why is this enormous project the only way to keep the Islanders on Long Island? Noone has answered this yet.”
#31 - I’m rooting for the same thing. NYI belongs where they get attention and support and that isn’t LI.
Just scrap the plans and turn out the lights, Charles. You’ll project will never happen - this meeting is proof of that. The TOH is in their glory with all this opposition. It’s freaking over, man. Start finding us a home, or I’ll find a new team.
CB, I hate to say it, because I’ve been a season ticket holder since 2002, coming to games from Jersey, but the ToH doesn’t deserve this team. I agree with Kevin (#31).
The Islanders deserve better and attractive options await in Queens and Brooklyn. Let the ToH have their parking lot, where I’m sure the weeds growing through the cracks in the asphalt will turn into a nice park in 100 years.
Last post… You guys are deluding yourself… No lighthouse= Isles going somewhere else, sold to highest bidder. Keep fooling yourselves about Bklyn/Queens. All the talk for so long and so few care enough to show up… More Internet tough talk… But, we still need an enforcer right?
31 I agree
I wish it was Murray instead of Okposo in “That” Calgary’s game. Where is Phenauf when we need him? It is going nowhere and it is very upseting.
Leviticus….you are flat out wrong. And you have no idea what you are talking about. Hello, monster cable TV contract? And yes we do need an enforcer.
Leviticus - maybe Queens Bklyn will be the highest bidder or offer Wang some real estate incentive. This way the cable money stays in effect so any non NY offer would need to offset the cable money from staying in the NY metro area. NO SLEEP TILL BKLYN QUEENS!!
Sadly, the Islanders are a pawn on Wang’s chess board to build Wangs World. I have absolutley no opposition to the Lighthouse. It looks awesome and if it brings all the tax $$ and Job$ they claim - all the better. But Its all about the islanders to me. I just want them to stay. Otherwise, I would not even know (or care) the Kate Murray exsisted.
BIG DIFFERENCE TO NOTE in what is going on here and what the Coyotes are going thru with Hamilton and Basille: Glendale AZ does not want to lose their team. They are fighting to keep them in Phoenix. Basille is a much bigger threat to us because Wang can give up his dream and sell the team to him. TOH doesn’t want the Islanders and would not stop him from moving the team to Canada.
I’m stuck working until 10 tonight in New Jersey. Why don’t all you guys posting, that have the time, go to the meeting?
Leviticus- Brklyn/Queens is no more of a pipe dream than the LH. The LH has been dead for a long, long time. Charles B. Wang just wants to be sure someone throws dirt on it this point & officially kills it.
Onto Brooklyn & Queens.
drive45 (43)- ummm….JOBS!?
You can see where this is all going! The TOH will declare that the area needs to be developed, but will ask that the plans be scaled down. They probably will approve a partial plan and announce that they approve the renovation of the Coliseum immediately but want to review resubmitted plans. Does anyone know if this plan can be approved in seperate lots or is it an all or nothing for the TOH? Somehow this will all end up back in Wangs lap to either re-submit or walk away. Then the TOH can declare that it was Wang who is the bad guy!
School? I can’t just take off school for a set-up by the TOH. This isn’t a meeting, it’s a joke.
#22 Chamber of conference people don’t even pay for their lunches. Bklyn/Queens may be ready for your grandchildren. It takes more than parking, concessions, ticket revenue, and cable rights to build an arena and then pay it off plus a big player and operational payroll. As an aside you can go on the internet and still purchase seats in all locations for the KC game tonight. That’s why I hear there giving away comps for the last week.
Charles was just spotted at Buckinghams General Store in Oyster Bay looking over For Sale signs.
I never looked forward to an election day in my life.
Can we atleast get the sound tigers to play in nassau, when the isles leave?
Firstly, to all the people who keep saying the ToH doesnt deserve the lighthouse and that the isles should move, please shutup. You’re right, the ToH doesn’t deserve to have this….BUT I DO! I live in Nassau County not 5 minutes from the Coliseum in Massapequa. I started following the Islanders in 1997 and have gone to at least 20 games a year ever since. I deserve to have the team that i love stay where they are. All the other fans who live on Long Island deserve a place like the lighthouse. And now, once the Islanders may finally have a future, some of you have the balls to say that you’re glad the Islanders could be moving? Why do some of you think that the team will garner more attention in Queens or Brooklyn? They won’t. The Rangers play in the best city in the world and get hardly any attention so why would the Islanders get more in Queens? The Islanders got plenty of attention when they were winning Stanley Cups IN UNIONDALE.
Secondly, CB, the only reason the union workers left is because news12 was interviewing them outside the theatre.
Michael on Sep 22nd, 2009 11:42:54 said:
Just scrap the plans and turn out the lights, Charles. You’ll project will never happen - this meeting is proof of that. The TOH is in their glory with all this opposition. It’s freaking over, man. Start finding us a home, or I’ll find a new team.
The rat infested dump on 33 and 7th is currently taking applications, I’m sure they will accept you…
Wow, from someone who is there, the Lighthouse Committee is being brought to town right now. People on their case left and right. This is going about as bad as anyone could have feared.
Listen I am all for this project to get done. Again I do support this project. I also believe it should be scaled down just a bit as well. Be that as it may…… Why in God’s name can’t they just build a new arena and demolish the NVMC? This whole renovation of a 40 year old building makes no sense at all.
Oh my god…….but really I am not surprised. Brooklynn, Queens…Hello please.
Charles, just get up and leave. You are not gonna get your Lighthouse. Move to Brooklyn, Queens, or KC. I will always root for the Isles no matter where they go. If they move to KC I will see them when they come around. You’ve done enough to try and keep them here. Enough is enough.
#48 Bklyn is further along arena wise than Queens. COC people get the ball rolling. There is 5 years until the lease runs out so that’s plenty of time to build an arena in Bklyn/Queens. The KC game tonight with comps sounds like any non NYR game at NVMC.
How does a mini city LH survive without mass transit or at least a LIRR stop or link on game days? Too much congestion in little Uniondale. Go to Bklyn Queens.
#57 there will be mass transit. Wang would create a bus and trolly system that stop off at main points and would bring you to the coliseum
I predicted a long time ago that the LH would not get a green light or Red light on Oct. 3. It’s going to get a flashing Yellow. Proceed slowly with some changes. We will get the LH and the Isles will stay, but its going to be a long bumpy ride.- but its not ending in KC or Canada Maybe Bklyn but beleive it or not that’s less likely than Nassau.
I was going to go to the evening session, but I’m not wasting my time on this farce passing as a hearing. This is awful. b
Alex, waiting for a bus/trolley in January would be brutally cold and not efficient. Has anyone noticed there’s more opposition to the LH today both at the hearing and on CB’s blog? Here’s where the rubber meets the road. All I want is for NYI to be competitive and win on LI or move to Bklyn Queens to get it done if it won’t happen on LI.
Nothing will be resolved today. Wang won’t get an answer until X-mas.
guys we never had a chance. never….
the TOH needs to be overthrown and replaced with nothing. i think the county can handle itself just fine. the old timers are too old to call the shots for the future.
This is amazing coverage CB thanx and God bless u. Please keep PB alive!!!!
Why does Garden City have so much to say about whether this project goes forward? Garden City is one village in the ToH, but the Coliseum is in Uniondale, which is not in Garden City, no? As we all know, Hempstead is a craphole. Where are people from that neighborhood?
And Baumbach is a troublemaker who just likes to provoke people.
TM, Wang wanted to build the monorail system but Garden City threw a tantrum over it and he dropped it from his plans
Strang is talking up the KC arena on her blog….
Well this isn’t good.
They’re talking about mass transit and congestion now. How could a bus/trolley accommodate 19,000 new jobs plus the 17,000 on event days at the coliseum? Widening the southern state and meadowbrook wouldn’t even solve that congestion. That’s 10 pounds of potatoes in a 5 pound bag. Need a train.
What the heck does Long Beach Road in Oceanside have to do with this????????
Holy Moly!!!!!!!!! What a circus!!!!!!!!!
It’s amazing how all it takes is one negative report and everyone is ready to quit. The only opposition is Garden City and since when did they get veto power over all of Long Island. The fact that the Board memebers are asking tough questions means nothing. No one thought they were going to throw boquets at CW.
Im with #65. Thanks for the outstanding coverage CB.
Like I said in my post yesterday. This was a claculated move by Murray. Hold the hearing on a day when most working class (that is what LI is) LI’ers cant take off from work again and pull in all the rich Garden City business oweners/homeowners whose parents have passed the money down the chain for years and can easily miss a day of work come out to bash this. What I find ironic is the opposition is coming from where……one freaking area…..Garden City. Where is the Massapequa Coalition Against the Lighthouse. Where is the Rockville Center Coalition..the Cedarhurst..Lynbrook, Levittown ____fill in the blank____blah blah blah. There is none. This is one stuck up spoiled silver spoon area causing this to be held up coupled with a pig Town Hall Supervisor looking for her last corrupt pay day by granting this land to someone else before she slips down to the Carolinas or FLorida to retire. I am usually not this angry but I am boiling after reading CB’s analysis. I made it to the meeting on the 4th and unfortantely cant miss work today. Many of us probably have kids who returned to school over the last 2 weeks and needed some time in the morning to help out…many of us probably took some time off for end of summer to enjoy the beaches and be with our family etc…..I am not there because I dont want to….I am not there because I need to work and pay my overblown mortgage and taxes to who else….the freaking town of hempstead. Oh yeah….all those in GC opposing the LH…..those taxes I just mentioned will go up again once you squash this. No problem for you guys since your parents and grandparents trust funds will cover your share. Not mine or the rest of LI.
Because of that tool Baumbach I will be canceling my newsday subscription and if I ever see him out at a game or something I will spit right in his face..
“Welcome to Long Island, the Home of economic stagnation and self serving residents.” The new phrase that shall be adorned on ever welcome sign following this rather ceremonial execution of the LH project. The Light House development, which would have given so many individuals in our communities the opportunity to go to work again and pay the ever increasing property tax and school budgets, seemed to slowly lose steam with the delays of public officials aka Kate Murray. Not to mention the great migration of our youth, which brings me back to my favorite childhood movie “The Land Before Time”, as we like them, search for the “Great Valley.”
What other alternative do we have? what will become of nassau coliseum? Will the draft from the empty rafters ever sweep across Kate Murrays face following the imminent evacuation of Wang and the Islanders? What legacy will she leave behind when all is said and done? That of a politicians, the selling out of many for the support of a few votes. Our best interest is in economic development, our people need and deserve such a large gift as this. You want to talk economic stimulus plan? well look no further. But in the next few hours GC individuals will stand at the podium and thump their chests stating what a travesty it is for development to be put on their door steps. So we will all suffer the consequences of the selfish acts of individuals who probably dont need the stimulus as much as the other 80% of Long Island. Congrats to the new social elite. All i can say is “viva la liberte!”
Some things: Hempstead is a craphole…..but spent a TON of money on a revitalization effort recently and is looking to change. The LHP kills those hopes. Garden City, though one village, loses business to the LHP like every surrounding project will. So their concerns are real. Only Uniondale gets money from the LHP, the parking issues are murky and had the LHP nervous. Maybe…..we should examine the complaints if we want this to pass?
What benefits Wang (and thus, we believe, the Islanders) is all we care about. Well, I see no difference between a big development like this and a WalMart coming in. The affected competition in the area will be killed. Losing SOME business in this environment is losing ENOUGH business to get closed down for good.
The project is too big. The parking and water and traffic too much.
Scale it down. Make everyone happy if possible, not just hockey fans. The goal should be to help Hempstead’s revitalization efforts and allowing one surviving (barely) region to thrive in GC, to support the business community along Hempstead Tpke to succeed…..but it’s not. It’s the Lighthouse and everyone else be damned.
Thus it will fail.
Now let’s hope D’Amato can make amends and set up Gutkowski and his partners with SMG and make some inroads to buying this team from Chucky. The fans deserve it after nearly 10 years of incompetent turmoil.
It DOES sound like a circus. What amazes me is that the LDC doesn’t seem to have prepared well (based on CB’s account of this so far). Tsk tsk. They should be able to fire off answers like a slingshot at this point. This is the what….245th meeting they’ve had on all this? Cmon!
It is making me sick to my stomach reading what is going on and not being able to be there to see it for myself and just be one more supporter for the lighthouse project. By the time I can get out to Long Island and to Hofstra after work it will be almost 8:30. So I won’t be going this time. But Moose, maybe you can go in my place. Cmon, it’s for the greater good my man. Don’t back down!
i’m sorry, but was there such a thing as traffic in the 19th century?
This is better than what I expected. Nothing new here.
screw the lighthouse. i’m tired of this crap. Queens is the better option anyway.
Shame on GC. Shame on Nick Eposcopia. Shame on Anthony Santino. You seem to be attacking the traffic issue and water. If that is all you are complaining about please tell me where in the world there isnt traffic issues???? Since the Belt Parkway always has traffic….does that mean if we blow up Brooklyn than that will be a great highway…I just dont see how driving on the Meadowbrook—-hopping off exit 3-4-5-6 whatever is creating issues for you? Are you concerned Stuart Ave may have some traffic??? Hello—it already does and this wont make it any worse or better. Someone in TOH approved the condos by the Source. Great move TOH - one was awarded to a corrupt builder who cut corners and the building had to be evacuated—torn apart and rebuilt because they were mold infected. Does everyone on this message board know that??? Wonderful job selecting a builder. I wonder how much TOH (Murray) pocketed for this. Great Idea to build a senior community across from the Source. We are trying to atract young families and we alienate them across from the one destination young LI’ers can go to. Smart move…..plus they pay less taxes in these communities so less to TOH. Plus its half empty because the seniors on the Isles cant afford them. Are you saying if they were affordable and openj to young families that place wouldnt be booming - hell yeah - I would consider moving there - I a not a reporter. I am not into politics. How come I can point out these issues/inefficiencies/absoute poor decision making with LI politics but Newsday….etc…someone else cant and call the politicians out!! Dolan was smart to buy Newsday and cut off the voice for the Isles and Wang. Wouldnt be surprised if Murray orchestrated the deal.
10,000 ata preseason game is pretty good if you ask me. But I hope Wang rethinks KC and concentrates on Queens or Brooklyn if this Lighthouse Project falls through.
so we’re gonna let TRAFFIC be the issue that derails this project?
Vukota,
Is Baumbach wrong? How many in the house tomorrow at the Coliseum? 3,500, maybe?
One other thing, I have to hand it to Wang. If it was me, I would have told them all to shove it and start looking elsewhere. This man has patience and I don’t blame him one bit if he decides to move the team after Oct. 3. He should seriously start looking right now into other local areas (i.e. Queens, Brooklyn, etc…) and get the ball rolling. However, if he moves to KC I’d have to stop following the team because I can’t root for a team that isn’t local. I would wish him and the team well though.
Right or wrong the guy goes out of his way to take shots at the isles. For what? Because the fans ripped him for that bogus article on Arbour last year? His is a 4th rate reporter for a 3rd rate paper.
mrlbem, did you think the attendence tomorrow may have something to do with the coliseum being horrible and the arena in KC being outstanding?
Talk about a bunch of defeatists here. Everyone claims they want the team on Long Island(or at worst in the tri-state area), but when one report comes out that has a depressing tone, and everyone is ready to quit. Anything that is worth while is worth fighting for, so anyone who really wants the team to stay here will get to the meeting(if they have the abilities to, aka no/done with job).
its kind of pointless. the opposers dont have a good case against. Traffic. Hellos its long island. the lighthouse doesnt change the traffic issues.
It’s Tavares’ first game at the Coliseum I’d hope there will be a decent crowd. Remember that day in June when about 10,000 of us watched TV on the jumbotron to watch him get picked?
Welcome to Long Island…home of the world’s most useless vacant parking lot, as well as the “thing”. The “thing” of course used to be a sports arena, but we can just tell everyone else it is the resting place of an alien and political career.
This really makes me look forward to Oct. 3 because it’s becoming more clear that the LH isnt going anywhere. So outside of the Isles game it’ll be really interesting to see what Wang does. It wouldn’t surprise me if he has backup plans well under way even though he said there are no other plans. He would be stupid not to already be working on other deals. Hopefully its Brooklyn/Queens
someone should actually ask if they read the traffic report submitted to the town and then ask them a question to see if thats the case
So much for me cheering Tavares as our #1 draft pick. I really have no interest in supporting Kansas City Tornadoes. Murray, be damned!
I think tomorrow’s attendance is a reflection of many factors, including no marketing whatsoever of John Tavares’ first appearance in a home game, the usual blase attitude that all of us have about exhibition games and many locals’ lack of interest in the team. Maybe market tomorrow night in the same manner as the draft party or today’s hearing? Nah. So Baumbach and his ilk, as well as those who say no one cares about the Islanders, will say that KC outdrew Long Island, and KC did not even have Tavares.
What about building in Suffolk?!?
As far as the comment on 5,000 or so tickets sold for Wed preseason game - Tavares debut - so what? It’s a preseason game and I could care less. Should I drop half a paycheck on this? I already bought my bunch of tickets for 10/3 when it counts (dropped almost 5 bills for this so I do take the implicaion on lack of support from NYI a little personally. All said and done that night will be around 8 bills out of my pocket so you can keep the preseason).
hello queens
Time for Wang to play hardball, this is complete BS.
If Jim Baumbach thinks the arena in Kansas City is so great, why doesn’t he move there?
He was playing hardball. He just overdid it, Suozzi overdid it, they went too far and wanted too much to be done and the residents won’t have it. Now it’s a quality of life vs. economic benefit debate with the Isles lost because Wang and Suozzi were on the wrong page. A capitalist spends millions to make billions and makes nothing. Shame, but it happens. He should have done something smaller - but Suozzi and the County were innate buffoons and demanded an EPIC project win the rights to develop.
The whole project stinks. Pick a fight you can win or bow out gracefully.
Meet me at Willets Point!!
I agree with Chris that Wang should be on a flight to KC tonight, even if he’s only there for part of the game. He should also start showing up outside Citi Field with a hard hat on.
I just got back from Hofstra. It’s obvious that the opposition is all about traffic, which is pretty myopic considering that a mixed use development is actually targetted at keeping things local. Murray hardly spoke a word, but her bulldog Santino has been on the offensive all morning. As CB said, the Lighthouse traffic consultant should be less accomodating and more assertive in his responses to Santino and others. The other thing that was troubling was that at least one of the board members admitted to never reading the original proposal. How can these clowns claim to be prepared for this meeting when they haven’t even read the proposal and supporting documentation? Isn’t that what they’re getting paid to do?
#95… “Kansas City Tornados”… lol
More people would go to the preseason game if they actually knew about it. If you polled the 10,000 people that made the effort to go to the draft party, I’m sure a vast majority of them have no idea the islanders are playing a preseason game tomorrow.
Let me start by saying that I am completely in favor of this going through.
I have been following this all morning here and on Nick’s blog. You guys do have different views on what is happening.
While I do not trust Murray or the TOH board, the truth is that the town MUST ask tough questions and make sure that issues like garbage, water, and traffic are addressed. I have no problem with this, even if it gets a little heated. This is their job. And these are issues that need to be handled or it will be a disaster.
As for GC, they just don’t get it. Will this take away business from them? Yes, in the short term. But then it is up to them to re-invent themselves and make their town attractive to businesses and residents. In the end this could benefit them more than hurt them.
Should we have outlawed the freezer in homes 100 years ago because it hurt the ice man?
I love how traffic is an issue. If you have traffic its because you have a lot of people going to events, shopping, living there, ie. a successful developement.
charles should start looking at other offers now..this is never going through..
These people that talk about the “empty” coliseum clearly dont see every game. Each weekend game is a sellout or close to it. The weekday games are rough for alot of people, especially manhattan commuters. There are passionate fans here. Our attendance is low because we can only house 16,297. MSG houses 18,200. Big difference. Bottom Line, I knows it preseason, but that KC game should be a sell out.
If Garden City was so concerned about traffic they should want a LIRR link or a trolly, some sort of mass transit. Anyone who travels Stewart Ave, Franklin Ave or Old Country Rd knows it is a nightmare right now!!Guaranteed people avoid traveling and shopping in that area because of the congestion. You think local govt. or the county are going to do anything to help!No Way! Here is a plan that might address or alleviate some of the problems , but the GC NIMBYS are to short sighted to work with the developers who could maybe even help their current situation!!Garden City is no Shangri La, get over your bad selves!!
if the lighthouse project is a no go, ask the town to buy out the SMG lease and have Wang build his own arena with anything he wants on the coliseum grounds. it can be done but it is all or nothing with Wang.
“Point Blank will return for the 6:00 pm session. Life is too short.”
CB I couldn’t agree w/you more. You were at every horse & pony show for over a year now. Take a break, relax & enjoy the day!
They can only get 10K people for the game in KC, and thats probably with 5,000 free tickets. That should be a sign not to go there…They would have to rebuild the fanbase which is not the easiest thing in the world, especially since the team still has at least a couple rough years ahead. Queens or Brooklyn are way more attractive options since the local fans can still go to the games and maybe draw some new fans that would have otherwise watched the Rangers.
Matt - This has been covered elsewhere by Lighthouse Nick and others. Why on earth would Wang spend ~$500 million to build a new arena on the NVMC grounds, added to the $ millions he has already lost on the team? He will not be in a position to recoup his losses with a stand-alone arena. Look across N. America and stand-alone arenas are going the way of powdered wigs. Even in Canadian hockey-crazy markets like Ottawa and Edmonton the owners are looking to build Lighthouse-type projects.
Way back in the mid and late 70’s, when Roosevelt Raceway was open and the Islanders played hockey into April, the traffic was horrendous. If the Islanders had a home playoff game on a night that the trotters were running, the Meadowbrook Parkway would stop dead. Traffic. We dealt with it. You leave earlier, you use the backroads, etc. What is the big deal?
Newsflash: There will be no more NY Islanders.. The town has just agreed to a new project with Rangers Owner Jim Dolan on moving the Wolf Pack to Long Island. The Islanders have been voted off and Nassau county welcomes a new project.. “The Call of the Wild” and will build a new arena for Rangers AHL affiliate. Long Island wants to promote a sense of family here and what better way to celebrate by getting those pesky Islanders out of here and bringing in the Rangers minor hockey club. Lets stick together and send the Isles a packin’… (FYI i am not a Blueskirts fan just a displaced… frustrated… Islanders fan)
WalMart comes to town, Main St. decimated. Why worry?
“The other thing that was troubling was that at least one of the board members admitted to never reading the original proposal. How can these clowns claim to be prepared for this meeting when they haven’t even read the proposal and supporting documentation? Isn’t that what they’re getting paid to do?”
Sounds like our leaders in Washington
Suozzi should raise the taxes on Roosevelt Field to make up for the lost revenue if the Lighthouse doesn’t pass. I hate politics and how people decisions are based on how much their palms are greased. Typical NY crap and exactly why its taking so long on the Freedom Tower
Joey Bags (107), I was thinking that earlier. Unless you are on the Isles website every day (and there no really no reason to be with IPB), you would never know the home game is tomorrow. How about a few half page ads in Newsday promoting the game? What about a few commercials when the game was televised last week instead of the ridiculous Comeau and Gervais commercial? It was funny the first and maybe the second time, but it got a bit overplayed.
i have no issue with people asking tough questions, but the fact that many of these questions are so basic reinforces the premise that they purposefully didn’t prepare at all for this meeting. Another example of LI politics at its ‘finest’. Wait, stall, delay, wait, stall, delay … Nobody wants to be the politician that either approves or kills this thing so their only hope is that Wang get pissed off and takes his game elsewhere.
if the islanders move out of nyc i am giving up hockey.
I got some free tickets for tomorrow’s game for just considering buying a flex package. Hey if you want to go tomorrow, give it a shot. I still bought the flex package though. Pretty cool deal, 40 tix use them however you want to use them just call up your rep when you want to go to the game.
Move to Brooklyn or Queens and when they win the Cup they can honk the horn loudly at those Garden city residents. Translation ” Well you didn’t give a damn about us but you can’t stop us from celebrating our Cup win in Garden city”
amen #118
Barclays Center looks great right now….Charles Wang, meet Bruce Ratner.
amen tim q
picture this. we lose the isles. then in 5 years phoenix has to move, and we get a chance to host them at the coliseum for preseason with the hopes that in this one preseason game, (built up for 6 months in KC as the 7th game of the stanley cup finals) we could get a team back, there would not be a seat available for months…. trust me, if you dont think KC has pushed this as their big shot to show Bettman they are ready for hockey you are out of your mind. 10 K is embarrassing. Comparing it to a preseason game on LI when all our fans are pissed off right now is irresponsible….
If you had never stepped foot on Long Island but attended this morning’s session you would have thought that the area had never seen traffic before. And that damn woman who kept complaining about the residual traffic on Long Beach RD. Give me a break. Why is no one complaining about that mess of traffic on the Meadowbrook right by Roosevelt Field?
Even in the 80s with all the cups, the Isles were still considered the other NY team.. It’s time to move closer to the city and get more fans, more access to the arena and more publicity.. Brooklyn, Queens, I don’t care.. either one has to be better than this..
ESPN.com confirms bid by Russian for the Nets….maybe brooklyn is not a bad idea
As D-Day so eloquently stated in Animal House: “It’s over man, Wormer dropped the big one’… this is over, say goodbye to the Isles and the misery of dealing with the bad arena, even worse talent and nightmarish owners since the glory days. Can’t say it is a surprise.
God Bless you CB. I dont know how you do it but thanks for the coverage. First class all the way, and not as boring as I thought. The Botta translation of Wang was great.
the home opener is sold out you cant get tickets for it who cares about an exhibition game.
Soon they’ll be building an arena for the NEts and Islanders in Brighton Beach!
the opener isn’t sold out, at least not according to the website/ticketmaster
Everyone needs to relax. This will get done. It would have been nice if there were more supporters there but hey people have to work (like me) C’mon Charles see this through to the end. We are witnessing the slow death of the republican party in hempstead. In 20 years Nassau will be as democratic as the city - deal with it Murray. Get out of the way of progress!
Who the hell is this Baumbach dude?
132 I agree completely. Even with LH the NYI will still be ignored in Uniondale by the media and no fan support except on weekends. Queens Bklyn is the way to go.
Wang has today avoided answering if he’d commit NYI for 30 years and if he’d put in writing that the Coliseum would be renovated first. That shows you his priority is the real estate and NYI is maybe 5th down the list…..
Wang should give out free tickets to the pre-season game tomorrow night or at least BOGO.
CB - what do you think about that?
PS: the home opener is not close to being sold out, tickets are still available - You have to love that the islanders now have GOLD games…what were they thinking
he asked how tall the buildings are? Did he even look at the plans??
According to the official LH blog the negativity toward the project from the people at the dias has become more cordial and less negative this afternoon. CB is that your impression as well?
I want the Islanders to stay here on Long Island. If Charles wants the same then he should give us a NEW building. An new building will bring the fans back.. I understand he is just going to renovate the old building. We want a new building to play in, not 30 new buildings for housing surrounding the Coliseum…….
I actually did get free tickets to tomrrow night’s game
Marty - They aren’t going to give the NVMC a coat of paint and call it day. There will be major demolition, new seats, new concourses, a new exterior, etc. Once the work is complete it will no longer be the NVMC.
Kansas City is tripping over its own shoelaces tonight
no matter what - the coliseum should be renovated first before anything else takes place. & Wang should commit in writing that he cannot sell the team for a minimum of 25 years.
nystrom23 - how did you get free tickets?
I have a question for EVERYONE. I feel the answer to all our prayers would just be to keep the Isles on Long Island, but just get them the hell out of Nassau, break the lease with SMG and build a Lighthouse in Suffolk, Queens or even Brooklyn. Now my question is why cant the lease with SMG be broken?? Can it not be bought out?? And if not, WHY THE HELL NOT? I believe the ToH and SMG and the politicians all have something going on that is lining their pockets and choking the Islanders UNDER THE TABLE AND ITS BEEN GOING ON FOR LIKE 10-15 YEARS. Its sad, very sad how our Islanders hockey club has been held down and held back in time by SMGs ridiculous lease with the ToH. In my opinion, just on principle alone Charles Wang should just uproot the team and move them to another Long Island locale. I would really like to hear what is the deal with the NVMC LEASE and SMG and if the lease can be broken and if not why???
well he should be able to sell the team but they just shouldn’t be allowed to move, regardless of ownership change
Why should Wang make any commitments to keeping the Isles here? It is HIS money that is going into this project, so he should be able able to do whatever the hell he pleases. God forbid he actually makes money on this deal. Wang has had a lot more patience than I would under these circumstances
CB - Is the posting limit in effect for this?
Somebody has to get control of this Santino character! He is going to start asking Wang what type of granite are they going to use in the offices.
as an islanders fan up hear in Toronto (leafs suck, sorry had to get that out) i would love this project to be built and for the isles to stay on long island. i would hate to see another market that lost a team get one back (Atlanta, Colorado & Minnesota) even though the last one is thriving that is still only a 33% success rate and this is not baseball. When a local sports writer calls Tavares the next Gretzky and Crosby rolled into 1 that shows their level of knowledge of the game. It sounds like this project would be a good one for the city as far as short tem and long term job creation etc. But why would a politician who has a nice job and pension really worry about the people in that area…..unless that is their job or something. Just saying. That’s just my opinion form all the way up here.
I saw Santino at the Lynbrook Train Station handing out fliers about his upcoming elections. When I asked him about the lighthouse project he barked at me that they are working on it. I was very polite and he jumped right down my throat. I am going to show up and vote against him just for that.
Simply Put, This is never going to Happen
The one thing I’ve learned over the last couple days is that there are a lot of people in this group that I would not want fighting next to me in a foxhole.
Bad news! It’s over! Run away! The sky is falling!
I sure as hell hope the Isles’ stay on Long Island, but enough of this crap already.
The Isles’ should have Mr. Met drop the ceremonial first puck at the home opener and announce him as the Isles’ future neighbor.
I was there for the morning session and it went bad for the Lighthouse Group. The Town of Hempstead stone walled the Lighthouse group on the matter of traffic. One Councilman attacked like a bully toward’s the Lighthouse group.It was pathetic. If you have nothing to do tonight…YOU NEED TO GO TO TONIGHT’S SESSION. WE COULD LOSE THE ISLANDERS. IT IS THAT SERIOUS.
#162
We WILL lose the Islanders….
The ticket office sent me the tickets…good seats too in 122 Row G
The entire thing has turned from hopeful to comical. It is such a shame that so much time and effort and money has went into the project and the results seem pretty clear. It sounds like I am giving up because judging by what I have read here today Wang will be FORCED to explore his other options…
Housing Issue = Bigger Concern then traffic…I had no clue that it was going to be that expensive.
I hope more supporters show up for the evening session. Lets go guys! Give them HELL!!!!!
like i said, i can’t make this, but i’ll ghostwrite a speech for anyone willing to get up there and lay down some facts in a verbose and shocking manner…email me
To be fair… being someone who lived in Kansas City… as of now Greinke pitching in Kansas City is about is good as sports in Kansas City gets…
I read alot of people saying that these politicians or people working for these politicians have barked at them in public when they have asked questions concerning the Lighthouse. My response to these people is grow a back bone and stand up for yourselves and stop acting like a puppy that has been abused by it’s owner. If you have to assault these people with your mouth do so and tell them you will not put up with them mouthing off to you. Who the heck do they think they are?
Wang said earlier that he was working with Suozzi and the county concerning the lease. Not sure what can be done but he has said in the past it will cost him less money to buyout the remainder of the lease than it would to keep the team here and lose hos 20 mill per season.
And to those who think there weren’t supporters there this morning, there were. Unfortunately we had to sit through that filibuster effort by Santino asking everything about theoretical numbers and information that are impossible to provide now. Most of the board wasn’t even listening and asked questions that were covered either in the film showed by Wang or mentioned in a previous statement. One guy asked what is ’staggered traffic’. I am not in this business at all and I can venture a guess on that.
This board is made up of idiots. Murray barely opened her mouth except to tell us to stop booing and that the 2 min cap on speaking time doesn’t apply to people with ‘vested interests’. This is my team and my Island, i have vested interests too.
I love these idiots in the press who criticize fans for not showing up at an exhibition game. I live in Jersey. I have a 15-game plan at NVMC. I’m supposed to pay regular season prices for a patchwork line-up playing a mid-week exhibition game? And leave work early to do this?
Hey, Baumbach, maybe I’ll go to Wednesday night’s game if YOU spring for my tickets. No? Then shut up.
Doesn’t sound like a good day on LI. I just wish the Board would finish up tonight and take an up and down vote ASAP so people can finally go on the record.
Ironically, I have a job interview for a position that could be located in KC–and if the Sprint Center sold out tonight, I might not feel too bad about today’s events. However, on the plus side for the Isles, beyond today’s excuses by KC’s hockey promoters, there’s simply no excitement at all for hockey in KC. A few weeks ago, I was visiting the area and asked some sports-minded friends who lived there whether there was any buzz about the Islanders possibly moving there and their response was, “Huh? What are you talking about?”
Brooklyn, here we come.
just build us a new colliseum in the same area like they did with the mets with citifield
The County has the right to condemn the lease. Once that is done, Wang can buy out of the remaining years on the SMG contract. When this was last discussed, back in 2003 I believe, the cost to Wang was approximately $25 million. Suozzi is leary about condemning the lease because without it, there would be nothing in place to keep the Islanders in the NVMC.
i feel like the afternoon was much better then am meetings.
This is outrageous…Everybody here (well most) is complaining about kate murray, the town of hempstead, and the delay of the approval…you all have good reason to be pissed off…ive been an islander fan since birth and ive poured my heart and soul into this franchise because they are MY team…they are OUR team and will always be our team until the final game is played and the papers are signed…do you want to make a difference? On election day go to the polls and vote AGAINST KATE MURRAY and her inept coucil…im not soapboxing politics…im just saying to voice your resentment the only place a fat cow like her could feel it…in the election…even if she wins, it wont be by the usual 70% of the vote…dont just sit here and blog about brooklyn or kc…keep them here by getting rid of kate
Hey if the isles leave the ToH can have their own slogan for NVMC site
“Meet me at the Crack House”
I think I remember reading that when Wang signed the LH agreement with the County there was an out clause if the project was not approved. Wang can walk away for next to nothing if TOH doesn’t give the approval.
These board members seem to be asking the same question which means they arent even paying attention…Wang invested millions and millions and these arrogant jerks wont even giive him his due…Its condescending and a waste of precious time…
I’m a transplanted Long Islander living in Kansas City. I’ve been looking forward to tonight’s game all summer. It’s a way for me to kick off the season before I have to watch games on SlingBox or whenever I’m visiting family back in NY. After seeing K.O. (who is on the billboards around town to promote the game) get hurt, I was pissed to not see him. Now I hear Tavares isn’t playing. Then I come to PointBlank, read this post, and with only 2 hours before I go to the game, I’m completely bummed.
Hopefully, I can forget about all this garbage once at the game and have a good time - maybe I can boo Ryan Smyth (if playing tonight for L.A.) and it will make me smile, but what will really make me happy is to know that when I move back to Long Island, my favorite team will still be there, and not trading places with me.
BR.. Don’t get me wrong, I want the Islanders to stay! Think about it.. every one is bashing TOH and Kate Murray, but again, put the money into a new building and maybe a sports complex and maybe one hotel and some resturants… If Charles is interested in our Islanders, then do the right thing for the Islanders. He is trying to tell the people that this is going to save Long Island !!!! Are you kidding me? Take a look at all the new housing developments that now empty on Front Street. Seriously do we want all these tall buildings going up here on Long Island? Something like 30 buildings, two of the buildings are going to be more than twice the size of the medical center, which you can see from both Queens and Suffolk County. Do you know what came out in the meeting this afternoon? $2,300.00 for a student rental… $500,000.00 for a 1 bedroom rental…. Come on guys we can not afford to live here, it is not politics keeping this from happening, it is Charles. I think TOH would go with Charles and his new development if he would just tone it down. He is trying to tell us that this is for OUR Islanders… Is it? or is it for his realestate deals? Lets Go Islanders !!!
MeetMe in brooklyn
just build a brand new colliseum. Lets go islanders
Thanks so much for the coverage, CB!
Much appreciated!
hey CB, meet me in Queens!
CB: Are you still sane after a long day at the Lighthouse zoning hearing???
I have not read the other posts since there are 184 but what other options on LI do the Islanders have? Suffolk?
cu in brooklyn
17 buildings, each at least 7 or 8 stories tall, & the only official traffic improvement mentioned today is an improved intersection at Meadowbrook & Hemp. TPK. I don’t think this looks too promising.
I guess Baumbach wants the Islanders to move.
Meet me in Westchester! Then I won’t have to travel as far for games… though Queens or Brooklyn is preferable to not in NY.
“Vested interests?” That’s funny. Or creative, I guess. Nice that Kate has a name for her preferential treatment of today’s speakers.
And the reason the afternoon session appeared more cordial is simple: GC residents had to get home for their afternoon naps.
why does wang want such a big project just renovate the coliseum and we all happy
CB, thanks for coverage.
You’re doing awesome job !
why dont they just renovate or knock down the coliseum and build a new one?
#192 me and u have the same point y does this project have to be so complicated just build a new one or renovate it
#192 and those who agree with him, have you guys been living in a cave for the last 2 years? Ohterwise you would know why that can’t be done. Give your heads a shake
Since most of us can’t vote in the TOH the only thing we can threaten is that if the Isles leave I will never spend one cent in Nassau county again.
#192 & #195: Because Wang doesn’t own the Coliseum. The county does. Why would he pump money into renovating or rebuilding a place he doesn’t own out of his own pocket when he wouldn’t see a dime in return for it?
#198 then what can wang do to keep the isles on long island if the lighthouse isn’t approved?
What a pathetic political circus.
@199 Hello Queens.
Can we get names of all the board members posted?
The future is now: http://www.thearenadistrict.com The late local hero Mr. John H McConnel RIP built this district and it will be part of his legacy. When they showed him on the Jumbotron when he came to games the crowd would cheer. How many owners get that. The man revitalized a dead area in the city, starting with a hockey team. Say hello to the Light House LI. Welcome to the 21st Century. Demolish NMVC is a must in favor of a new arena. Don’t cheap out on the ISLES! GO ISLES!
I am at a loss.
Everyone SAYS they care about the Isles staying, yet EVERY person I have texted or phoned has made an excuse as to why they can’t go tonight.
What’s the deal??
People need to put up or shut up.
If you REALLY care about the Islanders and whether they stay or go, then there should be NOTHING that keeps you away tonight, except a wake or illness.
I’ll be there at 7pm. Will YOU ?
It baffles me as to why they are fighting this. The question shouldn’t be “why should we do it?” it should be “how can we make this happen”
If I was on long island I would have been there all day. I at least sent an email to TOH to show my support of the lighthouse project. I’ll let my voice be heard from the other side of the country no matter what. Let’s build this thing already.
This whole mess summed up perfectly by Joe Conte. Thanks for passing that along, CB. Great line.
Anyone who is oppossing or slowing down this project needs to be voted out of office.
I am a season ticket holder in 102. One thing is clear, Wang doesn’t want oR need this team. It was the key to the property. He won’t move the team because building rights and property this size won’t come with any other deal. Sorry but its that simple. No brooklyn no queens no nothing. Wake up. We can only hope he takes care of the team if he gets his deal.
#189 - You’re way off about the traffic improvement. Yes one was working on the exit and ramps at Hempstead and the Meadowbrook. But they also mentioned an additional lane on the Meadowbrook Southbound from Hempstead Tpke to the Southern State and an improved/more efficient Northbound entrance onto the Meadowbrook from the South State Pkwy.
Plus, can anyone else that was at the morning session clarify for me that there was mention of adding lanes to Hempstead Turnpike.
Tone the project down already. They ALL know that’s part of the process. C’mon, a minor league ball stadium. The Isles have enough trouble drawing fans. Let’s not create more competition for the entertainment dollar.
I’m an Isles fan even though long gone from area, if Isles move why can’t I still love my team?
Nevr got to the Col. nephew did he got to see all the banners.
Wasn’t it that contract with concession firm that killed the Isles pretty much and those past owners were bozos WHO THE HELL FIRED BILL TORREY?
Isles, I love the team.
New York area’s demographics just may not be able to support two NHL franchises. Times have changed. Soccer, yes, baseball yes but hockey? Probably not.
I think Mr Wang tried hard but was up against it.
I thought you might like this
If we’d stop trying to be happy we could have a pretty good time.