NEWSDAY: Wang Source - Project Not Abandoned
My take: the LDC could not have played this worse
12:50 am - Newsday writes that according to a source close to Charles Wang - “not the developer himself” - the Lighthouse Project has not been abandoned.
Assuming the source is reliable, it took the Lighthouse Development Corp. more than six hours to respond to a report that they were closing up shop. Even when they did respond, it was via a source who would only confirm the project has not been abandoned. Like all reporters trying to get the story right, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi also claimed he could not get Wang or any of his representatives on the phone to clarify the situation.
By their actions, the Lighthouse Development Corp. gives the impression that they liked having the story out there. Whether that’s true or not, I give the LDC and the New York Islanders a big thumbs down for how they have handled this so far.
Lighthouse executives readily available when they have had agendas to push disappeared. Islanders fans were left twisting in the wind all night, and still do not have solid answers. That’s not how you treat your fan base, especially when it has been so supportive of every real estate move for a decade while the hockey team wins nothing.
Nevertheless, while Wang and his executives stayed silent as Islanders Country freaked out waiting for answers, many fans continued to profess their undying loyalty to the Islanders owner and the project. Many fans appear to be cranked up again - ready to call the Town of Hempstead, ready to make up the more than 40,000 votes Kristen McElroy will need to defeat Kate Murray on Election Day. (Good luck).
You’ll have to forgive me. For the way the LDC chose to go dark with the residents and fans through the media - in the case of this site, a place that has been a proponent in over 100 articles over the last year - I’m just not feeling it right now.
93 Responses to “NEWSDAY: Wang Source - Project Not Abandoned
My take: the LDC could not have played this worse”
Please Wait
This team better start winning soon. I dont know how much more of this I can take.
This all sucks, but I think it’s about time Wang really starts playing hardball. He may not know how to run a hockey team, but Wang has handled the whole arena/team moving thing with class and dignity. But it’s not working. Fans are way too complacent regarding this whole situation. It’s about time people are reminded just how real a possibility the Islanders moving away is, and this is the type of b.s. that will accomplish this.
well at least i can go to bed now knowing they arent as good as gone yet. This stuff better work itself out. I cant live without hockey on LI!!
i agree. this was a bluff that was pointless and really poorly thought out. i don’t see how this helps their cause. all they did was piss people off.
I understand where your coming from in the fact that pretty much they left the die hard islanders fans out to think they were bailing on the Lighthouse, however being a die hard fan myself, I was hardly worried. It would make no sense for them to bail after the article in Newsday today showed support (51%) for the Lighthouse. I am worried that Wang may pull out of the Lighthouse deal in the future and I really just need them to pass this thing so I can feel like I can breathe again and stop worrying about the Islanders moving… there is enough to worry about like maybeee winning some games.
The best Newsday could get was an unnamed source saying the opposite plus everyone important under the sun saying they can’t get an answer either way on whats happening - I dunno, I hear a fat lady.
Luckily, since I’m always wrong about everything, this fat lady I’m hallucinating is potentially not the worst news in the world.
I wonder if Wang watched that documentary last night on ESPN and decided to see if he could stir up some of the craziness that the Colts did when moving trucks were spotted in the facilities. Hell if it does get fans riled up and gets Murray booted out of office then I won’t care if he caused some panic. Doubt it will work though.
I hate politics and all these plays being made. I want someone to organize and just put a loud group in motion to make some serious noise and force things in our direction. That being keeping the Islanders here where they belong. If anyone is setting up anything, or even has any procedures that I should follow that could actually make a difference please contact me.
Chris i agree that the way LDC handled this was very hard on Islanders fans but it’s what must be done. Charles Wang is a successful businessmen first and foremost and owning the Islanders has been one failed year after another. For someone who has accomplished so much, the delays by the town and games played by the board have pushed a developer over the edge. Kate Murray has never planned on approving this project and this most likely will not change. Look at The Town of Islip and the Heartland development project. The development here is very similar to the Lighthouse projects but one huge difference!!!! The town government including Supervisor Nolan has been a willing participant throughout the whole project. Yes, he does have concessions that need to be met but these were made early on in the process as he SAT DOWN AND SPOKE WITH THE DEVELOPER, something Kate Murray has stated as “inappropriate.” I find this fact funny because after the deadline passed, Kate was ready to sit and talk. Regardless, Islanders fans need to know that the LIghthouse Development Project is our only option. Brooklyn and Queens are pipe dreams. Both require a lot of concessions on Wang’s park aside from selling the team.
So while all of these folks were running to wang, no one ran to rechler and asked him what was up?
You know..it *is* a two person collaboration
If it is pr ploy to show to the TOH just how demoralizing it would be for LI to lose the isles, chalk this as a win
Some folks *cough * may hate such tactics, but its time to take the kid gloves off and really take a stand on this issue.
And if the negotiations are still ongoing, of course hes not going to come out and be all wax poetic about the LH project. hes going up against a shark in Murray who will use every buttery word he has against him - show him to be too “weak” to pull the trigger on a move. He has got to show hes got leverage
This is politics folks..and it had to happen.
Period
cheer up chris… you’re so uppity lately. it’s sports. it’s real estate. it’s politics. throw in a sex scandal and it would be agreat movie.
I don’t know why I get so out of my mind with all of this???!!!
I have defended Wang and the LHP every step of the way whenever a friend (read Ranger fan) has challenged me about the current ownership and fraile existence of a team. I will continue to do so.
I believe in Charles Wang… and the notion that he wants to do what is “right” by the NY Islanders and it’s fans!!!
DOC
Charles Wang needs to either call a press conference or address someone in the media this morning or this afternoon to clear the air. He is the owner of this franchise and the buck stops with him !!!
When he was CEO at Computer Associates from what I understand he was not always open to the press. But as an owner of an NHL Franchise he is obligated to those that spend money on seeing the Islanders at the Coliseum and those that are fans of the Islanders who not only buy tickets but spend money on merchandise or pay money to watch the team on televison. THOSE PEOPLE ARE HIS VIRTUAL STOCKHOLDERS !!!! We have supported his plans for the Lighthouse Project in large numbers. Charles we understand if you walk away from this. You’ve been treated badly by the TOH and you deserve much better. But if you don’t come out and tell us if the project is dead or not…some will start to think that those that supported you are being used. We have given you loyality…we are only asking for a response. You have an obligation to those that support you.
Count me as one who wasn’t very worried by the lack of response. In fact, in reading a few of the other boards…I see alot of people getting more and more serious about what becomes of Nassau County and Long Island without the Islanders. We all need a wake up call…we don’t need Charles and his group to keep telling us that everything is going to be just fine and the project will prevail. We need a scare put into all of us. Let’s talk about what becomes of the “Colosseum” and that sea of cracking concrete without the Lighthouse and the Isles. If this is a scare tactic…or just a false report that the Lighthouse group decided to let loose and shut their cell phones off…I’m fine with it. It’s time for people to get pissed.
Really… How many Islander fans were left twisting in the wind for a few hours tonight??? 11,000 fans on the Isles 2nd home game?? Stick a fork in us. No one really cares. Which is a shame for the die hard fans.
Chris, I respectfully disagree. Even though I’m a huge fan, and was obviously nervous, now is the time to light the fireworks. With a month to go before the elections (I’m not saying Murray will lose, just that different things are said and done right BEFORE an election versus AFTER an election), everyone needs to get a little heated.
We have a much better chance of this project coming to fruition in the next month than we do if Murray gets re-elected (which most likely will happen) and can be as complacent as she wants and has been.
Things need to start happening, hard and fast, to let everyone, not just Isles fans, that this is will be a M A J O R loss here on Long Island without the Coliseums primary and only regular tenant, our Isles.
I am 24 years old, and the Lighthouse project, and what it stands for is very important and exciting to me. I am not naive about the concerns, but realistically, this Island is headed for grim future, and a brutal reality check, if this can’t get done.
When threatened, creatures around the globe do what they have to do to survive.
We, as Long Islanders, are in high alert, close to losing a project that will walk our hands into the next era of “smart” development, and of course, our Isles.
No more waiting around, no more kid gloves, and no excuses…
DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO.
Its over now, time to root for another team not named Rangers. “Jump..Jump goes the Isles fan” I love this team and am sick and tired of being sick and tired.
Yet ANOTHER bad job by Wang (and LDC) by not responding sooner or planting the “story”. The biggest bad job is Wang is owner of the worst team in the NHL that can’t even be heard on radio.
Yet still clueless types defend him as the ONLY savior who does no wrong and his failures needed to be done. What a crock. The biggest project on LI is going to be trusted with this guy? That’s the pipe dream.
Wang, you’re right. You’ve endured enough. Sarcasm off. Move or sell the team to QUEENS/BKLYN. LI doesn’t need or want you. Stick it in TOH’s face. Now, who’s playing who?
Hey DOC and Tim and countless others, I’ve got a bridge in Brooklyn and swamp land in Fla. to sell you!!!!
CB: This post sounds very much like it’s coming from someone with an axe to grind. First, the Isles would have been long gone if not for Mr. Wang. While I’m not a fan of his hockey decisions, I am a fan of someone who puts their money where their mouth is and has kept the team afloat. Second, TOH has not played fair with the project and even if this was a stunt to put pressure on TOH, I have no problem with that. I love the old barn once I’m in my seat, but the facility is a disgrace. Can you imagine another NHL venue that has port-a-potties? As a TOH resident, I’m embarrassed by this facility.
while I agree that it would be nice to get a response from the LH group about this, I dont agree with the rest of the idea that they are doing something horrible by not giving us every detail of what is going on. This was an article by the LI PRess for goodness sake… and its based on nothing but an anonymous source no less. A few hours later, another anonymous source says the opposite for Newsday. So, that just leaves us exactly where we were yesterday… no better, but certainly no worse.
jeff 18 - NYI left a long time ago. What’s left is an unreasonable facsimile run like an AHL team. Run by someone who doesn’t care about you or NYI just real estate.
I give up, the lighthouse is dead or will be soon. move this team, move them to Queens or to Canada where there will fill the stadium regardless. Sorry Isle fans, but we just dont have enough fans that show up. Yes we have been losers for a LONG time so that will affect things, but fact is this team doesnt fill the seats. I just hope they stay in NY.
it’s time to leave. fans don’t care. those that pretend to be fans are mostly angry annoying depressive people. i love the team and appreciate wang saving them and losing all that money but you guys seriously don’t deserve a team.
TM if he didnt care about this team, the fans or the team then we wouldnt be here.
22 - We’re not really here. Some AHL franchise impersonating NYI is.
How can you blame LDC????? Theyve done EVERYTHING while Nassau, the ToH and Kate Murray have done ZERO except play games. Move the Isles to Queens…what is wrong with that????
I didnt believe it in the LI Free Press, which is a paper given out at supermarkets, i think
CB i understand that the LDC didn’t squash this right away but what should they have done? A article was posted on a paper that barely anyone knew about & wouldn’t have if it wasnt up on their website. This was the same day that Newsday (who hasnt been prolighthouse by any means) puts up a pro LH article in their paper and Wang goes to this little paper and say “tell them the LHP is dead!”
51% of LIers are for this and i am sure that 23% that dont care or dont know can be convinced. This looks bad for the ToH and Wang then goofs it up by telling LI Free Press to run this. Makes no sense. Zero to me. I respectively disagree
Even though Kristen probably wont win the closer she gets to defeating Kate the quicker the LH gets done.
She knows that a competitor that barely has campaigned against her does decently, then what happens with one that doesn’t get pregnant and has the time and resources?
I support wang whole heartedly and could only wish that he gets so frustrated that he calls it all off and tells TOH to kiss his grits. Openly state in a press conference that you have tried to get any form of dialogue for 7 years. State that murray has openly stated that she will NOT negotiate with developers so why start now? Tell them your not made of money. You never asked for public money to do this. If they don’t want your capital improvements - then tak your money elsewhere. Other viable municipalities like queens want you with open arms. Go where you are wanted. Walk away and let them figure out how they will live without you and the NYI. Enough is enough. The fans will follow you to queens. The ones that don’t were never fans. Queens is a big place - you may even win some new fans with a winning team. I close this by saying that I am a hempstead redident who will speak on election day with my vote. I strongly suggest you all do the same.
Games….games…and more games.. In the press that is.
If you ask me Charles Wang is the one to blame for one big reason. He didn’t want this to be a political thing when Sen D’Amato approached him years ago. If he would have lined the pockets of a few key people we would already have a new arena and a lot of the other development already finished. Not to mention that the cost of lining pockets is a lot less than 20mil per year. He had the chance to get Sen Al’s brother in the mix and that dude is a player!! Kate Murray would be at the Lighthouse Arena on Town of Hempstead night with a fresh hairdo, bikini wax (must be a jungle down there) and a big smile as she marches to re-election with no headaches and hugs for Charles.
This is all a bunch of BS. Believe me when I say that sportswise I live and die Islander blue. However, since I am a nobody who can only sign petitions I will just abadon the NHL if they leave the NY area. I’m already leaving LI if the LH project goes bust.
Its up to the hockey gods, political gods, and whatever gods the Wang’s believe in to determine what’s going to happen.
I’m just going to watch my team and root for them just like I have been since 1974 (too you to root for them their first two years).
I respectfully disagree with you (probably for the first time). I am very much a supporter of the Islanders, the project, and this site, but I did not feel that I was twisting in the wind. This is all about political gamesmanship, and six hours of “radio silence” is not so extraordinary, even in this day and age of immediacy and instant access. Thus, I do not agree that you, personally, should feel slighted by having to wait so long for a response. That being said, you and this site remain perhaps the most important vehicle and voice of the people to move this along, and I continue to applaud your efforts.
After thinking about it throughout the night, I’m still not sure where I stand. I can’t blame anyone for feeling the way CB feels and describes and I can’t blame anyone for feeling like Wang needs to take off the gloves and fight dirty.
The entire thing is disgusting and it depresses me that a project like this can’t get done.
I really hope Long Island wakes up and shows up to the polls to vote for Kristen McElroy. That to me would be the greatest victory I would have witnessed.
I understand where cb is coming frpm. The fact is that wang has lost and the lighthouse is not going to happen. I mentioned before that this is his first difficult step toward disassociating with long island. That we cannot let happen. Our appeals to those halfwits in hempstead have fallen on deaf ears. Now we need to organize to make charles hear us and make queens work…
Think it’s time for Charles to move on and I agree with him. Let’s hope the Russian guy who just bought the Nets buys the Isles and moves them into the Barclays Center.
You guys want to get a lighthouse? Be careful what you ask for. Imagine Wang owning this team another 25 years. It’s basically the rest of our lives watching him ruin a once proud franchise with lowest paid coaches (check the last 5 coaches) lowest paid teams (check 6 of wangs 9 islander teams). No thanks I’d take my chances w a new owner n hope he is normal n hope he stays. I can’t take 25 more Wang years. What if wangs lighthouse comes in over budget and forces him to continue with lowest payroll bs?
Zzzzzzzzzz….someone wake me when this is over. Ridiculous.
IF this is just a game - its sad - because Charles Wang was the one crying that he wanted the games to stop - if he is starting to play games too - get ready fans - your emotions are going to be toyed with over the next month or so - sad!
What I don’t understand is how people in the TOH could be opposed to new housing/development and jobs provided from the LHP. People need to think more about the future of the economy and such on LI. The LHP was created in an effort to increase revenue and create many more jobs, especially for those who may have lost their’s recently due to the state of crappiness our nation is in (and with no near future of it ending soon…). Kate Murray, in my opinion, was playing this out long enough for Mr. Wang to finally throw in the towel. If people weren’t so thick headed, maybe this project would’ve been underway already. People look way too much for “short term” economic solutions (bandaids) rather than look into the long term answers. The LHP IS a long term solution and when Newday reported that 51% of the people asked supported the project, that is telling you something TOH. Get your act together and do something for us.
Vote for McElroy
Who exactly is this LI Press? Is it really some raggy supermarket tabloid? Having grown up here and had a mother working in the news business, I’ve never heard of it and I can’t imagine it has any credibility. I’m looking at their story now, and it includes the word “Twitterverse.” Come on….
Why is this causing such a stir, such a tiny media voice? It’s like someone calling in a hot tip to Merrick Life or the Wantagh/Seaford Citizen. It may be a bad ploy by Wang & Co., or maybe work by a rogue insider, but this doesn’t seem to be part of their usual calculated strategy.
The nightmare continues. All this Lighthouse, Wang, TOH bickering and posturing is trite and boring. All the blunders that this organization has made makes me want to wretch. Sell the team to someone who cares about hockey and that will produce an exciting team to watch, not a team of AHL’ers, some crusty veterans and a smattering of potential talents.
I hope the lighthouse fails. I will take my chances that the next owner hires proven profesionals to run the hockey team and spends some money on good players and good coaches
I don’t blame LDC for putting up a smokescreen because they need to do whatever they can to get ToH to respond.
I think what Botta was trying to say was that the fans were used and abused with this. Again. It’s amazing how so many don’t even seem to mind as if they’re numb to being used as pawns. Or never knew to begin with. But to defend it shows how desperate some are. We deserve better.
38 - Me too. Ditto.
TOH made their decision on the LHP many years ago and nothing Charles does is going to change it. Last night was just another step in the inevitible process of the Isles leaving Nassau County. The Isles have been in a dead tailspin for many years and the plane is about to hit the ground. Queens/Brooklyn are slowly becoming the best last hope of the Isles in the NY Metro area.
The Devils are starting to look better and better to me.
I agree with CB on this. Bad move, and they run the risk of a large number of fans becoming apathetic to the cause. If its a ploy to erode support for Murray in the upcoming election its a bad one IMO.
Always Believe!!
Let There Be Lighthouse!!
I really just want an answer either way. Enough with the charades. I already know MY options: if they stay in the area I continue as a fan, if they move out of the area then I (albeit begrudgingly) follow one of the other local teams.
“Like all reporters trying to get the story right, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi..”
i would take some exception with this premise. not only do some reporters not try to get the story right, sometimes the story is not gotten at all. as in the LH story for the most part.
also, the LH/Isles’ silence after the ’story’ broke may speak volumes in itself. it is just possible the impetus to get it done has waned or is waning, for reasons we’re not privy to. it is possible.
I am getting depressed about the current state of affairs with this team. A resolution MUST COME SOON! Just don’t move out of the metro area… If the this team moves outside of NY METRO, I will never forgive Wang/Murray/Bettman anybody in the NHL. I will never watch the NHL again! I don’t care if this team goes 0-82-0 they are my team!
@eastonhockey
Find me a potential owner that can sustain $8 - 10 Million dollars in losses per year for the next 6 years, then has extra money to go after free agents and spend $56M, and, oh ya, an additional $400 million to redo the Coliseaum. The reason for the whole LHP is to make money, of course. This is a capitalist economy and the owner SHOULD be looking to make a buck, no. The way the Islanders and the lease at the NVMC is set up right now, no owner will ever come in and make money.
Chris - I like your writing and usually repsect your opinion quite a bit, but your negative, almost sarcastic tone about Mcelroy’s chances bothers me.
Your essentially telling anyone who is a resident of TOH that their vote is worthless so don’t bother showing up. Do you think your helping or hurting our chances by doing this? Quitting doesn’t look good here.
I like your blog but we are in the fight of our lives for the team that I have rooted for since day one. Lets get behind McElroy - it may be our only chance.
Ridiculous. I watched three great hockey games last night (NYR v LA, Edm v Chi, Ana v Min), and the focus was all on the game played on the ice. The frustrations were over referee calls, the excitement was over goals, etc…you know, the way it should be with a hockey team. Meanwhile, not only do we have a winless team, but then this story breaks last night…added to Wang’s killjoy presser before the (of all games!) home opener. As I said last night, when did this team become such a circus?? All we’ll get is a ton more finger pointing now as this all drags on…this team should be humbled that so many people still care about it after its mid-90s-on history on the ice, and should treat the fans - who have acted like Wang’s personal Lighthouse army - with a lot more open honesty and respect. This comment is probably a bit reactionary and not well thought out.
please isn’t it obvious why this was enavedable. by shutting this down, Charles Wang is going to save millions. it is the same reason why they cut the radio division and there amazing fan site Point Blank. nothing is going to get down with Kate Murray in office so there no reason to employ & promote the LHP for the next 6 years
if this is political posturing, it is a very odd time to do it. even though kate murray has been dragging her feet, there’s no way anyone on the TOH town board can vote for zoning the largest development in decades when it is only 3 weeks away from an election. this project isn’t going to move until after we know on election day that the same people siting on the board today will be the same people sitting there in mid-november.
This is ridiculous.
How many people voted when Kate Murray won the election, and how many were for her? If memory serves me correctly, McElroy CAN get enough support behind her IF everyone works together to make it happen. Send mailings to the season ticket base including a letter from McElroy reiterating her support for the Lighthouse and that she’ll sign-off on it quickly. Have her and her support team campaign outside the Coliseum and surrounding areas spreading the word. Put full-page ads in the local papers and frequently-visited websites including this one. Wang would probably pay for the ads or at least make a donation to McElroy’s campaign to cover the costs.
I also agree with CB that Wang should make a statement putting the pressure back on Murray and/or the voters.
Could not agree with you more. Poor way of handling this and its the Islander fans that are the ones who are suffering…
PotvinrocKs #51….I really think you nailed it right on the head!!! And add the galvanizing of public opinion and pressure on the TofH based on a non-story that wasn’t a lighthouse creation. Thus the long silence.
I dont know about the rest of you but as die hard as I am I just cant seem to take much more of this. I will never turn my back on this team or franchise but I am really being worn down. Like it or not….fans live and die with their teams and Wang needs some sensitivity and owes us some words as to what is going on. He can simply say that I am sticking to my word and will not let this play out in the press but this article has no merit. We are still talking and I wont say any more than that. Thats all we need to hear. Im dying inside right now. Once again I saw Santino at the Center Ave train station this morning. I truly believe that he is enjoying this and that 50% is personal vandetta/dislike of Wang and 50% is business/political bs. Once again he was shaking hands and garnering votes with that fake fat smile. It pains me to see signs touting Murray and him littering my area. On lawns, billboards, the sides of stores etc… Not one mention of McElroy or anyone else for that matter to sway votes. What gives????? I just dont see these 2 being voted out. Santino was adamant and heated with me this morning once again that the Lighthouse will not be built. He wants nothing to do with a minor city. He said if Charles is willing to talk again and cut this down by 30% or more they will listen. If not, he will not approve period. He stated that Wang is acting like a teenager - angry and defiant that he is not getting his way and they will not bend. He said that he is using the isles and they dont care. He stated that this is all to be blamed on Suozzi - he held the project for 5 years and now wants TOH to push this all through in 18 mo. Again he said not gonna happen. The final stab in my gut came when he said that he doesnt care about the Isles. I believe the joke he said was the puck stops with him and he really couldnt care if they left - he wont allow Charles to use a team to persuade them and they can renovate the land without sports attached to it with no problem. Something will get done with or without them. I believe that there is already a plan in place and they are justing biding time until this dies out and Wang moves on. Than in a matter of months we will hear about the mega outlet center to be called: Outlets at The Tanger Lighthouse. GC residents proclaim their undying love of this wonderful project. GC Press quotes residents as saying this wont cause traffic. Who can really afford to shop on the isles but us anyway?? Mark my word…this is what will happen in the end and you heard it here first. No isles - just a mega outlet center with convention center attached.
After all the hoopla, there was no way a “source” from the LI Free Press would be the ones to break such a major news event like Wang abandoning the LH project. No way.
With that said, it really sucks that 4 games into our season, things are so bad here. Who would have thought it after the drafting of John Tavares a few months ago?
As others have mentioned, it is very hard watching other games (NYR v. LA, etc) and seeing teams give 100% efforts and have the only cares be about the game itself. Watching other teams make moves, fill holes and become better hockey teams.
And it’s such a shame that the future of our once proud franchise is now being dragged around and stepped on in the political arena.
I love hockey and the Isles but not sure how much more this nonsense I can take!
I disagree with you, Chris. I had a feeling this was a ploy to cause pressure from supporters and fans on the ToH. He has been given no choice but to play games. Its Murrays games that Wang is forced to play.
Seriously! As an Islander fan we have been asked to endure 17 years without a real playoff run. Our team plays in a dump in one of the wealthiest counties in America. Our owner abuses and uses us! The TOH could give a rats you know what about the popular opinion or Islander fans. No press coverage, no radio, the team tried to pull the plug on our best blog for news. We are an AHL team with an AHL coach with a GM who was our goaltender. Our once franchise goaltender is in hiding in Siberia. We have no goal song, no enforcer, sky high ticket prices and an uncertain future! Has any fan base in the history of sports been asked to endure more?? Oh yeah, and a totally rebuilt ( in 1 year!) Ranger team is right now the best team in Hockey!! Can this nightmare ever end?? Please help us! Somebody, anybody!!!
ok I am going to bring this up again. Wang needs to consider suffolk county in the old pilgrim state grounds. This came up in Newsday in 2005 or 06 before the lighthouse stuff got going. Here are the main reasons why Suffolk needs to be seriously considered.
1. Wang has adamantly stated that he wants the team to stay in LI.
2. All the ground work on the lighthouse could be transferred to suffolk and the town of islip for review. So that is already done and out of the way.
3. Wang would get a brand new arena with all the bells and whistles not a refurbished one that was in the LH plan
4. That new Gigantic Tanger Mall In Deer Park was just built in 2008 and that can be tied into the new arena so you have shops and resteraunts already there and they are new. Also throw in the businesses that would be in the arenas backyard. The heartland industrial park, the islip courthouse and Mcarthur airport there is plenty of support already in place.
5. Access to the arena and shops would actually be easier (if you can believe) than the what we have now. The arena would sit right between the LIE exit 53 and the Southern State pkwy exit onto the Sagtikos. Also the LIRR ronkokoma line runs right through there with stops at Deer Park, Central Islip and Ronkonkoma.
6. This would be a better opportunity to build affordable housing for our young people to live and work and keep our talent here on LI. If you havent noticed LI is losing alot of young workers due to housing costs.
So I would like to see what everyone thinks about this and start to push suffolk and Islip to get this done. Lets go Islanders
All this because “greasy palms” D’Amato couldn’t get his brother Fredo on the project. And it’s not the first time he wet his beak in the neighborhood- somehow the old Roosevelt Raceway was allowed to die on the vine and 4 developers allowed to step in to cash out on the deveolpment. Many horsemen lost their livelihoods. D’Amato was behind that coup.
How do i go about supporting and helping Kristen McElroys run for Supervisor?
Murray’s facebook page linked the LIPress article at 6:57pm yesterday. Aside from a link to McElroy’s facebook page, her last link was Aug 29th about a bicycle guard rail. She must be so excited about driving sports out of Hempstead.
First, Hempstead loses the Jets spring training camp to Cortland NY. Now the Isles may be heading to Willets Point - chop shop city. What a reputation ToH is building for itself.
Murray’s campaign email: KateMurraySup at aol.com (where you can request bumper stickers and lawn signs?!)
“2. All the ground work on the lighthouse could be transferred to suffolk and the town of islip for review. So that is already done and out of the way.”
You can’t possibly believe that.
CB, I’m surprised that you would think this is a bad move by LDC. Then again, given the tone of PB lately, it’s hardly out of context.
Apathy. I just don’t care anymore about the LHP. Like you said CB when Charles B. wang needs the fans he’s ‘Johnny on the spot’…as long he can manipulate Islander fans, he will. The LDC, THE main Developer NOT a source should have been on there to squalch this story asap.
Perhaps the story IS true. Who knows?
What the heck is Charles thinking? This is an amateurish way to try to exert leverage on TOH………if that was indeed what was being done. Guys like Paul Lancey would be available at the drop of a dime if it would advance the LH project — now they go radio silent when a rumor comes out about “Lights Out” at the Lighthouse” ?
I just get the sense that the money is not there. He cannot get financing. Murray the Ranger Fan should approve the LH and call Charlie’s bluff. Its getting to the point for some of us 36 year or so long Isles fans are getting numb to the whole experience. Wake me up before you Go Go…….. We deserve better than this.
Well this story didn’t make today’s Newsday….so how many people really know the story existed? I’m NOT interested in the team being moved to Brooklyn or Queens…why should I work all day on Long Island and then have to commute to a game and then back home after it? That’s going to add more hours to my day..I like my 15 minute ride to and from the Coliseum. Driving to and from Queens or Brooklyn for a 7pm game would be a nightmare. Let’s hope that Politicians and The Islanders Owner Mr. Wang can come to some sort of middle road where we keep the only professional sports team on this Long Island and the Politicians show support for the labor unions and get them some LOCAL work so they don’t have to leave LI to find jobs to support their families and pay their local LI taxes and other numerous costs of living here. I’m all for someone making a profit…if someone makes a profit that usually means that someone else is working to make that profit…jobs are good for stability. Mr. Wang isn’t going to turn a profit for another 10 years so I think he shows dedication to his home here on LI….Mr. Souzzi is a young man who wants to stay here on LI too….and his job isn’t as secure as some of our jobs…but he is working hard to get things done for the future of LI too..not that he’ll go unemployed long if he were to lose an election-he has done some good work for Nassau County…I’m not sure that Kate Murray is going to find work if this project fails to come to fruition…she might get work cutting the weeds that grow up from the concrete in Mitchell field-that’s a county job….but more importantly we should all be watching the Sharks/Caps tonight to scout the Islanders next opponent…and then please show your support for hockey by attending the game Saturday night. I know not everyone can be a season ticket holder even with the incredible savings the Islanders do offer you to be one…but please come to the games and cheer your team on…there are still Long Island people working at the Coliseum that need your support! Don’t abandon what is there…only 30 cities across North America have NHL hockey..so don’t stop supporting what you have. The NHL cannot afford to lose a franchise in NY…if they think Phoenix is a viable place for NHL hockey and stopped that team’s sale and impending move…which would solve all their problems..do you really think the NHL would let the Islanders walk away from this area?
The third to last paragraph, the one that starts “Lighthouse executives. . .,” perfectly states my feelings about this entire mess. Whatever the ultimate fate of the Lighthouse is, Wang doesn’t even come close to this without the Islander fans.
The party’s pver, folks. We were fooling ourselves to think that this was ever going to happen. Best case now is keep the Isles in the NY area. Worst case is we can swap stories with old Hartford fans at Bridgeport games.
CB, I think they are doing a great PR job. We all know where Wang stands, and the Long Island Press is not exactly the NY Times. This is a wake up call that we are very close to losing the Islanders for good. WAKE UP folks, and vote Murray out!!! Also, Post #19, do you know any other owner who would stand for losing $20 million a year? Of course the real estate was part of the deal, and it should be. Mr Wang does care, but he is a business man too, trying to help Long Island while making a profit. This is America, not Cuba. He also has done great work with the Smile Train and donating money to SUNY Stony Brook. Why should he increase payroll with no way to stop his yearly losses?
Two notes to Mr. Wang: 1- I will not consider buying tickets this season until your team wins at least 2 games in a row. 2- If you’ve gotten so frustrated by “the process” that you are considering giving up, then you should sell the team. This is not a time for half-heartedness.
The Long Island Press isn’t the Times. You’re right.
It is also not Newsday, which has taken a lot of cash advertising this project. Who has interests here?
Let’s be realistic. There is probably a lot of truth to this, and now there is some serious damage control to be done for everyone involved. It’s an election year, too. Too much damage can be done if this thing falls apart.
Chris is right on his points.
Meanwhile, we await some response, just like Newsday is.
Post # 58
I live 3 miles from the Proposed Heartland Site (Pilgrim) in Brentwood. I worked for a civic association around the time that it was first proposed in 2002-2003 to 2007. It would be a great idea but…..
Jerry Wolkoff owns this property as you know.
In 2005 a reporter for Newsday wrote a column where he imagined what it would be like if Wang and Wolkoff joined forces giving Wang an opportunity to bring the Islanders to Suffolk.
I wild rumor ensued that was immediately squashed by Wolfoff and that was the end of that story.
Regardless, when rezoning hearings start, there are civic associations in Commack and Deer Park and environmentlists that are against this project that will show up to those rezoning hearings. The Town Supervisor of Huntington Frank Petrone is not happy with this project. Even though the Town of Islip is working with Wolkoff, the issue there is traffic. This project is much bigger than the Lighthouse. If they add an arena to that project, this may cause a further uproar and to just think that Wang and Wolkoff will simply join forces (These are 2 men with big egos !!!)…you.re being highly speculative.
Yaphank may not be an option either. Civic group and environmentalist are already lining up to oppose this project.
Long Island is the home of the NIMBY (not in my backyard). That’s very sad because this is contributing to Long Island falling behind the rest of the country economically and I say it STINKS !!!! We are losing young people an if this doesn’t change we will lose a lot more. I hope I’m wrong. I hope those with wisdom and vision will help turn Long Island’s mess around but to kill the Lighthouse Project and lose an NHL Hockey team to boot over stupidity is a bad, bad sign. I lived on Long Island for 47 years and I’m proud to be a Long Islander. We need projects like the Lighthouse Project and other projects in our downtowns to keep middle class people here. It’s almost as if our politicians in Town Government have abandoned us. THEY HAVE TOO MUCH POWER. THE NIMBY’s and ENVIRONMENTLISTS HAVE CONFUSED THE ISSUE FOR THE WORSE. TOO MANY CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS HAVE AN AGENDA THAT DOES NOT SERVE THE PUBLIC GOOD. We are losing Long Islanders. I want to spend my retirement on Long Island. It’s my dream…but because of the stupidity of all those mentioned you will also force me to leave eventually and others to leave that love the Island and want to see the Island grow and hoped that the Lighthouse Project was a step in the right direction.
This new sucks for LIers. Hopefully this is just a move to quicken the process of getting it done. I’m here in Ohio 8 years deep into a building of a franchise and arena district and we are feeling the success of both the
on-ice product (years of drafting), and the hole that the “Arena District” filled in Columbus. If this thing is thriving in Ohio, how much more would it thrive on LI! Move it or loose it TOH! http://www.arenadistrict.com - All this and more - comming to a ragedy old lot with an arena and hotel near you- if you let it. You are making history. Imagine that! What will your legacy be…?
http://www.kristenmcelroy.com is Kristen McElroy’s site.
Sign up to join the mailing list, contribute if you can, and email mcelroyin09@gmail.com to volunteer. Facebook and Twitter links are there too.
Sorry if this shows up twice, it said it was going to moderation…CB, if this violates comment guidelines could you please email me with a quick explanation? Thanks.
” …do you really think the NHL would let the Islanders walk away from this area?”
absolutely. i’ve always thought bettman’s public stance was bogus. when he first took over i seem to recall he didn’t even hide his belief that the ny market was saturated. everyone assumed the devils were the one man out but then they got good. now of course he claims to believe in the 3-team market but i don’t believe him. especially with several places in canada clamoring to bring teams back there, i think as soon as he sees an opening, he’ll get the islanders to hamilton or quebec or winnipeg in a second. and that opening is almost here.
Gutty 34 sums it up….this aint gonna happen.
NIMBY-ism and politicians who don’t care about the ever-increasing taxes… those are 2 of the reasons why I’m leaving Long Island as soon as I can sell my house for half a million dollars. Hopefully, I’m not bankrupt by then.
unless of course the brooklyn option somehow pans out. i think that is potential gold mine and bettman sees $$$ in it.
Mr Martino, #75 the writer of the piece in question. Nice to have you on board, maybe you can shed some more light on your article.
Why do people say we dont deserve a team? If anything we have endured more than any other hockey fans. We had to deal with Spano, Maloney, Milbury, and I don’t need to continue on with how many hardships we have had in the past 20 years. But in 01-02 When we made a great run, the crowds were louder than I’ve ever seen. This is one fanbase that is waiting and will one day be restored to the glory it once was.
Geez, this political and NIMBY stuff is why I moved off Long Island. I still love the Islanders and went to the LA game the other day. The NVMC is a dump and deserves to be leveled. I can’t believe someone wants to build the LH development with private funds and the losers in office are fighting this. Lucky for me I moved to North Carolina in 1996, one year later the Whaleres became the Hurricanes and we built a state of the art arena in THREE YEARS. BTW: we won the cup in 2006.
It was me who posted that link and mcElroys FB page. I was trying to make a point.
We all have these great ideas of where it should be built, how it should be built etc…the bottom line is LI is now the world largest over 50 community and most dont care about the future beyond 15-20 years. Most of their kids have moved off the isles because they cant afford it and they will soon as well. They really could care less about the Islanders. What they care about is how much will they get for their house and will there be traffic running to Friday’s, Chili’s etc.. for dinner at 5:30. Thats the reality of the island and this is coming from someome like me; the minority of under 40’s who are still hanging on. I firmly believe this will not be built but that something will. Unfortnuately that something will be more retail crap that’s not needed. Look at the Source mall. 2 largest tenants gone. Look at the condos that went up and are priced too high. Half empty. Look at the affordable condos across the street. Condemned and redone because the builders were inept. Can someone say payoff. For those that made the Aug 4th rally we learned that Hofstra in conjunction with North Shore/LIJ will be building a new medcial school. Great news for LI. They are begging for this project so that they can keep the young students coming out as well as provide interniships and jobs at the technology centers. Seems a no brainer to me to provide all the lighhouse will to support both initiatives. I wish Hofstra and NS/LIJ would promote this more and put some pressure on as well. I just find that all the press, posturing etc…has been scattered at best and missing all the true facts. As I said in my earlier post - Santino blames Suozzi. We blame TOH. Somewhere in the middle lies the truth as to why this is not being moved along. One way or the other. If TOH doesnt want it grow a f’-in sack and say no. Odd that they keep saying this is bad. We want this scaled back. Richie Rich in GC is concerned about this and that. How can you assure this wont happen and we rubn out of water. Leads me to believe that they are not saying definitely no right now because in my mind…if they do….they lose support and campaign contrib from the many in their corner who also want the lighthouse. I bet sometime in November we get the final no. Just not ready to do it before elections.
You know why Long Island is a hot bed for telemarketing, mortgage and securities chop shops in the past???
Because there isn’t any honest work out here to think of, just a theory.
I also wanted to inform my fellow Islanders that I called Mr. Murray and voiced my anger at there selfishness. We all know what’s gong on here and I told her secretary that myself along with other LHP supporters from Nicks blog, “Let There Be Lighthouse”, will be looking in depth at which developers actually bribed, I mean donated, money to Murrays till in order to motivate her to put the “ka-bash” on this and give the development deal to them.
Isles fans need to unite and keep up the pressure the best we can. Don’t give up now!
We have the most loyal fans in the universe. No joke. Unfortunately, you make Wang the hero when he’s made the Islanders an afterthought. The games are embarrassing to go to with all the nonsense and the team is awful year after year….the gimmicks (overspeed?) are awful, the GM is a backup (for now… Richard Park in two years?) and the billboards for his real estate are more his focus than winning? FANS WANT TO WIN. We’ll never get it with Chucky. We WILL get tons of direct marketing and escalating ticket and concession prices (beer is how expensive now?). Season ticket holders must buy a LICENSE? Walk up package and promotion day tickets are often CHEAPER THAN SEASONS? SMAG is still here, Milbury would still be here if he didn’t QUIT, Dey is President by marriage rights (and AWFUL!), Gordon is a spineless backstabbing jerk who OUTED BERGENHEIM……this is the team culture. Incompetent and abrasive. Let’s kep them this way forever and reward Wang with billions for the low payrolls, BAD hirings, scouting cuts, cheap coaches, cheap players and AWFUL JOKE contracts.
Pray he sells to someone who likes hockey. Remember, no one hears about potential owners until the team’s up for sale. Last I recall, NY/LI has more wealth in terms of billionaires than Kansas City, Windsor, Winnipeg and Hamilton COMBINED.
And the NVMC is the best dump in the world. Accoustics, sightlines and the people who go……it is amazing when we’re a winning team. (Which under Wang is…..once every three presidential elections or so?)
Wang please sell the team to Gutkowski.
EVERYONE CHANT GUTKOWSKI’S NAME DURING THE SJ GAME!!!
Funny…..I never posted that. An Islandermaniac rabid fan uses my s/n. Cute. Witty.
Did anyone see that story on Yahoo! about the Bills fans who raised money for a billboard dissing the team?We Islander fans should do this to diss either Kate Murray and/or the Town of Hempstead dying stop being idiots and just BUILD IT already.Check out the front page of Yahoo! for the story about the bills fans.