OPTIONS: BROOKLYN, QUEENS, SUFFOLK
If Wang wants certainty, he needs an alternative
Newsday reports on potential suitors for the Islanders, including Brooklyn (really?!!!), Queens and Suffolk. Interesting that Suffolk Executive Steve Levy says the LDC contacted him on Oct. 2. For what it’s worth, I don’t believe to strongly in the Suffolk option. More likely it’s Levy doing Tom Suozzi a favor. Other than calling NHL deputy commish Bill Daly “Bill Star” – fix that, Baumbach! – the piece is a continuation of more solid reporting from Eden Laikin and Randi Marshall.
The Islanders, fortunately, have a unique set of circumstances. When most pro teams leave their cities, their only option is to move far away. The Islanders could end up in any of three counties next door. Amazing.
Here’s the bottom line. Wang has to nail down a true alternative. When he goes to Kate Murray with a genuine threat to bolt Hempstead Turnpike, and gives her one last chance to approve the project, he’ll finally get his certainty – one way or the other.
Comments on the Lighthouse Project and other destinations.
53 Responses to OPTIONS: BROOKLYN, QUEENS, SUFFOLK
If Wang wants certainty, he needs an alternative
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bergie20 says:
i honestly feel that dean skelos told you today that the deal will get done with the toh. he’s not going to endorse a project that won’t happen. it’s nice to have options though. queens would be the best backup plan.
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Jeff says:
What will come first: final word from ToH or an Isles win?
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Jeff says:
When Skelos, a Republican from Rockville Centre endorsed this project, I felt that this was huge. Wang is in a unique situation here. Suffolk, Queens, and Brooklyn, all on Long Island, are interested besides other cities. I think this all but assures that this team will remain within the local area. Lets just put some wins together. If not, another high draft pick with top talent will be welcomed, and hope that DiPietro comes back healthier and stronger than ever. Those factors alone should propel this team to ocntenders again.
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Ethan K says:
Any of those places would keep me happy, because at least I can still go to see games. I don’t think the ToH deserves Wang’s business. Let them lose the team and rot, and watch as the Islanders turn into a great team with demand for tickets in a shiny new arena.
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Marc says:
When does Wang need the Lighthouse project approved by Kate Murray in order to begin the work during the off-season (April)? Is it time to start advertising next June’s draft party? UGH!
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JayK says:
As much as I hate to say this, I think Quebec is a real serious contender. I was up in Canada midweek, and the Globe and Mail had a full story on the new coliseum planned for Quebec City. They lost the Nordiques for three reasons: the building stunk (sound familiar?), there was the whole migration to the US trend (like the Coyotoes too), and the Canadian dollar was weak. The first is being fixed, they’re now talking reversal, and the dollar and the loon are near parity. A buyer to move the team to Quebec is something definitely to watch for.
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
I agree CB … Suffolk is the least of the 3 local options IMO … basically it puts the Isles in worse NYC market obscurity than Nassau. People already have a hard time commuting from work to get to a game… pushing the Isles to Suffolk will make it even more difficult to make it by the face off.
Geographically, zero fan expansion base. The Isles already “own” (I say that losely) the LI market. That will only close out Brooklyn / Queens fans (as we know there are still many) from the team.
Brooklyn and Queens opens the probability of expanding the fan base.
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John from ATL says:
A few thoughts on this. It sounds like the Isles have no short term options other than ToH. Unless Wang is willing to wait for 2015, he will need to cave in and give the ToH some type of victory by scaling down the project. No longer living on LI and a democrat, not much I can do. But, if your a ToH resident and/or a Republican contact your local Republican representatives to put some presure on the ToH.
On moving, I think across from CitiField would be the best place but, don’t discount Suffolk County. The Pilgram State location would be prety good and could work out. Its right off the Sagikos Pky and not far from the Deer Park train station. Plus Suffolk’s population is now greater than Nassau.
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isles71 says:
I was wondering…is the product the Isles are putting on the ice a result of NOT having a deal in place with TOH? Is the team saying that until you invest in our project, we will not invest in our team? Seems it should be the other way around…look at this great product we have, you don’t want to deal with me ToH, I have people lining up to secure a home for this Cup contender. Now that would be a SMART way to do business if you ask me! (Or are they trying to get run out of town??????????)
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peter puck says:
2 things. I think they have done studies on the Suffolk county option and the interest is simply not there amongst the fans.
Secondly moving to Queens or Brooklyn would be a bit like the Devils move to Newark. Once everyone got used to it seems not to have made a difference in support. -
born83 says:
Just for the record Chris, Steve Levy doesn’t do Tom Suozzi favors, in fact they hate each other and other then being Democrats have nothing in common and each see the other as a threat to their own hopeless statewide electoral chances. Steve MIGHT be doing this because he likes the free press, likes making Suozzi look bad for (not getting the job done whether this is Tom’s fault or not) and feels he can look like he’s trying to create jobs in Suffolk. Truth is Steve doesn’t want to spend ANY money to make this happen but would love the credit for saying he “tried”
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Mike for Philly says:
The fact that Charles has not been on the phone with Queens is a bit disheartning. Moving to Willets Point could be the best thing to ever happen to the team.
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MrWillis22 says:
What is the required distance the Islanders must play from the Rangers? The only element specified in the Newsday article was paying a fee to the Rangers in order to play in Queens or Brooklyn.
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George. Dyker Heights.Brooklyn says:
` I believe queens is the best market for the isles right now. It probably attract .a bigger fan base than L.I. now. Murray do.es not want them and neither do the people who live in Nassau who constantly complain about taxes and traffic. That’s all you hear traffic, traffic, traffic. I live in brooklyn it takes me an hour to get to games on the belt parkway and going to work which is a 15 mile drive can take me over an hour on the B.Q.E. Welcome to New York. If you want it to slow down move down to Florida. The only people who care about the Isles and the lighthouse project are the fans. Alot of people who I have spoken to are against whatever Wang has done(like taking away fields and parks from kids to build his projects). Long Island politicians have never and will never do anything to fix the road and traffic issues so they blame it on the L.H.Project.
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Like I said Queens would be best cause Long island does not deserve them any more and people are losing interest. Unfortunately to do something in Queens would take a minimum of 5-6 years according to previous articles that I have read because of the junkyards and Wang is no waiting that long. Sorry for the long post’s I had to get it out.
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Signit says:
if hte isles move to queens, game will have to start at 730.. theres no way ppl from suffolk can get to a 7pm weekday game in queens on time b/c exit 21 on the southern state is where the backups start.. right now they are lucky and 21 is the coliseum get off, but going to queens means you have to stay in stuck traffic… a move to queens means a later start time, and dont say no it wont b/c it sure will
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miket239 says:
I think Wang and Co. should just drop the LP for Nassau and the ToH. Just forget it, dont even think about it anymore. Start a new LP plan for anywhere on LI but Nassau County. Why bother anymore? Is it so important that the LP needs to be in ToH/Nassau County??? If that is true, then Kate Murray knows it and shes got an ace up her sleeve. That would explain alot. That would mean nobody is playing fair and this whole thing could drag on until 2015 when the actual lease by SMG is up. Wow. Can Isles fans stand 5 more years of this BS!?
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Blizzard says: ….count me in as a champion of Suffolk county. This is the NY ISLANDERS. Dont get me wrong, I wouldn’t mind seeing them go to Brooklyn or Queens, however playing second fiddle to the Rags will be even more pronounced. Nassau county doesn’t deserve to have them, it is them who have let the situation degrade to what it is today. The question is where is the fan base demographically? Are there more in Queens or more in Suffolk?
Also, it has to be looked at for the benefit of Mr. Wang. He will need to develop some real estate to help with a new arena. Is that even possible in Brooklyn or Queens? There are plenty of locations in Suffolk to develop. The population is greater than Nassau and growing. There is a very significant fan base already here.
Regardless it is time to dump the TOH, and Nassau county. They have dropped the ball….or the puck for that matter. I think if the Islanders moved to Suffolk county it would be a wildly popular destination.
Im not so sure that Brooklyn or Queens would provide the best attendance for the Islanders. How many fans that live out on the Island would go to less games if the Islanders were in NYC? And vice versa. And if you were a Nassau fan, where would you rather commute into the city or into Suffolk to see a game? Thats a no brainer IMO.
If Wang still wants to keep this team and use them as a vehicle to develop land, Suffolk county really is the better alternative to dealing with those Nassau politicians. If the LHP tanks, I say bring them to Suffolk county. Its nice here. The Islanders will still represent Long Island, and as has been written, when Garden City gave Wang a problem in the past he went to Suffolk county where he got things done.
LONG LIVE THE NY ISLANDERS!!!!!!!
this post was written by a long time Suffolk county Islander fan so there is no bias…lol.
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The old Pilgrim State or Kings Park Psychiatric Centers would be great destinations in Suffolk County!
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Since72 says:
Prediction: TOH will approve the LH project after election day. Kate Murray knows that the only people in the TOH that speak with their wallets and show up on election day, are the Garden City dolts who are against it. After election day, when the same clowns are returned to office, KM will get some minor, face saving, concession from Charles and the LHP will be on.
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isles72 says:
thank God we’re inching closer to the end game here.
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Starscream says:
I live in Suffolk but not sure if they could support the Isles (fanbase-wise). In truth, fans from Suffolk are 50-50 Rangers-isles fans. Best case for the fan base would be Queens, but I think the project will get done in the TOH. Too much pressure now from everyone for KM to not get it done. I went to the game in Buffalo, then came home and went to see the Sharks game. It’s sad, I can only imagine what the players think when they travel into these hostile environments in gorgeous buildings, then come home and play in front of 11,000 people in a dump.
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Dreu Theran says:
CB, please help me. What was the purpose of the Lease Agreement a couple weeks ago with Wang and Suozzi? I don’t understand the reasoning of the lease. What did it prove or settle?
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Steve says:
Wang should just talk to the officials in Queens or Brooklyn right now. Shouldn’t wait until the election early next month. He should do what’s best for the team, rather than trying to stay in a place that has bled the team a lot of cash since day one; i.e: Nassau County
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Chris R says:
CB. When are the isles going to lower ticket prices?
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Merrick says:
If Rechler remains Wang’s business partner, I wonder if he has any stomach for the Pilgrim site in Suffolk.
About 10 years ago, Reckson won a $32 million bid to buy and develop the Pilgrim land–then saw its bid overturned based on mere accusations that Pataki Economic Development Chief Gargano leaked inside info to one of Reckson’s business partners. Reckson ended up suing the state for about $20 million.
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MattyB says:
#17, If it’s in queens, you can take the train. Nd you can drink on the train, which helps when watching this team play the last couple years, at least Johnny T is solid. APPROVE THE LIGHTHOUSE!
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Hotstick says:
Why is Suffolk a bad choice??Less traffic more space put the team in the heart of the suburbs instead of that dump in hemp stead or add another City team,there suppose to represent Long Island not 1 of the 5 boros of NYC??Suffolk makes alot of sense to me and WANG WOULDNT Have To deal W/ Nassau’s Crap anymore…screw hempstead and all the Bull!!
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IM Totally For a Move to Suffolk!!
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hyedray says:
I think anything BUT Hempstead at this point. Murray will disappear for 2 years if she gets re-elected. Mr. Wang MUST keep the heat on exactly as CB has indicated.
Murry and the Hempstead (cough Nassau and NY GOP) is stringing this all out as long as they can.
I am hearing that they have a fear that this new development is a double impact. First—Suozzi and democrats get credit at the County level. Second, there is a fear that the people that move into the new development will be Democrats and vote Murray and her do-nothing crack pots out.
There is validity to BOTH concerns. This is and always will be about political positioning.
Charles Wang really needs to consider the Queens/Brooklyn option. Suffolk is a possibility as well.
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Long Island Long Island Long Island … I’m sick and tired of hearing that the Islanders are Long Island’s team … if that was the case … why is it EVERY single NHL pro from Long Island say they were a Ranger fan, Bruin fan or Canadian fan … that is ridiculous.
First of all … The Islanders are the NEW YORK Islanders. Secondly … Nassau County was once part of Queens County. The 3 town’s that make up Nassau secceeded from Queens around 1898 when Queens decided to become part of the NEW NYC municipality.
Long Island University is in Brooklyn. The battle of Long Island took part in Brooklyn and parts of Queens. Face it Long Island … you share that geographic sand bar with 2 of NYC’s boroughs. The Islanders would be just as at home in Brooklyn or Queens as they would in Nassau. At least they seem wanted by Brooklyn and Queens. Going out to Suffolk is walking the plank to further obscurity. You think the Isles lack coverage now? The games would get reported in the Hamptons Style section.
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dominic says:
The islanders are Long Islands team. Their colors orange and blue represent nassau county in case you missed it. They were born in Nassau County. If this team moved to Bklyn or Queens they would just be cast in the Rangers shadow even worse than they are now. Suffolk would never support the team. Nassau is this teams only option.
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Pete M says:
It doesn’t matter where the Islanders move while the network that has their rights continues to be the same company that owns their fiercest rival. What makes anyone think that Cablevision will give them any more coverage than they’re giving them now if they move to Queens? And what makes you think that Newsday – which is owned by Cablevision, which also owns the Rangers (which they constantly remind us)-is all of a sudden going to give them more ink? Do you expect to suddenly get on the HD overflow channel over the Devils? Will there all of a sudden be more promotion of the Islanders? On TV or in print? Not going to happen. The Dolans suck.
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ME says:
Hey #17 the Northern State Parkway is not bad at all heading West in the evening. You would be nuts taking the Southern State Parkway heading towards Queens. If you are on the South Shore your best bet is to head North in the evening. At night after a game you can just take Cross Island Pkwy South and jump on the SSP and you should have a smooth ride home.
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Matt33 says:
No. 9 I know what your talking about. I live about 2 blocks from the Pilgrim site. I drive through there to get to school all the time. There is so much land and potential there. Modifying the LIE and Sagtikos to flood into the site would be extremely easy considering the land hugs both. Plus, you could probably even have a monorail or something go from the Deer Park train station through the industrial park straight into Pilgrim. Tanger worked out great for us out here. It is a more central location for both counties, but I see why alot of you guys in western Nassau, Queens, and Brooklyn would see the commute out to Suffolk a pain. Anything east of that I’m against, it isn’t reasonable.
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John says:
me too. but of course i’m from joisey. I know me & 19/22 would attend more games if they played on the western tip of the island. suffolk? see glendale coyotes . . .
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Blizzard says:
….the ISLANDERS aren’t Long Islands team? Woa thats a new one. I guess they are New Jersey’s team? Or NYC team? Dont mean to break the rules here but that is just ridiculous IMO.
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Restore the Pride-n-Passion NYI Hockey says:
Agreed Blizzard…Long Islands team!! with fan base that branches out all over the country like many others sports teams whose inhabitants move & still stay loyal to their childhood teams!
as for the 50/50 split….
God for bit this Hockey team ever rose up from the current ashes of the Mausoluem
and won a round??
The marginal /bandwagon ranger fans that are here in suffolk & nassau would quickly become Islander fans!
People are trendy it is,what it is!Attracting Islander Fans in such an overpopulated area is the least of our concern.
Winning to get them back in the building is where it’s at!
Lets go Isles… Lets Go Islanders!! -
art says:
Most posters on the subject of a new location for the Isles don’t understand that even a full house in Bklyn or Queens is not going to carry the costs of a new arena plus operating a hockey team even allowing for concessions,parking, corporate boxes, etc. etc. That is why government involment or a Light House deal is the only way the team can survive anywhere-and NYC is broke.
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correct me if I am wrong, but didn’t Wang buy a whole lot of property AROUND the old Barn? If that is the case, probably the reason why Wang is wanting to get this done (and don’t forget the cost of all the papperwork, staff, enviromental impact studies, etc) in ToH. Doesn’t make sense for him to drop all that $$ and then go to Willets Pt. and STILL own a bunch of parking lots in Uniondale.
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Hey # 33 you do know the color of New York States flag right? Yes New York State’s flag is Blue White and Orange. Just want to make sure you knew that.
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isles711 says:
It’s laughable to read all the posts saying that Suffolk would never support the Isles.
More and more of us who grew up in Nassau Cty. now live in Suffolk .What’s the difference if you’re driving 15-20 minutes East instead of West??
The commute at 6-7pm is bad in BOTH directions. Have you driven from Rte 135 to the Meadowbrook at 6PM lately??There are many, MANY Isles fans now living in Suffolk.
I myself drive 58 miles from Riverhead, and I’ve had season tickets since 2000.Although Suffolk is my 1st choice after Nassau, Queens is a distant 2nd and Brooklyn “fugettaboutit”…TOO FAR.
Please stop disrespecting Suffolk and ALL us Islanders fans who live here.
There are more of us than you realize. Just ask the Islanders season ticket department. -
One last comment.
While Nassau keeps shrinking in population, Suffolk has grown substantially over the last 10-15 yrs.
Many young people with families have settled out here.
For some, the 45 minute drive from towns like Selden, Farmingville, Lake Grove etc. is too far.
Relocate the Isles to Western Suffolk, and now they are only 25 minutes away.
You open yourself up to an entire new fan base.
Suffolk has more to offer than most here are willing to admit.
IMHO. -
I don’t want to get into semantics here … but first I’m going to state … MY #1 choice for the Isles is right where they are… for to many reasons to list.
#2 NYC & NYS’s colors are Orange, Blue & White as #42 states (see Mets & Knicks).
#3 Moving to Queens or Brooklyn puts Isles more in Rangers’ shadow? OK. & Suffolk does what?
#4 Long Island’s provincial attitude about the Isles is exactly why they don’t get the coverage in NYC’s papers.
#5 You guys would be surprised what that NY on the logo does for the Isles. As a kid growing up in NYC I looked at the Isles as a New York team… nothing more, nothing less.
#6 That Cablevi$ion contract is the rope being used to hang the Isles. I think Wanger has to do something about that after the Lighthouse is approved. YES!! I said it. So all this talk about Queens, Brooklyn and Suffolk is really a waste of time.
#7 If I’m wrong …. I’ll tell ya what. I learned the hard way that Quebec City is a lot further from Montreal than I thought. About 160 + miles. So forget about worrying about getting to games on the SSP or the NSP. LOL!!
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2277 says:
The Isles colors are blue n orange b/c Nassau County pressured Roy Boe into it as he wanted black and green I believe. Look it up, it’s out there…
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CB Your idea of wang having another real offer to present to Murray is a great idea except in this observer’s opinion a highly unlilely fantasy. We all know from the LH experience and many other proposals in pro sport arena development, that the process takes years. Ideas for development come and go-example, even the Nets Bklyn deal is still not hammered down-after 5+ years. Wang and Murray know this. The LH will happen because the economy needs it and there are not many private developers out there who can fund and or borrow the dollars that are required. A reduced size project will be negoiated and all sides will claim victory and in fact we will all be winners!
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Dominic says:
Correct #46
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Jimmy B says:
I would love to see the Islanders moved to Brooklyn, by the way there are more fans in the tri-state area then there are in the town of Hempstead (No Disrespect to the ToH). The main train stop will be Atlantic Ave, the biggest train hub in Brooklyn, and the long island railroad stops there. So I say Move them to Brooklyn, closer to the city where there are way more fans and corporations to fill the building up….. I hate to say it but just like the Rangers, most fans that sit in the front row are all corporate America (and we have no corporations buying front row seats). This by far is the best way to keep the Islanders in NY and not move to them KC.
Let’s Go Brooklyn Islanders
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Irish Isle says:
“at least five other NHL teams could be up for a sale or move, sources said.”
CB, who are the other teams
~Phonix Obviously
~Nashville
~Atlant (just guessing)
~???
~??? -
Isles fan Ken says:
First off, I’d like to see them stay in Nassau and get the Lighthouse Project approved. Having said that, I’m not too worried about a move to Brooklyn or Queens, it might actually extend the fan base and draw more attendance to games, as opposed to some who say they’ll be more in the Rags shadows. Going further out in Suffolk would mean losing the NYC & surronding area support they get now. There are alot of transplanted Isles fans in the NYC area, would Suffolk be able to pick up that support?
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rkw1111 says:
CB, I thought I read a post from you waaaay back when the issue of territorial fees to the Rags came up. To paraphrase what you said, “The Islanders could play across from the Garden with no penalty, those fees have been paid”…am I remembering your quote accurately, or would the Isles have to pay a new fee as stated in the article?
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According to NY Dailynews, Queens Chamber of Commerce is planning a news conference to attract the Islanders.
please…can we please just get to the end of this horrible and drawn out situation ONE WAY OR THE OTHER