ROCKIN’ THE VOTE, ISLANDERS-STYLE
Via social media, fans are supporting new arena deal
Passionate supporters of the New York Islanders, in Nassau County and other corners of the Country, are lining up to show support for the proposed deal for a new Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. In order to promote the vote on Aug. 1, many fans have started social media campaigns on Twitter, Facebook and elsewhere.
Over the weekend, we heard from dozens of fans and referendum supporters with plans to create their own campaigns over the next few weeks. You’re welcome to email me at cbotta@islanderspointblank.com if you want to be included in our next post. Here are just some of the initiatives that Point Blank was emailed about that you may want to consider showing your support for. As you will see, in some extraordinary cases, the dedication of fans to the Islanders is boundless.
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Alex Tessler, Port Jefferson and Carey Haber, Plainview
Hey Chris. My name’s Alex Tessler. I’m the one who’s running and who started the biggest fan page currently on Facebook. I’m running it as joint operation between myself and a fellow IslanderMania poster, Carey Haber. I run the Facebook page, he runs the Twitter account.
“Vote YES on a new arena for the New York Islanders on August 1st” and @VoteYesNYIArena on Twitter
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vote-YES-on-a-new-arena-for-the-New-York-Islanders-on-August-1st/191239960922222
and
http://twitter.com/#!/VoteYESNYIArena
We are a collective group of Islander fans and proponents of the referendum from all locations, not just Nassau County. We are trying to get the word out for Nassau County residents to vote in support of the Coliseum-plan referendum on August 1st. We want this team to stay on Long Island and we are going to do it by spreading the truths as to why a new arena would be the best development for Nassau County, and Long Island as a whole.
Thanks for all you do, Chris. I’ve already dubbed this “The Islander Spring.”
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Rob Blount
Hi Chris. My name is Rob Blount. I have been helping others to lead a social media campaign. I would like to clarify that neither one of these pages are mine, but both deserve the attention and I wanted to put in a good word for them. The twitter account that one person started is called @VoteYESNYIArena.
My twitter name is @robblount and I will be tweeting constantly about this as I always do for the Islanders. Thank you for the attention you are giving the social media and for doing all you do.
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Ruud van der Borgh – Echt, The Netherlands
Hi Chris. After reading your message on Point Blank I started working on a Facebook page immediately for fans in Holland!
I’m also working on a page at the social media network called Hyves (I don’t know if people in the US know what that is 
). As soon as I finish the Hyves page, I will send you a link as well! Below is the info you asked for! I hope you appreciate us Dutch fans!
Name of the page (Facebook): Dutch NY Islanders Fans Vote For New Isles Arena
Link: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Dutch-NY-Islanders-Fans-Vote-For-New-Isles-Arena/148031891934304
I want to represent all the Islander fans in the Netherlands. I know, this maybe not of any use! But I don’t care, I just want to show our support as well. We stay up at night (2 till 5 in the morning) to watch Islanders games! We don’t get the chance to see them play in real life, as much as the Long Islanders do, but hey should be proud to have such a team! And that’s why the people need to vote! In Nassau County on August 1st for real, but all over the world just to make the people see we care! After all, we are all Islanders!
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Michael Leboff, Rockville Centre
CB: My name is Michael Leboff. We actually met on a train home from MSG a few years ago. I saw your post on IPB about a social media revolution concerning Ed Mangano’s plan for the coliseum. While I have not started any Social Media pages for this cause, I am running for Mayor of Rockville Centre in June.
I have been in love with the Islanders for pretty much my whole life, so my campaign staff and I are making sure we make our stance on the matter clear, we support the County Executive and we love our Islanders. Since I was a sophomore in high school I have attended about 150 Islander home games, despite not having season tickets. My friends and I spent many of our high school nights inside that old barn, and we would all be crushed to have those memories tainted by the disappearance of our favorite team.
I know that the Mayor of Rockville Centre will not really have a say on the matter, but my voice will be heard. August 1st has become the most important day of my life, and I will do everything in my power to make sure this legislation passes.
Here are the links to my social media pages:
http://www.facebook.com/Leboff4Mayor
http://twitter.com/#!/leboff2011
P.S. – We’re all Islanders.
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Joe Bondi, Mahopac, NY (Putnam County)
Knight of Cups
http://knightofcups-bondi.blogspot.com/
I am a long time Islander fan, formerly of ESPN, who was inspired by Dee Karl and yourself to start a blog of my own. The Islanders are a passion of mine and I want to do what I can to show pride in my colors. Thanks again for all you do Chris.
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Dennis P. of Bellport, NY
http://twitter.com/#!/DenP77
I represent the people of Suffolk County who will have no say in saving our Isles from moving. I want all the Islanders fans of Suffolk County to flood their state officials ( Assemblymen, Senators and even the Governor) offices with letters and phone calls encouraging the state to get involved in anyway they can. Let’s get the weight of Albany behind this arena. The state has already watched two NFL teams leave town. They don’t need to lose another professional sports team.
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Doug Colquhoun, Dix Hills
“Vote “Yes” on the referendum for a new Islanders arena!”
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=149256995143122
The ultimate goal is to keep the Islanders on Long Island. The goal of this event is to remind people to vote “Yes” and to get the word out about this referendum. Otherwise, Long Island will be without not just a hockey team, but a major league sports team of any kind.
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John Kingston, Carle Place
Dear Chris: I think it’s good that you’re aggregating social media contact sites for the August 1 vote. But this vote is not going to prevail in Islander fans’ favor if everybody thinks victory will be had by just sitting down at their computer screen, and I think that point needs to be made.
Yes, social media will be very important. But there’s got to be some work involved too. I hope that there is some sort of joint get-out-the-vote plan administered by the team and the Republicans, since it is Republican officials who have put themselves on the line for this. I hope the team and the Republicans will try to tap into the fans’ enthusiasm and put it to good use.
What I am doing is an old Republican campaign strategy called Do Me a Favor cards. It’s a horizontal card that opens up, and inside (when it was used by the GOP) it would say something like “My friend Steve Jones is running for County Court Judge. He’s a good guy, and please vote for him.” That would be preprinted and there would be a place there for a salutation and a signature. The political activist who agreed to do these would be expected to do the signatures and the addresses, and mail them to friends and acquaintances.
I personally am determined to do at least 100 of these. I’m targeting people who I’m fairly certain would vote YES. For example, the guy who drives me to the airport on business trips, who hated the Lighthouse, who talks about taxes all the time…I don’t think he’s getting one! I’ve also offered, in a couple of posts on Islandermania, to send pre-printed cards to anybody who sends me a note at getthevoteout0801@yahoo.com. (I’ve got two takers so far). And then let’s hope they’d get 100 people also.
I haven’t made up the cards yet, but I’ve drafted the text for it. It’s too early to send them out anyway. I figure right after July 4 weekend will be fine.
My draft text for the note is as follows:
I am asking you to support a brighter Long Island future and cast a vote Monday, August 1 in support of the bond issue for the redevelopment of the Nassau Coliseum site.
To deal with one worry right off the bat: revenues from the project itself, not the taxpayers, will pay off the bonds over many years, a classic “project finance” type of development.
But more immediately, this project will do several things. It will keep the Islanders here, where they belong. It will avoid us having to demolish the decrepit Coliseum with no replacement and have another key piece of Long Island real estate sit empty or turn into one more strip mall. It will provide jobs, both short-term to develop the site and long-term to operate it. It will provide Long Island much-needed convention and exhibition space, something tourist officials will tell you long has been missing here.
But most important, it signals a different future for an otherwise fading Long Island where it’s long been said “you can’t get anything done,” where so many young people are looking for the exits, and where companies no longer even consider when they’re looking to grow. It says we’re ready to embrace the future and show the rest of the New York area that you can’t count us out. A “yes” vote does that, and I am asking you to do me a favor and say “aye” on August 1.
Comments on the arena issue and these fan social media initiatives are welcomed.
53 Responses to ROCKIN’ THE VOTE, ISLANDERS-STYLE
Via social media, fans are supporting new arena deal
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Al says:
Amazing work by all. You have inspired me to think about how I can get involved.
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Ray says:
We should also send out chain text messages to all the Nassau Family….
Send it to all your contacts in your phone that live in nassau to vote ” YES “!!! On 8/1
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Sean says:
Way to go!!!!!!!!
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isles80 says:
If a guy from the Netherlands can take the time to do something, all of us can. I’m in Nassau and will do my best to rock the vote. The YES vote of course.
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Patrick says:
All of these people should be very proud.
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Kevin 27 says:
Part of me thinks this vote will never happen because Wang and Mangano messed up the announcement. But I have to say that these fans are phenomenal doing what they are doing. I will support all of their sites.
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Alex Tessler says:
Thanks, Chris.
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Carey Haber says:
Thank you so much, Chris.
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Mark says:
The key is Nassau support. I love John Kingston’s idea. The Islanders probably learn a lot from reading this blog.
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These people are my heroes. We need more of them!!
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Dmoney says:
First off, thank you CB for everything. Second it is great to see all these Isles fans and their responses. One thing i have to say is that the Isles have no signs, or anything outside the Coliseum stating to vote yes on August 1st. Also at the Grabs signing, there was nothing showing support to go out and vote. I am not complaining, i am just stating something my friends and I noticed. I will be doing everything to get the word out. LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!!!
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islesrock73 says:
Great support!! Lets hope Wang and Mangano can propose a near bullet proof financial proposal that will silence most of the critics. Maybe, just maybe Newsday will print something positive too.
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Orange&Blue says:
Like everyone else, I hope to hell this passes. I am not a Nassau County resident so I can not vote but I will calling every family member in Nassau County to make sure they vote on August 1st.
CB, you are usually on the money with predictions. What is your gut feeling about this vote?
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91NYfan91 says:
They should have a commercial, promoting the new arena OR SOMETHING.
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nova says:
For those about to rock the vote, we salute you.
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charlie says:
The Islanders doing nothing so far could mean they expect a long fight with NIFA before this gets to a vote.
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Smitty says:
Great job by everybody. Hope to see more.
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All new york transplants that have family in Nassau need to get them out to vote on 8/1! My dad lives in Hicksville and he will go out there and vote for me!
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TM says:
Lemme get this straight, 8/1 could get enough votes yet NIFA could still kill this?
Wouldn’t that just be the NYI way?
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Sean says:
Wish I can vote but I am a Suffolk resident. when all the details of the funding comes out I am sure people will be for it. This is Long Islands last chance to keep the Islanders in Nassau, if it doesn’t pass not only that lot go to waste but picture a closed arena and weeds growing in the lotm and taxes will go up because the county would not be getting the revenu from the islanders they once did. This a is a no brainer people especially to the people in Nassau. Vote YES YES!!!
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Mike in Wantagh says:
We need a Group on LINKIN.COM as well!!!
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CB….Your work is never overlooked….please keep in touch WITH YOR FRIENDS AT THE ISLES and provide your gidance and consultancy to the ISLANDER PR STAFF AS WELL!!!!……we will write to the Islanders to get you back where you belong……
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Jmig15 says:
i am definitley sending out a mass text message to all my contacts…probably day before vote-a nice quiet sunday afternoon enjoying your bbq and beer and a text from me.
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Bjorn Holland says:
I am also a big fan from the Netherlands and I read this blog every day. I was at the NVMC 4 times to see Islander games and will be there again next season. I really believe a new arena will give this franchise a big boost!
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mike says:
Vote yes but
dont you think kate murrr sitting there with a smile was waiting for this day to come??? she didnt want just wang to pay for the project but all the tax payers..its a risk that we need to take…nxt season is a yr to remeimber -
Billy the Kid says:
From what I can tell NIFA can not make decisions, they can give opinions. So if the vote passes, the County will have permission to make the bond offering regardless of what NIFA says or does.
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Isles81 says:
Vote “Yes” and stay active everyone. Keep reminding the people who are for this project to take the time to vote. Offer to drive people to the polls, send them email or text reminders to get out there on 8/1. We need everyone onboard!
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StevieL says:
Amazing people all! maybe one of the good computer guy’s can design a down loadable sign along the lines of “Save our Islanders!” Vote YES Aug1″ That we can print on the computers and put in our car windows!
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My concern is that many Islander fans live in Queens, Suffolk, Brooklyn,and some have even relocated to other states or countries. We need Nassau votes. There should be busses picking people up to vote. Also, they have to explain to other Nassau residents that their taxes will not go up, but that in fact, if nothing gets constructed on that site, then they probably will. ALL residents need to see the importance of the YES vote, otherwise we will be playing in political mud forever. I am confident that Islander fans will succeed! If anyone needs me for anything,, other than get the word out, please let me know. There is nothing I would not do to keep this team here!
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Big Van Vader says:
I am getting everyone in my office who live in Nassau(natch) to vote yes on Aug 1st. Question: What happens if we get this passed and NIFA or the Legislature STILL says no?
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Kaszycki's Krew says:
I was wondering if the team was planning a draft party ? If so – perhaps this could be a good time to stage a rally at NVMC on June 24….the evening of the Draft Party. Lots of nut-job Isles fans like us would be watching it anyway – and it could be a great opportunity for the County Exec, TOH Supervisor, Islanders greats and the fans to get together and rally around this. Would have to get more than 2000 to show up in order to make it effective. Could be a good opportunity for Isles fans to register to be canvassers for a “rock the vote” campaign and have a face to face chance to organize it.
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jon from nj says:
This is great….but where is the Islanders get out the vote message?
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Hockey Guy in Canada says:
For those wondering what the holdup is with Wang/Mangano regarding promoting the August vote: First the Nassau County Legislature had to have a meeting (yesterday) to vote on whether or not they will have another meeting next Monday (they will) to vote on whether or not there will even be a referrendum in August. Unreal! It seems to be the Democrats dragging their feet and making life difficult this time. Newsday says there will be a PUBLIC HEARING NEXT MONDAY where the Legislature will vote on whether or not to even allow a referrendum in August. Those who want to do good should go there and make sure they vote yes on that or it’s dead in the water before it even gets started.
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Bob E says:
what the point of this CB? are these guys you have designated to lead the charge for isles support?
Doesnt make sense. Non-hockey fans voting yes is what the focus should be on. There is no need to convince and isles support to vote yes. Rally support outside Nassau county is irrelevant. They cant vote for it.
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Eric S says:
You miss the point Bob E. The point is to get Islanders country fully engaged and actively involved in getting the word out for a yes vote. Having some kind of organization is highly beneficial. Movements for a cause start at the grassroots level and the people at the grassroots level tend to be the ones who are the most passionate about that issue (ie Islanders fans in this case).
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As an outsider, I’m also hoping that focus on the ‘non-hockey’ voter in Nassau will get moving IF the August referrendum becomes officially official (Public Hearing next Monday at Nassau Legislature offices). Remember though, that the Nassau County voter does not exist in a vaccum. CB is right to encourage everyone who can do anything positive to sway public opinion in Nassau County to the affirmative by August 1st to go right ahead and knock themselves out.
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Za says:
As a Islander fan for 36 years I would love a new arena (even though the “Ol’ Barn” is the only thing I have ever known). But this is more than just an islander issue, it is LI pride issue. It means jobs will stay and grow on Long Island and further development will only enhance it. The overall economic impact will be a key factor.
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#20 I think NIFA can kill this vote despite a pass on this referendum because they have to approve borrowing greater than $50000.
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I like the headline…Save Our ISLAND! Save our Islanders!…because it really is more than just the Isles. Nassau County would be depressing without a re-developed area.
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geduffer says:
#27 – Your statement is inaccurate. NIFA has to approve borrowing and all contracts in excess of $50,000.
#31 – If the county residents vote yes, but the legislature or NIFA doesn’t approve, then Wangano will have to rework the proposal to meet their objections or the arena deal dies and the Islanders leave.
Of course, I want them to succeed. However, if Mangano is lying when he says it won’t cost the taxpayers a dime, then I will be forced to vote against as I cannot in good conscience vote to raise taxes on everyone just to cover a new playpen for the Isles, no matter how much they need it.
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93 Miracle says:
#39 then dont vote at all. And if Mangano is lying, not like you will know about it before august 1st anyway so just vote Yes! Lets show some LONG ISLAND pride on august 1st like #37 said! We can be like tampa and be in a conference final before we know it. Lets go Islanders!
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CM says:
Dear Geduffer:
Taxes are inevitable. They rise no matter what. At least you’ll actually know where some of the tax $$ are going. Taxes towards improvements are a good thing. The area needs refurbishing and jobs are needs now. Voting no means tax $$ will be spent elsewhere without you even knowing. -
TAXES???? NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I pay high taxes too, and I’m a teacher. Such is life. When did paying taxes equate to being anti-American? I thought paying taxes for internal improvements and infrastructure, and education were, by definition, patriotic. How the discourse has changed. The 1950′s, one of the most prosperous time periods, also had the highest taxes.
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Steve says:
I applaud all fans that are getting involved to spread the word on the importance of voting yes. It will be very interesting to see if the Dems back Mangano on this and I will be very interested to see the reaction of the public at the hearing next week. It would also be positive to read an article or two in support of this plan since their hasn’t been any yet. There are plenty of hurdles here to overcome and Wang and Mangano better do the right thing and educate the wary taxpayer who want no part of higher taxes and increased gov’t spending. I just hope the people who vote no realize the LHP isn’t about to return if this plan is voted down. Its either a yes vote or the team is gone. If Wang had the cash to do the LHP, then put up some money to cover the construction overrun costs which will be sure to arise.
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KJC says:
If I move, can I be registered to vote in time???
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i agree with CM (#40) that taxes are inevitable. there are two certainties in life, death and taxes. if you live on long island there are going to be high taxes, but without a major tenant at the nassau coliseum there will be no coliseum, no $10 parking, no $10 beers and no ticket sales for whatever concerts they attract because there will be no facility. therefore a TREMENDOUS amount of the tax base will be lost FOR GOOD.
voting against a new coliseum on long island will essentially sign you up for future tax hikes with no possible end to tax increases in sight. I would strongly suggest against voting the islanders (and in turn a 1st class entertainment facility) off of nassau county.
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Bruce says:
I am a Isles fan from Nassau County. In my view the number one idea that has to be conveyed to all Nassau County residents is that this vote is about getting a top of the line brand new facility for all Nassau County residents, NOT just us Isles fans. It’s for the mothers that take their kids to see the Circus, Disney on Ice, Concert goers, Harlem Globetrotters, WWE, etc. Also, what events will now come to Nassau that in the past wouldn’t because the current building is terrible ? That is what we have to sell to everyone ! We need to make it a vote for Nassau County residents not Isles fans.
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CM makes a great point in #40. At least with this, if taxes do go up, which they will, we know where and what they will funding. Back into the economy and a world class facility that will eventually bring in plenty of money in paid taxes itself.
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Comment 45 has a point about getting a new facility for nassau county, not just about the islanders. They attract new shows and expos etc. that brings the county more revenue from events that passes over the current arena or dump that they have now.
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Jim Clark says: Are more music groups and trade shows going to come to a new Wangarena? Is the old one really that bad?
Amazing how for a decade Wang said that a new or improved stand-alone arena would not work, that he needed a whole complex with skyscrapers. And now it turns out that all he needed in addition was a minor league ballpark.
This will not pay for itself, the costs will be greater than the numbers thrown around and the economic benefits are nil. You can be patriotic in refusing to have money (taxes) taken away from you at threat of jail, despite some people will tell you. Wang could have had his smaller Lighthouse project but nnnoooooo!!!
But go ahead, Nassau county residents. Please vote yes and tax yourself for my pleasure to drive in, pay a parking fee for a ticket I bought on stubhub and leave without going to any stores or restaurants.
And if this fails, a new luxurious arena in Atlanta is going to need a hockey team real soon.
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nola islanders says:
not living on long island, cablevision country, from people comments, there doesn’t seem the isle are doing any advertisment to get the vote out. I wonder since it cablevision, msg, newsday, i can see them dumping averstisment to vote no, like they did during the west side stadium yard project. dont think they want more stadium competition.
Stick tap from all of us to everyone involved.