POINT BLANK ENDORSEMENT: YES FOR ARENA
The August 1 vote is on, so plan accordingly
UPDATED at 9:30 am
THE RESISTANCE: This morning at railroad stations across Nassau, residents handed out literature with the headline, “Vote No on the Coliseum tax.” The central image was an Islanders logo with an X through it.
New York State Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs plays the Prince of Darkness role, saying there is no point to his party putting resources into a campaign for a NO vote because – I’m paraphrasing – there’s no chance in hell the arena deal will ever get passed by a supermajority in the Legislature.
The Islanders should have a clearer understanding now of what they’re up against. They must be ready now to get serious about a first-rate PR blitz. Mike Mottau speaking in the Borelli’s parking lot does not get the job done.
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9:55 pm: The Aug. 1 referendum for a new Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum is happening. There is no more uncertainty. Not even the Nassau Interim Finance Authority can stop the vote. The $2.4 million needed to finance the vote will not come from a contract that NIFA has to approve, but instead is a mere budget transfer to cover Board of Elections costs. Keep in mind also that Charles Wang will reimburse the County for the total cost of the election if a shovel is allowed to break ground on a new arena. The only possible contract might be for trucking to move the voting machines throughout the Nassau County polling stations, but this will not get in the way of the referendum taking place.
So if you were anticipating an act of God or George Marlin before writing in the Aug. 1 date on the family dry-erase board at home, the waiting is over. The vote for the future of the NVMC, and the vote for the future of your New York Islanders, is actually going to take place on Aug. 1.
After careful consideration of all of the facts and rhetoric, the Point Blank household vote is going to be a YES. I will encourage my relatives, friends, neighbors and associates residing in Nassau to also vote YES, and my recommendation is that you do the same.
The details of the deal are easily Googled and can also be found both factually and with an understandable slant at the Islanders’ official team website. Nick Giglia has written a lot on the subject at Let There Be Lighthouse and Freeport resident/Andy Kaufman-of-hockey-bloggers BD Gallof has opined plenty on his Twitter feed. The invaluable Lighthouse Hockey no doubt will provide continuing coverage and essential links. Although the county and team’s PR campaign has been fairly tame and quiet so far, the buzz is that some particularly big things are planned in the week leading up to the vote.
I have little interest in trying to make a case for and against an annual tax bill of $58 (or less…or more) or arguing whether Mike Picker’s projected revenues (certified by an independent company!) are accurate. If the numbers provided by the Islanders’ group and Nassau are the work of too much imagination and late-night booze and turn out to be off by 33%, I still won’t regret my YES vote and I don’t believe anyone else should either.
My family’s votes are to keep the New York Islanders in Nassau County.
My family’s votes are for a new arena, which is how it should have been from the beginning – Lighthouse or no Lighthouse. (And yes, I said this many times to those way above me in the staff directory when I was an Islanders executive).
My family’s votes are for the 2,100 citizens of New York that drew a paycheck of some kind over the last year by working at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, and for the countless thousands of others who will be put to work building, preparing and servicing a potential new one.
My family’s votes are a response to the words of the respected Legislator Kevan Abrahams, who said on SNY PB TV that if voter turnout on Aug. 1 is strong and YES wins by an impressive majority, he and his colleagues will absolutely listen to the power of the people.
I believe Abrahams, a key Democrat from the Nassau Legislature. Far more importantly, I’m told the Islanders and Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano believe him too. If, like me, you are for this deal – for keeping the Islanders here and seeing that asphalt developed into something useful – you will accept Abraham’s challenge and line up all the registered voters in your life to vote YES.
Do not make the mistake of taking Aug. 1 for granted. Do not make the mistake of taking a landslide victory for granted. Do not make the mistake of thinking others will carry the vote for you. If Judy Jacobs sees only a couple hundred in her district voted YES, it is not going to change her NO when the supermajority is required.
The vote should win, as I’ve said since the day this plan was first announced. But make no mistake: many Nassau residents have marked Aug. 1 on their calendars with the intention of driving to their polling stations and voting no. This blog sees more than 20 emails a day from registered voters against the project. (Some are even polite and well-articulated!)
Do not assume anything NIFA might do. Marlin does not speak for the entire group. There needs to be a leap of faith that the rest of the Authority is not made up of narcissists who give premature and unethical interviews to get their names in the paper, even after they are told by their colleagues not to speak publicly about the Coliseum deal.
Charles Wang is a good man and a titan of Long Island industry. He saved the Islanders eleven years ago, it can be said without any debate. I’m sure he wishes the team won more in its two incarnations in the Wang Era – the retool-on-the-fly playoff years of 2001-2007 and the Garth Snow rebuild, which appears close to fruition with a few major additions, proper development, good health and a solidified future that could come with a finalized arena agreement.
It’s not like Wang hasn’t wanted to win more, or tried to win more. He gave it his best shot in 2001, green-lighting the acquisition of several key veterans to spur a mini-revival in Islanders Country. Four opening round departures didn’t cut it. But if you were around on Opening Night after 9-11 or for the first home playoff games in seven years, you know what the old barn on Hempstead Turnpike felt like. You know what Wang made possible and kept trying to make possible for a half-decade despite unimaginable losses. Ryan Smyth didn’t sign and now you’re witnessing the slow and steady rebuild.
While all this has gone on, Wang has spent more than $30 million of his own money on the planning, marketing and designing of the Lighthouse Project that never got built and on the resources needed to execute and promote the Wangano deal. He’ll probably be in the hole for another mill or two by the time Aug. 1 arrives. Like the rest of us, the man is not perfect. Unlike most of the rest of us, he hasn’t given up yet on the Islanders and Nassau. Only Wang can explain why he has been so determined, stubborn, crazy.
Picker says the alternative to accepting this Plan B is losing the Islanders and losing Nassau County’s 16,000-seat arena. I believe him, too.
I’m not okay with that.
So on behalf of my family – Catherine, Aidan, Luke and Cole Botta of Rockville Centre, Nassau County, Long Island, New York, USA – our vote is YES.
344 Responses to POINT BLANK ENDORSEMENT: YES FOR ARENA
The August 1 vote is on, so plan accordingly
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Carey Haber says:
My household of 4 in Plainview is a YES
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HyeDray says:
While its far from optimal — of without a doubt my family base is all voting yes.
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OJ says:
Chills. I will be voting yes, and I will be going to the polls with both of my parents.
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Staten Islander says:
Well put CB, if I lived in Nassau, my vote would be Yes too
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hathead68 says:
I’m no longer a Nassau resident, but I am encouraging my family and coworkers who live in Nassau to vote YES. I hope the turnout is big and overwhelmingly for the plan. Let’s Go Isles!
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KMo429 says:
Inspirational. If this vote is passed it will be the happiest day of my life. Please vote yes everyone! Do it for those who aren’t eligible!
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Marc says:
My wife & I are voting YES and my parents, away for the summer, are voting YES via absentee ballots.
DON’T TAKE THE VOTE FOR GRANTED!!!
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Colin M. says:
Amen, CB. Amen.
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Brian from Massapequa says:
I am voting Yes!
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Sean says:
Awesome, awesome, awesome . . . thanks Chris
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DANO says:
For all ISLANDERS world wide i beg you the people of LONG ISLAND to please come out in numbers and let your voices be heard . LETS GO ISLANDERS
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sean says:
I wish I can vote but I am a suffolk resident but will tell all my relatives and friends to vote yes.
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JTizzle91 says:
Awesome read CB! I will be doing my part! I am driving my mother to her polling station in Bethpage and I will be voting in Massapequa! Vasili from Massapequa and his mom from Bethpage vote YES! P.S. Thank You Chris Botta! The Islander Fans do appreciate everythin you do for Islanders Country!
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matt from massapequa says:
awesome read CB.
VOTE YES
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Dmoney says:
My mom and i will be voting yes, along with my uncle, aunts, cousins and more. I also will be looking to hand out flyers and get the word out even more. Vote YES August 1st!!!!! We’re all Islanders!!!!!!
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paulunde says:
I am not a Nassau resident, but I continue to hope the great Islanders tradition will continue on Long Island. I have attended countless games over the years and traveled a great distance to get there. It would be a crime for L.I. to force the team to relocate.
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Joe from Westerly, RI says:
Chris, my first Islander game was opening night against Detroit in 2001. I also attended the home playoff games that year against the Leafs. Long Island hockey fans not only deserve a hockey team, but they deserve a winner. Good luck.
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NC Dan says:
Vote Yes! 6 yes votes from my household, plus any contacts in my cell phone
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ziggyziggyziggy-oyoyoy says:
You need to get a “like” button on this site!
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L.J. says:
One of the best pieces you have ever written CB. Although I am an out of state resident, everyone I know in Nassau County I’ve contacted and will be voting YES August 1st!
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Nyifan11 says:
Yes
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Bob E says:
2 in my household plus as many friends and family as I can gather. Let’s go isles
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Mario says:
I Am a new jersey resident and a long time islander fan. I have suffered with the rest of you over the last 30 years of bottom dwelling and stupid moves by stupid general managers. You all must vote yes because I love the New York Islanders and it would break my heart if they left for another city. So please get it done and let’s get back to the glory days and stick it to the Rangers and Devils. Go Isles
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Steve M says: Will be spreading the word to all of my friends and family to VOTE YES. LET’S GET THIS DONE!!! Great read, CB.
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Princeton Isles says:
Live in Princeton, work in Newark with 5 guys from Nassau. I bought them all breakfast yesterday and they promised me they will vote YES.
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CB, make sure to leave some in the tank for the night before the vote!!!
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mht says:
Chris,I am a resident of East Meadow and I will vote YES, and thanks for the heads up,I will get my Parents who are thankfully still alive absentee ballots.3 Yes Votes coming from this direction.
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Tom D in NJ says:
Great statement CB – where’s Marv Albert when we need him – “YES”!
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Jack says:
I will be voting yes and have told my wife and other family members to vote yes on this too.
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Daniel says:
Myself, my mother, and g/f all Nassau County residents will be voting yes. I have been speaking with local friends of mine as well about voting yes. Please listen to Chris. Do NOT take the vote for granted. Lets show the politicians and the rest of Nassau County residents how much the team, and the future of our county means to us. Hope to see you all at the polls!
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Anyone know how many registered voters there are in Nassau? Anticipated turnout of voters on this?
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Joe says:
Chris, thank you for this inspirational article. I have started putting out the word to everyone I know to vote YES since I heard about this vote! I will also be sending out a mass text on August 1st to remind everyone I know to Vote. Please, everyone on this site tell everyone you know to vote. We need this badly! Take nothing for granted!!!! LONG ISLAND NEEDS THE JOBS, LONG ISLAND NEEDS THE REVENUE, LONG ISLAND NEEDS TO PROSPER, and LONG ISLAND NEEDS THE NEW YORK ISLANDERS!!!!!
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KyRick says:
I’m in Louisville, Ky. and following the Islanders my whole life since 1979, and I want to vote yes. This affects all Islanders Fans in state or around the country. Go Islanders !!!
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LES says:
suffolk resident supporting a yes vote for all nassau residents
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Chris Stephenson says:
I am a homeowner, and I vote whenever there is a referendum/election at hand. I am planning on voting on August 1st. I am planning on YES, as is my wife.
My reasons are selfish, but simple – I have rooted for this team since Gerry Desjardins was their keeper and to have them leave would be an injustice to hockey history, and would break the back of Nassau County…for good.
I have ZERO say in my taxes being raised without merit. Well in this case I have a choice and I can live with the $58 bucks for now. Anyone who votes no, or argues against this, ask of them this: What would THEY do with that property if there is no arena?
Talk about a wasteland.
The Lighthouse was too large a project,but this is a doable, sensible and REASONABLE plan.
Vote yes.
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islesrock73 says:
Great job Chris.
I am a resident in Wayne Wink’s district, and I am voting YES!! Got that Wayne. I will also drag all family members in the county of voting age to the polls.
Between now and Aug 1st, all true Islander fans should UNITE, and stop all of the negativity that some display on this blog. No more Snow and Wang bashing, no matter who we sign or don’t sign or trade. As is, we have a very young and talented team on the rise, and lets keep them in Nassau County for another 30 years!!
Another thought, Kate Murray has a big following in the TOH (she wins every election by a landslide). KATE, THIS IS THE DEAL YOU WANTED, YOU WON!!. Now, step up to the plate and send your supporters out with yes votes. Lets all call her office tomorrow imploring her to actively support this vote.
ISLANDER FANS UNITE!!!!!
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RyanfromSaskatchewan says:
I have been an Islander fan my whole life, just like my father. I am from a small town in a small province in Canada. I have never missed an Islander game, recorded everyone I was no able to watch since NHL center ice. Obviously, I have no vote but I know for $58.00 I would put my money where my mouth is, hell I’d be willing to pay 20 households income tax raise for the next 30 years if they voted YES instead of NO. Vote YES everyone this vote affects more than just the people in Nassau it will affect Islanders everywhere.
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sean says:
I turned 18 in June and rushed to register to vote just so I can vote yes to keep the Islanders around. Please let them be here when they finally win a playoff series in my life time
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geduffer says:
I have a hard time voting to increase my mother’s taxes, but if this goes down the consequences are unthinkable, so I’ll cover the difference in the taxes for her and vote YES!
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AZS says:
I’ve already made plans to visit my polling place for a huge vote of YES and I’m dragging my wife with me!
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Fred says:
Very inspirational. Not a Nassau resident but my brother/sister in law will be voting yes. Did anyone see the Kevin James video supporting the new coliseum project on the Isles website? I never knew he was from the Island. We need more Long Island born/raised celebrities to come out and support the Yes vote in the media.
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blitz says:
#VoteYES
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Art says:
We have our work cut out for us. It is not going to be easy. We need more than Islanders fans. I hope your column encourages all of us to get involved.
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voter says:
The line about Judy Jacobs is important. Her and all the Democrats. They will follow how the vote went in each region. It it’s not a big victory with lots of voters, they will say they have their reasons to vote it down.
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drive45 says:
Only massive victories in each district will force the pols to change their votes from no to yes.
I really hope everyone understands the point CB tried to make.
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Turgeon1993 says:
We can win the vote but still lose if turnout is lame.
Get out the vote.
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Rob Cush says:
Yes Suffolk residents like myself are left kind of helpless, but it doesn’t mean we can’t promote the vote on Twitter/Facebook. We need to do our part too.
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David in Lynbrook says:
The 3 adults in my family are voting Yes and I will start doing my part tomorrow morning.
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Mike says:
Fliers have been printed out and spreading them throughout Mineola.
My vote is YES !!!!!!!!! -
rocco says:
I know Nassau cannot spend to promote. So far the Isles have put as much into this as they do radio. It’s pathetic. They don’t deserve us as fans.
All that said, I’m voting yes, so are my friends who I’m dragging to the vote and I’ll do everything I can.
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nylund says:
YES!
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Blizzard says: I have encouraged all of my Nassau county relatives to vote yes! From Sea Cliff to Massapequa!!!! Vote yes!!!!
I would but I live in Suffolk. Wish it was a Long Island vote
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Potvin5 says:
Thanks for all the effort you put into this issue and the interviews you’ve done over the last month. I’m glad you wrote about your vote today because it’s getting late and I feel the naysayers starting to come out of the woodwork in the media and in the community.
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CC says:
It hasn’t been a great summer so far for the Islanders but I’m putting all that behind me and rocking the vote.
YES from this Nassau rez
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rich d says:
I’m with #38. We need to unite, not worry about what snow is or isn’t doing and save our team. They are headed in the right direction and with some good fortune we could be in for a great few years. Get the vote out!!
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Lance says:
YES! YES! YES!
3 votes from my family
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Mike L says:
Thanks for the inspiration and the push CB. I’m going to work on this.
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Mike says:
My vote and my wifes vote will be yes! My 5 year old would vote yes if he could as well. He loves the Islanders.
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Steve from Jersey says:
I live in jersey so I wish I could vote yes… but get this done vote yes on aug 1st!!!!!!
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Justin says:
You think those revenues were a result of booze? Nah!!!!!!!
Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do to make your point. Politicians play dirty so I can’t blame Wang’s people for using their “imagination.”
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Oye Comeau Va says:
Happy to see all the YES support and spreading the word to others. Wish I could vote from Manhattan. Will press all my friends and family in Nassau to vote YES… Please do not take a single vote for granted. Check out Jacob’s line in tomorrow’s Newsday. She is going to fight this regardless. Let’s throw as many YES votes in her face as possible.
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isles516 says:
CB has put his feud with Garth Snow to rest in order to support the Islanders getting a new arena. I hope that any fans who aren’t happy with the roster or lack of offseason moves take CB’s lead and do the same. The hockey stuff will sort itself out. This is too important right now.
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EricCup says:
20 e-mails a day against the project?? That’s alot of e-mails likely voting NO. I only hope you’re exaggerating a bit. I can’t say I’m surprised you have decided to vote YES. A NO vote from you would have certainly hurt the cause. This whole deal seems like a no-brainer to me. Even the non-sports fan, non-concert goer, non-event attendee (Nassau Resident) has to understand the importance of this deal being approved. YES YES YES!!!
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The difference between this vote and every other election a nassau county resident has voted in is that this vote actually means something. our votes will count for something tangible.
Not go go off on a political rant, but a republican or a democrat winning office in your district has little to no effect on your life. Presidential elections are decided by the Electoral College, not the popular vote. If you vote republican in new york, you might as well stay home because your vote is meaningless.
However on August 1st, 2011 your vote will 100% count and will make an immediate impact on your life. On a personal note, I feel as if this is the most important vote in my lifetime (been registered to vote for 9 years).
Vote or Die 2011!! VOTE YES!
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Ray says:
To all my Islanders Family, I live and die for you!!! Come on my Friends, Lets get this done do our beloved Barn and new one can get rocking once again!!! WE CAN DO THIS…
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Oye Comeau – you have to read it a little closer. The quote about “what’s the point because this is never getting approved” is not from Wang’s pal Judy Jacobs.
It’s worse. It’s from NY State democratic leader Jay Jacobs, who is tight with dem Governor Cuomo.
It’s ugly, but like CB suggested we should do what we have to get landslide wins in every town.
There is a chance Jacobs is bluffing. It’s a big election year.
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
My friends from Nassau (who happen to be long time Rags fans) will go and vote YES for the arena deal. I hope every single Nassau resident realize how important this is. And for everyone who send CB negative emails about the deal – I would gladly pay my Brooklyn’s stinky $58 per year for any of them.
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Garver says:
Amen, isles516. Amen, brother.
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Jim M says:
Four people in my household will be voting YES. Isles fans should not take this vote for granted. I’ve already heard whispers of people saying yea it’s going pass. Maybe true, but like CB and so many others have said, it needs to be an OVERWHELMING YES.
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jimisles says:
My son will be voting for the very 1st time Aug 1 and was born an Islanders fan. What are the odds of that!!!!!!
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JerseyIslander says:
As an Islander fan my whole life, born during the glory years, this vote NEEDS to pass! Unfortunately, I live in Jersey (right near Princeton Isles!), but I will always be a Massapequa boy at heart. Do NOT let this team leave, after 40 years of entertainment. If I’m off on August 1st, I am contemplating driving to Nassau to support the vote. Maybe go to the old folks homes and shuttle them to the polls! GET IT DONE NASSAU!!!! KEEP THE FAITH!!!
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Anthony 61 says:
Not gonna lie here, I am a tad nervous about this vote. Even before reading this blog. If CB aint lying that 20 emails a day say they are voting NO that is not good. I would love to know what demographic those people emailing you are. ages? hockey fans or not? Senior citizens? etc???
Isles fans this is the MOMENT OF TRUTH for our team. as a fan for 30 yrs, I will be heartbroken and probably NEVER get over it if we lose this team in 2015. WE CANT LET THAT HAPPEN? NO SLACKIN HERE PEOPLE, GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!
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hangover3 says:
Been diehard fan since 1985. If Wang gets his coliseum, Islander fans have to look at another 15-20 years of lowest payrolls, lowest paid coaches, friends as GM, I see no successful future with Wang as owner. Simply no chance of success. Isles would be better off if Wang was forced to sell out of anger. With cablevision deal, Isles would be unlikely to move to Quebec. 20 million a year tv money makes up for all those luxury boxes. I hope this vote fails cause I want another 1993 type of season. I want to be better then the rangers and devils some day. I want to see isles as good as Yashin days again some decade or three from now.
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Mike from Philly says:
As a Yardley, PA resident (very close to my board friends in here from Princeton, NJ) I have no vote, but I have talked to a few friends into voting YES despite them only being casual fans. This is to important to not go out on August 1st or to take this for granted. Lets rock this vote and make sure the Islanders raise another Cup on home ice in Uniondale, NY!
I may live in PA now but I am a Long Islander and a die hard Islanders fan forever!
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Cooz says:
My mom dad and myself will be voting YES! Also I will be personal driving my grandmother to her poling station! 4 Yes’ coming from the Cusumano family. Let’s Go Islanders!!!!!
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Jon Gimps says:
This piece here is the reason why I constantly visit this site. Vote YES to keep the Islanders here, and encourage all to do so in order to support our team. Resident from Bellmore who agrees wholeheartedly with your impassioned words, CB we will send you 200 e-mails a day in support of this!
This is the time where our voices can be heard on an issue that is vital to any fan or fan of the community. Vote YES on Aug. 1
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Al L says:
Although I am disheartened with the inactivity of Garth Snow and leery of the lack of effort Wangano has displayed promoting this proposal,the Aug 1st vote is bigger than them. Wang is merely a steward of the NY Islanders who will not own this franchise forever. A yes vote will result in the Franchise outlasting him remaining where they belong for the rest of our lives!
Make yourselves heard. Educate those naysayers only concerned what their Party is misinforming them with. Let them know on no uncertain terms voting no will spell quality of life suicide in their own backyard! GET OUT AND VOTE YES!! YES!! YES!! -
Sean says:
Absolutely yes…if I was a Nassau resident. I am doing my part to spread the word though!
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Was then, is now, and always will be YES YES YES!!! For my beloved Islanders, this is a no brainer.
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patrick says:
With everyone naming all the people they are taking to the polling station some made read this and say “that guys got my vote”..lol j.k… u wouldnt be on here if you werent die hard… i wish i could vote but i cant since i now live in jersey. Please Everyone, find one person to vote yes as my replacement. LETS GO ISLANDERS!
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A Real hockey fan. says:
.. Im in Westchester but i commute to Nassua 2x a week and have coworkers/friends there i have them voting yes!
.. GET OUT THE VOTE, TELL FRIENDS, COWORKERS, RELATIVES, ONLINE-OFFLINE, STORES, EVERYWHERE!
.. Use rational, facts and figures (and some good ole LI pride) and talk about the benefits and jobs and much needed ‘boost” for the area, do it respectfully/niceely/firmly and encourage all to do the right thing!
.. PS – great lil writeup CB, using some rational, facts, and common sense, keep it up Chris!
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NYC says:
I have ate, pooped, slept Islanders for the last 20 years. I would vote YES from NYC if I could.
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fwb says:
I apologize in advance if this has no relavance, I think it slightly does. Watching TV tonight and an ad, paid for I would guess, for Kate Murray and child seat safety comes on. Our great county, apparently, has at least one, if not more, paid employees that will show you how to buckle up your child safety seat!!! Are you serious? Do they make what school superintedents make? Do we really have paid people to show other adults this? But we might not get a modern building with many skilled laborers working …. un freakin believeable.
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Strummer's Army says:
Vote YES on 8/1/2011!!!!!!!
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Orange&Blue says:
CB, can you please explain how NIFA will effect the plans if the vote is a YES? Are they a serious threat to the arena?
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Justin says:
I am voting yes on August 1st and will walk to the polls if i can’t drive. I’m showing up in my Tavares jersey and bringing every one of my noninterested friends who are registered to vote to support this cause.
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StevieL says:
CB! to back up your point about not taking the vote for granted, I work in the financial industry in Garden City. We have older “well to do” clients. I ask everyone in passing if they are voting and it is surprising how many jump at the chance to tell me they are voting “No”. It is all about the fear of higher taxes. I am working hard to sway those votes over to the “yes” side. Most are just uninformed about the whole issue!
Please everyone, talk up the vote, find those “No” votes and set them straight! No can not be an option!
I live in Suffolk and can’t vote “Yes”, but I feel this is my way of helping! -
Stumpy32 says:
While I’m no longer a Nassau resident, my seven family members that are will vote a resounding YES. Make it happen…save our Isles.
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avann says:
Hey #75 (hangover 3) If this vote fails the Isles are leaving, so that 1993 season will be the last good season we will ever have. Also, the Yashin years really weren’t that good. It just seemed like it was good because we were so bad before he got here
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Bill from Oceanside says:
All of the voting members of my family will be voting yes on Aug. 1 st. However, I have spoken to many, many people who are against this project and see it as another political handout to a rich sports team owner. Lots of people are having a hard time paying their bills and could care less about the Coliseum or the Islanders and they are fed up with tax increases for any reason.
Don’t be surprised if this goes down in flames. The Islanders need to do a better job of explaining the revenue stream to the average citizen who is not a hockey fan. People who can’t make their mortgage payment are not worried about Charles Wang’s investment or a Coliseum that they can no longer afford to go to.
I also am of the opinion that Snow needs to make some kind of splash close to the Aug 1, deadline. The Islanders need to be in the news and on people’s minds if they plan on surviving on Long Island.
This is an Islander’s friendly site and does in no way reflect the concerns of the average citizen. Wang, Mangano and the Isles publicity machine better get in high gear and take nothing for granted. Just because a couple of hunderd fans here plan to vote “yes” does not mean that this will pass in a landslide. Most people here were ardent supporters of the LHP and how did that turn out?
I am a season ticket holder and long, long time fan and I am not so sure that this is going to pass. The mood of the public is angry and they may turn out just to spite the millionaire owner.
Wang and company should be beating the drum about how much money will be poured back into Nassau County coffers. Instead, all I hear is a deafening silence.
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
Very well put CB!!
I’m neither a resident of Nassau, nor a resident of even New York anymore … but I can tell you this much. My brother who also lives near the NJ Shore is driving to the Nassau so he can drive my Aunt, who is a resident of Nassau County, to the polls on August first. Her vote is YES!
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living in queens i cannot vote. but as i said the other night, the only chance of something coming of this is a resounding yes landslide. anything else,even a close yes vote victory, i am afraid will mean nothing.
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CB … In your opinion … just so I can get an idea of how strong a YES vote is required… What is the ratio of Yes to No votes that you think it will take for the on the fence democrats to give the legislature their Yay vote? 60% to 40% sound dominating enough?
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nick says:
i am voting yes and so is my brother, mom, and dad who has been a fan and at every cup at home…it would crush him and me if they left idk wat i would do…everyone please dont be stupid and vote no or not show up we need the islanders since we are islanders.
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Ryan says:
Its really frustrating being here in Jersey and not being able to go and vote. I’m gonna keep my fingers crossed that you Nassau folk come out in droves…
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mrlbem says:
My son turns 18 on August 1, he’s registered and he’ll be voting for the first time on his 18th birthday. He will vote “yes” with my wife and me. August 1 is also Jerry Garcia’s birthday and the Dead may have played the Coliseum between 1973 and 1995 more than anyone. So vote “yes” on August 1 for both the Islanders and Jerry. You’ll be glad you did.
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Bill from Oceanside, I received two emails today. One from Mangano, and one from the Islanders. Maybe the push is starting. I say 20 to 30,000 yes votes, and we win in a landslide. Season ticket holders, die hards, local business and unions should get us there. I hope!!
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BryanG says:
I’m voting yes
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Matthew Carlyle says:
Other than his prepared speeches at the two press conferences, Wang has not said a word about this. He should do a few major interviews.
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Bassen says:
#VoteYES
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nova says:
Wang will win the Auguest 1st vote. What happens after that with NIFA and the legislature is anyone’s guess.
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Dylan says:
My vote is yes but it is not for Charles Wang. It is with the hope that a new arena = a new owner dedicated to hiring the best and most qualified and experience people in charge of running a major league team.
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Lauren says:
This is the best column written on the Isles’ fight to stay on Long Island. I’ve already seen it linked on a few Facebook pages. You would think the Islanders would link it on their Twitter and Facebook pages but I guess the pettiness still continues on one side. It’s their loss. Thanks, Chris.
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slsangus says: Was at the home-opener-OT-loss-to-Detroit after 9/11, was the Shawn Bates penalty shot game, and have been at dozens of dismal mid-week losses to Western conference teams in front of sub 10,000 crowds.
Voting yes. Wife is also voting yes. Will try to sneak 14 year old daughter into polls to also vote yes, but not optimistic.
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nyislanders93 says:
Everyone needs to get out and take the time to vote. We all need to support this project. I’m going to be shuttling friends and family back and forth all day from the voting polls.
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Bill #88! It is shocking how misinformed residents are at this point. In no way is this a handout to Charles Wang. His franchise will be shelling out 14mil per year in lease payments to Nassau County,has taken responsibility for any cost overruns and will contribute 11.5% of Coliseum profits back to the County and ultimately to the Taxpayer/Partner. The $58 dollar annual fee per household has been based on ZERO profit. It is the worst case scenario and reasonable to think can’t possibly occur. Once the new arena gets rolling and attracts more than just Islanders hockey,whatever the fee will be,will be more than offset with a partnership share of profit.
Again,this is not difficult to understand with a set of ears and any attention span. The problem lies with Political Party affiliation and dependance on what they regurgitate.
Now the Betterment Of LI Group has claimed this proposal is designed to ‘fleece’ the taxpayer. How dare they express such wilfull lies! I ask them how much the taxpayer will be ‘fleeced’ if property taxes are re-allocated,necessitated by an empty Coliseum,failed surrounding businesses and a vacant asphalt paved lot?
Think people!!! A Yes vote improves your quality of life and minimizes increases in your future tax Bills thanks to commercial development and a thriving new Entertainment venue having dollars spent within the community,not outside of it!
This should be a slam dunk!!! Vote YES for survival on LI!!!!! -
booten326 says:
Roughly 2 dozen of my friends and I have discussed this on numerous occasions and we all agreed our vote will be yes on Aug. 1. A friend who attends school in Boston is coming back home so he can vote yes as well.
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Jzimm says:
I was never eligible to vote. When I lived on LI, I was in Suffolk County. Now I live in Dallas. But I’ve reached out in every imaginable way to get any Nassau resident I know to vote YES!!! I am forever greatful for those of you who are submitting your vote, and the encouragement that you offer to friends and family. EVERY VOTE COUNTS!!! A big THANK YOU to those who are voting YES, and a big THANK YOU to those who are ineligible to vote, but reached out to those who can vote. August 1st will be the most nerver racking day of my Islander fan existence. That includes the 1982 playoff series agains the Penguins, includes the 1984 series agains the Rangers, includes the Easter Epic, includes Game 7 against the Penguins in ’93, includes Game 7 against the Maple Leafs in ’02, includes the shootout against the Devils in ’07, includes the draft lottery drawing in ’09, and includes the “Tavares or Duchene?” question in ’09!!
Continued good work to all!! Thank you!!
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TM says:
“Charles Wang is a good man and a titan of Long Island industry.”
You lost me right there. (And I’m someone who hates Kate Murray 10 times more than Wang.) Does LI actually have “industry”?
Face it, Nassau’s politicians don’t deserve to have a pro team there and Wang has basically abused and ignored fans as much as the politicians although being caught in the middle of a political game while passing it on to his few customers.
Other than that, nice entry CB.
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KaiserVanIslander says:
yes
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Jim Clark says: As a Suffolk County resident, I will be voting yes. Kidding, folks, I don’t stuff bllot boxes- I am from Buffalo, not Chicago. But one thing I hope is that if this Wangdome isbuilt that it is a firstclass facility and they get a bunch of extra events. I struggle to think the last time I was at NCVMC for an non Islanders event: a computer show around 1997? The “Delicate Sound of Thunder” tour by the Roger Water-less Pink Floyd in the late 1980s? I think the economic benefits have been oversold but there is something to be said for the idea of paying for something if it brings you and the community a wide range of benefits and events.
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dan says: I live in suffolk so please all you nassau Islander fans please get out and vote. If you never have and may never again just this once vote a yes. Then thw nwxt step is to bring respect back to a once well respected team. AND BRING THE DAMN CUP BACK!!!!!
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Gary9-19-22 says:
Wish the Islanders had a PR guy like you CB…. Oh, wait, they did.
Nice piece but, we need the islanders to hit th stump and get the good word out.
I’m on the verge of a nervous break down over this crap…..
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JJ says:
@KyRick, #35; Islander-fans around the country? Well, we’re worldwide. I’m living in Sweden, and I’m supporting the Islanders. I’ve been to Long Island twice just to watch the Islanders. And if ‘we’ don’t get the new arena, Nassau County will loose that kind of tourism/money aswell.
Please guys, vote YES. I wish I could…
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gary says:
As a suffolk resident, i encourage all Nassau county to proactively participate in the vote–I truly believe without a approved arena, the islanders are gone and that area will never be developed to its potential–It will become a park or something that adds nothing to the economy, nothing to the community that has been asking for a plan to bring in the best of what Americans have to offer..I also strongly believe that without a very strong participation in that vote, NIFA wont have the mandate to approve the financial aspects of the deal–Wang is paying the county back, plus interest plus revenue when this is all said and done–Its a long term deal–I still think the Lighthouse, with Wang footing the bill and no public bonds needed, would have been the best choice but at this point, Hempsteads Murray got her way-The arena only-The development around the site should go to Wang…but lets see what he builds first–Is it something like the Devils Rock, which is a beautiful arena?
Participate Nassau residents or the blame will fall on you when looking at a deserted parking lot after 2015–Your Nassau County entry into the 21st century awaits your approval!!! -
MarioGazz says:
Im from CT and attend more than 10 games a year with with and 7yr old son. Please vote YES!!!!!!!!!!! I would if I could.
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thepolishprince says:
Beautifully written as always Chris. Thanks. If I could vote (I’m a Suffolk resident) I would. However, as someone who grew up five minutes from the Coli and who witnessed the dynasty I IMPLORE anyone interested in the well being of the team and the area surrounding the NVMC to vote YES on 8/1. This is not just an Islanders thing people.
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Ryan Sweeney says:
it is extremely encouraging to know that there are still so many fans out there that feel as passionate about their islanders as i do. unfortunately for me and the islanders, I am a suffolk county resident and am ineligible for the august 1 vote. There are thousands of fans outside of nassau county that would make the vote in a heartbeat if it was allowed but we cant so everyone from nassau county needs to pick up that slack! do everything you can to not let the islanders leave long island!
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Sam says:
Vote early and vote often!
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Scotty from Ontario says:
Sure wish I had a say from up here in Canada. I Hope there is i huge turnout!!! Keep the Isles on ithe Island, go vote, you can actually make a difference…i cant
GO ISLES GO!!! Cant wait to come down to the Island for my first time this October, cant friggn wait!!! -
fred says:
They need to pick up the pace on pushing the Yes vote. There were people at the Hicksville LIRR station giving out information telling people to vote NO!
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I agree 117, here in Halifax wishing my vote counted too.Funny thing is I don’t make it a habit to ever vote regarding politics, yet I’d drive to LI if I was allowed to.
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Ross says:
“Although the county and team’s PR campaign has been fairly tame and quiet so far, the buzz is that some particularly big things are planned in the week leading up to the vote.”
….Could you elaborate?
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MoreDraftPicks says:
Sadly, I think non-Isles fans, non hockey fans couldnt care less, and that will be the determining factor. I hope Im wrong. Being from Astoria, I do not have a vote and would urge all to vote YES!!
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Banger says:
My family will be voting, and Im a long time Isles fan. But my vote is NO—and thats based on fiscal austerity, not hockey patronage. Im more tired of money being spent then I am of hearing about Wang and Co. leaving…time to get serious and Im voting NO.
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Isles86 says:
Vote YES!
LETS GO ISLES! -
Steve J says:
Yes vote from me and about 10 family members but I’m getting more worried by the day that this can pass. Just read some of the comments in Newsday as there are plenty of people who could care less about the Isles and want them pretty much evicted from Nassau. We as a fanbase have to save this team since Wang and Mangano have pretty much done a horrible job promoting this plan from Day 1.
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ogam5 says:
To all the non-Nassau and LI Islanders fans posting and yet to post: I have an idea and I’m contacting the Coliseum/management with it; despite having received my last unemployment check yesterday, going to send whoever it’s recommended to do so in county government a check for $58 and see if it can be publicized by all in favor – my living in Western Massachusetts as it is! If I can find work soon, may even commit to sending this amount annually for the rest of my life – depending, of course, upon whether it is legal and the County will embrace the notion…..
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.. With all due respect, some of you guys have to pick it up and use your head!
.. Cheerling and just ‘whooping it up and saying how long your a Isles fan’ will NOT GET IT DONE!!!! – Talking to neighbors and friends and INFORMING people with facts, rational, and logic will help get it done!!
.. Get up and get energized! CALL politicians, CALL the Isles PR dept and of course talk 2 everyone you know, Cmon guys while going to the booth on aug 1st is great and important, getting OTHERS to go and vote yes is just as if not more as important! LETS GET ENERGIZED PEOPLE!!
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CG says:
The fact that we have come to this point is very sad. The Town of Hempstead really screwed this up for everyone. In any other county in our nation, we would now be talking about the progress status of a privately funded amazing development taking place in Nassau County(aka Lighthouse). Politics got in the way. Well you cant change the past but you can control the future. So with that, I vote Yes on Aug 1.
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simtuation says:
3 yes votes from this house
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Bryan says:
There were a bunch of people handing out vote against the colliseum propaganda at the Mineola train station this morning.
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Calvin says:
I took off from work just so I can ferry as many friends and family possible to go out and vote YES. GO ISLANDERS!!!! Let’s pass this with overwhelming numbers!!
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Brandon says:
I only regret that I have but one vote to give for my hockey team.
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Jeff says:
Sorry, I’m an Islander fan and voting no. I can’t pay more in taxes so Charles Wang can line his pockets.
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hale says:
to post 137…its not like wang has been “lining his pockets” for years…how much money has he lost..i am voiting yes..this county needs the arena..the islanders stay..more events come back..and jobs get created..i’m all for all of that
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dunnowhat2type says:
My household of five in Valley Stream has four voters intending on voting for this. Also, my aunt and uncle in Wantagh will be voting yes. I can’t convince my father to vote for this because of something that is very wrong with New York politics in general. He has a problem with the tax revenues generated by the arena going to the general fund rather than to tax relief for the residents.
This is actually a common New York state practice; SUNY tuition mostly goes to the state general fund. According to an e-mail from SUNY Binghamton, the pride of the SUNY system, they receive 21% of their funding from the state and $2.1 million in discretionary spending per year. In spite of the schools keeping so little of their tuition, the state wants to raise tuition rather than raising taxes on any residents.
My father’s problem with money going to the general funds is the projects that get funded with this money. For example, the Army Corps of Engineers is dredging the dunes on private beaches out in the Hamptons on the public dime even though the public cannot use these beaches.
CB – What do you think is the best way to push the benefits of the arena on someone who does not like the political arrangements of this (and most other NYS projects)?
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UIF says:
I don’t live in Nassau or on LI, but I will gladly cut a $58 check every year to a no-voter to cover the tax increase if it gets him/her to switch to yes. Seriously. This team’s worth that and more to me. Reading about the Isles takes up at least 50% of my Internet time.
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admin says:
Post updated at 9:30 am with some news and a view…CB
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Donna says:
My husband and I will be voting yes,. I am working on my brother (unemployed graphic artist) and my 81 yr old Dad. Going to print out some signs and post them around town in the coming weeks. . .
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Charles Wang has never shown his financial statements showing losses in the millions. That’s just what he says. Financial statements can say whatever you want them to say. There is no reason to think a deal between Wang and politicians at the taxpayers’ expense will work out well for taxpayers.
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Jay Jacobs should be ashamed of himself. Honestly, the words I have for him are not suitable to print on a family-friendly website like this one.
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Kristin says:
This was a great piece, thank you Chris. I am a Suffolk resident, but if I could vote YES I would in a heart beat. I will encourage all my Nassau friends who actually can vote yes, to do so. We’re all Islanders!
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Brian G says:
My vote is YES.
But I wish Wang would put more attention & focus to the on-ice product b/c this franchise needs a “rivival” again. The 6,000 fan attendence games will continue this season b/c too much insight is on the outside area of the coliseum instead of the players & fans inside of it….
I hope there will be some sort of clause in the contract that Wang cannot sell the team if this is approved.
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itsuksbeingislesfan says:
to all the ranger fans out there in nassau county ,please show up on august 1 and vote yes in helping us keep the isles on long island to continue our bitter rivalry or else get ready to start playing the kansas city scouts
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That just makes my blood boil!
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Mike says:
If this the Democrats are saying this will not get the super-majority it needs to pass the Legislator then this vote is a waste of time. The fact that Wang is being personally lambasted because he is being treated as the proverbial political football is even more sad than the thought that this plan is better for the county than the Lighthouse. I will vote yes because as someone who has been with this since the beginning I realize this is the last chance to get anything done. If it fails we’ll get something that looks a lot like the Lighthouse without an arena, brought to you by the same TOH doners that opposed the Lighthouse plan
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Dave says:
CB- I totally agree with you! Every blogger, facebook members, fans on this site get all your friends and family members to vote YES! These are ALL READY posters on telephone polls in some area’s along hempstead tpk to vote YES, but it is not enough…WE MUST GET OUT THE VOTE! I have 30 People Voting YES AUG 1st! THE GROUPS AGAINST THIS PROJECT ARE REAL ESTATE PEOPLE- SHOCKING REASON THEY WANT TO DEVELOPE THE SITE HUB!READ NEWSDAY ITS THE MAIN HEADLINE! we Need to get have at least 60-70 percent of the Vote for this project to have a chance to Pass. ONly 2 DEMS have to Approve the project cause you know everyone on the otherside will say YES!
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shlo says:
2 votes YES here.
In any event any Nassau resident that reads point blank does not need convincing. It’s 99.9% yes.Talk to your neighbors and Rags fans as well, they’ll miss some great games if the Isles are not here… -
Everyone ask all your friends and family members to VOTE YES! Remind them to Vote AUG 1st this is important to NASSAU COUNTY in YEARS it’s not just about the ISLANDERS but who will pay for an empty arena that may not be developed for another 10 yrs the way projects happen on LONG ISLAND. Look in Suffolk county as an example. There are projects upheld for years and years because they still did not get the green light! Reality throughout LONG ISLAND nothing gets done fast!
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Actually, I agree with Bill From Oceanside. But I don’t think a big splash within the next 2-3 weeks will have any impact on the vote. Non-hockey fans won’t care about that. But I do agree that the Islanders have to speak loudly about the benefits to the county citizens.
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The Best Way to reach the public is walk door to door forget advertisement adds and poster signs. This is going to be a tough battle if the majority of the public votes NO then it shows that the People of Long Island don’t care about the ARENA AND THE ISLANDERS. The problem is the pulic is missed informed of the benefits outweighting the downside. THE ISLANDERS ORG. better get a move on unlike the none free agents trades and signings. Charles Wang certainly has a buyer if this doesnt pass waiting in the wings!
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Islesfan_in_Vancouver says:
it’s interesting how the comments in this thread saying they’re voting NO because they don’t want higher taxes don’t realize they’ll have even higher taxes if the arena is empty and doesn’t generate any revenue. 2100 extra people looking for work and the restaurants near the arena will lose a ton of business.
It’s interesting that people that live there would do less research about it than someone who has never been there.
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Last night at my LIRR station, I had a flyer on my car to vote yes. There was no opposition of any kind this morning. I do not beleive there are any real opposition groups to this despite what today’s Newsday headline would like you to believe. Really disappointed in Newsdays coverage of this and will absolutely cancel my subscription if this thing fails.
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Tim F. says:
I don’t live in Nassau County, and therefore can’t vote, but here is my pledge: If you build it, I (and my family) will come. I will continue to bring a portion my disposable income into Nassau County, in support of my beloved Islanders, and in the process generating revenue for Nassau. Vote yes, and we’ll be there!
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AFIsle says:
i grew up in FDale and im sationed in little rock. can i still vote?
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sec. 308 says:
Whatever happens, at least real people will have some say in the the outcome, not just politicians and cabals of businesspeople.
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LIT says:
Nobody beat these people up?? If you see these non-hockey fans handing out these vote NO flyers, you know what to do!!
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The political hacks who are against this project need to enroll in an ECO 101 course at Nassau Community College, where I attended. No Coliseum, will mean tax increases, job losses and business closings. You can take that to the bank. We all hate tax increases for silly government spending, but this should be a no brainer for the citizens of Nassau County, hockey fans, or not. Thank you Mr. Wang for having the staying power, even though you have been abused by both political parties.
SHAME ON ALL THE CORRUPT POLITICIANS WHO ARE ENVIOUS OF SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PEOPLE LIKE MR WANG. MOST OF THESE POLITICIANS CARE MORE ABOUT THEIR SPECIAL INTEREST CONSTITUENTS THEN THE AVERAGE CITIZEN. LETS UNITE ISLANDER FANS, PASS THIS VOTE, AND VOTE THESE POLITICIANS OUT OF OFFICE!!!
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fudgywudgy says:
I cant believe Newsday…..What a bunch of slimy liberals……I guess they can cut payroll if the Islanders re-locate, they wont have to pay their beat writers anymore…..Too bad…so sad… Fudge F. Fudge…
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BattFist says:
What a bozo.
I can understand why one would not support the August 1st vote…but to campaign by using the Islanders logo with an “X” through it…geez. Are the Islanders the enemy here?! The problem is aging arena owned by the county.
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Jeff, you’re not an Islander fan. You’d cut off your nose to spite your face like that? I’m disgusted that you’d give up on your team for, MAYBE, $58 a year, though in the long run, it’ll make you money. It’s a money-maker to begin with, adding in the emotional cost of losing a team, and buddy, you’ll be out a hell of a lot more than $58 a year.
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Westchester says:
Vote “NO”!
Move to Queens!
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BooBoo says:
It doesn’t matter if you vote no or yes the Islanders are moving to Quebec in 2015, the arena is already being built. OPEN YOUR EYES!
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BooBoo,
Where is it being built in Queens? -
The opposition needs to look at today’s national unemployment and job figures. The national economy is getting worse and the local economy will get worse as well if the no votes win out. What is exactly their plan for job growth in Nassau if they succeed in killing the referendum? Why is it all of sudden we have Republicans getting cozy with the unions and the Dems preaching fiscal responsibility? Where is the “political football” when we need him the most?
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Everyone of us needs to be diligent and vote YES, or get others to vote yes. If I am Wang and Mangano, I go directly to the opposition and explain whatever they need to know to vote YES. If they are still against it after the transparency, smear their political asses! If they don’t vote with the majority of their constituants, they should be sued. Any lawyers to look into that?
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manhattan mike says:
If I make up a digital banner “IM VOTING YES ON AUGUST 1ST” with an Isles logo would people post it on their facebook pages?
CB – or I could send to you and you can post around – maybe people can download it from your site? -
FrankieD says:
#137, I guess you’re against creating new jobs for others as long as you have yours. Charles Wang has lost over 30Million the last 10 years and you don’t want to see him recoup any of it. Your taxes will go up if the Coliseum goes dark and NO revenue is gained. You’re only outsmarting yourself and fellow residents.
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i hate politics. if dems had put this in motion they would be all behind it. Wasnt at the Rockville Centre station. I guess if it is im ripping them all down.
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just a fan says:
We need our enemies to cross the line and help keep one of the best rivalries in sports alive. Ranger fans come vote August 1!
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RWM says:
If these people spent their time collecting cans instead of handing out Vote No flyers, they can earn the $58 back. What a waste of time and resources.
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Matthew says:
I cannot vote but I convinced all my relatives in Nassau to vote. PLEASE convince all your friends coworkers, family members to vote. Do anything necessary buy them breakfast and explain how important this is to us. #VOTE YES
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Jack says:
This is never going to fly, sad to say. I wonder if Wang will consider Queens?
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SteveDoubleW says:
born, raised, and living in Canada, so I cannot vote. But please vote yes. I do NOT want to cheer for the Quebec City Islanders… makes my stomach turn.
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jt says:
Driving my wife and mother to the polls so that we can all vote yes!
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El Exigente says:
Just wondering CB, have you, or anyone, even seen a picture or designs of what this new arena is going to look like? Who the designers are? What the seating will look like? Before ground was broken for Citi Field, Yankee Stadium, the Barclays Center and the New Meadowlands Stadium you could go to the respective team websites and see 3D renderings and pictures of scale models of the new venues. Heck, even the Rangers/MSG website shows picutes of the on going renovation and what the Garden will look like when work is completed. I think it is only proper to see what we are being asked to pay for.
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Doug F. says:
CB,
Brooklyn here we come…
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Fred says:
Resistance is futile.
If these political bums want a ploy to argue about why don’t they talk about filling some pot holes. If they vote on a super majority after their constituents vote YES then I hope they lose their next elections.
I’m sick of these double dipping baby politicians interfering just so they can get some attention. It’s not like they’ve done such a bang up job already, look at Nassau county, it’s more of a joke then the Islanders win/loss record.
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WE MUST FIGHT BACK…..CANCEL NEWSDAY!!!!
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93 Miracle says:
Happy Days will be here again. The Islanders and Islanders fans will have our day. No I am not talking about a new building but thats part of it. WE WILL HAVE OUR DAY!
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bababaoey to ya'll says:
I have this feeling but I will keep it to myself…
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Lav says:
Don’t do it for Wang and Snow. Do it for the Islanders legacy, Islanders fans and Long Island.
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Mario says:
I went back and forth on this for a while but my vote is yes after reading your editorial.
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bergevin says:
Mark my words – if this fails, or should I say when this fails, Wang will put the team up for sale to anyone who can move it and he will have a clear conscience.
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Zarley says:
We will win on August 1st thanks to the passion of people like CB. After that, I guess we’ll see but its hard to be optimistic when you see that quote from Jay Jacobs.
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chyzowski says:
CB,
you wrote that the Isles have some big things planned for the last week in July. I hope your right and theyre really big because so far they have dropped the ball.
Remember the clown who said he was leading the biggest rally in Long Island history? 100 union guys, a few dozen Isle employees, the ice girls and about 15 helpless fans. It was pathetic. Then as you noted we had Mottau at Borelli’s.
Is Wang and his people kidding me?
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nosebleed says:
Yes – No – It doesn’t matter what people vote, it means nothing. This arena will never be built due to politics. You can campaign all you want, it will not happen.
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Billy the Kid says:
Wang’s silence is deafening. Nevermind another planned speech. He needs to come out with some strong words on the frontpage of Dolanday.
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gino says:
I’m a YES +3
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Kevin 27 says:
We’ve got 4th liner Matt Martin in a Vote Yes t-shirt on video rocking the vote. Yippee!
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Buster says:
VOTING YES! N. MERRICK!!
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Ed from Hempstead says:
My family is all in
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#75 as good as Yashin days? You are setting your bar way way too low. This team will be MUCH better then the Yashin days. Those teams had no young talent none! A lot of the players were not Homegrown in fact most were not. This team can blow the 01-02 team and 2007 team out of the water. Those seasons were fun, while 03 the team wasnt very good but got in having the least amount of points for a playoff team and 04 you had Sterling who was 0-6 against the ranger$ but a pretty good team otherwise but that 0-6 told you everything you needed to know about the toughness of that team.
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valentino says:
Nassau county owns the coliseum. I don’t get all the claims democrats are making that taxpayers are bailing out a billionaire. If Democrats don’t want to support a new coliseum, and nassau county owns the building and therefore would be responsible for refurbishment, then are democrats slumlords?
Where is the long island pride? Wouldnt you want a state of the art building instead of a run down tenement? -
JBinNYC says:
I grew up in Nassau County,. I read Newsday, my family had Isles season tickets my entire childhood, all the way up until I left Long Island for a career in NYC.
I stopped reading Newsday years ago. They used to have real writers and a real Sunday magazine! Breslin, Kitman, even Liz Smith used to be in-house Newsday writers. Now it’s Parade magazine and a bunch of AP reports (and Katie Strang).
Honestly, when I visit family on Long Island, I see so many strip malls, shopping centers and lanes of traffic.
The Lighthouse might have changed all that. That’s history.
Now we have this new arena. Can we at least see what we’re buying? Is this a glorious new arena, or just a box built the absolute cheapest way to garner the most profits? Will I still need to picked up at the train station every time I want to go to the Coliseum?
If I was still a Nassau resident, I would blindly vote YES. But honestly, if this passes, and all chips fall into place, we’re going to have a new Coliseum, once again, in the middle of a parking lot with the Marriott next to it.
Isn’t that what we have now? What’s the difference? The players get better locker rooms? We get a better, more expensive food court?
Move to Queens. Be part of The Tennis Center, CitiField and what will be a redeveloped Willets Point. That’s what I think.
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NYIFANIN2010 says:
Somebody (i.e. the team) needs to print up lawn/yard signs promoting the vote. I would put them all over the neighborhoods.
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C’mon folks, leave the negativity behind for just this one entry. None of the “it doesn’t matter” stuff. That’s what the nay folks want. This is Nassau County Isles’ fans one chance to be heard. No Kate Murray funneling your emails directly to the garbage. No Republican leader accusing you of being paid for by Charles Wang. No being drowned out by poorly reported articles in Newsday that only highlight the opposition. You all have a voice with this vote. Blow ‘em out of the water on Aug. 1. Give them no choice. Let’s get 10 yes votes for every person complaining about $58. If they choose to kill it after that anyway, go down knowing you did all you could to save the team.
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Big Van Vader says:
I represent one and i’m bringing at LEAST 4 votes with me. Bring everyone you can people. And if you are NOT a Nassau resident, ask anyone you know who is to vote yes. Ask it as a FAVOR if you must. Ask Ranger fans! They want to keep the rivalry, too.
Do whatever is necessary to secure YES votes.
Never Say DIElanders!!!!!
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Dan says:
I think its amazing how many islanders fans there are in jersey!!
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Islesfaninflorida says:
Would love to vote YES, but im in florida, and even if i was back home on LI, i lived in Suffolk. COME ON VOTERS, LETS GET THIS DONE. LETS GO ISLANDERS!
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Tony says:
The Isles have been a major part of my life for 3 decades. But I’m voting no for a variety of reasons. I do realize the consequences.
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ppugs says:
I just don’t get it with the politicians….for 58 dollars in tax increases…which is a dollar and change each week out of the year…u get huge economic growth…its a shame what politics is coming to in this country I vote yes!!!
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Mond says:
I can’t wait to go to the train station and dump paint all over their literature next week. CB – WHAT TRAIN STATION WAS THIS AT?
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SEC313 says:
Post #180 has an excellent point. There are NO plans drawn up for the new Arena…
Nothing, from the Architects, to renderings, to seating capacity, we have NOTHING!
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JSExpress says:
I no longer live in Nassau, but have any of the “no” crowd stopped to think what the Coliseum site will become once the doors have closed? Truly a frightening thought. Can’t believe that people would be willing to give the Coliseum and all that comes with it (not just the Isles) up for $58 a year, regardless of the current economy. Not a very forward thinking group.
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misterpink says:
Here’s the difference between wangano’s media blitz and the anti-wang’s.
Team Wangano had “VOTE YES” trifold one-sheet black and white flyers that were stuck under windshields at the seaford train station. Now – its a big train station – three huge parking lots. They maybe hit half of the cars in the one small main lot. NONE of the cars in the big west lot or the east lot were touched. They hit 15% tops. They probably paid some kid $7 an hour and he put out a few and tossed the rest.
This morning they anti-taxers have actual people standing at the train stations putting NO flyers in peoples hands.
The difference is night and day – and we will see it in the vote and the end result. It’s so sad and upsetting, even more so as a Nassau resident than an Islander fan.
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jfnisles says:
I can’t understand why in one of the most affluent counties in the USA it is so hard to get a quality arena built, yet in less affluent cities like Pittsburgh, they have built a football stadium , a baseball stadium and a hockey arena all in the last few years…….
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Y2G says:
I’m not a Nassau resident so if you are say the following things to anyone who tries to convince you to vote NO:
“$58 bucks a year buys about 2 blue-ray discs that you would probably watch once then put on the shelf, would you give that up for 2,100 working-class people to get a paycheck”
“Unemployment rates in this region are not 9% like the news wants you to believe they are about 15-17% for young people ages 17-26 do you want vote against job creation”
“LI has a drug problem with its young people and kids experiment with drugs when they are bored, do you want to take away the biggest entertainment and sports venue in the county” -
I hope none of these “no” people try to hand me a flier that says “vote no” and an X through the Islanders…I will have somthing to say about that….
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vrinqueens says:
Jay Jacobs and his cronies will feel the backlash in Nov. if this deal doesn’t get done, hopefully they’ll do the right thing.
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I just emailed Jay Jacobs office. I gave them a peace of mind. Please email and start the trend.
Here is the website and click on “contact us” –nassaucountydems.com/content/jay-s-jacobs
VOTE “YES”
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DocDuke says:
#206, Hey Tony, can you explain your reasons? Just curious.
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JBinNYC post 200 says my exact thoughts –
“if this passes, we’re going to have a new Coliseum, once again, in the middle of a parking lot. Isn’t that what we have now? What’s the difference? Move to Queens.”
How exactly does a new arena improve NYI if it’s still surrounded by….nothing? Still no mass transit, no media coverage, no corporate support. Who is going to pay for the luxury boxes without corporate support? No major business near it, questionable revenue streams. What’s the difference? Makes no sense.
MOVE TO QUEENS!!
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That was one of the best posts yet, Chris…You should be a speech writer….
Lets get er done!!!!
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The financial benefit to the Isles is clear – a new arena brings new revenue streams. In addition, being that Wang is not footing the bill upfront as with the Lighthouse, less commercial enterprise would be acceptable, but from what I’ve heard, there will be a commercial aspect to the project, albeit not on the same scale as the Lighthouse.
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JT27 says:
Well stated for the Botta family. The Sullivan family of Massapequa will be voting YES! For the Anti-Coliseum people to come out it could backfire lead to more Pro-Coliseum people to come out & vote. Lets get our people out!
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There is no Queens or Brooklyn folks. Everyone keeps saying the NHL would “never abandon the NY market”…they’re not. The Rangers are here, pulling in massive amounts of revenue and getting the league plenty of exposure. Go check out Forbes and see where the Isles are in revenue. Like 26th out of 30 teams. I don’t think the league would have a problem allowing the team to move to a place with a new arena where people would gladly pay $58 for a team, and where tickets would sell out on the first day for the next three seasons like Winnipeg. Quebec is more likely than Queens. We can’t let that happen.
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Why does Wang insist on keeping a team where they clearly are not wanted? Suffolk and Queens would welcome the Islanders. They aleady said they would. Where is Wang? You think he would be all over the place trying to make this happen.
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James from Swindles says:
It’s all political. Though I am 1000% for it, I am skeptical it will receive final approval.
If your average election sees 25-30% voter turnout (I’m spitballing here), what kind of turnout can be expected for an 8/1 vote? 10%? Less?
And while I think the referendum will pass, the democrats (this time around) will use turnout numbers to argue against the results. And that’s just for starters, before they even get in to the dollar figures.
The whole situation is sad for the fans; pathetic from a political standpoint.
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Islanders1932 says:
I will be voting yes.
My dad will be voting yes.
My mom will be voting yes.
My brother will be voting yes. -
Valentio, right on, I never thought of it that way. Wang, is in fact, bailing out the County.
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Hishutzi Skorz says:
IMO, a key to getting this passed would be an editiorial endorsement in Newsday.
As Newsday is owned by Cablevision, isn’t it in the corporation’s best interest to have a state of the art arena in the center of the county?For starters, Cablevision (MSG) braodcasts the Islanders. Come 2015 if this team is in Quebec or KC, this revenue stream becomes dry!
Secondly, with an active plate of events, there is advertising revenue to be made, from both the TV and print side of their business.
Finally, there can be no denying that a “No” vote will negatively affect employment for a segment of the population. How many of these people, who may presently be Cablevision and/or Newsday subscribers will turn into former subscribers?
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Andrew says:
My wife and I will be voting yes….
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Cold Spring Harbor says:
#222 sounds like Paul Dooley announciong the Hanson Brothers brawl in Slapshot, “the players are standing up to them, the peanut vendors are standing up to them and by God if I was down there, I’d be standing up to them”. All New Yorkers should be used to surcharges and assessments by now, if it isn’t $58 for the Islanders then it will be for the sewer district empty house or the school district superintendent’s car lease. Come on, cut the crap and just vote yes already.
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DT says:
Jay Jacobs is a phony. He wouldn’t demand that Anthony Weiner resign, he denies trying to tell former Gov. Patterson to hire Thomas Stokes and Leonard Steinman to the Nassau Interim Finance Agency board. I have been trying to find a way to e-mail Jacobs, but i’m unable to find a site that has any contact info. If someone on here is kind enough have that information and pass it along, it would be appreciated. Thanks. I’m a Democrat, but with people like Jacobs in office, it makes me have second thoughts. Mr. Jacobs just wants to get his name out there one way or another, and he found the platform to do it. As for Newsday, they are not even worth a comment since they were sold three years ago. It’s no longer an unbiased paper. If you receive any anti arena vote flyers at the LIRR stations, simply rip up the flyer and tell them to vote yes on August 1st. We can get this done!
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VLo brooklyn says:
those people at the train station handing out flyers that are against the new arena should be batted over the head. Get a life and a job.
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NYI says:
I live in Holland and this is truly amazing to me. What in godsname is 58 dollars per year for creating jobs?
What I also dont get: LI is so big, there must be a place to juist built an arena. Why should it be Nassau? -
CB: Regarding your 930 AM update … The Resistance.
The statement from Jay Jacobs is what stood out most for me in that Newsday article. He speaks as though it doesn’t even matter what the residents of Nassau County want. The NO VOTE campaign with the Islanders logo on it is very telling. It’s not a campaign against a “tax” it’s a campaign against the Islanders.
But I digress… Jay Jacobs speaks as if he already has the NO VOTES in his pocket … I’m sure his democratic peers are not nearly as irresponsible as he is, and will carefully weigh the value and benefits of such a financing bond to build the new arena. That is if there are at least 2 dems that aren’t sheep among their fellow democrats. Kevan Abrahams appeared to be his own man in the interview you conducted with him. He seems like he’d weigh the merits of the plan with his own fair mind.
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I am 40 now. My father was a huge isles fan. He shared a season ticket package with a friend from 1975 to around 1997. Age and disappointment with the franchise finally did him in. In that time I went to countless games with him and developed a passion for the team that I have for no other. Can’t even explain why. I now have a 5 year who I want to be able to share the same experience with. I will be voting Yes on Aug 1.
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isles08025 says:
Move to Staten Island, then I wouldn’t have to drive through there to go to a game. You could change the logo by removing LI and inserting SI. I’ll miss stopping at Nathans on Coney Island an my way to NVMC
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CB, i know you normally do not allow links so best I can do is ask you all to go to the Nassau County Democratic Committe page and click on the ‘contact’ page. I spent 20 minutes today writing a letter that I submitted through their website and faxed it to their office. I think all fans should let Jacobs know how deplorable it is to already threaten to vote against something that residents may overwhelmingly support. This goes in direct contrast to the words from Kevan Abrahams.
Tell Jacobs that he makes it sound like the Nassau Democratic Party is against the core ideals of democracy, carrying out the will of the people.
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Mike239 says:
VOTE NO. it wont be the end of the world. just move the Islanders to Queens. besides, only ignorance deals in extremes. this vote really isnt so crucial.
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If they would have attempted to hand me one of those I would have wadded it up and threw it back in their face.
VOTE YES!
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#127, Banger, what you’re not getting is that this isn’t being money spent, it’s money invested. If this doesn’t go through, TOH economy will be ruined. Who in their right mind is going to invest in your community?
But i get that you’re frustrated. But blame the politicians, not Wang & Co. -
Desmon Ryan has turned into Charlie Sheen arming and firing Truth Missles!
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this vote needs a huge showing not just of LI voters, but of all islanders fans in the area. The team should organize something and ask islanders fans to show up for the day. Have guys from the team there and give islanders fans that show up a vote yes shirt. If they could get a bunch of fans to show up and get a sea of colors waving in the background that couldn’t hurt to show how much support this team has and how much passion the fan base has
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God, help the poor soul that tries to hand my one of those Vote No fliers on the Platform. I will make the cry.
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What a scumbag politician he is for doing that.
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Hank says:
Can we really blame all the UFA’s out there that are signing with other teams, when our own government officals don’t even want the Islanders here. How are we suppose to get players from around the world to pick up and move their families from their homes to come play here on Long Island for a team that doesn’t even have the support of the local population.
I am sorry but I do not have any good feelings that any government official regardless of political belief can actually make an unpartial and unbias decision without being told by the higher ups in which ever party they belong to which way to vote.
If this vote goes against us. I hope the Islanders move and Nassau losses any and all monies it thought it would continue to recieve if the Islanders would stay and continued to play subpar hockey with no potential to do anything more than pick in the top 5 year after year.
The Buffalo Sabres may be gaining a fan if all goes wrong this summer.On another note, can I ask how in the world are we going to make the salary cap floor when last time I checked all the UFA’s have signed with other teams.
Looking forward to yet another Draft party in the “Old Barn” -
John says:
SAD. How about a good faith gesture of signing someone. anyone. oh right Marty Reasoner. Party on.
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Mike P says:
The closer we get, the more I feel like it’s over. we dont stand a chance. I mean to ghostbuster the Isles logo ? Really ? That speaks volumes on how some residents don’t care about the team. How blind can these politicians and residents be that are against this plan ? $58 bucks a year they’re crying about ? A price thats cheaper then taking the family to the movies, ONCE A YEAR ? Once the Isles leave in 2015, these idiots better get ready for a huge and PERMANENT tax increase due to the lost Isles revenue the county now must make up. I will NEVER spent another penny in Nassau for the rest of my life if this fails.
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I’ve been wearing my islanders hat everywhere i go.
We are up against it! I feel like us fans are in it alone. i hope im wrong. -
Sidd Finch says:
CB: Thanks for giving a little background on CW and Snow for all the idiots on this board who somehow think they are not doing the right thing, which is in fact what the politicians of Nassau are doing. While I vehemently object to the GOP and County funding a project which Mr Wang was fully prepared to foot the bill for in the first place, I will support it. I am most worried about the older lifelong residents who have nothing better to do than constantly shoot down any progress on LI. For the average voter, it hardly seems worth voting NO to save $58, while voting yes will continue the life of the Coliseum, the Islanders and the events that go on there. I still don’t see a need for a ballpark, but rather some ancillary entertainment like dining and recreation before and after an Isles game or a concert. But once we have done our part, NIFA and the super majority are out of our control.
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I live on the North Shore of Long Island..the only place i have seen anyhting that says vote yes is when i type it on this blog.
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Before I begin, I would just like to say I really don’t care where the team plays its home games. I root for the organization and its players, not its location.
Having said that, I cannot understand why anyone would vote no. I get the $58 in taxes per year argument, but is that worth losing the only attraction the TOH has, along with thousands of jobs and tax revenue?
Let’s make things perfectly clear here. In my 34 years of existence, I have never heard of a city’s officials or citizens ever complaining about how they need to get rid of their sports team for whatever reason. I have heard of cities that have lost teams, and lost millions of dollars and thousands of jobs. Most of those cities have tried ferociously to get their teams back. Most of those cities (Atlanta, Seattle, Montreal, Los Angeles etc…) also had a crap load more going on than the freakin’ TOH.
If the vote is yes there will be a new state of the art venue. It will help make the Isles a more competitive team and a more sellable one too. It will also attract a wide variety of shows, along with the performers who don’t bother to go to NVMC because it’s a dump. Their will be jobs for thousands created, including some for the long time residents of the area, and some for the university students. And tax revenue, that if in the hands of an honest politician, will make you forget about your measly $58 tax increase.
If the vote is no, you will lose your sports team. You will lose most shows/attractions. You will lose jobs and revenue. And even if someone decides to tear down the NVMC and build something like a mall, (which is what I believe to be the reason behind the shameless, political struggle), it will only take in revenue from residents. No one will come to the TOH for shopping or a movie, but there are bunches who come to give you their money just to watch a “silly old hockey game”.
In conclusion, good luck to all the Yes voters. I hope you win, but if you don’t, some other city will prosper, and I will still get to see Tavares, K.O. & Streit play.
To the No voters, I don’t want to insult you, but you clearly have no clue what’s going (which is probably why your town has been flushed down the toilet for the last 20 years). You’re going to risk the towns’ future to make sure you have enough money to buy a couple of dvd’s per year. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
So don’t complain when we all look you in the eye and give you an old fashion “told ya so”.P.S: The most important thing to remember, Wang doesn’t need the TOH. He has more money than they do. Going through all this B.S. is a clear sign that he wants to help the community. If he just wanted money, he would just move, plain and simple. Trust me; there are many cities with more money than the TOH!
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The N.Y. Islanders are trending on Yahoo!
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Mr. Jacobs and your fellow Dems, what’s your vision for the Coliseum property if the Islanders leave? A shopping mall? Kate Murray will love that idea, not. Office buildings? There are so many vacancies across the Island now. Affordable housing? Who will buy since banks will not give out mortgages.
Mr. Jacobs, in fact, you have no plan. You are just playing politics. SHAME ON YOU.
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Doug Heffernan says:
hey guys i just have a quick question, im 19 and never voted before. i want to obviously show my support and vote but am not registered and do not know the first thing about any of this stuff. can anyone help me please on how and where to register…also for the people handing out those flyers GET A LIFE
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jay jacobs.. i say NO to this plan, and i have NO plan of my own. in three years when NObody is using that rusting, empty hulk, theres NO way i accept blame. do you NO what i mean.
based on the last 2,3,4,5, years of nonsense, the losses the team has suffered, the $30 million in wasted money on the lighthouse project, why would Charles Wang get involved in local politics? at somepoint, both political parties have loved, and hated him. rather, let the people vote, and if it doesnt go your way, move the team, and recoup some of the vast sums of money you have invested. then live up on the north shore, pass the empty NVMC and sadly shake your head from the back of your limo while thinking, ” i tried..” -
Doug #249, go to the Islanders official website. They have registration info on the site.
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dynasty23x4 says:
im curious to hear from ranger fans that are nassau residents…i dont like the rangers, but i would never vote against them stayin in ny.
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I’d like to know where Jay Jacobs resides? If not LI,he has some hell of a nerve for his conduct! If LI,he will be the first to bail once Nuclear Winter takes hold on Nassau County should the Coliseum be inactive!! How disgustingly vile these politicians are. The two party system has made them the lowest class of human life.
You can bet,if Tom Suozzi was still in Office and this proposal was his baby,the Democratic Legislature would be standing by his side and Kate Murray wouldn’t have been anywhere near Charles at the announcement!
Nassau folks! You must bury these ignorant naysayers at the polls,who are nothing but tools for these self serving political maggots! Yes means a hopeful future for you on LI. No means crushing property tax increases and downward spiraling home values.
Tony! I would be interested to know what your various reasons for voting No could possibly be,realizing the consequences. If in fact you realize the consequences,with all due respect,you must be hell bent on pain and decay! That is an issue only a psychologist can deal with.
You reap what you sow,residents and will have no one to blame other then yourselves if you fall prey to the self interests of politicians who don’t care if you live or die! Save your future as Nassau residents!! The only way to do it is vote YES on Aug 1st!!! -
Lenny says:
The Islanders idea of promotion is posting a story on Facebook about the Borelli’s guy saying the Islanders must be saved. Geez, I wonder why he feels that way? It’s depressing how lame Wang’s people are.
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Cody Rosen is at or expected at isles prospect camp hahah 3rd string goalie in college played 2 games in college haha ALL YOU NEED to know about the Islanders!! Agents must eat this stuff up when warning players to avoid this franchise.
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Blizzard says:
There are many Ranger fans in Nassau. They are like a plague. But how about it Rag fans. You ready to say goodbye to the best local rivalry in sports? Vote yes lets keep it alive!!!
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Vote YES! this needs to pass, i do not want to become a rangers fan………………………………………………………………………calm down,kidding!
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I wrote to Jacobs – told him Id never step foot in Nassau and spend a cent if the Isles move. Disgraceful politics.
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DWC says:
If I was sure the team would stay in the tri-state area, I would be rooting against this. The county simply doesn’t deserve it based on what we’re seeing.
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Lenny, so you and the party of Jay Jacobs are now against small business owners like Borelli’s? A new low!!
Lenny, did you have fun handing out leaflets this morning?
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Pat says:
I’ve got over 10 family members voting YES for me since I live in CT. I am making a trip to LI tomorrow. If someone hands me a vote no sign I will rip it up and throw it in his/her face. #VoteYES
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isles71 says:
to Oye Comeau Va @#236…of course Jay Jacobs is opposed to the democratic process…don’t you understand it only works once you elect them…after that you are to foolish, irresponsible & stupid to think for yourself, so thank goodness Mr Jacobs (and his type) are there to let us know what we think! Just think what these people have done to Nassau County…Up until the mid 70′s, the Gold Coast was the richest place in the world per capita…how times have changed. Really think that this is all for show, because the decisions, IMO, have already been made in the back room behind closed doors…in other words, typical L.I. Politics. If you’ve never read the “The Power Broker” about the deals Robert Moses made in getting things done, go ahead a take a look…seems history is repeating itself…go isles
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anthony c says:
It’s times like this that I wish I still lived on long island. I’m trying to get as many people as I know in nassau county to vote yes august 1st.
People keep mentioning quebec. They haven’t broken ground on a new arena yet, and if they do during the season, then the team in line to move would be the coyotes. The mayor of glendale said the 2011-2012 season is more then likely the final season for the coyotes in phoenix. And kansas city won’t get a team. The desire for hockey out there is low (for god sake the scouts didn’t make it 4 years there before they moved), they want a basketball team more then anything.
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I also remember going to opening night against detroit. 10 minutes before the 1st period got under way all you heard was “Let’s Go Islanders”, and the coliseum literally shook. I had goosebumps the whole time. My dad who has been a fan since day 1, was amazed by it all. All he could say was “wow”. Plus when kvasha scored 36 seconds into the game, the crowd was so loud you could barely hear the goal horn. The eruption from the crowd was unreal.
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Oh and nassau residents VOTE YES AUGUST 1st!
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islesfan999 says:
VOTE YES. LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!!
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I am in Va, but have convinced my 75 yr old dad to vote and his girlfriend from Hicksville..He is working on getting his friends to vote yes too!!
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Michael Delman says:
What the vote needs is a sign from Islanders management that they are committed to winning. Signing Moulson, Okposo, and Grabner to long term deals was only one in what I thought would be a series of moves to show the team’s commitment to winning. Since then, we have done next to nothing.
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GlenS says:
# 268, God I remember that night, I wasn’t there but the noise and the emotion was tremendous. It was very emotional for myself as I was there that fateful day and lost a few friend’s. But enough of that we need to keep this ONCE great franchise where they belong on Long Island. Whether it’s Nassau county or Suffolk I don’t care as long as they stay here. I know some people (those that VOTE NO)that will care if this all fail’s when there taxes go up due to the fact the the NVMC closed, they’ll be the first one’s to complain. I can’t afford the extra $300 dollars a year. Well they say hind sight is 20/20 but $ 58 dollars sounds a lot better to me.
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Hey Botta – Is it to early to start drumming up the Queens and Brooklyn talk again?
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NYI 16 says:
Call and write to the Nassau County Legislature’s, Democrat and Republican, and tell them you are voting YES!
If the statement made by Jay Jacobs doesnt get your blood boiling I dont know what will. Lets shove this right up his arrogant ass.
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Doug says:
#272…you’re right the Islanders need to make a big deal to show that they want to win…
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JoeRiverside says:
Not going to be easy. This country is in an open revolt against gov’t spending. Unless Mangano and Isles do a better job explaining the benefits of this proposal it will not pass. This project makes sense and will help LI economy (I come from CT to spend dollars at Isles games), but right now people are fed up with the stimulus, bailouts, higher taxes, etc. Unless informed, many will see this as more out of control spending and will come out to vote no. I think the PR efforts from vested parties (Mangano, Isles, Unions, etc) should be stronger and better coordinated. Hopefully, it will start soon.
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Now im getting nervous….I was excited, but now that the day is coming im scared….I feel that the Islanders have not shown enough to the people to sway the “NO” voters….
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Jim Clark says:
What happens to the Islanders if the Wangdome falls through? Do they even know or have a plan?
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4theisles says:
Did not read all the responses above so maybe this idea wa already suggested – How about a giant rally at NVMC that sells out with speakers outside for the overflow crowd with lots of media coverage. As the expression goes “It couln’t hurt!”
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I more or less suggested that lol but i agree if you had a bunch of people that weren’t even part of the county showing that there going to be coming and spending money it couldn’t hurt.
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Andrew says:
Just remember when the vote fails to vote the Democrats out of office. Guaranteed their itching to raise taxes even more once the county does not get the revenue from the Isles anymore. The Dems would rather write more welfare checks for lowlifes, immigrants, and drug addicts than to help fund a new arena.
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I know im only one person, but SERIOUSLY if this doesnt pass i will never vote for a Democrat in this county again. I will be so distrought over my isles leaving that i will do it just for spite if i have to. Spread the word!
Jay Jacobs made his bed -know he has to lay in it! -
BT says:
“The Dems would rather write more welfare checks for lowlifes, immigrants, and drug addicts than to help fund a new arena.”
I really hope this sentiment won’t be the voice of the fanbase if the vote doesn’t pass.
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jmont6 says:
If there is anything a fan from small town Saskatchewan in Canada can do let me know. I would vote yes in a heartbeat. I will email registered voters. I will pay $58 tax myself. The Islanders are such a part of the NHL they can’t move. And this deal makes so much sense for Long Island. The jobs report out today in the states just goes to show that job creation is so important right now. Tell everyone who can vote to vote YES!!
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Andrew 282. You ask people to vote the Dems out of office if the vote fails. People said the same about the Republicans when Kate Murray was playing games. The Democrats put up the LAMEST candidate for Kate Murray’s seat. Some woman that didn’t campaign until a month or so before the election. At the time she actually said that most people don’t think about who to vote for until the last month anyway.
Get this: her biggest campaign drives were shaking hands at the Coliseum. Those are the only people that already were on her side. Preaching to the converted.
These politicians don’t deserve a new Coliseum. They want to hang on to their tiny little offices of power where they can give jobs to family members and cronies.
That’s what they want from office. Security for themselves. You think they care about us?
Queens!!!!!!
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peter debenedetto says:
If this doesn’t pass and the Islanders move then I will cancel my cablevision cable, internet, and phone. I live in Jersey and only have cable for one reason….The New York Islanders. Please join me if the Islanders are forced to move.
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Hey BT#283…if the vote doesnt pass, what fanbase is there?!?! the isles will be good as gone!
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dcb1 says:
Typical- no taxes, for any reason, ever! Oh, and why isn’t the road paved?!?!?! Doesn’t pavement just magically appear? Idiots…
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Paul in the 'Cuse says:
Living outside of Syracuse takes me out of the voting but not the campaigning. I do business with a number of companies in Nassau & every time I call, I ask whomever I speak to to vote yes if they live in Nassau, Every vote counts.
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Team needs to really start marketing this.
Cannot rely on Newsday which is owned by the Dolans
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If there are people handing out anti-referendum flyers at train stations, they have to have a sponsor. So who is it if Jacobs denies that the democrats are not behind this?
And they are using a “no Islanders” symbol? This is shameful.
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Jerky says:
Being an out-of-state Islander fan, I can’t vote but several friends still on LI do plan on voting yes.
I can’t see Wang/Snow making any major moves prior to August 1st. Why would Wang approve a major deal to tie up more cash if he doesn’t know if he’ll own the team down the road. I have to assume Wang’s plan is to avoid making a major move as long as the team can reach the cap floor with existing personnel (e.g., bonuses in contracts to get them to the floor similar to the Doug Weight contract last year). Any prudent owner/investor wouldn’t sink another dime into the business (other than mandated to reach the cap floor) until they were 100% certain about its future.
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admin says:
If everyone involved on the YES side does such a bad job that they fail to win this referendum, I highly doubt any politician opposing it will fear being voted out of office…CB
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Blizzard says:
…a no Islanders symbol!!! Thats IS shameful. And very hurtful actually.
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Greg says:
I grew up going to Islanders games and I cannot imagine what life would be like without the New York Islanders. Since I live in Nassau County I will be able to vote. And I will be voting yes and making sure that all of my family and friends in Nassau County vote yes as well. However, the people who post on this site represent maybe 1% of all people living in Nassau County. If you guys really want to get this referendum passed, let me suggest that everyone who reads this does the following things:
1) Get someone who is knowledgable about all the facts to make a flyer stating why people should vote Yes. If you email the flyers to me (and any other willing people) I will go door to door, stand at train stations, hang out in the local stop and shop parking lots, etc… in order to convince people that this is necessary, not just to hockey fans but to ALL nassau county residents. SOMEONE please create a flyer and pass it on to all of us so that we can spread the word and enlighten others.
2) As registered voters, we hold more power than most people realize. This politicans want to stay in office, and to do that they need our votes. If we harass (and by that I mean email and call)our local politicans who oppose this, we can threaten to vote against them and run them out of office. Here is how you can contact Judy Jacobs:
phone (516) 571-6216
fax (516) 571-6287
Also, here is a link where you can contact her by email:
http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/legis/ld/16/contact.html3) Hold an Islander rally. We need to spread the word. How about the Sunday before the vote we start a rally at the Coliseum parking lot and invite the press (t.v., newpapers, radio, etc..) We need to let as many people as possible know how important this is. Not just for hockey fans, but for the future of EVERY nassau county resident.
If we does these things, we will make a REAL difference. Doing this might be an inconvience to some, but its worth it.
August 1 2011 will be the most important day ever in Islanders history. Its now or never. How much do you really care? How much will you sacrifice? Whether you are a democrat/republican, hockey fan/non-hockey fan, man/woman, old/young, rich/poor, Islander fan/Ranger fan….we are all Islanders. The Islanders will not move on my watch. I will not let this franchise down at the time where they need me the most. They have given me so much over the past 30 years. Now when I have the opportunity to give something back to them and show how important they are to me, I will not go down without a fight. Will you fight with me? Will you fight for our Islanders?
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In my previous statement, I gave the info. for Judy Jacobs by accident. Here is info for Jay Jacobs:
Nassau County Democratic Committee – Headquarters
One Old Country Road
Suite 430
Carle Place, NY 11514email: http://nassaucountydems.com/contact_form
Tel: 516-294-3366
Fax: 516-873-0810 -
In the Political arena People running for office in the Legislation want the vote from the public…If 60-70% of the Aug. 1st is for the Project. It will be hard for the Dems to turn it down because then there current position is at risk. Look at our X- County EXEC Tom. he took his compain to lightly and he lost…so don’t think it will pass. Anyone that can not walk door to door or pass out fliers. Send everyone one you know AN EMAIL EXPLAINING THE BENEFITS not just about created jobs, but TAXES WILL GO UP DOUBLE BECAUSE OF THE LOST REVENUE that the county gets from the arena. LETS USE OUR HEADS and spread the WORD!!!!
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NICE INFO GREG #297! CALLING ALL ISLES FANS AND SUPPORTERS OF THE NEW ARENA TO FLOOD HIS OFFICE WITH CALLS COME MONDAY MORNING. I AM ON DISABILITY AND AM HOME ALL DAY. I SWEAR I WILL CALL ATLEAST 20 TIMES.
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I spoke to a person opposed to the project and her only reasoning is seeing an increase of $58 on the tax bill n she didnt like our new county EXEC. It is not enough of a good reason. The positives out way the Neg. it’s just some people are very one minded and dont like any change at all, then expect your taxes to go up double at the end of day to make up the cost for another business leaving NASSAU COUNTY..It a fact and reality!
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Muggsy says:
That is a disgrace that they are handing out literature with the Islanders logo X’ed out. There is NO justification for something like that to be handed out to Long Island residents.
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Tom M. says:
This is why everyone SHOULD vote for the new Coliseum:
1) Thousands more jobs.
2) A new home for Long Island’s ONLY sports franchise, a franchise that was once the pride of North American Professional Sports. That’s right I said it!
3) Project will virtually pay for itself in revenue
4) Will put LI on the map and give us a destinationCharles Wang offered to use his own money to build the Lighthouse Project. Thanks to the cheap, stingy, selfish jerks of LI, that failed. To everyone who opposes this project: grow a pair of balls and make the right decision. Cough up some tax money for the good of the people around you, and eventually, yourselves.
I have watched my family members lose their jobs, I have lived on unemployment pay. I know how bad these economic times are.
But I will still be voting yes on August 1st.
Up yours, Jay Jacobs.
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from GREG. may yourself heard isles fans..
In my previous statement, I gave the info. for Judy Jacobs by accident. Here is info for Jay Jacobs:
Nassau County Democratic Committee – Headquarters
One Old Country Road
Suite 430
Carle Place, NY 11514email: http://nassaucountydems.com/contact_form
Tel: 516-294-3366
Fax: 516-873-0810 -
JACK says:
I hope that guy in the update is right and the vote doesn’t go well. Can’t wait to see the backlash after the Islanders pack up and move to another state. Can’t wait to see the town award another builder rights to the land and then watch all of your taxes go up to build another hotel and a couple more strip malls. Can’t wait to see the baffled looks on the faces of the residents who proudly voted no. Not one of them sees the big picture. They don’t seem to be able to think outside the box but instead are just puppets being pulled by political strings, doing what their party tells them to do no matter how short sighted. Good luck Long Island, but here’s to hoping the Islanders move to a town near me. I will gladly pay the 6.3 cents per day to have a professional sports franchise and concert venue within driving distance of my home.
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Joeisles says:
I’m very familiar with some of the people the Isles and Nassau have brought in as PR consultants. I have a feeling CB knows one or two of them as well. They are not the kind of powerhouses you want running a campaign as essential as this.
One of the guys makes his living doing PR for small bars, but he has a political connection or two. The other guy who seems to be in charge has no power or influence whatsoever. I see him writing on Twitter about some ideas and town halls they’re having. The problem is that the guy is such a lightweight, he has about 100 followers. In comparison, a blogger like BD Gallof has over 2,000 and CB has more than 12,000.
May not seem like a big deal to you, but I’m telling you about something related to my area of expertise. I’m not saying I have all the answers, but Nassau and the Isles don’t seem to care enough to have leaders in marketing and PR with any clue, experience or hunger.
CB’s interviews, columns and tweets alone have done more for the cause than anything these guys actually on the project have done so far.
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LouD says:
” I hope this won’t be the voice of the fan base if the vote doesn’t pass”. It is beyond comprehension that there is anyone out there that actually believes the Islanders are going to stay in the Coliseum if the vote doesn’t pass. FYI, if you are one of these people, you just don’t get it.
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jisles says:
If this fails we will see these same politicians crying when the islanders leave in 2015. The ironic part is that in 2020 there will be a new arena built and a new hockey team. Just look at baltimore(colts) now Ravens, Cleveland(browns), charllotte (bobcats) the list goes on even recently Winnipeg and now Quebec City wants their team back. These cities always let the team go, who cares they suck and nobody goes anyway and withing 2 years they are crying for a new stadium and team to root for. The problem is that they lose sight of their pride of where they come from and teams symbolize that. The islanders are not just a hockey team. They symbolize the pride of Long Island. Unfortunately that sentiment is running rampant throughout the nation not just in sports but everywhere, education, government, business. Some people feel the constitution is outdated and doesnt work but do not realize that is who we are as a people. Sorry to get a little political and rant but the point I am making is that this is not about a hockey team. It is about a place, a community and pride. LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!
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jbassman72 says:
Lifelong fan who was lucky enough to experience all the glory years with my father and brothers. A wide eyed 8 year old boy sitting in the upper 300′s cheering on all our beloved legends. They were some of my most powerful memories as a child. I don’t have any kids of my own but hope to in the near future. Aside from the obvious mega-void that will be left in my life, it pains me more to envision all the children of LI that will be missing out on experiencing this gift if this does not pass. With our core group, another year or two of experience ( some acquisitions of proven talent….Garth….YOU AWAKE?!?!) good health and we are right back in the hunt. I can feel it…we all can feel it.
I can’t fathom stepping on a fan bases dreams in their search to acquire a new arena. No matter how much I hate the Rags I would never want to see them leave. For myself, hockey precedes all sports but I would support any team trying to keep their home. I believe our battle is truly against the NON-sports fan. They couldn’t care less about our team and with good reason. Ownership has not provided the on ice product which in turn creates no buzz outside of nhl lines. Couple this with the sorely lacking environment to attract people on the fence and here we are. Doesn’t help when you can smell the urinal cakes walking through the hallways to grab a beer.
Islander country, sports fans, and people with some sense of giving back to the community can see this is a win-win situation. I find it very discouraging to see Wang and co. doing so little to not only address the obvious financial concerns but also the direct impact this will have on our youth and the family unit in general.
VOTE YES PEOPLE
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Oh yeah…I really hope someone has the misfortune of handing me out one of those flyers.
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The Rock says:
The Biggest hurdle is all people see is tax increase. i asked my mom to vote yes. She will because she lucky enough to not care about $58 a yr. She asked her friends to vote yes. One of them said no way I am voting NO because it will raise taxes. This person owns a nice 4br house in T.O.B prob worth around 600k its paid for her and hubby both have very good jobs all kids are out of house. The husband def makes 130-160k a year they don’t spend allot and are savers. $58 a year wont’ make the slightest difference in there life. They will vote no. its peopel like this that are the biggest hurdle.
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James says:
Im not old enough to vote yet but I will be doing EVERYTHING that I can to get YES votes. Im going to make flyers and go around my entire neighborhood passing them out. If everyone on this site can encourage five people to vote YES we will be in good shape. Now lets go! This is our last chance to keep the team that we all love here on long island. Lets show the NHL, the politicians, the poorly informed residents and all those arrogant jerks who think they can disrespect our emblem on our turf with their Xs that we are strong and we are not gonna letOUR team go!
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If any isles fans who plan on a yes vote and happen to be Knicks season ticket holders, you should call up and tell them you are thinking about canceling due to the fact that newsday and the Dolans are so anit islnders and anti arena for Long Island..
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bossjones15 says:
You only have to go as far as Commack to see what will happen if this vote fails. The old Long Island Arena went from hosting some of the craziest hockey games, concerts etc, to being a flea market, to demolished for a King Kullen in a few short decades. Should the worst happen and the Islanders left I would never spend another dime in Nassau county again; Not because of retribution but because there would be no reason for me to stop between NYC and Suffolk. That being said I hope everyone votes yes and this thing gets done already.
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also we should email or call the Islanders and tell them to WAKE up and start pushing a YES campaign!!! waiting for the last week wont work…
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I am a bit torn on this issue but here is my take. I have been an Isles fan since ’82 and want them to be playing in a new first class facilty in the worst way come 2015, but I do not support spending public monies for sports facilities. If the state, or in this case the county/town want to give the Isles the Coliseum land rent free (similar to what NYC does with the Yanks and Mets) I am all for it. I am also for some inferstructure improvements by the state/county/town if needed. I believe Mr. Wang should finance the facility privatly and keep ALL the revenues. Additionally he should get strong consideration to be the person to develop the land around the Coliseum, especially since he has incurred such massive losses over the last 10 years. Just my take fellow Isles fans, hope you can see both sides of the debate.
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Thats messed up! Handing out flyers with the Isles Logo “X” out! Did us Isles fans stoop that low with Kate Murray and draw her in a cartoon that made her look like a cow??? No, we have more class. The fact is the Dems are crappin in their pants seeing the Rebirth of the Dems from the 2010 elections so they are just keepin the status quo.
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Rebirth of the Republicans I meant
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DC23, Mr. Wang tried that approach already with the Lighthouse project. Mr. Wang has been abused by both political parties in Nassau. It will be very interesting to see if any of the Dems have the backbone to break the party line set by Jay Jacobs. As CB has said, it will depend on the vote.
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OA PEST says:
I am a registered voter in Nassau County and will be voting NO! Stop spending money for sports owners playgrounds. Let’s Charlie building it with ALL his money.
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@OA PEST Wang tried that!!!! You can thank supervisor Kate Murray for That!!!
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You dont want to imagine what Nassau will be like if that Building and property go dark!!!! You think people cant afford to live here now and are moving out,ohhh just wait and see….
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dose says:
258 Lenny on Jul 8th, 2011 16:26:31 said:
The Islanders idea of promotion is posting a story on Facebook about the Borelli’s guy saying the Islanders must be saved. Geez, I wonder why he feels that way? It’s depressing how lame Wang’s people are.264 – Lenny, so you and the party of Jay Jacobs are now against small business owners like Borelli’s? A new low!!
I see Lenny’s comment as pointing out that they need to do a lot more than get the Borelli’s guy (I can’t even believe that place is still there)to post a statement in Facebook. If so, he’s right, even if it was from a Nay standpoint. They need to get the people most identifiable with the team – Nystrom, Gillies, etc. and some noteworthy LI’ers (ie. Billy Joel)OUT to the parks, the malls and the beaches, even if they have to pay them to do it. Wang, Mangano et al may be somewhat goofy, but there not imbeciles. If they rely solely on stuff like emails and web posts, I’d have to question just what is really going on here, the legitimacy of the arena plan itself.
As for Jay Jacobs. Noone should be surprised that a Long Island based politician (“elected official” is too dignified a label) would conduct himself like a lightweight, so sophomorically and without reason, regardless of party affiliation. After all, that stuff is precisely why no arena and development of that site happened years ago. -
Thanks for the phone #, I am in CT and will get all my friends to call Monday morning. Has anyone on here been habded one of those flyers and what did they do? I would have thrown them on the tracks and tell them to go get them.
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Harold says:
First off I can say with complete certainty that Nassau County is both one of the best AND worst places to live. Great schools, beaches, restaurants, etc, etc. begat by wallet numbing taxes, LIPA bills and political games worthy of the national level.
You have each side playing games throughout the years. Dems favoring the small city Lighthouse project and the GOP wanting a tax payer bond for an arena. BOTH parties killed the others proposal in the name of politics, and year after year we – the fans and residents of NC – are stuck with an OLD arena, run into the ground by the likes of Pickett, the gang of 4, Millstein, SPANO, and Wang. They can build arenas in every city in the NHL but here. Why? POLITICAL GAMES!
I have ZERO LOVE for all politicians. You can take Jay Jacobs, Gulotta, Murray, Bruno, Judy, Denenberg – ALL OF THEM, and line them up. They are all the same, slimy, party line voting jerks who run this county into the ground and try to save THEIR OWN asses.
This is the last major parcel of land in Nassau that can be developed and neither party wants the other to claim a win for it. We cannot depend on them, these slimeballs, to do the right thing. We have to come out in droves and vote OVERWHELMINGLY YES. If this is a close vote, that won’t pressure the naysayers into voting. IT HAS TO BE A LANDSLIDE.
That is the fact. Landslide or the Islanders are gone. That arena is a ghost town and it will be Nassau County’s Shoreham plant – a concrete elephant that has been left for dead and we the taxpayers, will be collateral damage in the process.
This, my friends, is on US, the fans. The unions. These are the only two groups that will get this done.
The line has been drawn. A no vote will get you three years of 3K attendance at games and the lamest duck of teams operating in that beat up facility. Are YOU gonna go to games if you know the team is moving? Forget free agents, start thinking about what the fallout will be in the summer of 2015, the multiple nights that arena is dark and not earning monies for the taxpayers, the workers, and think of the impact it will have on their families.
If this doesn’t pass, it is over. Think long and hard about what you all want and then DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT to make it happen.
The burden is on the fans to get it done. Stand up and be counted, else forever lament this once great franchise suffering a death unimaginable 25 years ago.
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i think Harold should get a laurel and hardy harumph from us all.
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From TSN:
The Quebec government and Quebec City will fund the construction of a new arena in the provincial capital.
The $400-million project, which many Quebec City residents hope will attract an NHL franchise, will begin over the next two years, and is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2015.
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Premier Jean Charest said Thursday that the province would contribute $200 million, and Quebec City Mayor Régis Labeaume said the city would provide $187 million. The rest will come from the promotion group J’ai Ma Place.
Plans were announced Thursday at a crowded press conference at Colisée Pepsi, the 62-year-old arena the new facility would replace.
Charest said the new amphitheatre will help the provincial capital draw bigger events that the current Colisée can’t handle.
“The provincial capital needs a multifunctional amphitheatre,” said Charest.
The new arena will be built at the intersection of the Laurentienne Highway and Wilfrid Hamel Boulevard, near the Colisée
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2 Things here
1. Quebec’s arena is gonna be ready by the fall of 2015. NYI lease is up at that exact point in time. Lets PRAY 1 + 1 does not equal 2 here. Backdoor dealing, I am thinking that Wang already has plans to sell to them and he is only doing this election to say to fans “Hey look I tried but I’m out of here.”
2. OA PEST #319 = Another misinformed voter. Wang offered to pay for it for 8 yrs but Moo-ray put the kabosh on his ideas.
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They should build the new coliseum by the Belmont racetrack, where they are building a casino. Let the tribe have a piece of their native hockey team, and screw every arrogant corrupt politician in Nassau County. They are truly despicable.
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Another great piece Chris. While raising taxes is for a Billionaire owner is never an option most people like to consider, the alternative, losing the Islanders, is definitely worse. If it means giving up one Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks visit a month to keep the team ($58 a year) and have a new arena asset for the county then isn’t that result worth the additional tax bill?
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islesrock73, Ray, and Anthony 61 – Mr. Wang offered to pay for a renovated Coliseum ONLY if he was allowed to build a mini city around it. The town supervisor wouldn’t go for it so it’s a non issue. Does this mean he cant build an arena and develop the surrounding area with a scalled down project (i.e. malls, restaurants, etc)?
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jaymz27 says:
Mike #216 – The e-mail address doesn’t work. I just tried sending an e-mail and it came back as failed. Chris, can you post an e-mail address for Jacobs?
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Doug says:
I think Phoenix will be the next team to move, so they will eventually go to Quebec City. Even if the vote ends up No which of course I don’t want that to happen, I still think the Islanders stay in the metro area but it will be Brooklyn. I live in NJ but I will tell all my family/friends on LI to vote Yes.
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#327 & #328…I read that the Quebec legislature hasn’t approved the funds yet and there will be a vote in the fall. Also, the committee pushing the new arena is under investigation for illegal lobbying. So there is also redtape in Quebec City too.
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wilky29 says:
People the bottom line is $1.25 a week..thats less than a cup of coffee at dunkin donuts and 7-11..give me a freakin break..VOTE YES!!!!!!!!!
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Doug #334, are you comparing Quebec’s situation to our’s??!!
They have a rock soild game plan in place with funds, location, architectecs, rederings, and the support of a Hockey starved Province.
Yes, their vote was postponed until fall, with no other bumps in the road.
This garbage has been part of our team’s inability to get a deal done for quite some time, even past the Wang era.
Can you blame certain groups for NOT being all to comfortable with current “savior”??
His old partner got a federal pinch and is still doing time. Why wasn’t this deal proposed years ago instead of the mini city along with a renovation??!!
AND that $50 mil for a baseball park stinks to high heaven!!! ANOTHER hidden out for Wang.
Look, I’m all in on a YES, it’s all we have, but I do NOT trust Wang.
Do any of you believe this is a coincidence? Quebec being ready by 2015!!??
Come on people..
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A Forbes article investigated why certain NHL franchises could remain profitable despite poor attendance and overall league unprofitability. They found that several league owners underreported their cable broadcast revenue; they specifically accused Wang of excluding half of the $17 million paid to the Islanders for the 2003 cable broadcast season.
Wang has stated that he regrets buying the team and would not do so if he could choose again.
In 2000, a class-action lawsuit accused Wang, then president Sanjay Kumar and co-founder Russell Artzt of wrongly reporting more than $2.5 billion in revenue in its 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000 fiscal years, in order to artificially inflate the stock price.
A previous stock option set in 1995 specified that a certain number of shares would vest when Computer Associates’ shares sustained a target price.
The benchmark was met in 1998, and the three executives combined received nearly $1 billion in Computer Associates stock with Wang himself netting $700 million; he had already been the highest paid CEO in the US for the past four years.[7] Since then, at least four other class-action suits have been filed against Computer Associates, all of which have named Wang specifically. As the controversy continued to dog Wang even after he returned a portion of the stock award, he quit as CEO in 2000, and later resigned as Chairman of the Board in 2002.
His successor Sanjay Kumar resigned as chairman and chief executive in April 2004, following an investigation into the accounting scandal which improperly reported revenue. A federal grand jury in Brooklyn indicted Kumar on fraud charges on September 22, 2004. Kumar pled guilty to obstruction of justice and securities fraud charges on April 24, 2006.
Wang is currently the majority owner of the New York Islanders hockey franchise, of which he had become a part-owner in 2000. He later bought out the share of business partner Sanjay Kumar in 2004.
In May 2011, Charles, along with Nassau County started an 82-day campaign for a $400 million bond to fund a new arena for the Islanders, as their lease on the Coliseum ends in 2015.
A mark of a great business man, buys out partner right before the trip to the big house and stays OUT!
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#335 it is a coencidence. Truth is, Quebec would probably take a team THIS season somehow someway. As far as the new stadium, yea it is mere coencidence sorry.
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Isles Fan in VA says:
I grew up on LI and now live in VA. I attend several home games a year. While I am on LI, I stop at the bakeries, Cherrywood Pizza, Modells, etc. No Isles = no tourism = no spending = no tax revenues.
To all the politicians – think carefully about what you want. If you vote no, you deserve what you get.
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We must not forget that Belmont Park was once an option (’90s) and I believe should still be an option.
I still remember the day I personally spoke with Tom Gullotta at a local meeting and he swore: before the end of the century the Islanders will have a new coliseum. Amazing the similarities with Belmont and the Coliseum. Both sport centers, both centers requiring development. Both under utilizied for decades. Both in the Nassau County, Town of Hempstead. Maybe there is a larger issue at stake here, besides just the team owner and what is being planned. -
@Doug post333 and ALL other fans speaking of Brooklyn as an option……BROOKLYN IS NOT AN OPTION!!!!!!!!! Barclays Center is being built as purely a BASKETBALL ARENA!!! The Nets owner wants NOTHING TO DO WITH HOCKEY!!!! BROOKLYN WILL NEVER HAPPEN!!!! Also, the Queens option has lost its potential thanks to the Madoff scandal that is killing the Wilpons. Let’s face it folks, it’s Nassau at the present location or it’s see ya!!!! There are NO LONGER any backup plans or any alternatives for the Isles!!! This will be built or Wang sells to an owner that will move the team!!!! Vote YES and win BIG or goodbye Isles and goodbye coliseum!!
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just sent in my thing to vote but it says on the letter that i need at least 25 days for it to go through or something like that…am i screwed now that theres 23 days until election
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MD says:
Nassau residents that vote no, wait 25 years for the long term economic effect of NOT having professional sports. Thanks, MD
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admin says:
Comment thread closed. Enjoy the weekend, everyone. More later…CB
#VoteYES