SNY POINT BLANK TV: KEVAN ABRAHAMS
The one where I urge a Dem to play peacemaker
In the final installment of our Coliseum Trilogy, the Democratic legislator softens his criticism of the Wangano deal, admits that Charles Wang “has been used like a political football for ten years” and listens to my plea for sanity in the political process. “I’m a supporter of Democracy in action,” he says. Abrahams issues a declaration about the Aug. 1 vote that Islanders fans and arena deal supporters will want to hear. Comments?
99 Responses to SNY POINT BLANK TV: KEVAN ABRAHAMS
The one where I urge a Dem to play peacemaker
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Mike says:
I VOTE YES ON AUGUST 1 !!!!
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Blizzard says: I vote yes!!!! But I cant. Live in Suffolk. Me and my friend at work will pay someone 58 bucks for a yes vote….lol.
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Not Volmeezy says:
YES
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everyone-
Grab some fliers and put them on windshields, neighbor’s doors, use Fb. SPREAD THE WORD !!!!
It will create jobs, tax revenue and someplace for ppl to go to in Nassau County.
SPREAD THE WORD !!!! -
orngfan says:
where did Mr Abraham get this $58 per year addition in taxes? from NEWSDAY?? thats in the event that zero dollars in revenue are contributed to the bond payments. That is an EXTREMELY unlikely scenario. I’m so sick of newsday spewing lies and people accepting them as facts. Ridiculous!!
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Mike says:
The politicians have no choice but to listen to the people. If the people vote Yes, politicians can’t say No. It goes against everything they STAND for, and you better believe that all those who vote Yes will make a HUGE deal if they go against what they want.
Bottom line: If you want to vote NO, than you have to go out on 8/1 and do it. Because if the NO’s get there way, than it’s a no go. If the YES’ get there way, than the politicians better vote yes.
Otherwise, we have a more serious issue than anyone is led to believe.
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Dreu Theran says:
I would vote Yes if I didn’t live out of state. My concern is that people will not know where to go to vote. Will there be voting booths at the NVMC?
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Kaszycki's Krew says:
Good interview. Seems like a fairly reasonable guy……..enough talk already – lets vote ! Wish I could !
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islesrock73 says:
Wow, a politician I think I can like!! If all of the Nassau season ticket holders, corporate sponsors, union workers, local businesses, and die hard fans get out and vote yes, this will pass big time. Mr Wang should hire Karl Rove, Bushes campaign manager to run the show this month.
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Tom says:
Compton’s article on the Isles signing Reasoner is on the Fox News home page.
Now if we can only get some positive articles about the NVMC plan out there.
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voter says:
The problem is that Newsday and Point Blank are the only media with audiences talking about this – and this site is the only positive press the arena deal gets.
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Marc says:
It’s not rocket science — TELL everyone you know that lives in Nassau County to VOTE YES (because they trust you) or to at least educate themselves on the referendum (and VOTE YES.) The Isles web site also has a link to download absentee ballots so even the residents who will be away on August 1 have no excuse and need to know to take the steps to vote. Count my out-of-town parents in. My three-year-old daughter reads the informational brochure during her bedtime story time and she also wants to VOTE YES, and was quite disappointed that she cannot register to vote. However, she insisted on going to the poll with either me or my wife. Enough political BS already. Get the word out and let’s get it done.
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TM says:
The Daily News ripped this plan to shreds in yesterday’s editorial –
“Nassau’s fiscal crisis and state takeover are the rough equivalent of what happened to NY City in the 1970s. Imagine how the world would have laughed back then if, amid the meltdown, Mayor Abe Beame had proposed selling bonds to pay for a new Madison Square Garden. Mangano deserves similar hoots.
“His proposal calls for the county to get an 11.5% cut of Wang’s coliseum revenue plus marked jumps in sales and other tax collections from stepped-up attendance at a new arena. But his numbers are so rosy as to verge on delusional.
“For example, they call for the Isles’ attendance to leap by 3,600 fans per game from a league-anchoring 11,000 and stay there for three decades. They also call for jumps in ancillary businesses that hardly exist now.
I”f anything turns out less than optimal, it’s the taxpayers who’ll end up holding the bag.”
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Forgot to add in earlier that the Isles need to get the word out in all of the local papers, TV, radio — if papers won’t print down-the-middle articles, at the very least, the Isles should take out advertisements getting the word out (and we all know that advertisement revenue won’t be turned away.)
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It’s time for all you non-season ticket holding fans to put your money where your mouth is. Winnipeg can sell out the next 3 years in minutes, but Isles fans won’t buy enough tickets even at this critical juncture to make anyone believe we can average a few more per game. Even if all you can afford is an 8 game partial at $32 a seat, make a statement. Imagine how far it would go to combat stupid articles like the Daily News one for the Isles to be able to say they already sold 3,600 more ticket plans.
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Mike in Wantagh says:
I loved his point about how the educated young on long island were in such support of the Lighthouse project…..This is an issue that is very import for the 20 and 30 somethings on Long island….This is about the future and what long island has for a vision into the next 30 years. Unfortunately there is a group of Cynical, Unhappy (and I hate to say…OLDER) Long islanders that are sick and tired of everything Nassau County Politics.
I like this Kevan Abrahams guy…..he seems like a reasonable guy with his eyes set on the more grand scope of this vote and what it means…..I WILL VOTE YES….WE CANNOT TAKE THIS FOR GRANTED.
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91NYfan91 says:
How come I havent seen a commercial about the Aug 1st voting. THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE.
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StevieL says:
Very interesting interview CB! Nice to see you take the gloves off a little bit! No Christmas card from Kate Murray this year!:) Thank you for asking the question about a dormant NVMC! Even Kevan (very well spoken official by the way!)says this can not be an option! This is the point that needs to be hammered home! A No vote is a death sentence for the NVMC! A No vote kills a major revenue source for Nassau Cty! I guarantee that not one political voice has a solution for what happens if the coliseum closes! What happens to the residents taxes then??$58 will look like a major bargain compared to that disaster!
I do agree with Kevan regarding the Baseball Stadium. Why is this a part of this issue? Who are the parties that gain from a minor league ballpark and team? Is Wang involved in ownership there also? It sounds like “pork” just added to the bigger issue!Regardless a “Yes” vote is the only option here!
Don’t you wish these politicians fought battles like this over every issue that affects your tax bill? Maybe Nassau wouldn’t be in the mess their in! -
hurdle one is the vote, hurdle two dems need to stop playing politics, hurdle 3 is Nifa..typical for Isles fans, can never be easy. I liked your point CB of asking what happens if the building goes vacant, what happens to taxes then? Kevan had to acknowledge that would not be a viable solution for anyone! This has to work….
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Brian from Massapequa says:
If remember correctly, I believe Leg. Abrahams was somewhat briefly an employee of the Legislative Budget Review department prior to his election. So it would make sense that he has at least partial faith in their assessment of the financial impact of this deal as he mentioned.
Regarding the revenue the county would bring in, it would go into the County General Fund and there would be no offset listed under the bonding line on the tax bill that homeowners receive. However we have been informed that it will 11.5% of revenue generated at the new coliseum or $14 million annually (minimum of $420 million total over 30 years), which ever figure is greater.
It appears that practically all normal polling stations will open for this vote according to statements from the County and from Board of Elections personnel.
Voting yes unless I receive trustworthy disturbing news about this deal.
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Anthony says:
My fellow Islanders fan friends, let’s get real here… It doesn’t matter what the voters say, Nassau County will manipulate the vote and do what they want to don anyway… We’re F%$#ed
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Staten Islander says:
Vote YES!
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kevan seems like a very likeable caring politician. something that is very rare these days. he does bring up some very good points though. i still dont understand why a minor leauge baseball stadium is even in the equation. build a state of the art arena first and use the money for the ball park to have a train station instead and then develop the surrounding area around it is my suggestion. however the message is very clear, unless the vote is yes in a very big way, with all the nonsence from politics to nifa, to lawsuits to delays to studies to approvals etc. this project will never be done otherwise.
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Ryan says:
It could be just me, but he says he wants all of the voters to be educated before the vote on August 1st. He spoke of an additional $58 every year (I understand, money is money, and it adds up), but then said that it has to be evaluated, and how they don’t have all of the information to know what it’s going to cost. So how does one present an exact number like $58, when they feel everything hasn’t been thoroughly evaluated? This isn’t sarcasm, I just feel I’m missing something.
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TheMetalChick says:
Dreu Theran (8) Please spread the that this is a real governmental election, not an Islanders thing. You do not vote at Nassau Coliseum, you vote wherever you normally vote, usually very close to your home. You go where you voted for the President.
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nyifan72 says:
Listen to what the man said.
Vote YES on Aug 1st. Make this the biggest win the Isles have had since 1993 and make it a blowout.
Kevan is right. If this wins big, there isn’t a politician alove who won’t listen to the power of the people.
Maybe things haven’t been great in Islanders Country for a long time, but this is our biggest chance to finally fix this mess.
Who knows – maybe Wang, Picker and the Islanders will finally wake up and start promoting the vote and getting people to the polls. So far there hasn’t been much except the work on this blog.
Vote YES.
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robert (24): The minor leauge baseball stadium is so that the area has sports year round, not just in the winter. And you cannot build a train station as part of this proposal- there is a lobby in Nassau county (Garden City) that is vehemently against it. That is a while different can of worms… one thing at a time.
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What kind of voter turnout will be acceptable for the legislature to vote for the Wangano plan if the August 1 refendum is yes?
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AJAX says:
I’m in Suffolk, no vote for me
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Strummer's Army says:
I live in a town of 160,000 people and about 40,000 of them are college students. Yet the University of Florida has some of the best athletic facilities in the entire world. We don’t pay state income tax and while property taxes are high based on size of town for Florida it is nothing like Long Island taxes and the expense of living there. Your population is huge! Your in one of the two leading TV markets in the country, why the hell is it your government is so broke and you cannot afford a new arena and all your youth moves away? My local government is FAR from perfect but why does your local government have to have a private citizen pay for the counties responsibilities in maintaining the NVMC or building a new one?
It seems like the corruption there must be extreme and the incompotence on an equal footing. It seems the two politicol parties have each other in a death grip and won’t let go and are fine with destroying the people of Long Island in the process.
They had the Lighthouse funded fully funded by Wang (except infrastructure improvements) and they wouldn’t do it. Now Wang is promising them at least 14 million per year in revenue to pay for this. In the end, he’ll end up paying for the building without owning it (another gift to them) and he’ll pay for the minor league ball park without owning it. Yet, they still want to hassle him. Any other city in the world would have begged him to do these projects and fast tracked the process but not Nassau County. I understand now why so many people have moved away who the heck would want to put up with this craziness of the local government!
Shame on every last one of them. I hope some local residents are reading this and being encouraged to start earning public office to fix it because I’m not sure you have a fully honest public servant there now.
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JTizzle91 says:
Thank You CB for expressing our frustrations! Rock the Vote and the Dems will vote yes for the bonding! They can’y afford to lose anymore seats!
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vrinqueens says:
Read mondays New York Daily News editorial on “Manganos folly”, I’m now convinced more than ever the Coliseum deal is DOA regardless of what happens on August 1.
Hopefully their Cablevision deal keeps them in Brooklyn or Queens. -
My understanding is it Will Raise taxes for the three construction years for $58. After that the revenue share should take care of that. Maybe even the revenue share can pay some of the taxes in the future too.
The alternative can really get ugly for a township that has it’s challenges already. I cannot fathom the people who vote no on this one. You are voting for maintaining and growing an economy, keeping a traditional sports and entertainment facility and making it state of art material. And then $ 58 dollars is less than one night out, so why not make your community have an enhanced entertainment center so everyone can enjoy.
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Sean says:
NHL will not move a team from a New york Market. If it’s not in Nassau it will be queens suffolk or another location that has not been looked at yet. NHL is desperately keeping the coyotes in the desert. Do you really think the islanders would leave the New york aream this no way it would happen when they are keeping the yotes in the desert.
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Tom D in NJ says:
I’ve committed $3,600 to a half season ticket plan for 2011-12. I will spend at the Marriott,local restaurants, spend on concessions, pay my tolls. Im doing my share. I live in Jersey. If the Isles move, Nassau will never see me again! Wise up Nassau political leaders! Nassau residents vote YES!!
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isles71 says:
Strummers Army is right…corruption & nonsense has been going on in Nassau forever. I remember as a kid that my father, because of his job, HAD to register for a certain political party to be on the record as such AND like 5% was deducted fron his check to go to this parties’ campain fund. I live out side of Atlanta in the Cobb county, the “Nassau” county of ATL. I grew up in Port Washington & 2 yrs ago my folks had to sell thier house because of taxes. My house & lot is 4x larger and pay less than 2k for everything…at 82 yrs old, my folks were paying close to 14k when everything was said and done. If at least 50,000 people vote with a 75% or higher yes count, these people will spin it so it appears we have lost. This should be a no-brainer it makes me sick…but this is what happens when we make ourselves totally reliant on our gov’t!!! Go Isles…Vote yes!
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raul17 says:
@ orngfan & Ryan: The $58 is the number that was given for each household would pay (property tax) for two years before the new coliseum is built. Most are calling that an increase in taxes since there is no mechanism in place to payback that raise. There are negative questions if there is little or no revernue will the taxpayers get stuck with the bills. I did not read the DN but I guess the point is that, again, the taxpayers will be paying for the building if there’s no profit.
I doubt that NIFA will give its blessing because of a lack (so far) of info of what will happen if there is not much profit.
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CC says:
Chris,
Congratulations on a great effort cutting through all the BS and getting a politician to speak like a normal person.
It was pretty obvious midway through the interview that you charmed him and Abrahams let down his guard a bit.
He said the most important thing anyone has said in any interview on the arena subject. Show up in big numbers in support of the arena and the Isles – and the politicians will listen to the will of the people.
Remind everyone of what Abrahams said in the week leading up to August 1st.
Vote YES and get everyone you know to vote YES on 8/1
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Mike239 says:
I’m almost glad to reside in SW FL for the last 8 yrs. I kinda dont care what happens. I’d vote NO anyway. I want the Islanders to leave the tainted county of Nassau and move to Queens. Break ties with Hempstead and SMG. Just leave it all behind. To the Meadows of Flushing…neighbors of the Mets. it would be GRAND. oh well. que sera sera.
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Raul17_ No the new lease clearly states that regardless of revenue earned the County will receive a minimum of 14 million per year. So if Wang makes $1.00 the entire year he is still paying the county 14 million. If they earn more then the 14 million the county’s portion increases.No one can ask for a better deal and don’t let anyone fool you one guy is paying to build the county and residents a new building and help keep your taxes down and his name is Charles Wang.
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Joe N says:
my fear is that the old folks are going to come out in droves and make sure no one comes into their county and causes traffic or noise. they vote, and they vote in big numbers. they also read the newspaper and rarely go on line to read quality blogs like this one. someone needs to start writing counter argumnets in newsday and the daily news. at least it would be a fair fight if that happens
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Seth says:
I am voting No. Not once have I seen Charles Wang commit by spending money to put a winning product on the ice so why should I spend a money as a tax payer to let this man get a new building. Not on my dime.
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just puking says:
So far, it certainly looks like Seth has a point! 26 million under the cap for a team owned by a billionaire, whom is trying to “save” the team from moving?! Wow. That is shameful. Looks like Wang could be selling and watching the Isles go to Quebec, Island style! Don’t forget your smile, suckers!!!
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GD says:
seth, maybe your crooked politicians were literally stealing money form wang with that so called lease that gave the team no money and a certain politician a ton of money with his sham of a company .. would you put money in something that you know you werent getting back? why does wang have to spend his own money repairing the coliseum when its the county’s stadium, not his… a new stadium is the only way to solve the money pit..
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gary91922 says:
Where are the Islander PR guys in all this?
Why are they quiet? Where’s the TV ad? Where is the home mailings? Where is is one f’n word from anyone?
If someone runs for Dog Catcher I see hundreds of signs up and down Old Country Rd.
Is anybody in there? Did you have to build the wall so high?
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Sorry CB for post #2…Seth#45- I don’t get it. Your obviously not a fan and not a resident of Nassau County.
No new arena spells the death of Nassau County fnancially. Might as well merge with Quenns or Suffolk.
Ill tell you something. No new arena equals me selling my house the second my youngest graduates high school in 4 years. I’m running to a part of the country where growth and advancement is expected. That’s a campaign promise I will keep.
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Denis says:
Outside of this site, I do not hear anyone talking about this. Where is the Isles advertising campaign? Seriously, they should have hired Botta to run it.
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CG says:
What happened to the campaign supporting this. The Isles have done nothing to get info out there. Neither has Nassau county. Is this being setup for failure. I am starting to wonder.
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cheepnis says:
To the guy who said that the educated young people on LI, the 20-30 somethings are in favor of this.
Too bad we mostly left LI years ago!
Yes, LI has gotten soft and old, whiny and unimaginative for a bright future. It used to be people got old and moved south to retire in the sun, now the Baby Boomer gen collects pensions and files for STAR, pricing intelligent young people who want families out of LI.
It will be sad to see them go, Maybe Bettman will move the Isles to Vegas, call them the ‘strippers’.
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dose says:
“It seems like the corruption there must be extreme and the incompotence on an equal footing.”
BINGO.
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Bababoey to you all says:
This guy seems to be half way decent, for a politician…But he does talk out of both sides of his mouth…I don’t trust him…Hopefully hes REAL and isnt just telling Isles fans what he thinks we want to hear…
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Frank says:
This issue would go away if Wang agreed to fund the Plan 100% and the Islanders keep all the revenue, No revenue sharing. If the numbers work out as the Islanders say, Wang and the Isles make more money to help build the winner we all want. I don’t live in Nassau so can’t vote but I am spreading the word to everyone I know in Nassau to vote YES….I am not surprisingly getting push back because everyone is sick to death about the rising property taxes
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Politics are destroying long island everyone is moving away. The old farts are all that’s gonna be left.
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isles72 says:
Theres a big Red Wing fan that I’ve played fantasy hockey against for over 10 years .He lives 5 minutes from the coliseum and is numb to pretty much anything to do with the isles.
long story short , I’ve given him as much info possible to enlighten him on the facts and he’s planning on voting ”yes” on my behalf because he knows how much I love the isles.
pretty sad when a fan from canada has to enlighten someone that lives 5 mins from the coliseum .
p.s -he’s bringing his wife to vote as well. -
piper says:
VOTE YES.. If people in Nassau don’t care either way then somehow get them to vote yes.. Cut their grass for a few weeks if you have to.. My brother is a Die-hard rag fan BUT he doesn’t want the isles to move because he enjoys going to close games even just to Boo the ISLES… Hey a yes vote is still a yes vote correct?
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joeg says:
You would think that Wang and Snow would have made a couple of key moves(signing or trading for veteran players) at this time to show they are committed to building a winner. Less than a month before the vote and they have done NOTHING. Does that make sense to you guys? No wonder why Wang continues to lose money, his business sense is as bad as his hockey sense.
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Joeg – how do you get key players when no one wants to come to play here. The players do not know where their location will be in a few years and is always damned by politicians. In NYC entertainment arenas are decided in days. In Nassau county it takes years.
So…where are the major players… not in Nassau County. -
Gary says:
I have had the pleasure of working with Kevan for about 3 years now. He is very possibly the most sincere politician I have ever met. His staff is helpful and caring, so it is difficult to believe that he will move higher up the ladder. However I would like to see him run for County Executive! Mangano this deal and all can NOT be trusted.
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D-Money says:
Is it possible Wang et al are laying low because they don’t want their PR campaign to ‘peak’ too soon? I’m no PR guy, but do you wait until the 2 weeks before the vote for the media blitz…then you hammer folks with so much positive spin they go to the polls with it fresh in their minds?
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Jack says:
Wang is dropping the ball, what a surprise, on pounding this home to the local community. If this fails, he can thank himself for not making noise about it.
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PeteM says:
He expects a higher than anticipated turn out on August 1st? What does he know that we don’t? Ever since the announcement of the referendum date one of the things the democrats have been railing about is that it would lead to a low voter turnout. Whats changed? Is there some under the radar get out the vote (which of course would be negative if orchestrated by the democrats) that is happening? Despite the very conciliatory words from Mr. Abrahams this statement made me very nervous.
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shlo says:
It is obvious to me that behind the scene there is a major battle among different groups of investors aka developers who want to control the possible outcome of the area. Some of them do not care if the Isles are there or not.
They must donate sums of money to this politician or another to sway it their way.
The whole issue of a retail stores, which may or may not be part of the development in the area is a problem since Roosevelt Field is couple of minutes away and the occupants there will have their say to the politicians behind closed doors.
I am voting YES, but I am also very suspicious of the “behind the doors dealings”.
I have full faith that the politicians will screw us if the donations are big enough. -
mht says:
People reminder next Tuesday Evening July 12,2011 An Informational meeting will be held from 7-9PM by Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano on the Coliseum and Minor League Ballpark Referendum @ the East Meadow High School Auditorium 101 Carmen Avenue East Meadow NY 11554.{As per my legislator,the Honorable Norma Gonsalves]East Meadow High School is located approx 1 mile north of Hempstead Turnpike on Carmen Ave directly opposite the Nassau County Medical Center,and Nassau County Correctional Facility.Let us show up in numbers,be supportive,and be respectful.Mr Christopher Melvin,a stadium finance expert is also scheduled as a feature speaker. Displays will be available before the session beginning at 6:30 PM.I will be there and will TIVO the MLB All Star game.Hope there are a lot of US there.
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Dennis says:
I’m actutally worried that if the vote passes and it gets built that if the team and the attendance dont improve there will now be an annual 14 million dollar reason not to invest in the team.The team is not going to be good every year for 30 years.There will be times where people dont go to the games again.When that happens it will be the same as now.14 million off the top to the county equals more complaining about how much money the team loses and a payroll 30 million under the cap.
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Stumpy32 says:
It’s so frustrating that a lot of people pushing for the “yes” on 8/1 don’t live on the Island anymore, for the same reasons that we all rail about. At the end of the day, the fight will have to be started and finished by those who have stuck it out in Nassau, and no one else.
I grew up on LI, but live in Brooklyn now. The common response I’m getting from people I know that live in Nassau when I offer my support for the vote is that I don’t have to deal with the tax implications of it. After I explain that it will be covered, and so forth, they just keep looking at me as someone who won’t be impacted financially by it.
It’s been a tough slog to say the least. I believe the vote will pass, but the numbers will be so small that it won’t be that “mandate” we need to jump past NIFA’s hoop.
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People be courteous,and be very respectful.I called the NY Islanders office,and they were kind enough to set aside a Vote YES Aug 1 referendum tee shirt for me.I picked it up yesterday,along with some informative fliers.From now till Aug 1,I will wear this shirt as much as possible in public{God Bless Woolite,It will get rid of my Eau De Sweat]Hopefully The Islanders will do likewise for others here on the IPB Blog,so that we will be 2 legged billboards and try to help this cause.I have made some copies of the fliers and have given them to family,friends and business associates.
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Al L says:
Day by day I sense this proposal was a ruse and a group effort designed to fail at the polls. The key to this effort is creating an air of frustration,depression and resulting apathy. All the signs are there: 1)No attempt to ‘visually’ hammer away at the benefits of the plan. 2)Using the timing in its worst scenario to provide absolutely no ‘buzz’ in regard to accelerated improvement on the ice. 3)Allowing the print media to influence the voter with negativity based on uneducated,half truths and bold lies.
Expanding on #3,Newsday,the biggest culprit,ironically,LI’S primary source of news,is owned by Cablevision,who’s subsidiary happens to be MSG,who’s co-tenant is the NY Rangers,who would like nothing more than securing abit more of the former Islanders fan base should they leave. The Parent Co by the way,pays exhorbatant Cable revenue to the Isles and would be tickled pink to get out from under. The Daily News doesn’t even cover the Isles,nor does the NY Post.Hopefully my suspicions are off base. Perhaps Wangano has a ‘promotional’ blitz ready to go. Its getting abit late in the Game,however. This sort of reminds me of the McElroy campaign which for all intents and purposes didn’t exist.
It makes one wonder what may be the personal motivations of the parties. Mangano builds love amongst Isles fans for his efforts and Charles is free to pursue a pot of gold already in his hip pocket awaiting him outside the boundries of Nassau,while both have their hands smeared by potential developers should an Aug 1st vote read NO!
This is what it has come down to for this Islanders fan,folks. Call it cynacism! Call it neurosis! After all these years of frustration and pain,we all have entitlement on both! -
Blizz says:
im not into consipracy theories but a lot of what Al has just said makes sense.
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jt91streit2 says:
this marketing camapaign is extremely superficial. al hit the nail on the head. this is all an attempt to make it look like wang and magnano are actually doing something when they are not. wang has already stated that he REGRETS buying this team. he’s just simply buying time so he can sell the team to someone who will pay him 100+ million. i also find it odd that the wang supposedly loses $20 million + every year. the islanders cash flow for player salaries is always 25-30 million every year (lowest payroll). add other operational expenses and you figure the total cost of running the team is 40-45 million. wang gets 20 million of that back via the cablevision deal. add an estimated 20 million in ticket sales and thats 40 million. add sponsership money and thats about breaking even. this is all guesswork but i find it hard to believe than wang is losing 20 million + every year. beleive what you want but the writing is on the wall for the isles’ time on long island
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cjcb says:
Nothing worse than politics! Blah blah blah blah blah. All the broken promises get old after awhile.
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To Al L ,Thank you for your well thought out intellectual post #68.But the Isles play 41 regular seasons,perhaps 2 pre season,and God be willing 10 post Season Stanley Cup playoff dates.That’s 53 dates of use,by my calculations,that leaves 313 days.Nassau and Suffolk County Residents NEED a facility for Concerts,the Circus,ice shows, religious group gatherings, Exhibition shows among other bookings.With a well thought Engineering and Architectural plan a curtain could could provide an intimate setting for 6-9000 events for more bookings.The Real possibility of Casino gambling at Belmont Racetrack just exacerbates the need for a world class entertainment venue.I really think from now till Aug 1,the Coalition for a New Coliseum will crank it up.There are NO EXCUSES for FAILURE !
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Dave says:
The Legislature you just had on lied what else is new..nothing ever changes! “saying that no specific details have been provided is a bunch of BS! The Islanders and County Exec explained how the 11.5% will work and any money exceeding revenue sharing. Also, The County exec has 2 offers for a minor league team to play in uniondale. VOTE YES AND MAKE IT A LANDSLIDE cause then these worthless people get the MESSAGE LOUD AND CLEAR!
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GlenS says:
So Nassau county wants a vote to fail thats going to cost about 1.8 million, I don’t thinjk so. If they want the thing to fail they would of just left the dam thing alone and not proposed anything in the first place. This way the team would’ve move and the NVMC would become what all those jerk’s in Nassau county seem to want a big white elephant. Like one of the other post said they build not one but two new stadiums in NYC at the same time no vote’s no nonsense and it’s all done in about four years start to finish…..
I’m so tired of this garbage it make’s me sick, the oldest building in the NHL is right here on Long Island(MSG don’t count as it’s been renovated once and being done once agian as we speak).It’s a shame that all on Long Island can’t as they are the NY ISLANDERS after all but be that as it may,but to all that can VOTE please do so and VOTE YES cause at the end of the day if you $58 dollars is a lot wait to see what happen’s should the Isles MOVE..LETS GO ISLANDERS…..
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IslesAl says:
Strummer, comparing Nassau to Florida is comparing apples to oranges. While I agree that Nassau County politics is intensely frustrating, the reason your taxes are relatively low in Florida is because a huge portion of the Florida budget is paid for by having such a huge tourism industry in comparison to the population of the state.
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isleasfan1972 says:
I think what you see (or don’t see) is what you get. My ticket rep was not aware of any marketing/PR blitz forthcoming before 8/1. He pointed me to the Islanders website from more information (gee thanks) and told me that they’ve been targeting local area business and construction workers. Someone posted yesterday that maybe the plan is to not launch an all out media campaign for many reasons as it could have a negative effect. There has to be some middle ground though. We’ve seen so little to counter all the negative press. This is all very scary.
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The only way I could give up this blog would be if I knew the Isles hired Chris to work behind the scenes and help their non existent P.R. Doug Weight is not the answer. Garth does not communicate with fans, and Wang just is not and never was a hockey guy. I hope by some miracle everything comes together, the Isles stay here where they belong, and our once proud County can enjoy watching a very good young team. I don’t care about a possibility of $58, I pay the Dolan’s $170 a month just so I can catch every single Islander game. You can bet if the Isles move, the first thing I will do is cancel cable vision. Second is sell my house, because if this does not go through I will be more convinced than ever that Nassau county will be a slum run by corrupt pols that are only concerned with their own power struggle. I yearn for the day I can just enjoy Islander hockey talk without all this nonsense. Will it ever happen??
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These informative little pow pows are all well and good. Most people however are influenced by the mass media,particularly the print variety. Newsday and now the Daily News are butchering this proposal without any counter punching.
How the hell does Wangano expect to obtain a positive outcome without making themselves visible and screaming out the benefit of this plan while spelling out the imminent disaster for the residents of Nassau County without it?
Until they do,I can’t help but believe this entire show is a crock with Charles playing the role of Max Bialystock! Come on fellas! PROVE ME WRONG!!! I BEG YOU!!! -
A Real hockey fan. says:
.. SPREAD THE WORD, SPREAD THE WORD, SPREAD THE WORD, SPREAD THE WORD!!!
.. I live in Westchester and i have some buddies i Nassau that are not even hockey fans and they will vote yes, i have 3 people 4 sure, they even see the big picture!!!
.. I cannot stress this enough, just keep talking to neighbors, friends, people at the shops, malls, friends, online-offline wherever!
.. Do it in a rational and thoughtfull manner, be nice 2 people and come with facts and tell them about dire consequences as well —- Just be dilligent and “SPREAD THE WORD”!!
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martin says:
Washington is definitely a place to explore a young Dman, whether it’s Schultz or Alzner. Just read that St.
Louis signed Arnott and Langenbrunner. There goes our veteran leader -
Orange&Blue says:
This really sucks for people like me who live Suffolk, or those in City, who can not do a damn thing about the vote except urge family members in Nassau County.
If the vote fails, I think every Islander needs to rally at Coliseum and demand that Wang buy his own damn arena or sell the team to someone who is actually serious about the team. This BS has gone on long enough. I dont care how much money he has lost. We wouldnt be in this situation if he hadnt tried to build another city in Uniondale. Enough of the political game playing. We are tired of it.
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Good catch FIsles! Jeff Schultz is a solid stay at home D Man,who could come cheap,considering the Caps are up against a ‘CAP’ ceiling situation. It is moves such as this that aren’t being made that make me wonder about the sincerety of driving home the Arena proposal.
This is no time to create apathy amongst the fanbase,who will play a large role in getting the much larger issue passed.
Unfortunately,observing the climate here and the lies,based and used by and on the inactivity of Wangano ,being regurgitated by the print media has done just that and cast a dark shadow on the Aug 1st outcome. We are running out of time and it would be tragic if a politically driven ,reckless and uncaring force destroys the future quality of life for an entire Island! -
Cold Spring Harbor says:
Even if it passes, the Finance Authority will swoop in with an injunction and stop the process cold in its tracks. All of Nassau County’s legislators will then say they “tried” to save the Islanders but please re-elect me to another term. They will then raise park pass fees and add surcharges galore to try and close the budget gap. Bring back Ralph Caso.
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Double Chili says:
Its amazing how politicians play both sides. Kevan says he was against the date of the vote because it was too soon. Too soon for what? Does he understand the timing of draft/Free agency/start of season? Does he acknowledge that Wang, arguably one of Nassau/Suffolks largest tax-generators via business/individual taxpaying constituents, has lost half a BILLION dolalrs on this “investment” and continues to suffer as the saga drags on? He mentioned that some of the past reasons for shooting down new arena plans were “unbelievable” yet here, as we approach another attempt for a new NVMC, acknowledges that it will/might take a landslide YES vote to affirm that this is the right thing to do. He also talks of all the other taxes set to increase, making the Arena Bonds kinda piled-on to an already big heap but which of the other tax increases will EVER pay BACK the $$$ to Nassau? None of them. Hey politicians, this should be a slam dunk, er…open net. All that’s needed is a guarantee that ALL the bond $$$ will be paid back. Whether it’s over 30 years or more. The Daily News mentions how “rosy the idea is” of 3600 more season tix being sold, but does Nassau Leg. realize the team hasn’t been able to attract FA’s to improve the team, thus generating more fan interest/season tix? If we wait around long enough for all the POLS to ensure they will get their “cut” it WILL end up being yet another over-budget, under-performing nightmare civic project. There’s many reasons why government should be restricted to doing business – because they’re very bad at it.
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Mort Zuckerman the Publisher of the NY Daily News is the 147th wealthiest American as per Forbes Magazine, President of Boston Properties{a very large commercial RE Developer],a substantial contributor to the Democratic Party{as per Wikipedia],and in his DISINGENUOUS EDITORIAL in the NY DAILY NEWS made no reference to any events at the NEW COLISEUM but NY ISLANDER HOCKEY.Perhaps Mort a CONFLICT of INTEREST may be BREWING? Mort report this story OBJECTIVELY !
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Chris, I am sorry about so many posts,BUT I Have ONE LAST COMMENT.MADISON SQUARE GARDEN in NYC pays NO NYS PROPERTY TAXES.After NYC built with TAXPAYER FUNDS Shea Stadium and the 1976 Yankee Stadium renovation,Sonny Werblin,who was the head of MSG at the time got a full tax abatement on MSG.I believe this Tax Abatement that still is in effect.{I am open towards correction,if I am in error]
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Dave says:
For all the politicians who are against this and they say that they’re for keeping the team on LI and in Nassau county, what’s their alternative? Have they even thought about what property taxes would SKYROCKET to if that was a big empty lot? No major tenant (ISLES), nobody will pay for upkeep. Nassau County – the challenge has been issued, lets pass this by a landslide!
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Glenn says:
It sounds to me that some of the opponents are stuck on the $58 tax increase to initially fund the bond issue. That number came out before the details of the project were even announced. At the press conference, the Wangano team claimed the $58 figure was not accurate, but did not have a different number when questioned. Since then, I haven’t seen any analysis to support or contradict that number. If they do have a lower number, they need to get that out to the public. Is that number for one year, two, three? How will the money going to pay off the debt service actually affect peoples tax bills when it starts coming in? Answers to these questions could ease some voter’s fears.
Also, you never hear about the base line payments, regardless of attendance, and how Mr. Wang will pay for any cost overruns. I live in Suffolk, and unfortunately can’t vote yes, I sincerely hope they leave no stone unturned in getting the information out and securing a yes vote on Aug 1. Go Isles!
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Ray says:
Nassau is a funny funny County….Alot of my friends who went away for college are not coming back!!! Everyone is leaving!!! I love living here but at a certain point it gets crazy….I hope that this Vote is MOSTLY YES, but what worries me is the only place I see or hear people talking about this is on Islanderspointblank…No where else do I see people or hear them talking….
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LES says:
kevan is right , these guys need to give full disclosure as to who what when and how and this will get done. no secrets wang keep everyone in the loop
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Relity Check to everyone the more and more business that live Nassau County the hire our taxes will be, until we all understand this nothing will change! I was at the East Meadow Lib. last week about the Arena only 15 people showed up! One person spoke to The County Exec Assitant and said i’m against it because I dont like the NEW county Exec. She said $58 is alot of money that was her only reasoning. She did not want to hear any facts and details! The problem with this County we are very stubin and closed minded..it’s sick!
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The operative portion of this guys comments came when he basically set the fall of this project on the fact they do not know what is up with the ball field. Mark my words if this is voted down every Democrat nay vote will say how much they want and need a new building but there was no plan on the $50M ball field as far as occupants.
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Dzruggie #93! Mangano has already been contacted by a few minor league affiliates. One could very well be the AA Binghamton Mets or AAA Buffalo Bisons. It would be quite convenient and efficient for their near ready prospects to be 12 miles away.
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Battfist says:
Another Brooklyn resident who is a diehard Islanders fan.
Im getting all my friends in Nassau out to vote yes…all 8 of them.But like others here, Im not fond of the Isles PR approach on this issue. More has to be done.
This team is young and talented. I would hate to see them leave Long Island.
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93 Miracle says:
campaign? Islanders want to sneak in through the back door on this and have the least amount of negative attention as possible. If they promote heavily, you will therefore have more people going out to vote more, maybe more to vote yes as well but definitely more NO voters will come out as a result. This way they can get the Yes voters out and have very few NO voters come out so its lopsided as hell. Not a bad plan, we’ll see how it turns out. In the end its more then just this vote.
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Atleast we got the King of Queens on Board….
Great Campaign so far haha…. -
#95! That is a very faulty plan. When getting bombarded every other day in the local Daily’s you have to answer. Silence is not golden in this case. If you are depending on a smattering of voters showing up at the polls and sneaking a positive result thru the back door,you are sending a weak message. Frankly very little in the way of a message has been sent at all.
Transparancy,clarity, educating and understanding of this plan is imperitive and should be screamed from the roof tops,confidently. Attempting to sneak it thru the back door indicates hidden flaws and lack of confidence. Having carefully read thru the press release and listening to all the parties, I don’t believe there are many flaws,nor do I see why this cannot be confidently and aggressively presented.
This has more of a chance for a landslide,if Wangano leaves no nooks and crannys or soft underbellys vulnerable to political attack. -
How much more clear can the details be to the oposers of this bond info. Are they that stupid, just playing politics as usual. This whole thing is frustrating because of people being stupid and jump to conclusions.
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JP in NJ says:
Good interview. This site has become a valuable civic forum for understanding this issue.
Kudos once again to CB for filling the vacuum of informed debate.
One thing that surprises me is that there’s no way for Nassau and Suffolk to work together on this. The counties fates are linked, but there’s no political structure — a bi-county improvement authority, etc. — to undertake projects that are for the good of Long Island as a whole.
The challenge has been issued:
Show up in a big-time way on Aug. 1 and get everyone you know there so they can vote yes.
If this becomes a pathetic turnout of a few thousand Islander fans and union guys with a slim majority over a few thousands NIMBYs, this deal will die and the Islanders will go with them.
You can count on it.
Thanks CB for a great interview and getting the challenge out of Abrahams. I disagreed a lot with what he said, but he made it clear that he will vote yes if that’s what the people tell him he should do. I believe him.
Vote YES on Aug. 1. Who’s with me?