SNY POINT BLANK TV: MICHAEL PICKER, PART I
Answers deal critics, explains the two-year escape
“Hockey” talk continues below, but we’ll attempt to put the focus back where it belongs. In Part 1 of a two-part interview recorded Friday afternoon, Charles Wang’s Renaissance Properties president Michael Picker responds as I put complaints by some of the arena deal’s biggest critics before him. We also address the Arenaco issue, which I see as good for Islanders Country. In Part 2, Picker and I speak about the Aug. 1 referendum.
66 Responses to SNY POINT BLANK TV: MICHAEL PICKER, PART I
Answers deal critics, explains the two-year escape
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nyifan72 says:
Thanks for getting the talk back to the arena. This was great. Picker has becomes a good spokesman for the deal. I hope Wang does as well on WFAN.
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Al says:
I’m starting to enjoy hearing Mr. Picker get very annoyed in these interviews. Thanks for throwing a few fastballs. The stuff on the team site that he did was a joke.
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Zarley says:
If Arenaco means Wang finds it easier to sell the team and gets out in two years then I agree with you Chris. I am ALL for it!
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David in Lynbrook says:
Looking forward to Part 2. Thanks for doing this around the other nonsense. Thanks also to Picker. Wang’s lucky to have a loyal executive who speaks his mind and does all interviews instead of the guy whose hand shakes when he bullspits us with another one of his speeches.
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voter says:
Picker is a smart, honest and loyal man. You’re right to give him this forum despite the garbage Snow pulled with you.
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S Goldman says:
I think a lot of people missed your tweet and something you wrote in the last post. I’m talking about the thing you wrote about the polls saying the vote will be very close and how one major poll said it’s a NO.
Picker and Wang have a long week before them.
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Bassen says:
not a good day. still think this is a slam dunk, CB? guess i can’t blame you. even you could not have predicted our badly the isles would handle this.
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max says:
LOL…I am all for ARENACO!!!
best part of this interview and best part of this deal.
Someone please buy our team.
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Lenny says:
Sorry to hear this is only a 2-parter. You should hook up with Picker every night at midnight and give him the chance to answer to the latest BS in Newsday from the politicians, developers and media. I seriously think you should do this every night.
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Kevin 27 says:
#VoteYES
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Steve M says: CB, you look like a bad a** in that video thumbnail.
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Isles86 says:
Vote YES!
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Bababoey to you all says:
Picker is better at getting his point across than Wang…Im not a wang basher like many here tho…
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I think Wang should have Picker do all of the talking for now on…
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Jake says:
Just Vote YES!
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Bruce1167 says:
Can someone cut thru the BS on the Development rights issue. I keep reading in Newsday tht other developers want the 77 acres to go to bid. What does this mean ??
Am I wrong that there is no way to have someone else develop the 77 acres when the new Coli will need the 6,000 parking spot lot that takes up this area or is this not a parking lot issue ??
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NYI 16 says:
#9 is right..best part is two years and get the heck out and take the rest of the clown committee with you. Today was a slap in the face…and those of us who still pay money to support this team deserve better.
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Mike1072 says:
The people Wang/Mangano need to their point across to are 1)Seniors- they make a large percentage of the electorate and are likely to vote. My fear is that they see this as a tax increase not economic development. 2)Tea party members- They came out in large numbers to get Mangano elected. Mangano needs to explain that this isn’t a “big government” project, but the most viable way to expand the tax base. 3)Other fiscal conservatives- who believe that it would be cheaper to board up the Coliseum than to renovate it. (Look @ St. Paul’s in Garden City and see how well that has worked out) 4) Die hard Democrats- Many want to see Mangano fail. Mangano and Wang need to speak to as many Senior and Tea Party groups as they can over the next week.
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bergevin says:
Well done by Picker but this vote is in trouble as CB has reported about the polls and the Isles have no one to blame but themselves.
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Steven says:
I think Charles will see in two years if this passes.
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nyifan72 says:
I feel bad for picker. he’s out there doing his best and talking to you and Snow side-swipes him with today’s news leak. and this is the GM who likes to pride himself on never talking about negotiations.
Isles shot themselves in the foot and Picker is left holding the bag.
still not gonna let that get to me. we all have to vote yes if we’re in nassau.
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Lauren says:
Good interview, Mr. Picker! Keep it going!
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Mike from Bethpage says:
Everyone thinks of this as a Nassau County issue, but in reality it is a State issue as well. It means jobs lost, tax revenue lost, and another NY sports team leaving the State. Besides calling your local legislator, call Governor Cuomo and demand he mediate this and show some leadership here on this issue. He has not spoken on this issue at all even though he has a ” NY is back for business” campaign. Losing the Islanders goes against this campaign of ecenomic development and creating jobs. If he gets enough calls he might try and help from the State level.
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DPS says:
You can hear the disgust in his voice every time he or you mentioned a politician. Picker seems like a good guy. I bet he can’t wait until this is over. He’s done his best. I just don’t think he got all the best help he could. It’s a shame.
I’m voting yes.
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jimmy says:
Thank you for changing the subject!
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Flatley says:
I wish every Nassau resident could see these interviews. You ask the tough questions but Picker has reasonable answers.
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blitz says:
Can’t tell you how many co-workers, neighbors and relatives I’ve talked to who have no clue about this deal. There are also plenty of others who have no clue there is even a vote. I’m trying to stay optimistic but I don’t like where this is going.
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JT says:
We need to show up in big numbers for the rally. Let’s get some momentum on our side.
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Matthew Carlyle says:
If Garth Snow’s rousing speech to fans at the prospect game didn’t rally the troops, I don’t know what will. Watch the tape. It should be a you tube classic. I hope Snow speaks again at the rally on Wednesday.
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Marc says:
Is it possible for Picker to get all of the facts that he mentioned in the newspaper? I saw a FAQ on the Isles web site a while ago but don’t think it addressed all of the points Picker mentioned. Again, if the referendum fails, Wangano’s failure to give CLEAR, CONCISE facts from the beginning will be what we all look back at.
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team pays for cost overruns.
team sold, team is locked into lease.
11% of arena revenue goes to county, the more money the team makes, the more money the county earns.Mr Wang, if this vote fails, i will help you pack. in a really dark comedic world, the vote fails, the team makes it to the playoffs this season, and the second round next season. owner sells as both team and economy improve, nassau gets empty falling down arena, stupidity triumphs..i own a pair of seats to 21 games this season. watch the nassau hacks who oppose this deal, buy the bonds if the project is approved.
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Nick says:
The deal is good. The only problem with the deal has been its presentation.
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CC says:
These segments with Picker have been mandatory viewing for people who want to be educated about the deal. He hasn’t done any spinning and you haven’t let him. If he can state something for sure, Picker is honest about it. I wish more people could see these. I look forward to the final one.
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Matthew says:
VOTE YES EVERYONE IGNORE THE YASHIN TALK
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Ed from Hempstead says:
The arenaco clause makes me want to vote yes even more now. It makes it easier for Wang to sell the team to someone who might know what they’re doing and not name friends as the GM.
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DWC says:
Do people really not understand that a mortgage with a present value of $500,000 does not cost $500,000 over 30 years? The public should be insulted by the $800M number that has been floated. This drives me nuts.
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Tom D in NJ says:
Win,lose or draw, Picker is a good man.
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dose says:
Mr. Picker’s explanation is stated clearly and effectively. The problem is where it’s being presented. The voters who most need to hear and understand the message are nowhere near this site. I don’t know what the solution is, but if he’s not barking up the wrong tree, he’s not barking up enough trees.
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Ricky T says:
So here’s a question that I don’t think I’ve seen anyone ask previously. If the vote on the referendum turns out to be a majority No, does that necessarily end the chance of having a new arena built? Since the referendum is non-binding, would Mangano and the Islanders still try to push for a new arena through a bonding approved by the Nassau legislature and NIFA even though it would appear that public opinion is against it. And if the vote were close, could that be used as evidence that many residents do want the arena to be built even if the vote falls just sort of a majority? I expect that Mr. Wang will publicly speak about strongly considering other options, but could he still try to get this deal done even without full public support?
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Steve J says:
Right now, the Arenaco situtation which would involve a new buyer is very secondary. A Yes vote has to win first. Regardless of the vote outcome, a new buyer is coming. After listening to Picker speak, I think Wang needs to bring him along on WFAN next week.
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Mike says:
#28 is correct My 2 brothers who came with me to the Blue White game and they both live in Nassau had NO CLUE about a Vote or Arena deal and both these guys are into sports not hockey but sports!! I think the ONLY people that will Vote will be the Old and Isles fans and there are alot more Old people then Isles fans!! NOT GOOD!
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Ray says:
#42 Mike…thats what im worried about….the old people who can care less about the future and the hockey team who think thier taxes will be raised….The opposition is very irresponsibe in the comments and they have drilled it into peoples head that this will cost them alot in taxes….
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Based on my talk with my dad who lives in hicksville, everyone he knows is voting yes. I am encouraged about what Abrams said and the County/Comptroller. the more people are educated on the proposal the easier this will be to vote yes and get passed thru the legislature. Still would like to hear from the Gov on his thoughts!! Minn Vikings owner asked the Gov directly about new stadium for them. Seems like we are taking a different path all together.
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Bob from Bethpage says:
its funny cuz i have not meet 1 person who said they would vote no … yet the county insists its very close.. why cant it be 104 degrees on aug 1 . that will keep the old timers home..lol
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Commercial on Isles website includes James Dolan saying vote yes.
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the problem is we need non islanders fans voting yes not just us!
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D in Big D says:
What kind of damage control/education are the Isles doing?They definitely butchered this one.I do not live there so please people educate me and tell me that there is more coverage than this site and the Isles lame site.Doing a couple radio shows 1 week before the vote I do not see swaying the people they need to sway.If I were true to myself I would have to admit that I will be pleasantly surprised if this passes and not shocked if it don’t.
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Pat DeCanio says:
I have a 90 year old aunt who lives right across the street from the Coliseum. I explained to her the deal and she is walking across the street on Aug. 1st to the school where she votes and is voting YES. It’s our job as Isles fans to explain what’s really going on and to get as many YES votes as we can. Going to call some friends today that I used to work with who live in Nassau County and explain it to them to. Let’s rock this vote and make it very unconfortable for the politicians to screw us.
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Tony 6161 says:
8 more days! VOTE YES
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CG says:
Talking to one of my neigbors around the block. This is someone who always complains about taxes. He votes “no” on school taxes every year (and he has school age kids). I asked him how he was voting (expecting him to say he is voting no). He said he is absolutely voting yes. He says Nassau absolutely needs this and even a small tax increase is worth it on this one. Hopefully others think this way too.
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Strummer's Army says:
First chance you all get vote this SCUM Jacobs out of office!!!!! You see what he mailed out telling everyone to Vote NO? He’s an enemy to the Isles and LI.
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He might look like a nerd, but man Picker is SMOOTH…I like his style
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slsangus says: As a registered Democrat and a union president, I am disgusted that the head of my party in this state is taking a stance which, if successful, will cost 5000 people their jobs, both by destroying 2000 existing ones and keeping 3000 more from being created. That the Democratic party loves to portray itself as the champion of working men and women makes this position even more reprehensible.
First a Republican-controlled Town Board shoots down the 100% privately financed Lighthouse Project, under the usual guise of protecting the “suburban quality of life,” when anyone with a functioning brain knows that their real dual issues with the LHP were the possibility of attracting too many Democratic voters to the Town and their disdain for Democratic County Executive Tom Suozzi. Now that a Republican County Executive puts forward an alternative plan to solve this never-ending problem, it’s the state Democratic Party’s turn to cry crocodile tears, this time over the “threat” to taxpayers that revitalizing central Nassau County and creating 3000 jobs ostensibly poses.
I am voting yes and urging anyone I know to do the same. I am very fearful, however, that this last best chance to actually get something of value done on LI will again fall victim to classic LI politics. The same LI politics that kept people of color out of Levittown in the 1950s, kept the LIRR away from the Coliseum in the 1970s, and allowed one of the richest counties in the country to approach bankruptcy in the 1990s. I hope that if he is successful in his efforts, Mr. Jacobs will at least have the courage to be there in front of the cameras on June 30, 2015 when the Coliseum is closed and 2000 taxpayers whose interests he will have “protected” so fiercely are put out of work.
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Tony says:
When exactly does this PR campaign kick into high gear?
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93 Miracle says:
Picker is smooth and so am I. Went to the scene of the to replace those vandalized signs with new fresh VOTE YES signs. I saw Rick Dipietro right after and wished him good luck this season and said “LETS GO LETS GO!” He said “Thanks, I appreciate it buddy.”
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Lean Cugine says:
Win, lose or draw I cant wait for election time, to vote this CHOOCH JAY JACOBS out of office. I hope you all do the same! See-Ya!
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Dave says:
The Islanders are sending out the message loud and clear. There are posters on all major street throughout Nassau County, Advertised on the airwaves and addes in the local papers in the last two weeks! The problem we may face is all of the older generation 65- and over are retired and always VOTE NO for major development! Young people still work and there mine is the last thing on the VOTE! Everyone stop complaining and just have all your friends and family vote YES! About Nassau county it always has been political and will never change. The Dems want Mangano out of office…it’s clear! They could care less about the Vote, but that should not stop from voting YES – YES – YES…the more YES VOTE the harder to vote it DOWN!
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1/2 of the older generation 65+ hardly know how to use a computer…use your brains and send out emails through facebook and other sites to get out the YES VOTE! Everyone get 15-20 people each to vote YES goes a long way then just to site back after the VOTE and say what if…after 8/1!
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I dont think it will go well if the vote is NO…Will Isles fans riot like they did in Vancouver when they lost the Cup final???I wonder what the response will be…I hope we don’t take it laying down, that’s for sure…
Man, I am nervous…We’re close to “d-day”…
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what are the positives for voting “NO”?? Thats the question to ask….Being as objective as I can, I really dont see a reason why anyone would vote no…People have it in thier heads that thier taxes are going way up and thas just sad…The facts need to get out the proper way….The opposition is just talking out of thier you knoe wjhat without even knowing the Facts…
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VOTE NO…..on Jay Jacobs
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Post #30 Matthew Carlyle mentioned Garths rousing speech at the prospect game…If anyone has a link id appreciate it…Thanks
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EJ1SINCE40 says:
CHOOCH Jacobs is right!
The amount of negative towards CB on the last thread and WITHIN our own fan base is sad.
I do NOT like Wang, but he’s all we have right now.
Years of futility will do this..
Let’s all hand in there, TOGETHER
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LouD says:
Why isn’t Picker the face of the management team ? He should be the guy who keeps fans informed (seeing how we have no one doing that now) because he actually makes sense. Which leads me to wonder how and why he’s working for the Islanders. It would be nice if Wang and Garth actually tried to keep the fans informed seeing how they are a last place team every year and they could use all of the support they can get. More proof that they are clueless. Lastly if I may, not to be judgmental but rather to inform, the amount of people that use the phrase “I COULD care less” is getting out of control. The phrase is “I could NOT care less” because you care so little there is no further to go
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admin says:
Comment thread closed. You’ll want to read Newsday the next few days. Stay cool, New York…CB
we will wait and see. the glass is 40% full.