tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post3184864705264842136..comments2019-06-29T21:02:23.987-04:00Comments on Let There Be Light(house): Kate Murray Slits Long Island's ThroatNick - Lighthousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319878304631872148noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-76537481798716421602010-08-06T19:07:42.225-04:002010-08-06T19:07:42.225-04:00http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/cit...http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/citi-field-arena-for-isles-just-talk-says-wilpon-1.2180960<br /><br />August 5, 2010 By KIMBERLEY A. MARTIN kimberley.martin@newsday.com <br /><br /><br />EAST HARTFORD, Conn. - Mets owner Fred Wilpon hasn't ruled out the possibility of an Islanders arena next door to Citi Field, but that decision rests with team owner Charles Wang - not him.<br /><br />"That's just talk," Wilpon said Thursday when asked about the likelihood that the Islanders will move to Queens.<br /><br />In May, Wilpon's son Jeff, the Mets' chief operating officer, told Newsday he had spoken...<br /><br />Can anybody show the full article? I think that Wilpon is acknowledging that he is still talking with Wang. Also as the islanders' lease with Nassau County is over on 2015, Wilpon may have hinted at that notion.Stevenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-9308296851443843702010-08-06T14:32:56.509-04:002010-08-06T14:32:56.509-04:00How long would it take to build a mass transportat...How long would it take to build a mass transportation such as railroad around the Coliseum?Stevenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-89443619268653427592010-08-06T11:44:28.316-04:002010-08-06T11:44:28.316-04:00Link regarding the meeting I referenced in my prev...Link regarding the meeting I referenced in my previous post. Come on, Nick. Time to rally the troops. If nothing else, the meeting should be informative:<br /><br />http://www.nassauhub.com/openhouse2.htmmrlbemhttp://optonline.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-17113099420534818882010-08-06T10:22:38.980-04:002010-08-06T10:22:38.980-04:00There's a meeting regarding the Nassau Hub at ...There's a meeting regarding the Nassau Hub at the Marriott scheduled for August 11 at 6 pm. Does anyone know anything about this?mrlbemhttp://optonline.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-9095941434897510492010-07-30T10:18:52.793-04:002010-07-30T10:18:52.793-04:00'Scott Rechler has quietly sold back to Charle...'Scott Rechler has quietly sold back to Charles Wang the Marriott hotel at the heart of the stalled Nassau Coliseum redevelopment project, records show.'<br /><br />anyone have a good idea what this means?<br />rechler pulling out?day1fanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14988276879847868966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-68941180186002344092010-07-30T10:03:47.081-04:002010-07-30T10:03:47.081-04:00'Scott Rechler has quietly sold back to Charle...'Scott Rechler has quietly sold back to Charles Wang the Marriott hotel at the heart of the stalled Nassau Coliseum redevelopment project, records show.'<br /><br />anyone have a good idea what this means?<br />rechler pulling out?day1fanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14988276879847868966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-1130867515402375612010-07-27T01:30:51.453-04:002010-07-27T01:30:51.453-04:00About Evan Weiner's article, he never mentions...About Evan Weiner's article, he never mentions that the casino idea has been met with resistance from the TOH residents. Also, he fails to mention Al D'amato's role in crippling the Islanders financially and his conflict with Charles Wang. If D'Amato really told Weiner the Islanders arena situation will end favorably with his casino wet dream, I would have think he (D'amato) was dreaming. Why would in Wang's right mind take D'Amato's offer if he knows that casino is being met with a lot of resistance? In adidtion, Wang is currently enjoying from the sub-lease terms that came from ripping Al D'amato's crown jewel, namely the SMG lease that gave Islanders no money from non Islanders events in the Coliseum. D'Amato is more than likely trying to screw the Islanders with his casino plan.Stevenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-43408500637045576572010-07-25T14:28:32.436-04:002010-07-25T14:28:32.436-04:00I think what the LI Herald's article outlines ...I think what the LI Herald's article outlines in a short column is that bare facts of the latest and greatest from the TOH. Focusing on the lack of vision, and the economically challenged version put forth by the town. I don't think the intention of the article was to regurgitate the whole horror show known as the Lighthouse Project's progress.<br /><br />It was a this is where "we" are now summary.<br /><br />day1 - I agree that Mr. Weiner was attempting to criticize his fellow journalists' coverage of the Lighthouse Project. I just personally felt I was getting lost in that aspect of the article instead of focusing on the economic facts which are critical to making the LHP a success and pull Nassau Cty. from the gravity of the economic / talent drain it has been experiencing.<br /><br />... and Yes ... I agree day1 ... His lack of focus in the article, scattering his facts was what made me lose focus when reading it. Still a very good informative article ... I just had to pick through the fat to get to the meat of it.19 Isle in NJ 22noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-23180649917208003962010-07-25T11:07:01.836-04:002010-07-25T11:07:01.836-04:00Here is a question? Why all the silence all of a s...Here is a question? Why all the silence all of a sudden - no comments from either side since this plan was presented - are we to believe they are working on something behind the scenes or are they both on seperate ends of Long Island not even thinking of each other?<br /><br />Its just unfair to the fans not to tell us what is going on. <br /><br />Born and raised in Queens - live in Brooklyn now but the Islanders belong in Nassau!Nick the Secondnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-59835000490512064102010-07-23T09:19:10.341-04:002010-07-23T09:19:10.341-04:00with all due respect, i think the LIherald piece i...with all due respect, i think the LIherald piece is little more than a well after the fact superficial summary of simple basics already known by anyone paying attention even a little bit. the fact that a elementary column like this even initiated reaction by us affirms how absent real coverage has been all along and how the press, media, whatever the hell you want to call them, have collectively surrendered their responsibility on the whole thing. <br /><br />the piece ends with an effort at an editorial slant, suggesting there should be a compromise to resolve the matter. compromise. wow. HELLO???!!! are you kidding me? this is a press outlet “covering” a story LIKE THIS in its own backyard? they must have had their most dogged reporters dig pretty deep and their editors must have had some pretty intense meetings to come up with something like that. <br /><br />i have no idea who owns or runs that publication, but never mind journalism school or media management courses, just watching a few episodes of ’superman’ to see how lois lane did her job might be a good idea.day1fanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14988276879847868966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-17304215900252655342010-07-22T22:06:24.046-04:002010-07-22T22:06:24.046-04:00You're taking me too literally...The DP contra...You're taking me too literally...The DP contract is, imho, one of the worst contracts ever....If what you're telling me is you feel Wang was not trying to circumvent the contract regulations then we're in agreement...<br /><br />Regarding the LI Herald, I hope people are reading that...IslesPassion21https://www.blogger.com/profile/12272881154515111264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-31650025823641118172010-07-22T20:00:57.128-04:002010-07-22T20:00:57.128-04:00Sorry but the point is that Ricks contract has abs...Sorry but the point is that Ricks contract has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with cap circumvention.<br /><br />Youre not going to get me to agree with you... Ricks contract isnt even the worst the Islanders have given out let alone the worst ever.<br /><br />On another more topical note, the LI Herald has been doing some good work lately: http://www.liherald.com/detail/26641.htmlTheMetalChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06627766622392257867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-28719351482488047192010-07-22T19:09:45.383-04:002010-07-22T19:09:45.383-04:00MC, I wouldn't give Wang that much credit...I ...MC, I wouldn't give Wang that much credit...I wish he was trying to circumvent the rules cuz that would at least show savy. The reason DP's contract is the worst ever is because he never proved himself..he never earned itIslesPassion21https://www.blogger.com/profile/12272881154515111264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-25350760632587709102010-07-22T19:08:47.595-04:002010-07-22T19:08:47.595-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.IslesPassion21https://www.blogger.com/profile/12272881154515111264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-75710582437368795612010-07-22T16:08:06.925-04:002010-07-22T16:08:06.925-04:00Talk about frustrating- the last few days all Ive ...Talk about frustrating- the last few days all Ive seen are idiots proclaiming that Kovalchuks rejected contract is a direct decendant from DiPietros contract. Nevermind that Ricks contract doesnt circumvent anything!<br /><br />I need to not let idiots bother me so much... but there are so many of them. So many. :(TheMetalChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06627766622392257867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-27193946559800186762010-07-19T01:13:04.128-04:002010-07-19T01:13:04.128-04:00Newsday has a nice piece..You can see it on the mo...Newsday has a nice piece..You can see it on the mobile site for free...<br />http://mobile.newsday.com/inf/infomo;jsessionid=6326B86ECB954B931984.2776?site=newsday&view=page8&feed:a=newsday_1min&feed:c=topstories&feed:i=1.2116465IslesPassion21https://www.blogger.com/profile/12272881154515111264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-89146056824610566282010-07-18T23:57:04.289-04:002010-07-18T23:57:04.289-04:00Hi Nick the second, thanks for your insight regard...Hi Nick the second, thanks for your insight regarding the Wilpons and MLS. I think there is a fair chance that the discussions between MLS and Wilpons have picked up steam because the MLS has become more or less desparate as there has been a rumor that the Mets hired a real estate firm to assess the feasibility of an Islanders arena in Queens.<br /><br />http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/06/14/mets-owners-working-with-real-estate-firm-on-queens-arena-for-is/<br /><br />Jones Lang LaSalle, the project management company for the upcoming $775-850 million renovation of Madison Square Garden, has begun work on a feasibility study for an Islanders arena at Willets Point -- the property surrounding Citi Field, the second-year home of the Mets.<br /><br />"This is beyond the preliminary stage," said the source. "You don't bring in a big hitter like JLL unless you're serious. This tells me the Islanders and Mets have made progress in a partnership to take the hockey team to Queens. If Charles Wang and Nassau can't cut a deal, this will be a great option." <br /><br />This may explain why Garber has been saying he's trying to convince the Wilpons to choose soccer over hockey in a recent interview with NYPost.Stevenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-52902548781569323332010-07-18T16:08:00.266-04:002010-07-18T16:08:00.266-04:0019 isles - i think maybe mr. weiner used that much...19 isles - i think maybe mr. weiner used that much space in "criticizing the press" in order to emphasize strongly in no uncertain terms how the media has missed and/or avoided real coverage of the issue. i respect his willingness to scold his "journalistic" colleagues on that failure and I also like his writing, though i do think this particular piece was kind of all over the place. mr. weiner is the only journalist or media person i know of reporting substantively on this story, but I wish he did so more often. he may have overloaded this piece with information and kind of scattered its focus, and not to put words in your mouth, but maybe that explains part of the problem you had with it. <br />meanwhile, his point about the absence of real journalistic coverage of this debacle could not be more right on. this is something that has driven me crazy from the outset, and I know Nick feels the same way. <br />as for mr. weiner speculating that d'amato's push for the casino plan could be kate's "worst nightmare," i can't say i agree. this might make sense if you assume that a public stand kate may take in opposition to the casino is genuine. i am cynical enough to believe that such a posture would be purely theatrical and that she would actually be fully on board. letting her appear to go down fighting in opposition to the deal on behalf of her "constituents" and for "the public good" will be the reward she gets from her real constituents for being a good soldier.day1fanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14988276879847868966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-92116220314355600192010-07-18T15:51:22.929-04:002010-07-18T15:51:22.929-04:00http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/17/sports/soccer/17...http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/17/sports/soccer/17mls.html<br /><br />Thanks Nick - ill call myself Nick the second - haha - anyhow - this is an original link from back in the day about WILPON and MLS - I have a lot of information about this venture - if your interested - let me know where I can email it to you.Nick the Secondnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-53641279285557795032010-07-18T08:29:52.730-04:002010-07-18T08:29:52.730-04:00I have said all along Murray is in over her head, ...I have said all along Murray is in over her head, she could never manage a fortune 500 company let alone the TOH. She is a clueless elected official. Nick I am not sure Wang has the funding for the project why would she not approve 70% of the project and then tell charles, go get some financing now? Also why would she say this is non-negotitable? Really displays her ability to have no business sense at all. Why slam the door shut like that?? That is what I find so absolutely revolting about her actions. She wasted tax payer money and salms the door shut in the process. I was always under the impression an agreement as to the scope of the project would be reached. By slamming the door shut it eliminates that option. I do not believe the Casino hanging over her head will make her come back to the bargaining table.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-47405999111230742132010-07-17T23:49:54.510-04:002010-07-17T23:49:54.510-04:00Few more things...
Blair (and this is also somewh...Few more things...<br /><br />Blair (and this is also somewhat to Anon): As I acknowledge in the piece, the Lighthouse as proposed has been dead ever since we knew for a fact the Town wanted to reduce it....I and others have sent signals to the Town that they'd better signal a willingness to work with the developer, and they clearly didn't do it. The project as proposed will never exist, and these actions make me wonder if anything will ever be built. The project doesn't seem economically viable, the County is going to lose potential revenue on it, the Islanders are in jeopardy, and many community groups are splintering about the project - one even suggested they should throw the Islanders out to make the project profitable. Funny that people accuse Charles Wang of using the community, but how would supporting Charles Wang and the Islanders for years and then doing that be anything other than using them?<br /><br />The Community Alliance is right...and it goes to the previous point. Kate did just enough to not really piss people off, and the Lighthouse, while something people clearly want, didn't seem like a voting issue.<br /><br />19 Isles is dead on with one other point, and I think I made the point too subtly in the piece. There was a time when Levittown was a radical idea! It took a Town Board with much more guts than the current one seems to have to see past the farmlands to what Long Island could become. What a shame we don't have that kind of leadership now.Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11753698648862261183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-37959202617560097942010-07-17T23:42:31.363-04:002010-07-17T23:42:31.363-04:00Steve - I think Belmont is outside the requirement...Steve - I think Belmont is outside the requirements, because a Shinnecock casino has to be within 75 miles of their reservation. I think Belmont is right at the outer bound of acceptability there, but don't quote me on that. I tried to measure on Google Maps, and while it seems within range I don't know. Remember, until their tribal recognition is settled (and that lawsuit will at very least delay it), a Shinnecock casino is completely off the table.<br /><br />19 Isles - I agree, my friend. Charles Wang's actions clearly suggest he doesn't want to leave Nassau County, but at this point Kate Murray's actions show he isn't welcome in Nassau County. Mangano has a casino "proposal," which is the strongest "I'm Out of Ideas" signal a politician can send, in my opinion. Like you, I'm still enraged at the thought that Kate Murray has been hiding from this project since 2003 (I wish I could say more on this....) and now she does an about-face and wastes time and taxpayer money to smack Wang in the head and tell him he can't build. As Happy Gilmore would say, that could have been brought to my attention YESTERDAY...or 7 years ago. I truly believe she's unfit for office because of her conduct here...she treated 2 men trying to invest $3.75 billion in the Town as an inconvenience, constantly misled the public, and hid from ever making a decision through both misleading quotes and obstruction. Think about it - she did just enough that Lighthouse supporters wouldn't throw her out of office last year, and she's hoping everyone's forgotten by the time she's up in 2011. Now after all that, she says no, for the reasons we all suspected she'd say no years earlier. What a disgrace.<br /><br />Merrick - I acknowledge the vitriol, though I think personally I might have been too easy on her. She deserves every cross word she's going to get out of this.<br /><br />The 2 pieces were very interesting, and it's just a sad reality. Anyone who's been reading this blog for a while knows that I've constantly raged at the fact that the mainstream media has totally abdicated the responsibility to question Kate Murray. Perfect example: I had a thoughtful, 20-minute conversation with a certain Newsday reporter last week that resulted in a 2-line quote about Islanders fans in the paper. I understand his angle, since he's a sports guy, but nobody has come out and said that Kate Murray spit in all our faces here. <br /><br />This, however, means one thing...If nobody else is going to watchdog Kate Murray as she attempts to destroy Long Island's future, it falls to us. I'll have something on this in a few days.<br /><br />Quick idea, throwing it out there: it's a big risk because we don't know how it would end up for us, but, as a previous commenter suggested (sorry I forgot which one), what about putting this to a referendum? If we get a strong push to put the Lighthouse as proposed to a referendum, it sort of boxes Kate in. She'd never allow it, but how could she not allow it? It's a Hail Mary, but at this point it's all we have. Thoughts?Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11753698648862261183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-13967263641544603662010-07-17T23:28:05.352-04:002010-07-17T23:28:05.352-04:00Well this is new - that last comment wasn't fr...Well this is new - that last comment wasn't from me, for the record. Welcome Nick the Second.Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11753698648862261183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-82851945690026370082010-07-17T20:55:42.429-04:002010-07-17T20:55:42.429-04:00The Wilpon MLS in Queens talks have been going on ...The Wilpon MLS in Queens talks have been going on forever and they recently have picked up steam. Honestly - I think the Wilpons and Wang are working together here. I am a Queens based Islanders fan who is very familiar with the on goings with potential MLS team. I really think the Wilpons are using Wang to get a better deal with MLS and Wang is using the Wilpons and Queens as a bargaining chip for a better deal in Nassau?<br /><br />If Charles Wang has been saying a new state of the are arena is not going to get him his money back in Nassau - why would he just settle for JUST AN ARENA in QUeens and team up with the Wilpons - how would he get his money back. As for Willets Point - the request to build is in - not sure if Wang put in a bid but Willets Point is going to take forever to get going with all the political hoopla going on. Some businesses are refusing to leave etc. That is another 4-5 years of hard work and money for Wang.<br /><br />Although a stadium would most likely be in the parking lot of Citi Field but that would just be the stadium.<br /><br />Given all Wang has said about needing more than just an arena and knowing that the Willets Point bids are in and how long it takes - the puzzle just doesnt fit to me.<br /><br />No - Honestly - I have been negative until now - I really think its going to work out and the Isles will stay in nassau and the Wilpons will get a good deal for a soccer stadium and work with the new owners of the Cosmos name to bring them back. The Isles will lift cups and all will be good! <br /><br />Have faith - all this is is a political chess match with big egos in stake!Nicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420070021149211641.post-40221092828088542162010-07-17T17:28:17.595-04:002010-07-17T17:28:17.595-04:00Hi 19 Isle in NJ 22
http://www.nypost.com/p/blog...Hi 19 Isle in NJ 22 <br /><br />http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/soccerblog/mls_boss_garber_wants_bulls_nyc_MYVKGtXQrhw6sDpqIYFanK<br /><br />"We very much want a second team here,'' Garber said. "I continue to have discussions with the Wilpon family of the New York Mets about seeing whether we could convince them that soccer would be better in Queens than hockey. We have work to do with the city to get their support for building a stadium. <br /><br /><br />"I think if we’re able to really make a lot of noise here, get lots of people to come out, have this team resonate throughout the tri-state area, it will be that much easier to convince everybody we need to convince about that second team.'' <br /><br />Sounds like the Isles are talking to Mets at this point as well as Don Garber is "trying to convince" Wilpons that soccer is better than hockey.Stevenoreply@blogger.com