All Media Eyes toward The Lighthouse

Sunday was an interesting day for the Lighthouse Project. The Newsday morning edition had a two page spread "discussing" the Lighthouse Project in a "Point/Counter-point" style just a few pages after Obama's new Afganistan policy and the current economic mess.

"Shining a Light on the Lighthouse" by Eden Laikin was a two page spread with more graphic than content. As a matter of fact, Laikin's editorial portion was all of a single column punctuated once again by "a not so subtle ultimatum by Wang: Approve the project so we can build... or I'll move the team...."

The balance of the article covers five major discussion points and the highlights of the project. It is written much like the rest of Newsday, (which is owned by Cablevision who also owns MSG and the Rangers. As if they haven't told you that in every single article in the sports section and you didn't know that.) so simplistic a 3rd-grader can read it.

While the fact the project is getting the exposure it needs, there are some inconsistencies in it's coverage. You can check out the LetThereBeLighthouse.com blog which examines some of the statements in this article. Read it and become more informed.

http://lettherebelighthouse.blogspot.com/2009/03/newsday-shines-phony-light.html

As is the usual outcome of ESPN radio's NY Hockey This Week show with Don LaGreca and Chris Botta, concerned callers begged for explanation and confirmation of Lighthouse news from ex-employee Botta who worked closely with Wang. Botta made one error saying the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement was 16,000 pages when it is indeed only a gargantuan 6,000. (He also noted he had the worst reading comprehension in Hicksville High School, so that may explain the additional 10,000 page over statement.) But as always, the close-to-his-heart topic was covered with sincerity.

The Lighthouse Project was also covered on the NBC NHL Game of the Week as ex-GM Mike Milbury sounded off saying the Islanders and the Island need the project and the team. He also mentioned that in his many years working with Charles Wang, he's seen him walk away from deals before. Once again, indicating the Islanders geography is not etched in stone.

Has our little piece of the map ever been such a hot topic? Yes. There was that whole "Amityville Horror" thing. But because the Islanders are part and parcel of this Long Island development and economic stimulus project, the coverage has transcended states and even north of the US border.

Yep, there are plenty of media eyes on the Lighthouse Project and our NY Islanders. And they are all staring at the Town of Hempstead.... waiting for an answer.