NEWS FLASH FROM TOM SUOZZI --

**Updated:

The LIBN story on today's meeting and love fest. check it out. Good read!

VIA TWITTER!!

Tom_Suozzi Great progress on Lighthouse Project. Reached agreement that TOH will vote on environmental study at public mtg on 7/7. Keep moving forward
12:37 PM from web

OKAY! So how cool is that???

I wanted to be there for the media portion this afternoon, but work was just a tad cranky. Can't wait to hear the reports from LIBN and the other outlets that I'm sure were there.

But seriously... YOU JUST GOTTA LOVE TWITTER!

The Tom Suozzi "PEACE" Initiative

Today Kate Murray and Charles Wang will meet again in Mineola for a little sit down session brokered by Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi. There will be fire trucks stationed outside the building. (Just kidding.) Why it has taken this long is beyond any one's comprehension, but as the calendar keeps turning, this needs to move quickly.

Mr. Wang has been exceptionally busy this week. Yesterday he met with NY Governor Patterson. Unlike the Town Supervisor, the Governor was well informed on the project. Perhaps he realizes how important this is and how other states and cities are doing exactly the same types of multi-use developments to increase their economic wellness.

The Mets bumped Mr. Wang off the FAN yesterday and I haven't received word of when it will be rescheduled. Lucky for Francesa.

Penguins make it a series with a brilliant game last night. The hockey faithful will hold on to our sport for as long as we can before we head into that dry spell called "the off season."

More later. I'm hoping.

Charles Wang vs. Francesa Tomorrow @ 5:30 pm

UPDATED 4:30 PM**
BASEBALL STRIKES AGAIN!

Due to the Mets game running over, Charles Wang will NOT be on WFAN today, but will be rescheduled.

Advocate & Educate! Those are the words that stuck with me from yesterday's Long Island council meeting. As Mike Francesca on WFAN 660AM radio has been sadly MISINFORMED and misinforming others, I'm happy to hear that Charles Wang will be his guest tomorrow at 5:30 pm. Perhaps he can drill some information into Mr. Francesca!

Listen live or web stream. But let's make sure the record gets set straight.

And as far as the rest of you out there. It's your job too! ADVOCATE & EDUCATE! The Lighthouse project is not getting enough exposure to Long Island residents. They should know what the project really is about and not the misconceptions they may be hearing!

Welcome to Oz - LighthouseLI Mirror

I learn the most amazing things on Hockey This Morning on XM 204's Home Ice. Yesterday's Denis Potvin segment surprised me. It seems that South Florida and the Panthers (which are up for sale for $240 Million) have their own Mixed-Use development proposal, and it's called "The City of OZ."

Hmmm.... Multi-use sports, entertainment and residential complex. Where have I heard THAT idea before? Oh right. Long Island. Do you know why these proposals are hitting the desks at planning boards? Because they WORK! Because they make sense. Because they are the vision of the future.

The first time I saw a mixed use area based around an arena, I was in Columbus. The brick walkways, restaurants, hotels and condos all within walking distance of the Columbus Blue Jackets made me weep. I was ready to move to Columbus. It was a glimpse of Utopia where a prison used to stand. Why can't we have that? WHY?

Perhaps today when Charles Wang speaks on WFAN 660 today, he can get some vital information across to those who don't know enough about the project, or have been misinformed about it. I hope so. 5:30 pm.

The top three draft prospects were in Tampa and ex-NYI Blog Box member Jon Jordan has a recap of their visit on Hockeybuzz. (and I'm jealous.)

Chris Botta has the most amazing Q&A with John Tavares on his blog from yesterday that has over 300 comments. The Long Island poll says the fans want John Tavares. I want Garth to shock the hockey world and come away with TWO of the top prospects. That would make everyone sit up and take notice.

They now have over 6,000 tickets reserved for the Draft Party at the Coliseum. And I keep getting more depressed that I won't be there. Phooey!

LI Regional Planning Council Motions for the LighthouseLI Project

**(Note: It's late, I'm tired, I have no time to myself. I didn't really proof this and there are no links to my blogger buddies. I'm sorry. I wish I had nothing to do but write. NO, seriously, that's not sarcasm. I'm jealous as hell over those who do.)

I skipped out of work for four hours to be a tourist in Mineola. I hadn’t been down Franklin Avenue in years. It frightens me. Nothing but beautiful buildings and no one on the streets. But there are CARS everywhere. So many cars that I had to park three blocks away from the Legislative building.

I was panicking about what was in my purse. Could I bring the camera, the recorder, my Advil, 3 lbs of make-up I don’t wear and my deodorant into a government building? Did I still have that corkscrew in there too? Would they think it was a weapon? Crap.

No one even looked in my purse. I was safe.

My high heels made horrible noise down the quiet marble corridor. I tried walking on my tip toes to silence them. Left, right, through the door to a waiting room where Kate Murray was holding court in front of the cameras. I scanned the room for familiar faces.

I was formally introduced to Mr. Wang. We had meet at a draft party years ago when I asked him to sign my Yashin jersey. We didn’t have any contact when he chose my name as the winner of the 7th Man Competition in 2004. This was the first time we made conversation. Knowing I was there as a supporter, I was surprised at his first question. “So who do YOU want Garth to pick?” I blinked hard. “Do you really want me to answer that?” I realize he did. “I want Garth to surprise me as usual and walk away with TWO prospects with one pick.” He laughed.

IslesOfficial Doug Davison and I made our way into the meeting room and sat in the back. Newsday’s Jim Baumbach and PointBlank’s Chris Botta were behind us. Soon Nick Giglia from Lettherebelighthouse sat behind us as well. We were a clump of bloggers in a room full of politicians, town and county employees and one 3rd Grade class from Plainview’s Hank Academy.

There were other bills before the board that they were discussing and needed to voted on before the LighthouseLI presentation. It was oddly sweltering in that room with about 200 people in a room that holds 251 (according to the C of O on the wall.)

It was 11:26 am by the time Charles Wang took the podium to begin his presentation. After he acknowledged the room full of consultants that are working for the Town but receiving checks signed by Charles Wang, the room watched an updated video presentation on the ten-year build out plan for the area.

After all this time I’ve been close to this project, this was the first time I noticed the theater and live stage venue. How did that happen?

Mr. Wang was passionate in his tone, “We’re dedicated to make the project work for all. WE have to do something on Long Island. This is not the panacea or miracle solution. It’s only a catalyst and a model of vision.”

Michael Picker went over the details of the properties. “This 150 acre project, the Coliseum is only 77 acres. This brings our other assets together.” The RXR Plaza, the Marriott and the Omni are all owned through a joint venture.

There are 2,300 proposed residential units in the application. It is not a gated community. There would be loft residences above the retail plaza and luxury condos in the tower. A 5-star hotel with 300 rooms would complement the existing Marriott and serve the proposed convention center. (Something this area desperately needs)

The proposed Sports Technology center would bring permanent jobs to those graduating from Hofstra and NCC where new curriculums are being developed for these fields. There would be 500,000 sq ft of complimentary retail space. There would be four sheets of ice, basketball courts and sports fitness facilities.

Long Island is the land of “Travel Sports” teams. We drag our kids up and down the coast and sometimes across the country to play in tournaments. Why can’t we make people come spend their money on Long Island instead of us having to go to elsewhere? The Lighthouse Project represents enormous opportunity for the town, the County and all of Long Island.

Kate Murray took the podium and made a joke about the upcoming NHL Draft. I’m certain that’s as far as her hockey knowledge goes. While her report was well presented, it was also well calculated in the accuracy of her words. “The Town Of Hempstead wholeheartedly supports that it is of regional significance and should be designated as such.”

Ms. Murray went on to explain how she feels she has been fast tracking the project, directing departments to work in conjunction with each other and how she was proud they were able to complete the Scoping document in only 9 months. The way they conveyed the issues to the developers during that process is the reason they could deliver the 6,500 page document within 15 minutes. “We have moved the process in an expeditious way.”

On May 29th, the Environmental experts (that Wang is paying) sent the developers a ten page memo outlining areas that need to be “filled in and supplemented” before they can get the DGEIS to be declared complete. “Then other county agencies will ultimately weigh in on the process.” She made a point of stating twice “We are neither a proponent nor an opponent. We are the judge; the seven members of the Town Board will make the decision. We’re hoping for a meeting sometime this summer and expect a high level of cooperation.”

While these words seemed in no way confrontational, they just weren’t enough. Once again it seemed like a kind stall tactic. Why should they rush? It took 18 months to approve a bus route; a project of this size may take a century. Her words weren’t enough for Mr. Wang either. Just as the panel was about to read a statement from Tom Suozzi, Mr. Wang stood up again and took the podium.

“At the risk of being told to shut up and leave the podium, I want say something. WE have a chance to do something here. I take issue with what was said. I want to DO something good for Long Island.” He went on to say that he doesn’t personally blame Supervisor Murray and he doesn’t expect to cut corners, but he is looking to find a new process. “Let’s get the consultants together. WE pay them -- since January. It’s now June. Just tell me Yes or No or tell me what
you want.”

As a person not in politics, wouldn’t you think that’s how it WOULD be done? Put all the brains in one room and let them hash it out until they come up with solutions. While they toss the idea of “completeness” and “solutions” back and forth, people are out of work. The labor representative told everyone to come to his office and take the calls from those construction workers who are out of work and don’t know how they are going to pay their mortgages. It’s heartbreaking.

Tom Suozzi’s statement began with “The future of Long Island is dependant on the Lighthouse Project.” Speaking of Democrats, although Tom was not present, Democratic candidate Kristen McElroy was in attendance.

It was time for the panel to ask questions of the developers and of Kate Murray. The flood gates opened. “Have you put more staff on? What has the town done? What can they do? What resources can we move?” Ms. Murray was asked.

“SEQR is a state process as we all know. It is what it is. When the application came in in ‘08, I multi-tasked the environmental process. We would have bi-weekly meetings with the developer and calls in between. I’m proud of the process we created for this project.”

Was that an answer? She was asked again. “Does the town have enough now?”
The point they were trying to drive home to her was they too knew what SEQR is. Everyone calls it a weapon or a tool. Ms. Murray said there would be another meeting on Friday. That was a surprise.

Again the panel asked “How do we make progress? How do we help?” The solution seemed to be simple. “We have to advocate and educate people and that requires voices. Not paid voices, but people in the community, council members and community leaders.”

Even Uniondale’s rep admitted that most residents don’t know what this project means. So, basically the word is not getting to the ears that need to hear it.

We need a grass roots effort of word of mouth. Even those countless community outreach meetings are not reaching enough people.

Mr. Wang expressed his frustration, “I don’t believe everyone is rowing in the same direction. This could move a lot faster.”

The council seemed to agree. They were adamant that they would work with other agencies and be available to facilitate other areas of government to move along. One member even suggested a spreadsheet be created to show where everyone is accountable. As it became apparent this panel agreed with the developers, Mr. Wang told them “I’m delighted we’re here. To hear that -- it’s nice to hear people recognize there’s an issue. We believe it can work.”

“If there is some part that labor can help, we commit ourselves to getting this project done!” Said the Union rep. We were about to have another Norma Rae moment. “I’ll have equipment there tomorrow morning. We’ll wait.”

I wish I could see the look on the Supervisor’s face as she was getting no help in keeping status quo. No, this motion was moving forward.

Granted, the motion was to declare the project of regional significance, but it’s a step in the right direction. And from the tone the panel members took, you could tell they mean business.

OH HAPPY DAY!!!

Can't talk much, but I will say that the meeting today was indeed a positive step forward in this process of getting the LighthouseLI project before the public.





Newsday's Jim Baumbach sat behind me and went crazy on his laptop running a live blog of the proceedings, so check out his Newsday for the run down. Point Blank's Chris Botta actually did have a pad and pen this time and ran out of recording time on his Blackberry, as I think everyone did.





I was introduced to Newsday's reporter who has been following Ms. Murray. She was not happy to see me.





There is hope people I wouldn't start dancing in the streets, but we have "lift off" at least. More to come from all media that was there. Nick Giglia, Doug Davison and News 12 were all in attendance. You will be inundated with coverage information in a matter of hours.

Congrats to Katrina and the Lighthouse team for doing such an excellent job putting this all together for the panel today. You really turned some heads!

Islanders Updates You've already Seen

Oh, but I'll go over them anyway. This is called procrastinating about doing the other things I should be working on. It doesn't help that I'm sneezing my head off and my husband is sick as a dog. Not exactly motivational surroundings here.

1) Draft Party June 26th: Don't forget to get your ticket to the Free Draft Party at the Coliseum to see history in the making. The Islanders website has announced they already have over 5,000 responses. It's going to be a terrific event!

2) NYI Mobile Text Alerts: Can't be at the draft party? Sign up on the Islanders website for the free mobile alerts and know who Garth takes or what he does with the 1st overall pick.

3) Kate Murray Speaks: Tomorrow morning, 11 am at The Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building is located at 1550 Franklin Ave, Mineola. If you can attend, I would urge you to do so.

4) Victor Hedman's Show & Tell Time: I can't believe the Islanders didn't ask me to stop by and meet the kid considering I'm such an EXCELLENT judge of young blond men. (ha ha ha ha That's a joke people. Don't harass me for it.)

Newspaper No More

Newsday has changed their format today, and at first I didn't even notice. My husband pointed it out to me as I was making my daughter's lunch.

"Did you see what they did to Newsday? Look how small it is!" He seemed disgusted with a media outlet that has caused us disgust most of the weekend.

First of all, their Sunday sports edition had two full page stories on Class AA high school softball teams, but Sayville's Suffolk County championship win received one paragraph even in the Suffolk edition.

Now the paper has lost a number of square inches in it's height and a few point sizes in it's type. It is certainly NOT the NY Times. Why don't they just call it the "PennySaverPlus" now? Does it really qualify as a "news" paper?

Perhaps it's just an ad circular with website listings where you can actually FIND the information you're looking for on line.

Uggghhh.... Thanks Dolans.

Sunday Update --

These girls are looking to give all their parents heart attacks, but they won the Bandits Tournament today in Kings Park.

Hockey is on and Detroit is once again winning. I am surprised, considering this morning I wrote this for Hockeybarn.com.

I have one more thing to write before it's lights out for me.

Hockey talk tomorrow.

Softball, Softball, and more Softball & a little Politics

Just checking in from my tour of duty as Softball Mom and personal paparazzi for the brat baby. Last week, the 14U Riptide took the 16U Championship at the Silver Bullets Bats for Breast Cancer Tournament. This week, her Sayville High School Girls Varsity team has taken the Suffolk County Class A title this weekend and go on to play again next Monday for a shot at the Long Island Championship.

The Riptide girls seeded first in yesterday's games in the Bandit's tournament and gave up one run. Many of these girls played three back-to-back games on Saturday. They play again today at 12:45 pm. Two guesses where the hell I'll be all day. First one doesn't count.

There has been plenty of blogosphere coverage on Kate Murray finally answering questions about the Lighthouse. If you would like to hear it for yourself and are available on Tuesday, June 2nd at 11 am, you can wander over to the Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building at 1550 Franklin Ave in Hempstead. There will be an open public meeting by the Regional Planning Council. I'm sure it will be interesting.

David Reich Hale has had some interesting items in the LIBN website regarding the Lighthouse, Kate Murray and now even Point Blank's Chris Botta. I've been reading the LI Biz Blog for quite some time now and LI Business News has always been a great source of information and commentary about Long Island.

TRY to give David a little breathing room though. He's just helping to spotlight this situation to those who may not otherwise know about it.

Personally, I'm very curious to know about the status of all the other projects in Hempstead that Ms. Murray talked about in her Q&A with Mr. Reich Hale. How long have they been waiting for approvals and start dates? How long does it take to get ANYTHING done in the Town of Hempstead?

Seriously? How long?