Good Morning World! Monday just gave me the Finger

You know your day is really going to turn out miserable when you try to make breakfast and this happens.

So after you try to clear the house of the billows of smoke that filled the kitchen (that didn't set off the smoke detectors I'll have you know, so they are probably in need of new batteries) you walk to the curb to retrieve the morning news and find this staring you in the face.



That story and a few (brief) related ones behind Newsday's paywall. However, it seems what Islanders Point Blank suggested would happen Friday night is indeed the case. The reduction in scale proposed by Kate Murray and the Town of Hempstead is pathetic. It is no longer a "vision of the future." It's simply a nondescipt blink in a dying suburbia.

Interestingly enough, they managed to get a quote from free agent Paul Martin's agent regarding his conversations during negotiations with Garth Snow about the status of the Islanders future on Long Island. "Garth said the team was there for five more years."

Yes, that is how much longer the Islanders lease extends. So, all bets are off for the Islanders as no one knows what the outcome past 2015 will be. Move? Sell? Concede?

Personally, I'm just tired of it all. I can't imagine how tired of it I would be had it been MY $15 million spent and wasted on top of $20 million a year lost on my business. Charles Wang declined to comment for the Newsday story?

I think Monday morning just made the comment for him. It can be summed up in two words; and one of them rhymes with "puck."

Don't Forget Tuesday!

If there was every a time to jump on a bandwagon, it's tomorrow.

Now, while Newsday's article on Sunday had a very nicely laid out time line, notice that the lease stipulations didn't seem to crop up. Did anyone else notice them? I could have skimmed past them. I'm not sure.

But it's important that you try to make an effort to show tomorrow during one of the three sessions.

If you haven't received the email from the Lighthouse group, here it is:

"A zoning hearing has been scheduled for the Lighthouse project and all
supporters are needed to attend. The hearing has been scheduled to take place on
Tuesday, September 22nd at the Adams Playhouse, on the campus of Hofstra
University. The meeting will run in two sessions. The day session will run from
9am – 5pm with a one-hour break from 1pm - 2pm. The night session is scheduled
to run from 6pm – 9pm.

This next step makes all the difference. At the
last meeting, those in attendance had the opportunity to voice their thoughts on
the environmental impact of the project. This upcoming meeting will focus on the
zoning of the entire project. Why is it important to have a multi-use
development plan at the Coliseum site? What are the benefits of smart growth?
Why does Long Island need this? This is your chance to tell Supervisor Kate
Murray and the Town Board. You may also submit your comments to the Town in
writing by clicking here, by emailing lighthousecomment@tohmail.org or sending a
letter to Lighthouse Comment, One Washington Street, Hempstead, NY 11550.

We need as strong a crowd at this hearing as we had at the last, if not
stronger. Though it may seem like one meeting doesn't matter, your presence
makes all the difference in this process. At the last hearing, the crowd spoke
volumes. The amount of people that came showed the Board that this project must
get done. We hope that the message projected at the next meeting is: this
project will get done.

Now is not the time to fade out. We have come so
far and we're getting so close to a resolution. Come to our September 22nd
zoning hearing and tell the Board why we need the Lighthouse. Your attendance
can make a difference.

For more information, please visit
www.lighthouseli.com or the official blog of the Lighthouse Development Group,
The Light Post at lighthouseliblog.blogspot.com.

Follow the Lighthouse
on Twitter at twitter.com.lighthouse_li, join the "I support the Lighthouse at
Long Island" Facebook group, or stay LinkedIn to the project at the "I support
the Lighthouse at Long Island" group page."

So before tomorrow night's game from Kansas City, or as I like to call it, "The Last Time Kansas will Ever see the NY Islanders" please stop by Hofstra and show your support.

Thanks much. I will see you there!

Biodegradable Serveware IS Available!

Once again, I'm telling you, I learn the most amazing things on Twitter. Tonight I learned that they actually do make biodegradable food service containers!

Do you hear that??? Your cold cups, your hot cups, your sushi containers could ALL be biodegradable and NOT outlast petrified Twinkies in a landfill!

As we know that garbage is one of the problems we face here on our little Island, shouldn't MORE companies be using these items that are made out of renewable ingredients? Want to know what they're made out of? Mind you, we are talking FOOD service here. The plastics we use currently is made from oil. These biodegradable items are made from -- CORN.

Good old American farm land CORN!!! Uh... hello? Doesn't that help on TWO fronts? Reducing dependence on oil and reducing garbage?

I would think that the NHL or at least the concession management company (that would be SMG) at the Coliseum should be looking into these items. The prices are comparable, and in large quantity are very competitive. (I'll refrain from stating the fact that we are already getting raped for our food items of low quality at the barn so the idea that the packaging is environmentally friendly may make the rip off more palatable. I wish they could do that with the food....)

Check it out. You will be AMAZED!

LIGHTHOUSE LI WATCH & LOTTERY AFTERMATH 4/15/09

For all those looking to find out what the owner of the NY Islanders has to say, tune in tomorrow at around 9 am to WFAN radio on your dial or on the web as Charles Wang will be the morning guest on the Boomer and Carton show.

I'm sure he'll cover not only our Lottery luck but also the current Lighthouse project developments. Be sure to tune in and hear it directly from the source!

(Oh! And it's TAX DAY in the US of A, just in case you forgot!)

I signed it! Along with 125 Others!

Update: 9:30 pm: I was going to wait, but I can't. So we interrupt my Holiday preparations to vent about News 12's coverage of this event this morning. I was happy to see the TV camera there. I was happy to see the woman standing back with the News 12 umbrella. I didn't see anyone else that looked too much like media, but what do I know. But indeed, they had the only TV camera on site.

I turned on Dolanvision's News 12 this evening to see what they would report. I am angry. The reporter did not mention all of the elected officials who spoke or some of the other supporting groups. They interviewed two gentleman in Islanders jerseys and focused on the Islanders.

They had a statement from the Town of Hempstead Supervisor's office that once again said they don't attend "pep rallies." They mentioned a survey that stated 27% of those surveyed were against the project. The entire segment made me angry.

THIS PROJECT IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE ISLANDERS! IT'S ABOUT LONG ISLAND! CAN ANYONE GET THAT THROUGH THEIR HEADS?

And Ms. Murray, a 'pep rally' is something you do in school. This was a demonstration of support by various VOTING groups. It is meant to show a supportive voice for the project because at this stage of the game, the voice cannot be heard in the voting booth.

And how about that survey? What were the other percentages? What were the demographics of the group that was surveyed? What were their ages? Was it a random sampling? Did they go door to door? Statistics speak volumes WHEN THEY ARE PRESENTED IN THEIR ENTIRETY.



In pouring rain, standing in mud outside the gates of the asphalt jungle that surrounds the Coliseum, we stood. These were all Long Islanders who believe the Lighthouse Project is necessary for hte future of Long Island.



"WE have to do what we can to keep Long Islanders ON Long Island!"





The Unions, teh politicians, the elected officials, the NAACP, the residents, the fans; they all came out to stand under the tents to let their voices be heard "Save the Island. Save the Islanders!" (If I can post the audio clip somehow, you would be amazed.)



More importantly the calls were to "Save our homes, Save our Youth, give us JOBS!" That is truly what it boils down to, our economic survival. This is all about new suburbia. If you don't suort this kind of project, then you should go stand in the unemployment line with the union members who are out of work.



There will be more on this on Monday, when I can get all the names and quotes properly. For now, I'm going to start looking at the ice in front of me for the last time this season.

I GOTTA ASK: How Bad Do You Want It?

Bad enough to show your support? Bad enough to show up at the Coliseum just a little bit early for Saturday's game? Bad enough to drive out to the Coliseum on Saturday morning, even if you're NOT going to the game? Bad enough to stand up and be counted even if you're NOT from the Town of Hempstead?

I think you do. More importantly, Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg (D-Merrick) and other civic leaders also do.

Please come to the Press Conference and sign a giant Memorandum of Support for the Lighthouse at Long Island Project at 11 am in front of the Nassau Coliseum.

They tell us we don't exist. They tell us to just move the team because Long Island doesn't deserve one. They tell us no one cares.

I tell them we do. Now it's time for YOU to tell them we do as well.

Take part in the show of support. Show the Town of Hempstead that this project is beneficial to ALL Long Islanders and that jobs and tax dollars shouldn't be funneled into Queens, or Brooklyn or Kansas City for that matter. Show them that we are smart enough to know that times are changing and with them, so does the landscape of Long Island.

We can't live in the past. We need to be part of the future. Please join your fellow Long Islanders at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum to "Save the Island/Save the Islanders."

Lighthouse Project Featured at Republican Roundtable

Saturday's gathering was billed as the Republican Roundtable on Economic Development, Sports and Tourism on Long Island. It may as well have been called, “How Can the Lighthouse Project Help YOUR Business?”

When they coined the term “Government for the people, by the people” I hardly think they had any idea there would be THAT many people to govern. Surely, you can never make everyone happy. However, the amount of industries and small businesses that could benefit from the proposed Lighthouse Project development and all it entails is remarkable and something I would have never thought of.

While this discussion was based on the sports industries, tourism and performing arts were also on the table for discussion.

As the NY Islanders are the only major sports franchise on based within Nassau or Suffolk County, we are not in any financial position to lose them. The smart thing to do would be to bring in MORE sports franchises and events. That is what Assemblyman Rob Walker (R,C,I,WF-Hicksville) and Assemblyman Robert D. Barra (R,C,I-14th Assembly District) are trying to do.

A good portion of this meeting was about formulating a new bill to legalize Mixed Martial Arts in the State of NY. I didn’t know it was illegal here, but there are states where it is legal, and it is bringing not only fans, but tax revenue. Marc Ratner, Vice President for Regulatory Affairs, Ultimate Fighting Championship, stated emphatically that they did not want to bring the UFC to any area that would not regulate it. “We want to be regulated and pay taxes. This sport is on regional, national and cable TV. You’re not protecting people on Long Island. We’ll do big business.” It’s a growing industry. There are 44 states that have an athletic committee. Thirty-seven of them have now approved Mixed Martial Arts. “I’m disappointed that New York State is holding people hostage.”

“We do a good job of that.” Mr. Walker quipped.

The six annual UFC shows generate $50 million dollars in revenue. This will bring a windfall in both state and local taxes, which the UFC is willing and EAGER to pay. But where can they have these events? If the current coliseum loses its main tenant, the county will not be able to afford to renovate it and therefore it will not be able to be profitable. As a matter of fact, one of the assemblymen stated he believed that right now the I.D.E.A. (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) can come in and condemn the building.

In addition to the renovated Coliseum, the Lighthouse Project includes a convention center facility. Think hard. When was the last time you saw a major convention being held on Long Island? You haven’t. They are all held in Manhattan because Long Island has no facility that can host one. This fact was reinforced by Joan LaRosa, Director of Sales, Long Island Convention & Visitors' Bureau and Sports Commission. “We have no place for a convention. We’ve actually had to turn away meetings and conventions.”

Turning them away is turning away their revenue, not only for the local governments but for the small business owners as well.

Rich Giuardino from Hofstra University said “The Lighthouse Project is important for this region. We hosted a Presidential debate (at Hofstra). This area can handle a large scale event. It’s important to Nassau County and the Island. We have to create our own stimulus plan. We want to lend our voice to the support of this project.”

Another voice of support for the project, although absent from this meeting, is Frank Boulton of the very successful Long Island Ducks. He would love to have a second minor league baseball team on Long Island, especially in a brand new stadium in the center of Nassau if the County would RFP it. Think of the employment as well as the entertainment value. What a perfect marriage since the last remnants of the hockey season is the first week of June. Another baseball stadium would keep that area busy and profitable all summer long.

Michael Picker, President of the Lighthouse Project, addressed the panel. “We’re looking for answers and trying to get to the finish line. Our principal has set a deadline of October. After that, all bets are off. We’re trying to get approval and we are struggling a little. The project brings significant benefits. With it come issues, which we will deal with.”

Mr. Picker was asked what some of the obstacles are that he felt they are facing. Mr. Picker answered “The SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review Act) process: Is it doing what it should be doing?”

I didn’t realize that the developer pays a consultant to review the documents for completeness for the town. The SEQRA process also identifies a maximum time frame, but it doesn’t identify a minimum. Is that really fair while the developer pays for the process?
“They have a maximum of 45 days to review the SEQRA. It doesn’t mean they can’t take less. It’s an important project.”

It seems that the first pass is supposed to be for completeness and not for debate on the conclusions. “There were 179 comments on the first round. Nineteen were valid. That means 89% of the first round were not questions they should be asking now.”

Politics as usual as the town passes the “puck” to the County and so on. But ‘We as Long Island need to decide what we WANT for Long Island.’

Assemblyman Fred Thiele, who has had experience with SEQRA, chimed in. “SEQRA can be used as a tool or a weapon.” Mr. Thiele is a representative from the East End of Long Island. “You can have a good law and bad officials, or a bad law and good officials. We need to do everything we can to keep you [the Islanders] here. It is of critical importance.”

Mr. Picker continued, “No one wants to skip steps. Just don’t let politics get in the way. We get a battle between the Republicans and the Democrats. How do we get it done?”

This is an age old question. How do you get the parties to agree on something – anything - that will benefit everyone?

“There are bathrooms OUTSIDE the Coliseum.” This is indeed embarrassing. “We are so far behind the times. The county loses money on the Coliseum today. Without your major tenant, this building just goes away.”

Meanwhile, the Islanders organization is being courted by many areas in North America and Canada. “We have told everyone, we’re not interested. But once the time comes, we may have to think differently.” Mr. Picker was not issuing an ultimatum, just stating fact.

Sports franchises are different from other businesses. Retail can pack up and move in a blink. They can pull a truck up in the middle of the night and be up and running in a different spot 24 hours later. You can’t do that with a hockey team. Time is of the essence here. “You can’t wait until 2012 to think about where it’s going to be.”

The assemblymen listened as Mr. Picker detailed what they already knew; how much tax revenue the county will lose if the Islanders have to relocate and how much tax revenue could be garnered if their development is approved.

Some detractors may say the Lighthouse Project has over estimated the potential revenue stream. “Just take HALF our numbers and tell me if you think they’re good.” In a cash-strapped economy, even half is staggering.

But if two prominent, highly visible Long Islanders can’t get a project done on Long Island, what does that say to anyone else who may want to develop and improve our economy? “Charles wants to create a new industry, creating good paying jobs that marry sports and technology.” He is willing to invest in our economy. Is there anyone else on this short line?

“What permits do you need?” Mr. Picker was asked. I thought he would be able to recite them in alphabetical or numeric order. But he answered “Our application is for 150 acres. We own eight acres of land. We put forth an application for 300 five-star hotel rooms, a conference center to do mid-level conferences, 2300 residential units, 20% of which are next generation, 500,000 sq. ft. of retail space, which would be complimentary. This is a mix-use, SMART-use development. We’ve spent $15,000,000 on this entitlement process. We need answers. We need the P.D.P. (Planned Development Permit) approved, the lease done with the County (which they have already begun working on), Sub-division approval and DEC and DOT signoffs.”

Mr. Picker said something very important that I hope didn‘t fall on deaf ears. “If we don‘t work sequentially we can‘t do it. We‘re surrounded by a lot of communities with varying view points. We can‘t please ALL of them.”

One of these groups that were identified in Newsday is the veterans. While the veterans’ organizations showed up to the 180th Community Outreach meeting and endorsed the project, a follow-up article cited complaints regarding the naming of the arena. What was not covered in that article was the fact that the Lighthouse group had worked with the veterans in order to come up with a compromise to properly recognize them. By changing the name of the roadway where the development will be built, that would assure that the words “Veterans Memorial” would not be dropped from the Nassau Coliseum vocabulary.

In all seriousness, how many of us actually call it “The Nassau County Veterans Memorial Coliseum”? Find me one.

Certainly traffic concerns are at the top of the list. Considering how much money, time and effort have been expended studying the traffic situation, Mr. Picker made an obvious statement. “If we create an unbearable traffic situation, we hurt ourselves.”

There were 279 intersections covered in the DGIS. Some would need to be configured right away, and others as the project develops. Traffic is a wide spread problem. Even Ron Foley, Regional Director for Long Island, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, admitted the traffic situation the annual air show over Jones Beach creates is a problem. Does anyone say “don’t do it”?

As one of the assemblymen took a trip down memory lane, he said something I never thought about. Years ago on a Saturday night when Roosevelt Raceway was open with 30,000 patrons, and the Islanders were playing with 12,000 patrons, and Hofstra may have had a basketball game, the roadways clogged, but they were not at a standstill. “It’s not as big a problem as people think.”

There are ways to ease traffic problems: staggered work hours, traffic pattern changes during high volume egress of events, among others. The problems are not insurmountable. “The peak hours are only part of the day.” Mr. Picker reasoned.

We have an opportunity to create a world-class leisure and recreational destination. We have the opportunity to create our own stimulus bill. We don’t have what the Lighthouse Project has to offer anywhere on Long Island. It can be a catalyst for change, or it can be a parking lot.

The people have to choose. The people have to be heard. The people have to tell their political representatives what they want. And they have to tell them NOW.

Count Them 30th, but Don't Count them EASY

We warned you! All 29 of you! If you thought you could just walk away with two points and not have to work for them, you are finding out the NY Islanders have other plans. You'll have to TAKE them.

While the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and the Utah Grizzles will both be playing in the post season, there are no playoff hopes for the NY Islanders. There haven't been since, oh, Christmas perhaps. But that doesn't mean that this team doesn't make it entertaining to watch every single game left.

CJ Papa, Bill Jaffe and Howie Rose are all planning their next assignments after Easter. Their reporting on these games has become more relaxed and enjoyable. Jaffe is always ready to point out the little things that will mean so much to the club NEXT season. Even if September seems so far away right now.

With yet another injury to All-Star Mark Streit, I had little hope of last night's game being anything less than a harsh loss. But I, like the rest of Islanders Country, was nodding with quiet satisfaction as the Islanders were actually ahead for a good number of minutes.

There ARE bright spots on the ice. This helped to balance out my anger an despair over the political occurrences of yesterday regarding the Lighthouse project.

I have never been involved in politics. I tend to stay as far away as possible. I vote, but I do not try to get caught up in the red tape of it all. (Okay, I admit I will occasionally turn off Home Ice and listen to NPR. shhhhh... THAT'S a secret.) But this political push-pull between Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead truly has me wringing my hands and shaking my head.

My "emotional ownership" of the team and the place I grew up is causing me undue heartache. I cannot imagine my life without being able to attend an NHL hockey game. I will not travel to Brooklyn or Queens more than occasionally to see one. I would seriously rather cross the sound to Bridgeport or spend a weekend in Boston.

Better yet, I would rather spend a four day vacation in Columbus. There I could watch an NHL game in a state-of-the-art arena. Dine in a variety of great restaurants, skate with my daughter at the Chiller practice facility, stroll the cobblestone commons toting my Starbucks and a danish and check out the condos overlooking it all, just to see what MIGHT HAVE BEEN IN NASSAU COUNTY!!!!

In all honesty, if you think that this project is too big to work, you have not done your homework. I'm heartsick.

Oh, yes... Ovechkin is a hockey God and Mike Green was chosen 29th in his draft. How many picks does Garth and Company have this year in the top 60???

The Islanders are on the road to greatness, Nassau County is on the road to nowhere.

Lighthouse Meeting Countdown

It's Thursday, 3/26/09 and it's 4:22 pm. I'm breaking one of my own rules here. I'm writing a post during work hours. Forgive the typos, I'm rushing.

Last night as I was driving to the Coliseum for the game, I stopped on Hempstead Tpke and waited to see what the traffic situation was like at 5:45 pm on a work and game day. That photo is one of several I took. Please note there was no serious congestion. There was serious congestion outside of Hofstra University as their classes were being let out. That was the side street.

I drove up that street for about a mile to see what it was like during rush hour. It looked like every other street on Long Island. There were cars. But it wasn't the Oakdale Merge. (If you Nassau County-ites would like to see traffic, please venture east and south on Sunrise Hwy. I'll show you TRAFFIC.)

So as this is what it looked like at almost 6 pm with an Islanders game starting at 7 pm, can the questions about considerable traffic congestion from a complex of "office building" and residences along with the arena be lessened by going back to the 7:30 pm weekday start times?

Wouldn't the parkway and turnpike traffic be considerably LESS at that time? Wouldn't those residents living be less impacted by that?

Just a random thought as I think about what tonight's meeting will bring. I along with every other blogger known to hockeydom will be there. I will be the miserable one in the suit that is too small having a considerably bad hair day.

PS: Gary Bettman just said on his radio show that the best resolution for the Islanders is to get the Lighthouse Project DONE and not to discuss relocation.

See you at the meeting.

Mark Your Calendar and Make your Plans

I'm sure you have heard about the meeting on Thursday, March 26th at 7 pm at the Marriott. Of course you have heard. You are an Islanders fan and you are reading here the same thing you read on all the other websites. But I'd like to ask you a favor. I'd like for you to not just read about the meeting for the Lighthouse project, but I'd like you to TELL people about it. You know you have friends who are Islanders fans or Long Island residents that are NOT that attached to the internet as you are.

Tell them to join you on Thursday evening and see how local politics works. Make sure that you keep an eye on The Lightpost and the Let There Be Lighthouse blogs for information and details. We've read the articles in Newsday by the political parties and developers. Now, attend the meeting and formulate your own opinion.

Now, in an effort to "plan" my offseason, I found these dates to mark on my calendar.

Apr. 12: End of Regular Season
Apr. 14: NHL Draft Lottery
Apr. 15: Stanley Cup Playoffs begin
Apr. 24 - May 10: IIHF World Championship in Switzerland
May 25 - 30: NHL Draft Combine in Toronto
June 15: Last possible day for Stanley Cup Final
June 18: NHL Awards Night in Las Vegas
June 26 - 27: NHL Entry Draft in Montreal
July 1: Free agency signing period begins
July 5: Deadline for player-elected salary arbitration
July 6: Deadline for club-elected salary arbitration
July 10: Deadline for eligible players to elect Group 5 free agency
July 20 - Aug. 4: Salary arbitration hearings held
Aug. 6: Deadline for salary arbitration decisions to be rendered

Nassau County drops the Gloves - Just like the Wrecker

So while Nassau County has decided to make some noise regarding the Lighthouse Project and Charles Wang's commitment to this area in Chris Botta's Islanders Point Blank blog, let's not forget that "politics" is the polite word for "mud-slinging."

We're obviously going to be stuck in the middle of He-Said, She-Said with little control over the actual outcome. Read Chris Botta's interview if you haven't done so as of yet. And then wander over to LetThereBeLighthouse for additional information and a plea for sanity.

And don't forget to who up at the Marriott on 3/26/09 for the Community Outreach meeting at 7 pm. More valuable information can be found at The Lightpost by Katrina Doell and guest blogger Tiger Track Tom Liodice who attended the Point Blank II gathering last week.

Oh... and as of 1:49 pm on Saturday, the Isles are down 2 - 0 to the Bruins and young Phil Kessel. The bright side? We have his brother.

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.

Meet Me @ Hempstead Town Hall?

Just bring me coffee. This is me, caught between a rock and a hard place. Here is the message from the FaceBook Lighthouse group:

Lighthouse supporters, On Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at Town of Hempstead Town Hall, the Town of Hempstead will vote to adopt the scope of the environmental studies for the Lighthouse project. These studies have been completed and will be submitted to the Town in a very short period of time following the adoption of the final scope. Support the project and come to this very important meeting. For more information, please contact the Lighthouse Development Group at info@lighthouseli.com, or (516) 414-5800. For more information on the Lighthouse project, please visit www.lighthouseli.com or lighthouseliblog.blogspot.com.

And on every Islanders Blog in the Islanders Blogosphere. Can I take the chance of sneaking out of work at 10:20 am and chalk it up to an EXCEPTIONALLY early lunch? "Sorry Leslee, I actually got up at 4:30 this morning, so I'm a little hungry."

Or do I take Bryan Berg's advice:

I think you should leave at 10:30 and leave an Out Of Office saying simply "Meet Me At The Lighthouse". Then, at about 2:30, return and tell your boss it's okay if you get fired because you were out helping create thousands of other jobs.

Anyone who lives or works in Nassau County and supports the project should attend. I will attempt it. But unless I can find a tele-porter or a body double, I have a feeling I may not make it.

Lighthouse Progress & an Islanders Loss

I could sit here now at 11:15 pm and regurgitate the information about the loss. That 6 - 2 beating that the Canes put on the Isles. But I'm sure there are plenty of people who could be, and will be writing that.

I'm sure you've heard it all on the MSG Plus broadcast tonight. And the truth of the matter is, I really wasn't paying too much attention to this game (as you can see by the previous post). HOWEVER!!! Something just came to me as I was downloading my photos from tonight. The photos are fuzzy, but please take a real good look.

Double click on the photos if you have to. They are taken at 5:45 pm today from the 12th floor of the EAB plaza. Do you notice something? My my my... doesn't it look like the traffic is MOVING. Why yes... I believe that Hempstead Turnpike is moving quite nicely, thank you very much. And this is on a game night. So besides the fact that was a lovely sunset that I watched, I really didn't' see the stop light changing a few times only letting a few cars through. I heard no horns of displeasure as traffic was jammed. Actually, it was moving quite well.

So as I stated previously, and actually even earlier than PB's 4 pm post, the TOH is finally moving along, we may actually have some good news on that horizon in that photo.

So besides coming out for Saturday's TOH night at the Coliseum to show your support for the LightHouse project, if you can pencil in Tuesday 2/24/09 at 10:30 am at Hempstead's Town Hall, you can show your support for REAL, in front of those that really matter. The Elected officials.

This project is about more than hockey, it's about 60,000 construction and related jobs and 20,000 permanent jobs. It's our own little stimulus package.

More on this tomorrow. I really need to get some sleep.

And yes... Isles lost... more than just the game. The loss of Richard Park may be just more than we can bear. Seriously.

GOOD (LIGHTHOUSE) NEWS!!

Bad karma be DAMNED, there is good news on the horizon.

The Town of Hempstead will be adopting a final scope for the Environmental Impact study. Well, won't THAT make Saturday's TOH night a little more exciting!

More details to follow! But Lighthouse naysayers stand down. There is motion, and it's in the right direction!

Blog Boxers will be in force tonight at the top of 201 and live blogging. Come join us.

Isles vs. Canes. Let's win this one and make it a great night!

Spotlight on The Lighthouse

It was a crisp clear day Thursday when I ventured to the EAB Plaza. I passed that lovely skating rink that was sadly closed and entered the beautiful Manhattan style office complex that is truly a wonder on this uninteresting stretch of Hempstead Turnpike. It glistens on the outside and it is captivating on the inside.

I needed help finding the elevator and the right floor. I was a tourist and they knew it. But once staring out of the 30 feet of windows in a contemporary conference room, I finally saw it. You can't really see the landscape from the ground. I drive that stretch of Hempstead Turnpike more times than I want to admit to my husband and my Dodge dealer, but I've never seen it until that Thursday.

It is empty. It is bleak. It is vast expanses of nothingness and overgrown, untended land. Oh yes, there are steam stacks from that plant that has been there since my childhood. And for miles on the horizon there really is nothing to see.

Mind you, I am a woman who marvels at the majesty of the Mount Washington Valley with it's National treasure mountains rising over crystal lakes. I have been mesmerized at the Twin Cities towering over the Mississippi river and the colorful beauty of San Juan Puerto Rico from an ancient fort. There are landscapes in this country that will take your breath away.

And then there is this large, flat lot of grey nothing with what looks like a squished sugar cookie in the middle of it. This is the site of what could be THE landmark of Nassau County, or even this Island. IF only... IF only....

For nine long years Charles Wang and associates have been working on getting the Lighthouse project started. Not completed, just STARTED. Nine years is a long time to wait for anything. In those nine years much has changed, except this landscape.

Businesses on Long Island are hurting and our population has actually DECREASED along with our standard of living. Our unemployment rate is higher than it has been in a very long time. We are losing jobs and even though Long Island's unemployment rate (5.8% in December) is lower than the national average, it still represents a lot of taxpayers without jobs. Every day a major employer announces more cutbacks, more jobs lost.

So answer me this... then why continue to keep people out of work when a green light for this project would generate jobs immediately? Our new President is looking for economic stimulus. Wouldn't a project of this magnitude be classified as "stimulus"?

What are the drawbacks here? Traffic? I'm sorry, this is an Island that has had traffic for years. (There's even a joke in my family. As every State and County line has a "Welcome To" sign, we've always laughed that ours should actually say "Welcome To Long Island, We've got Traffic." ) This is nothing new.

The Coliseum already exists and 16,000 people exit and spew out onto our roadways many days or nights during the year. (Onto roadways that currently need renovation in most places should nothing else be developed at all!) Actually, patrons LEAVE all at once because there is not much to keep them in the area after the event. If there were a few more restaurants right there, they would not be leaving en-mass. They would be staying for that night cap or that coffee and cheese cake. They would also be arriving earlier for that pre-event dinner. So, the development would actually CHANGE the traffic pattern which could minimize its impact.

Are you thinking water is the problem? Nope. Luckily Long Island does not have a water shortage and there is plenty for commercial use and a new well for protected potable water would be easy. So that's not it.

Power? It must be a power problem, right? Not quite. If you've been following our local newspapers, our little Island's thirst for energy is being met and then some. (And we're already paying for it, although it wouldn't hurt to conserve a little at home.)

Garbage and sewage? Being surrounded by water with very few exits out and a thirst for consumable goods, garbage and sewage are an ISLAND WIDE concern and problem. (Anyone remember the garbage barge with no where to go years ago? Again, nothing new! But there are solutions out there and engineers to explain how the solutions work, and they DO work.

It's a money problem then? This doesn't seem right to me as this project isn't looking for public funds to develop the area. And the tax revenue generated for the township and the county would have to be far higher than what they are getting now from this land in it's current state of nothingness.

Attention Citizens! This is not about hockey or the Islanders. This is about working and living on Long Island. Why are we being denied this opportunity? I'd like to understand it. Not political rhetoric and finger pointing. Please no more passing the party line buck. I don't care what political party is responsible. Show me and the rest of Long Island the diagram from point "A" to point "Z" and tell me where we are -- for real.

February 21st is Town Of Hempstead appreciation night at the Coliseum. Personally, I would like to see representatives from the Town Of Hempstead speak to the fans, the residents and the tax payers. And I would like to see us, the fans from other counties, the residents of Hempstead township; it's 22 villages and 35 hamlets come together and ask why there is a delay of this project when thousands of jobs that are so desperately needed are right there -- waiting.

Can you support the project by attending the game on 2/21/09?

We'll talk more as information becomes available. The spotlight is on. We're waiting for an answer. After nine years I think everyone deserves it.

Lighthouse articles: Your Thoughts?

I've waited until 11 pm to even consider writing what I think. I've had the entire day to read the articles, listen to comments, read countless passionate fan posts on various websites, hear about it on NHL's home ice and then sit with my husband across the dinner table at 8 pm after we FINALLY de-chrismafied the house.

"So Paulie asked me today who I was going to root for when the Islanders move to Kansas City. I told him I didn't know. I'd probably get more involved in college hockey." This is how B.A.M. started the conversation while I served up my ham & pineapple pizza and vodka sauce with shrimp pizza. (I made two so there is some for tomorrow.)

"Paulie said he'd probably just give up hockey all together. He can't fathom switching teams." I completely understand this thought process. But it's not one I may live by.

"I'm already a Zach Parise fan. But I won't go to Jersey. As long as they don't take the Sound Tigers too, I'll be fine." It was the first time I had really given the possibility of NO Islanders hockey on Long Island a second thought.

Having had numerous conversations with Katrina Doell from the Lighthouse project as well as listening to so many others, I've just been of the mindset that this is what they are working for, so this is what will be. Sooner or later. The concept that we may not be without a team just didn't occur to me.

But certainly the possibility is real, but not imminent. Truth of the matter is, since I have no control over the outcome of the disposition of that 150 acres of vast nothingness, I'm really not going to worry myself sick over whether or not I'll have a local team to watch. It's not like I'll give up hockey. I'll watch anyone play. So for me, there's plenty of options. Hell, I'll drive to Boston. But I won't be driving or flying to Kansas City, that's for sure.

I would still like to think the deal will get done. But if it doesn't, it doesn't and there's not much I can do about it. But I will remain hopeful and not let the media machine get me sick.

So, have you heard about the Goal Green initiative? A very worthwhile program for all of Long Island and beyond. And it's really easy to sign up and do what they ask. It's just a matter of saving energy. And if you sign up, maybe you will remember to actually DO the things they ask and turn off your lights, unplug your phone and computer and do a little recycling Sound hard? Not at all.

And this from the Isles website regarding tomorrow night's game against the Devils:

Tomorrow will also be the kick-off event for "Goal Green," an environmental and social commitment campaign to educate the people of Long Island about how they can all contribute to a greener environment. The Islanders have partnered with the Long Island Power Authority, National Grid, Boro Recycling and Covanta Energy—to launch "Goal Green."

Fans attending the game are encouraged to bring in small electronic devices—such as old cell phones—that can be recycled during "Goal Green" Recycling Nights. All fans who contribute an item will receive two ticket vouchers for Wednesday night's game against the Ducks.

Come on! We've all got old cell phones, MP3 players, hand held video games. Stuff that is just collecting dust on your dresser or stashed in your underwear drawer. Bring it for recycling. Maybe they can be put to good use. And look, you may get something out of it.

Yesterday when I first saw the website there were 8 supporters. They now have 22, and that includes me. So rather than bitching and moaning about the Town of Hempstead and Kate Murray, how about doing something a little more constructive for the Islanders and sign up for this worthwhile program. Improve your karma at the same time. At least this we can DO something about.

Let's see if Dubie is in net tomorrow. But that is only if his paperwork from Russia without Love is all in order. But we'll see. That, and the little ceremony for Billy and Doug, will be the highlights of the evening I'm sure. But hey! It's Islanders hockey and it's entertainment and it is ours.... for now. Let's enjoy it while we've got it.

And Now For Something Completely Different

It's not quite 7 am and my eye-sight is still fuzzy. I did manage to feed the dog, feed my daughter, make her lunch and get her off to the bus stop. I made breakfast and tea and sat down with the paper, the computer and the news on.

As I usually do in the early morning, I check this blog for stats and such. Well, this is the first time I've ever had someone take the time to ask ME questions. Very thoughtful, very detailed, VERY INTENSE questions. I figured the least I can do is have the courtesy of answering them. (As there are those I know who don't.)

Okay, well reader, I think much of what you ask is WAY over my head, but I will try.

7th Woman, I like your writing a lot and can tell that you have a gift for writing well; however, I'm wondering, as an Islander fan who believes that change needs to be fostered in the infrastructure of the Islanders, specifically the rapacious and devious Charles Wang, if you've considered taking braver stances on issues surrounding the team. These issues include the following:

1. Lighthouse/Real Estate grab that Wang is trying to get from the Islanders, using the Islanders as a vehicle and, therefore, putting welfare of the hockey team as an ancillary priority.

7th: First, I'd like to say Thank you so much for the compliment. I appreciate it. However, I sense the challenge at hand. In all honesty, I don't know if I'm up to taking braver stances, even though I am well aware that if I did my readership numbers would skyrocket. I'd love to be able to write articles that would cause a ruckus and get 10,000 hits in a day, but it's really not me.

But let's try. Lighthouse "Real Estate grab"? Whoa there. He owns the property already and from what I've seen, it's the local government agencies that are trying to do the "grabbing." Have you sat in some of those meetings? Everyone wants their piece. I was stunned. Every special interest group, every local agency seem to have their hand out. It's a game that I had no idea existed, but that I also don't think there can be a clear winner at.

As far as the Islanders being their "ancillary priority" in some ways, I may agree. There are bigger fish to fry from a corporate standpoint. The team is an entity on it's own and I know they are working hard at making it better.

2. Wang's past track record of cooking the books at CA and his current claims of losing money from the Islanders and NeuLion.

7th: Cooking the books? Oh baby, we call that "creative finance." Many companies, especially large, multi-million dollar ones, operate that way. It's not illegal, it's just 'different.' The Islanders are indeed losing money hand over fist, as well documented by the NHL and the league auditors. NeuLion is a relatively new company, and as most new companies go, they are probably not in the black yet. But I really don't know too much about their financial standings. But I'm sure it will be a profit center. It's too good not to be.

3. His total mismanagement of the hockey operations of the Islanders throughout his stewardship, which is largely due to his placing an ancillary importance on the welfare of the actual hockey club.

7th: Okay then. Mismanagement of hockey ops? Wait, do you remember who was in charge of hockey ops for the first years? Mike Milbury, who I really like as a person, may not have given Charles Wang (at the time, a self proclaimed hockey dummy) the best advice and direction.

Once Mike stepped down and moved into sales, it did seem a little lost. But I don't think the "welfare" of the club was actually ignored. Mishandled at times? Sure. And changing of the guard has caused considerable growing pains. But I think they are subsiding.

4. The habitual usage of Newsday and Islandermania by the NYI to disseminate propaganda, largely by framing issues surrounding the team very narrowly to the point of complete idiocy and contempt for the paying consumer.

7th: I'm sorry, I really had to giggle at this one. You call it "propaganda" and I call it "marketing." Okay, let me let you in on a little secret. I actually work for the advertising agency that is producing those Newsday ads. I'm close friends with the editors who write that "propaganda," and sometimes, they even run it by me before it's sent in for approval. It's not easy to find things to "sell" when you know your product is the lowest one on the food chain. But I actually applaud Chris Dey and his effort to continue to try to market the team and give the fans emotional ownership of it even if we are tanking the season.

As far as IslanderMania goes, I don't venture onto their site that often, but from what I've seen the members bash the team and the front office as much as they offer up information and sales pitches. From a marketing concept, getting involved with the message board was the right thing to do and exactly what many of the other 30 teams do.

5. The connection between "friends" Alphonse D'Amato (member of SMG board) and Charles Wang, whom D'Amato convinced to buy the team.

7th: I wish to God I did know ANYTHING about that! That sounds like a smoking gun of sorts! I only know Alphonse D'Amato from Sons of Italy dinner dances a long, long, LONG time ago. And I know my mother didn't like him much. County politics is so far beyond my scope of knowledge that you may as well ask me about quantum physics, I'll have the same answer: huh?

6. SMG current role with the planning of the new Lighthouse. If they're currently bleeding the Islanders dry, as is the fashionable rhetoric, then why would they be involved after the expiration of the current lease in 2015 at all?

7th: If SMG has ANY role in planning the new Lighthouse, I would indeed like to know because I would have something to say and it would be ... Bullshit! SMG does nothing for the patrons of the Coliseum and their food concessions are inadequate compared to other venues. They have been a thorn in the side of the fans for years. If they have any involvement in a new arena I will puke.

I remember one early morning STH event that SMG sent collectors to the parking booths and only had one open. Traffic on Hempstead Tpke was backed up and we waited and waited to get in and had to pay $6.75 to park. This was very unusual as the early morning events were usually free.

Well, Mike Milbury almost had a stroke when he found out what they were doing. He went downstairs to their offices to "discuss" the situation. He returned with xeroxed vouchers for parking for the game that night.

It was just one little instance of how SMG loved to poke the bear. Besides, SMG has brought in the world's worst wine to the Coliseum and I hate it, and they also raised the price of tea from $2 - $3. Bogus!

So there you have it. My opinions, 45 minutes later. Certainly not what you were expecting, but what my first thoughts are.

Calgary tonight; I hope I can stay awake for it! Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go pull out my "colors" for the day.

The Color Of Commitment 10-8-08

I think you have seen the new full page, full color Islanders ads in Newsday. Graphically, they are all striking and editorially all poignant.

One of the first was the one on the back of the Shea Stadium pull out section called "The Color Of Commitment."


"There’s nothing quite like being a sports fan on Long Island. In particular, the winning combination of the Mets and Islanders has created a sense of pride in our culture and a passion in our hearts.
It’s a tradition that has embraced six championship titles, and decade after decade of unforgettable moments and record-breaking success. For these steadfast teams and their faithful followers, the future is as bright as orange and blue." *

I'm bringing this ad up for a reason (even though I'm a Yankees fan). It's that "commitment" statement.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of lunching with Katrina Doell, the Public Relations director from the Lighthouse Project and author of The Lighthouse blog. Commitment would be a perfect word to describe what we discussed over lunch. A commitment to Long Island and a commitment to this team.

I know that as fans we are constantly bombarded with talk of moving our team to far away places starving for NHL hockey. They throw daggers at us when they say "The Lighthouse will NEVER be built."

I think it's time we start throwing some back. We need to supply all the support we can for this project to push past the political red-tape of Nassau County. Check Katrina's blog often as she will have information on the pending town hall meetings. (Those in of themselves are interesting as hell if you've never seen your local government work!) Use the letter forms on their website which we have linked to the NYIC message board.

And by all means, stop by the Lighthouse table on the concourse during games and say hello.

I told her all the talking we did at lunch was off-the-record with the exception of one really exceptional quote that I couldn't help but write down.

When I told her that I'm criticized often for being a cheer-leader and wearing orange colored glasses and just trying to "see the light at the end of the tunnel" she sighed and looked me in the eye and said "Dee, if there's NO light at the end of the tunnel, then it's just a hole."

And the only "hole" we're looking for is the one they're going to dig in the parking lot of the NVMC to build our new home.

Sidenote: Tambellini on facebook chat at 12:30 pm. Anyone want to bet we crash the website by 12:36?

*Kudos to Tom Chiesa from The Wilen Group for great copy!

Can they see the Lighthouse from Moncton? 9-25-08

Should we work backwards in our timeline tonight? Sure. Why not.

The Islanders lost 4-0 tonight in Brandon Sudgen's debut. Not his fault. (I would like to know who was repsonsible for handing him a #55 jersey though!!) He dropped the gloves twice.*(Correction: Once, and he won. This is why I wish I could have seen the damn game myself!) But the youngsters were no match for the veteran team. Of course it would have BEEN NICE if the game was audio or video streamed SOMEWHERE. ANYWHERE on the net so that we could have been a little more involved in the game. I remember listening to past pre-season games from far away places webstreamed on the Islanders website. With all our new technology and beautiful video portals ---WHY THE HELL COULDN'T WE WATCH THE DAMN GAME? We'll have to wait for the ITV version later.

I had a very nice conversation with Katrina Doell from the Lighthouse Development group late this afternoon. Katrina is Public Relations coordinator as well as the administrator of the Lighthouse Blog. I've added the link on the side bar and Webby has added a button on the NYIC website that will help you send letters to the appropriate government agencies to support the Lighthouse project.

There are seven different form letters to choose from. It really couldn't be simpler. Give it a "click" and check it out. If we want our team to have a new arena, then we need to show our support. This will be OUR arena, OUR entertainment center on OUR Long Island. If you are tired of hearing people talk poorly about the facilities you currently pour your money into at every game, then let your voice be heard.

Yes, it's a hard road. But you can help pave it. Let the town know the Lighthouse has your support. I've seen the arena areas in Columbus and St. Paul. This will make them jealous.

Okay, it's official. A new hockey blog is generated every minute and the season hasn't even started. I almost fell over when I heard on XM radio today that ex-Tampa Bay GM, Jay Feaster is now a blogger for THN. They also mentioned another blog that looks like it may be interesting during the season because it's by yet another established media name. 24/7Hockey is authored by broadcast veteran Matt McConnell.

(Okay, I'm starting to wonder. What's the deal? Leave your job, blog full time? Someone explain how that works. Does Neil Smith have a blog yet? He's been out of work how long?)

Also on XM204 today was our own "24/7" hockey blogger as Chris Botta did a guest spot on "In The Slot." As an ex-radio guy himself, he hasn't lost his touch. And as I just noticed, as I went back to his blog to get the link, here it is 10:24 pm and he already has post game comment entry up. Point Blank -- the 24 hour AP wire of Hockey. "It's the end of the world as we know it." But in a good way.

And lastly, this just made me giggle. So it seems Garth Snow wins again. All summer he mentioned that there would be a change in how the team handled the reporting of injuries. Basically, he didn't want to do it anymore. He wanted all injuries to stay within the confines of the club.

He won. It seems that during the last GM meeting, the NHL rule for disclosure was changed and now they basically don't have to say "boo."

I, for one, used to be scared to death when Garth would glare at a reporter who asked a question he didn't want to answer. Once I got over that fear, I actually enjoyed the mental chess game he would play with them. Now, with the ruling on his side, he doesn't even have to glare. He can just not answer. And I'll be in the back of the room.... smiling from ear to ear.

Certainly, as fans, this is going to be miserable for us, but from a business standpoint, I can certainly understand it. Two more points for our GM. What rule will you have changed next Garth?