"C" Day for Ed Mangano & Nassau County

I will try to be brief, but my nerves have the best of me.  Today is the day that Nassau Executive Ed Mangano will announce his decision on who gets the Coliseum rights.  The announcement will come at 11:30 am today and all the time and money spent by the two competing factions will come to an end.

We all know that both the MSG group and the Ratner group are successful and intelligent developers who are sure to make the county, and themselves, money with this project.  The Town of Hempstead will benefit from either development.  So with those things being equal, all that remains is which will keep the history alive.

The MSG group wants to bring the "MSG BRANDS" to Uniondale.  The Ratner group wants to keep a link to the NHL franchise that called it home for decades.  For that reason, it's an emotional issue for many of us.

As a resident of Long Island and an Isles fan, it breaks my heart to think that the history of the NY Islanders will be obliterated or perhaps simply relegated to "an area in a bar/restaurant" dominated by MSG brand entities.  I fear the arena and the area will become one giant commercial for Cablevision's Optimum service, MSG and the NY Rangers.

Doesn't the Dolan group own enough of our land, lives and entertainment venues?  They own our news outlets with the exception of very few.  One of which published an EXCELLENT piece on their advertising masquarading as journalism in their piece Newsday Omission in Story on Owner’s Rival Raises Questions.  Thank you Long Island Press!

And thank you Kevin Schultz from Islanders Point Blank for bringing the subject of policitcal contributions by Newsday to the Ed Mangano campaign to light.

Certainly all developers use backroom politics to get projects built. It's the way of the world, so I am not shocked at the idea that money has exchanged hands. What I am angry at is Newsday's perpetual bias towards their companies. It is no longer a 'news' vehicle, but an advertising and propaganda machine.
An MSG company Coliseum rebuild will systematically remove the Islanders franchise from the Long Island area until they are nothing but a footnote in history making it so that Brooklyn not only claim them, but change them.
Chose wisely Mr. Mangano. Both developers will help save Nassau County from financial ruin, but chosing one over the other may just ruin your political career.

Ed Mangano Responds Via Twitter

Okay, more important than wondering about Nino, Tom Ballantyne and I were yapping back and forth on Twitter about the next tenant of the Nassau Hub. As you know, I have been more than verbal about my distaste for the MSG group getting their money grubbing hands on the property that once housed an Isles dynasty. The thought of NY Ranger logos and their farm team in the same spot that the Islanders called home makes me want to cry.
I’ve written, more than I should, how I would accept just about ANY other proposal for the property other than a Dolan/MSG venture. Well, Tom agrees with me, and he is a Nassau County resident.
Ed Mangano reportedly will be making a decision by mid July on the property, so I decided to Tweet at him. I guess he got tired and wanted to stop the @’s, or he really does indeed read his Twitter feed, but he answered me. I will also say -- this isn’t the first time that he has responded. So kudos to him for that.

Dee Karl ‏@7thWoman 18 Jun @tbone31592 @jmadindabuff Nassau Residents have to tell @edmangano that the MSG BRAND is not the right fit for the Hub. It's HIS call.
Tom Ballantyne ‏@tbone31592 18 Jun @7thWoman @jmadindabuff @edmangano Nassau residents aren't competent enough to do that. Not like he'll listen anyway
Dee Karl ‏@7thWoman 18 Jun @tbone31592 Actually @edmangano will LISTEN if the voices are LOUD enough. I am not a county resident. my voice doesn't count.
Tom Ballantyne ‏@tbone31592 18 Jun @7thWoman @edmangano I am a county resident, but this isn't just a county issue. This is Long Island's legacy on the line!
Ed Mangano ‏@edmangano 18h @tbone31592 @7thWoman There is a RFP panel that makes a recommendation. I evaluate their decision and present it to the Leg for approval. Reply to @edmangano @tbone31592
Dee Karl ‏@7thWoman 18h @edmangano @tbone31592 Thank you for the answer. However this is such an emotional issue, it needs to be made on more than a monetary level

Yes, this is not a matter of who has the deepest pockets. You may think it only has to do with county residents, but the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum was visited by tens of thousands of people from all over the world who came there specifically to see the New York Islanders. It will not matter what band or act they place on the property. You can see a top name entertainer anywhere within 50 miles of Nassau. But the New York Islanders will only be able to be seen in ONE place, and it’s not going to be Uniondale. So all those who traveled far and wide will now go to Brooklyn, or Manhattan or NJ or any of the OTHER arenas that the Isles will play a game in. They will NOT be coming to Nassau County to spend their money, eat in the restaurants and stay in the hotels.
Without a major sports team in the Nassau Hub, the world has no reason to come to Uniondale. Period. And another MSG farm team isn’t going to bring them either.

From Mangano to Modano

The Hub:
Yep, it's still in the news and Randi Marshall is doing an excellent job covering the saga. And it is just about the longest running soap opera next to "All My Children." But even that had an end. I really don't see an end in sight for this one.

But after receiving a Tweet back from Ed Mangano yesterday, I thought I'd write a little something about it. Of course, it's pointed at a certain person in the TOH.

You can find my little stiffled rant here at HockeyBuzz.com.

And now for something completely different. I was working on NHL stories for a radio show that sadly didn’t get off the ground on Monday night. I felt so strongly about one of the stories of the week that I had to write about it. Since it’s not Islanderscentric, I decided to ask my good friends at HockeyThisWeek if they would indulge me and put it there. They were kind enough to agree.

Here are my thoughts, along with some insight from Doug Weight, on the retirement of Hockey icon, Mike Modano.

Isles Rally & Rock The Referendum Contest

Here's a really cool idea to help get the voters out to the polls. Joe Conte (every bloggers friend) an associate of Gotham Government Relations & Communications and four highly prominent bloggers have teamed up to offer YOU, the fans with Nassau County voters in your grasp, a contest. You get voters to vote, you're in the running for a very cool grand prize. No, like a REALLY cool prize.

Ever watched a game in a luxury suite? Right. Check it out here and enter quickly. Deadline for entry is 6 pm on Friday!

Okay, onto the Isles Vote YES! Rally and the free Blue Oyster Cult concert. They.Still.Rock!

From Bellmorepatch.com


There were a lot of comments about the turn out for today's rally. Yes, it was union laden. They are the ones that will drive this vote. They are the ones that stand to gain in a monetary fashion. But the most devoted of fans were there and there were some people arriving later from work in their suits and ties braving the heat.

Yes, the timing could have been better, but it is what it is and we are running out of time. The restaurant supporters were there in full force along with the unions. You guys missed the Hooters girls.

The crowd was very supportive of Charles Wang and Garth Snow when the spoke but John Durso, President of the Long Island Federation of Labor, received the loudest cheers (and used most expletives).

Inside the box office area, the media was offered time to talk to all the speakers. It was informal. VERY informal. In other words it was a free-for-all that required a much better recorder than I own. (Putting that on my birthday wish list.)

I find it intersting that Charles Wang looks almost energized by all the buzz. You would think he would be dog tired of having to repeat himself over and over again, yet he spoke calmly and clearly for every camera and reporter with a microphone. This has been going on for months and will continue until Monday at 9 pm when the polls close.

Speaking of polls, I asked Mr. Mangano what he thought about the idea that many voters not knowing where they should vote. He told me that the voter registration cards have been put in the mail and he has already received his. Post cards will help with those who don't know where to vote, however, it won't help with those that refuse to register to vote because they are afraid they will be called for Jury Duty. (You weenies! BUCK UP!) Fellow Blog Boxer Michael Hirschbein did an indepth interview with Mr. Mangano, so we'll be looking for that one.

I also spoke with Michael Picker to get a better understanding of the $14 million a year minimum payment the Islanders would be making to the county. The 11.5% of revenue is all revenue except the TV deal and any NHL funds that may (ha ha) at some point come their way. I was surprised to find out that meant the merchandise also. (Do the Nassau Dems know how much STUFF we Isles fans BUY???)

Katie Strang spent much of her time concentrating on the hockey end of things. I'd like to thank her. Someone has to keep their eye on hockey and with the likes of Rick DiPietro, Matt Moulson and Ty Wishart there today, hockey was to be discussed. (It seems Ms. Strang broached the "Yashin" return subject. I'm glad I didn't hear it.)

I recognized some familiar faces in the crowd. Eden Laikin, ex-Newsday reporter now County of Nassau employee was there as was Nick Giglia wearng his "More Cowbell" shirt. Chris Botta was even there with an SNY.tv cameraman doing interviews with attendees.

I stuck to the task at hand: The Vote on 8/1. Here is an incredibly crappy video that I shot in the parking lot right before I left. I suggest you look away and just listen. Since I didn't think I would post it, the lense was mostly pointed at the pavement. But then again -- that seemed fitting if the vote doesn't pass.

Too much Islander News for One Day

Who said a Wednesday in late June would be boring when it comes to Hockey? Ugh.
There was an 11 am Ed Mangano/Charles Wang press conference at the Coliseum that I couldn’t attend. However, because Twitter is my friend, I was kept in the loop by @BellmorePatch and @NYISlanders and their live blog.

Also at 11 am, Newsday’s Art Staple hosted an Islanders Live Chat while Ms. Katie Strang was busy with NHL Draft travels and duties. Then (of course) there are the NHL Awards tonight at 7 pm from Las Vegas and there is also a live blog by @SkatesOnAPlane writer Jesse D Eisenberg who has the pleasure of accompanying @Grabs40 to the Awards show.

Continued at Hockeybuzz.com here.

"Why It's Different" - It's about Long Island

Brian Rosenberg and Ed Mangano should be commended for the showing they put on this morning on the County steps.

The vote has not been presented as of yet. Waiting on word from Twitter.

Commitment to Long Island and the Islanders

When you see the Channel 7 Eyewitness News van, you know it’s big. It was. And as usual, I was late and had to park further than I wanted to knowing I’d be running in heels. I made it with about a minute to spare before the dignitaries took the stage. I’d like to thank my good friend, Brad Kurtzberg from InsideHockey.com for once again getting there early enough to save me a seat in the second row.

The floor of the Coliseum where the ice usually sits was set up again as it was for those Town Hall meetings we attended what seems like a life-time ago. But this time, the folding chairs were filled with politicians in suits on one side and the media throng on the other. In the stands were the Union workers who have attended every one of these meetings since Charles Wang presented the Lighthouse project to the public. The Union message is clear -- and loud. JOBS: NOW and their reprise of what they chanted for two years, “Build it NOW!”

Rob Walker introduced Ed Mangano with a rousing and spirited introduction and then Ed Mangano took the podium. I was a little surprised that Charles Wang received not only hardy applause but also a standing ovation from the floor. I was NOT surprised that Kate Murray received a spattering of Boos. For over a year, Kate Murray was the enemy of Islanders and their fans. Yesterday she stood on the podium saying “Hey! I’m not a Rangers fan.”

I will have to try to put my contempt in my back pocket during this process as it seems that Kate has finally found a proposal for the Coliseum property that she will endorse. (It will not be easy to do so, but I will try.)

While the press conference was live web streamed, it is also now available on their main website. Watch it so that you do not just take the excerpts from written reports. You’ll also be able to see how Murray relates to Mr. Wang and the change in her body language.

The Islanders new season campaign stressed “commitment.” Mr. Wang explained the concept. “This simple word is enormously strong in so many ways. Our organization has been intentionally quiet in our approach to obtaining our goal. But our commitment to Long Island has never wavered. Long Island is our home and the New York Islanders is our team.”

After that announcement, he shared a jovial moment with Ms. Murray who seemed very supportive. She is so supportive that Mr. Mangano actually introduced her as “our partner to make sure that this vision comes to fruition.”

Murray thanked the County Executive and Mr. Wang for “putting forth an agenda that gives Nassau County residents a voice in the future of the Nassau County Veterans Memorial Coliseum.” That name was stressed as it is a sticky point with the Veteran’s organization who had representatives present yesterday.

She continued to say how eager; “Very, very eager to work with the County Executive and Mr. Wang, the Islanders, Senators Dean Skellos and Jack Martins and all our residents to revitalize our communities, create jobs and to stimulate our local economy.”

I’m not quite sure where they were when the Lighthouse project presented all those options as well. But, no looking in the rear view mirror. This is where we are.

Murray told Randi Marshall from Newsday that through the Town’s exhaustive environmental review process they feel they have come up with a flexible zone for the property plan that is “absolutely compatible with the goals and desires of the Sterling Business Advisory council...” Remember that name. You’ll probably hear it a lot. And the fact that the Town feels their new “zone” is “flexible” for the 77 acres that surround the Coliseum and “the hub” indicates wiggle room. (Crossing my fingers.)

During the post-announcement media scrum, Mr. Mangano mentioned that now is the best time to borrow money as the interest rates are at their lowest and competition among builders is at its greatest. “So you get the best value for the taxpayer NOW." The other choice is an empty building with no tax revenue stream for the County or the Town. No brainer here!

“We’re ASKING the people of Nassau County, ‘Do you want to invest?’ Obviously there will be debt service paid until the arena is open.” he said as he was surrounded by cameras and microphones.

AH HA! And that’s probably where NIFA has their problem that caused them to announce "Not So Fast!" before any of us even left the Coliseum yesterday. But that would be short sighted of them to not see the bigger picture that the debt would be paid in the long run by the operators of the venues which would also be paying taxes and generating jobs.

What we need to do now is basically “Promote The Vote.” Can NIFA object if it seems that the bulk of the Nassau County residents are willing to approve this idea? Mr. Mangano is hoping that the media does its job by not just reporting what happened yesterday, but also educating the residents and getting the message out about this first vote on August 1st, which will give the County the ability to enter into the transaction, and then a second vote to ask residents if they want to proceed with the transaction. (Watch the video. It may make more sense.)

So this is a multi-step process, but every journey starts with a single step. Yesterday Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead put their walking shoes on.


Next Up “On the Hockey Front” and the impact yesterday will have on the Islanders as an NHL franchise.

What Is Mangano Thinking?

Okay, I wrote this little rant last night at HockeyBuzz.com, but in all honesty I didn't post the link because I literally passed out at the netbook.

In the light of morning, and now running once again, here's the link to my thoughts on the Casino idea that Mangano is putting up.

All I can say is... What the hell is this guy thinking?

Anything hockey related may come later as it is now a mad countdown to Easter. While the kids have "Easter break," Italian women have Easter Marathon as it's a race to Sunday getting things done. After looking over my house and yard in the cruel light of daybreak, I am pretty certain I will go from #BloggerFail to #MommyFail by Easter morning.

Too much to do.
Not enough time.
Too little money.
The story of Life on Long Island.

Just ask Ed. ;-)