Editors Note: B.D. Gallof has not been seen since Sunday am, when his pictures from his ipad were uploaded to his Facebook page of him smoking a cigar and drinking a bottle of Whiskey. Late tonight we received an email from him asking us to place this up on the site. It has not been edited or adjusted in any way. His whereabouts are unknown…

Is It Fear & Loathing on Long Island?
BD on the August 1^st Vote and Endorsement

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Long Island is a strange bird. Sometimes you can love its lazy obtuseness and almost neurotic aspects like some crazy uncle who visits your house each family event. Other times it is a constant barrage of morons and idiosyncrasy that hammers one head like a thousand woodpeckers on speed.

I used to hate Long Island and where I lived with unfettered revulsion. When I left for college, I could not wait to get out and get working in NYC as to escape its toothy maw. Having lived in a few places outside of LI, it would seem strange to that younger self to why I came back. Things change. There is a respect and understanding to why Long Island has been a thriving place and to why it remains still holding onto that (though tenuously at best). But there is also that crazy uncle not only still along for the ride, when he really goes loaded for bear; he no longer is just quirky or wacky. He instead becomes a stark raving beast with a submachine gun.

That crazy uncle and those unending chain of bullets are clear to many an Islander fan who have been belted in to this arduous tumult of partisan politics, a stained former Senator who took his octopus-like arms and oily ink to backrooms and lobby-groups, a backwards-facing suburban ideology of over-protectionism, oft-kilter business management, an oddball billionaire who keeps his two enabling yes-men along for the ride all the way back from Computer Associates, a backwards self-serving Republican stronghold who operates to the predilections of an affluent donor roll and benefactors  for just one town, a neophyte who is in way over his head in the County who won that role because he fermented a tax revolt and is now hamstrung by it in office, a conniving throng of political hacks trying to get back control having been toppled last voting cycle,  a league who is in the process of losing those teams that were expanded both South and West… and all during a very rocky economic recession that have everyone cash strapped and wallet conscious.

Add another 15 years of failed team strategy and ownership to those fans psyche, and you have a bewildered, paranoid, and just plain confused fanbase watching this unfold helplessly.

It is that helplessness that has stung so much as things have gotten so out of whack that it might have made many fans start to tune out to the goings on. How many of us where those who came out years ago to the LI Marriot, standing for the cause, only to watch it fade out in some long drawn death scene under the Town of Hempstead’s self-serving hands. Or as Charles Wang then imploded the entire Lighthouse Project, refusing to negotiate, and then when he finally did make overtures months and months later, the ToH were long gone and off focusing on something else.

How can one NOT tune out? The reality has blown so much hot air, black smoke and gritty detritus that it resembles one of the smoke stacks along the Meadowbrook Parkway.  How can one not be tired of it all? How many times have we gone to the well, asked to show up or listen to someone’s tale? How many times were we given no answer, instead things went dark or just got swallowed by the darkness that lies within the heart of Long Island? That same darkness, confusion and bevy of excuses that has left a large piece of Nassau County some sort of hollow hole that the team still has to skate in.

I have to wonder if that thousands years from now it will be Nassau Coliseum and the faint scrawls of VOTE YES or JUST BUILD IT that still are painted on the walls will be viewed as some quaint archaic ruin with cave paintings. Will the failure to renew a hub that was built over 40 years ago be due to people being more interested in that it retains some name of “Veterans” than actually being a place to go to and entertain the hardworking citizens of this fair land? A place where their kids and grand children want to congregate?

“Why don’t you ever want to visit us?” says grandma

“There’s nothing to do out there!” complains everyone else.

Well, one has to wonder if this will be the reality thanks to the latest poll touted in Newsday. Something else for the paranoid delusional to cite as conspiracy theory or conniving agenda of the Dolan’s to destroy one of their best rivalries. Instead it is just an off-target poll of 50% over 55 years of age, which ignores the 38 year-old median age of Nassau County. Furthermore it ignores the demographic of who will likely vote this special vote. No real poll can be accurate for a special election that requires a committed and staked voter with team fans, unions and other oddities added in.

If there is any conspiracy with Newsday, it is only one of dunces. Extremism is merely easy outlet for some due to the angst and anxiety that we are all likely feeling during self-serving political mechanics that seem dead-set on destroying hockey and alienating the entire younger generation. Giving too much credit to enemies is usually the hallmark of the paranoid, and it has been used flowing like a fire hose spewing dread and just plain ignorance all over the blogosphere comment sections and message boards.

Newsday has been more a shining example of causing cognitive dissonance. It has created readers conflicts due to an editorial ideal based on selling strife smacking against the cause and facts of what the writers are trying to get across. What has helped peel off their editorial curtain is the fact that independent bloggers seem to have more legwork and entrenchment in the muck of what is going on than the paper on many an Islander item. So every step Newsday has done, they more often than not, show off their sensationalism by creating some sort of slant or angle to provide conflict.

They have created a bouillabaisse of resentment from the Islanders fanbase. But to think that any of their almost ham-handed antics are some sort of conspiracy is just giving that motley crew, who are just trying to survive a quaking change of ideology thanks to a new ownership, far too much credit.

No, this conspiracy is misplaced. What needs to be installed here is one giant mirror. We need one giant unyielding mirror reflecting on this entire County. Each potential voter needs to take a long unflinching look at this mirror, and cut the bullshit and excuses. Cut away the old blame and history. Everyone needs to drown out the marketing and negative nonsense.

You all need to ask yourself what you want in your home. What will be the future of your hometown and county?

Will it be of the savage implode like the house of Poltergeist, with cries of recession until there is nothing left? Will it be the explosion of public relations material citing tag lines and singing along with the “Meet me at the Lighthouse” jingle as you stagger like robots? Or might it be just hiding heads in the sand, waiting for it all to end, much like the staff of the Town of Hempstead, with no opinion except one of passed responsibility?

Hopefully it will be none of the above. It will likely be, if you take a moment and a breath through all this nonsense, be a moment of clarity. Maybe you will have an epiphany. Maybe not, but there will be likely be a decision. My suggestion is to make a measured decision weighing things carefully and appropriately.

My own will be to Vote Yes.

There are so many reasons why. One large one for me is that my children deserve a better venue to see sports, concerts and anything else than that concrete nightmare that sits on Hempstead Turnpike. The building is dilapidated, in disrepair, ancient, and quite bluntly, a fucking embarrassment to what is supposed to be one of the most prestigious places to live in NY.

It is a fucking embarrassment to even sit there and come up with reasons why we should vote anything other than yes. A fucking embarrassment that the Democrats and Republicans have screwed the pooch so many times on this venue, that it got to a point where it now sits in our hands to bail it out just enough to fight another day.

That too is one fucking giant embarrassment.

Where is Nassau County’s citizen’s self respect? Where is their belief that they DESERVE this? That they SHOULD have a venue that is top notch or at least somewhat closer to mediocre that what lies there now?

It simply boggles the mind of the shortsightedness and excuses by opponents who seem hell bent on cutting off the nose to spite the face. Or to think that it isn’t important. Or to be against it because of the shear politics of trying to topple the foolish County Executive who put forth this referendum with barely any backup information or things laid out beforehand.

We have gone on and long on the issues I have had with the ToH, both hapless and ineffective County Execs, the self-serving Republicans & Democrats, and also of the Islanders and their quirky doof of an owner. I am probably not well liked by any of them, but that was never my intent. My intent at the start was to shear away the absolute piles of bullshit that seemed to be piling all over us throughout a process that was almost always at odds with our futures and with those of the hockey team we follow and cheer for,

When they are shoveled all away, it is simply what you want to come to on Long Island. A loss of the SOLE professional sports team for the County and Long Island, or for there to be an improvement of venue, new long-term lease of that team, and a place that is respectable to see a concert, show or sports event?

To me, there is simply no debate. The independent numbers came in and it cited a roughly a close to $14 cost to each taxpayer. A far cry to the absolute tripe of $48 or more that opponents touted like parrots. That is a movie ticket. Parking. A CD or book, for god’s sake.

Nobody but nobody till lately bothered to cite the cost of LOSING the Islanders, the Coliseum’s main tenant, and their generator of taxes to the County and what it will cost each taxpayer.  $16.

So all the buzz and noise around this referendum, despite the heaping loads of mistakes and miscues made, is the fact that it is not a loss, not taking anything from anybody’s pocket, and in the end, something to be proud of and respectable to a place that has been disrespected or at least abandoned when inconvenient by just about everyone who sits in office.

No, it is high time for a stand. To wake up. To get our proverbial head from out of asses and make a voice heard. We finally, FINALLY, have a day to make our own vote a clear exclamation point for the Islanders future, and in a large way, our own on Long Island. IF we cannot be up for that, after listening and reading everything else, you might as well just pack up and move out of town…

Because I don’t think I’d want you as a neighbor.

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I think the most annoying thing about the press conference yesterday was the media, who seemed to be present in higher numbers than the union, politicos, and fans. Many of them stopped by the handful of Isles fans telling them: “Congratulations, you got your arena!” Ummm, not quite.

Clearly most of the media is just plain ignorant of what is really going on here.

Even those who are a bit clearer on the roadblocks and speedbumps seem to be dismissal of potential problems. To me, this strikes me as foolish, naive, and just plain in denial to the realities of the political process on Long Island.

Soon after, in the afternoon, I received an email from my query to NIFA, the governor assigned watchdog to all of Nassau County’s fiscal process with a very clear warning that went against the talk of Ed Mangano, Kate Murray and Charles Wang. Nobody had bothered to loop in the watchdog who has the final say on permission for any bond or coliseum deal here.

NIFA’s Statement:

“NIFA is deeply concerned about the County Executive’s proposal and its fiscal implications for the County. There was no consultation with NIFA regarding this major proposal announced today. During the control period, greater coordination is warranted.NIFA’s approval is required for all County borrowing, including the $400 million in new debt proposed today, and for all major contracts.

As we await necessary information from the County regarding the 2011 and 2012 budgets, NIFA requires details of this new plan, which must be evaluated in the context of the County’s fiscal crisis, the wage freeze on County employees and the reductions in services to County residents

This is unsurprising to those who have followed the Ed Mangano dealings, which seem to fly on the seat of their pants and to be lacking any details. The problem with yesterday’s press conference and promises is the usual vague planning, murk, and just plain lack of details to what exactly is going to happen, and above all, a lack of knowledge on how to kickoff the process so that it actually goes through. It doesn’t give me a warm and fuzzy, and it shouldn’t for you, fellow Islander fans, either.

This is a huge gaffe by the Mangano camp and all involved. Here is your big day of PR, and already, within a few hours, a problem has already hit the mix and now leads the news.

I sat listening to yesterdays press conference with a heaping load of questions to their planning. One large one was mentioned by me on twitter yesterday:

“A big unmentioned player to all of this is “Nassau Interim Finance Authority” who must approve Nassau County deals and such”

“Democrats and NIFA are the roadblocks here IF either choose to throw themselves against the ire of sports fans”

On Mangano/Wang not getting approval from NIFA, a source says: “have to wait for the vote. And if it approves, you think NIFA would turn it down? Can you think of the anger they would get and the pressure the gov would feel?”

Well, I’m just not convinced here. Especially when some Democrats are already complaining about why are taxpayers having to float a bond when originally Charles Wang was offering to pay for the whole thing privately with the Lighthouse Project? It’s a question of course that is valid, but fails to note that the Town of Hempstead clearly killed that plan, and came up with their own tinier plan…to which Charles refused to compromise or even work out some sort of compromise process. So clearly, when both sides fail to meet, it is dead.

The problem is that the elections in November have a lot on the line, including an opponent to Kate Murray already using yesterdays press conference as a political point, calling the Coliseum deal a “poison pill”. The politicization of the Coliseum Referendum is a potential nightmare if it becomes a focal point to the power struggle between Long Island Democrats and Republicans. Democrats, who I might add, were onboard the Coliseum plans until Suozzi was toppled, and then faded into the woodwork. Democrats who once source said were told to stay away, as another source mentioned others were not invited, to yesterdays presser. Thus, Mangano’s group also now made it a Republican event between them and the ToH, as if purposely trying to exacerbate the issue into political drama.

Political drama will turn this process and Islander fans, who have sat being pulled along like a yo-yo to all sorts of antics, inside out. It isn’t fair, and there seems to be a lack of forethought, tact, and finesse by all parties when it counts most…. as we saw last time between Charles and the Lighthouse Project versus the ToH back two years ago.

A source on the Republican side of the aisle thinks that if referendum passes, NIFA will be unwilling to deepsix it due to jobs created. I still remain unconvinced when it is a Democrat Gov who really controls the NIFA group against a Republican run Long Island. To me, this is kids playing with matches in a room of TNT, with them assuring us, it’s ok. I’m not buying it.

Just as am not buying it is going to happen until all those involved get a clue and actually show some ability to finish what they started. I am still not even convinced that $350 million, that gets allocated to build a NEW venue, is enough in this day and age where labor and building materials are sky high in cost in one of the most expensive places to do business in the United States.

So, call me more than skeptical, concerned, and just plain unconvinced. I remain open to be swayed and hope it works out. But, anyone who thinks this is a done deal or a clear path is just plain fooling themselves.

For the Referendum itself, I think that vote will go YES. Fans, the Republican machine and unions will vote for it, and take advantage of what will be a minuscule vote turnout on August 1st. But that is not the issue. The referendum is useless if NIFA does not approve the bond.

If we look at Mangano’s track record so far as Exec, he has stated that he will balance the budget….and failed. He stated that he will win in a lawsuit against NIFA, and failed. He even said he was going to cut patronage positions…still waiting there. So I am not quite going to buy that this is a done deal by a longshot.

There is also another issue… how does a team that loses anywhere from $20 to 40 million annually expect to suddenly cut a profit and pay the County their share of that $350 million dollars???? Hey, I’m not just going to be the one guy asking this question. Others are already wondering the same.

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Sure it’s early, but it is concerning that the fans haven’t come out as much as they did as opposed to last year. There are several issues and the usual baggage that comes along for the ride as they do in every year for Islanders fans. However, I thought we could take a look at some things that might be affecting the ticket sales bottom line…

1. Chris Dey’s departure?

Sure he looked a bit like the geek version of Jeff Spicoli, or to me he was doppledanger to Ted in How I Met Your Mother. One thing he had going two summers ago when he ran the business was open houses to generate constant interest and communication to Joe and Jane fan. It was integral to keep in touch with the core fan, something they only do now on a selective basis by a bunch of guys who look like they just fell out of a bad sequel to the Boilerroom. With him and others, there was an openness and willing to invite fans, bloggers and others in. I’ve definitely noticed a difference post-Dey, and wouldn’t some open houses this past summer have created a bit more interest and excitement? It would have made bringing home the training camp a one-two punch to get fans back in the fold.

2. No real post-draft BUZZ.  

Last draft was a bit less on the WowMeter despite that most think the pick of Nino Niederreiter was a good move. Last draft had only very few dynamic forwards, and Nino was considered one of those. The Isles destroyed many a armchair draft QB assumption of defense or too many who read other bloggers for draft guidance. Obviously other teams drafts also agreed as players like Gormley and Fowler well past the Isles.

Isles consider El Nino a sure fire NHLer and that’s why they targeted him as their pick….however, there was not the same hype machine or anything else of the sort, thus no real ticket buzz.

Has the LHP turned into a flat can of Coke?

3. The Lighthouse still stands on the precipice.

 Not much to add here as the Lighthouse went dark almost a year ago as their “masterminds” got folded into the organization last spring. Reported here over 6 months ago by myself and Nick Giglia and then in the LI Herald more recently, Rechler and Wang have purportedly separated financials. It is a shame there has not been any mea culpa by the Isles or Wang on what really is going on.

Wang is now completely at the mercy of Mangano who is trying to tie it to a contentious issue of the casino. The ToH have not answered any request for “secret” or not so secret meetings. Fans know when they are hearing a broken record, and Wangs comments about staying to 2015 were reported by myself and Nick Giglia over a year and a half ago. Isles were never going anywhere before lease was up (remember when some tried to say they’d be packing buses?).

Problem is there is no resolution and fans know it. Hard to cheer for a team that has pulled fans into the battle and then essentially left them in a lurch. Leaves a bad taste and many haven’t bought into the mouthwash that doesn’t quite smell so minty this year.

Lighthouse Project is now a complete drag and many to blame for a complex almost asinine situation but tough now to rally around. There is no doubt that it has effected some of the morale of the fanbase.

4. Ignoring the economics and raising prices…

Think the higher tickets and parking prices have an effect? You bet. Isles now get a cut thanks to the rework of the lease, but as they raised prices, there might be a backfire here by turning off fans who know this team is not exactly worth the going prices.

5. The venue…

The food is not quite what it was two years ago as SMG tried some things. The hallways still choking with people to try to navigate. The facilities are a league wide embarassment that’s not getting better anytime soon. It is as cold there as it is when you mention BD or HockeyIndependent to the Isles media
“braintrust”.

6. The rebuild takes time.

Isles didn’t do a 3 year rebuild. You’d need a farm system and talent pool to do that. Thank Mke Milbury for leaving that a crap pile as he left. Instead it is a 5 year plan to build a talent pool with skill and potential. This initial step is now in place. Now comes the hard work….getting wins to get fans to come back. The team is scrappy, but between injuries and lacking of top flight skill, somewhere along the line, it will run out of air.

7. Not as many are on the DP bandwagon anymore.

He had the better stats in the short preseason, but it seems quite clear already who the better goalie is. Play the hot hand instead of the contract. Fans aren’t blind. The organizational decision to run DP as #1 seems more about business…but about a 15 year mistake. It might not equate into ticket sales as he has not looked anything like a #1.

Hey, with some more scrappy plays and solid wins, this might be a season where fans didn’t quite come out at first, but soon get onboard. You never do know. But here’s a tip to the Isles….if you really want to make the playoffs….Roloson needs to be your #1. You can see the difference. Let DP earn his return, not handed to him due to the owner having made a cardinal sin by signing the guy to a ridiculously long deal. Eat the mistake and let the true #1 be based on play.

On the LI Herald page is the face of Joe Pesci Alphonse D’Amato, the fierce specter that has been connected to the political frictions of the Lighthouse due to a falling out between he and Charles Wang years ago. Newsday, in their one fair and well-done piece, alluded that the falling out stemmed from Wang’s refusal to hire Al’s brother. D’Amato these days heads a powerful lobby group and is very active in the Republican party. His lobby group is one of Edward Mangano’s main donors post-win, meaning they are likely vying for political grease and influence now that Suozzi has been toppled.

So, one can wonder and muse as he finally has come out to criticize the Lighthouse Project, with a long-winded piece on how we all should consider a casino.

“In my opinion, in today’s economy, it makes a lot more sense than the previously proposed Lighthouse project. For six years, real estate developer Charles Wang, the majority owner of the New York Islanders, has been pressuring elected officials from the Town of Hempstead and Nassau County to authorize this $3.7 billion project.”

Almost hilariously, he brings up the colleges next door…but not in concern for students or their primarily concerned parents, but brings up traffic…

“With Hofstra University and Nassau Community College in close proximity, traffic and safety are major concerns and must be addressed. It’s not enough to build more roads. A casino is not sustainable without mass transportation; the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Long Island Rail Road have to be involved.”

Most interesting is D’Amato’s allusion that Wang can’t get it paid for, even though it is universally known that Wang has investors behind him that are not beholden to the US Economic wreck…

“Six years ago our economy was in much better shape. It might have been possible to finance the project and fill 36 stories of office space. Now, regardless of the developer, it’s impossible.”

These are words that are from ToH agent’s mouths as well, and when facts of foreign money was brought up, there were sour looks and of disdain. At one hearing, it was commented on.

If Charles Wang could not do it, along with Scott Rechler, then they would not be waiting for the ToH plan come Memorial Day weekend. They wouldn’t be uber pissed by Mangano’s political moves, using Newsday as a cattle call for ideas to see if they float.

If the ToH, D’Amato and Nassau County Republicans are so convinced it can’t be paid for, then they should call him out on it by voting YES to begin with instead of this giant Kabuki show.

Don’t get me wrong, I can cite a laundry list of Wang, Lighthouse and Islanders missteps. But here in this, the Republicans nor D’Amato’s self-serving opinion piece, are just plain full of bologna.

We have seen the liquified divisive drivel that has come from Mondello, the LI Republican GOP party boss, about Wang and the Islanders firsthand this past summer. Spittle of venom landed on microphones at Kate Murray’s kick-off rally as he accused the small protest of Isles fans as being paid by Wang (untrue), and told them to: “blow it out their duffel bag”. Something he has still not apologized for.

The ghost of D’Amato’s tactics are far more insidious, concerning, and the fact his lobby group has taken a prime interest make one wonder on what D’Amato’s connection to the Shinnecock Nation and casino is besides just his high-faluting opinion on a LI local community paper. Al has huge connections to the gambling industry and has been actively fighting and lobbying issues for them for years.

Perhaps he stands to gain here in more ways than just being an oh-so-concerned citizen who just happens to use this to finally hit the project he was once fully behind…

until they left him behind.

Then all hell broke loose…a hell that LI fans are still waiting for the end of.

Meanwhile, Gary Bettman and the NHL keep repeating the same mantra of stall tactics, when it was the Lighthouse Project themselves who stopped paying FP Clark. It is the Lighthouse Project who would not return the Mangano group’s calls. It has been Wang who fibbed on-air during an Isles game saying he had no contact with the ToH, when in fact he did and there were back-channel meeting that went on in mid-October.

So, where will this endgame all go as everyone seems to have their own vested interest…yet nobody seems to really be putting the NY Islanders fan as #1. Not Charles Wang who had his LHP go dark with no word to the many fans they asked for help from. Not the ToH who cited traffic and is trying to come up with their own version to appease the many vested groups outside the area (Garden City). Certainly not one Edward Mangano who has not only suggested a casino, has even floated the idea of Long Island being it’s own state…

Because as we know….Long Islanders are filled with poltical doers and we would be so better off that way.

Just like they handled the Coliseum.

No thanks.

It is a volatile time for NY Islanders fans. We as fans have been asked a lot, and then left for dead by both the Town of Hempstead and the Lighthouse Project. The Town of Hempstead has a lot to answer for in the poor communication and handling of this large project and to working with developers at the start of this process. The Lighthouse Project has a lot to answer for in a “date of certainty” that both Nick Giglia and I both reported that could never be met almost a year ago. Then a self-implosion within, and then going dark, running seemingly adrift since that time.

As some seem to pull the melodramatic button in a moments notice, including the esteemed Chris Botta who had a great evenhanded piece  suddenly veered to this piece of panic & assumption , erroneously implying that he actually forecast something that other bloggers had already taken the lead on almost 12 hours before on Twitter and hours before in blog. Come on now. Time to read around a bit, don’t you think?

As I alluded on Twitter and as I pointed to long before that the Town of Hempstead is having a press conference this morning on what seems to be the next step (for them that is).

It is not a vote no. It is calling out Charles Wang for not paying the developer FP Clark, who stopped the environmental report. Now, we have bashed both the ToH and FP Clark over 6 months ago for failing to inform the Lighthouse Project of a payment discrepancy. However this is far different. After that, one would think the LHP, had they been serious about finishing this part of things would do their due diligence.

They did not, and there is no excuse.

In fact, it is made many, including, reportedly those around Scott Rechler’s group say that there is no long financing from the Lighthouse Project. That it is dead in the water, and has been since the lights went dark.

There is also the contradiction of meetings, meetings that did happen behind the scenes. That is reportedly where the schism lies. That Charles will not go below 10% reduction to something many people believe he can go far more to still be economically viable. The Town of Hempstead, reportedly, might want a 30-35% reduction of size.

Yet these two stubborn elements can not find a middleground? I would love to blame the Town of Hempstead here (and holy god there is so much to slam them for last year), but it is the Lighthouse who went dark and is doing the misinforming over the very fact they had meetings or even communication.

Very questionable actions that must have me scrutinize motives. 

Kate Murray spoke to NEWS 12 and NEWSDAY last week telegraphing this next move that will be announced. One of whom likely leaked to the Islanders causing the rush to put Charles Wang in front of the camera on Saturday in an attempt to save some face. Instead he dug a hole deeper.  

But it was the LI Herald that broke the news embargo yesterday with this report of what precisely they will announce today at 11am.  

Here is NEWS 12, also pushing forward with their piece. Notice the NEWS12 piece has precise talking points from the ToH, most interestingly.

This does not mean the lights go dark. This does not mean bloggers and fans run around like chickens without a head.

It means we now see where everyone stands.

It means that the Town of Hempstead is pushing forward with their version of the reduction of size and scope

This I do not agree with because it is likely the 30-35% (or more) reduction that they have been pushing. I feel if they really wanted to have things done with the project, they’d at least come to a 25%. For that, they are playing a hard line they better show some flexibility on IF Charles Wang and the Lighthouse Project swallow some hubris and start acting like a development group, and begins a negotiation process.

The problem is….I don’t think that will happen. I think that the Lighthouse Project have been waiting for an excuse to extricate themselves from this with as much saved face as possible. And the rest will be finger pointing by both sides and their advocates thereafter.

It is a sad state of affairs.

I will point to one place now that responsibility now lies. The new County Executive. This is where Mangano now MUST step in and find a common ground. We have heard empty words of Project support, including a ridiculous article on how Ed Mangano has Project supporters around him. A source cites: “Mangano really wants to get this moving”

Well, now it’s time Ed.

The County Executive must now step in…as long as the Lighthouse Project doesn’t further implode and use this as an escape hatch trying to blame the ToH…which is very possible here.  

The new SMG revised lease and the China training camp PR story might be just what Charles Wang wants to walk away with, removing himself trying to put blame on the town. Many have cited he has clearly backed away from the Lighthouse Project since the media blackout, using that to blanket it. If so, then there is a ton of blame here to go on them as well.

Mangano, if he is serious on getting things moving must step in and really tack both sides down. Press on the Lighthouse Project’s true commitment. Press on the Town of Hempstead to make sure they are flexible to some sort of negotiation.

Is this the end game, where everything washes away in anger and blame? All it does is leave Islanders fans high and dry.

Or is this where, when all goes bleak, some sense of responsibility, propriety, honesty and problem-solving step in to get these two sides together. ToH thinks that their plans has them heroes here. They are no heroes. They are an extremely flawed group who sees things through muddle small-town lenses. Lighthouse Project seems to keep playing the victim, which they are not. They have now made themselves the victim by being obstinate and in denial.

Lots to blame. Lots of emotion. Where are the solutions to this mess?

POST PRESS CONFERENCE NOTES:

Town of Hempstead is voting on retaining FP Clark to do a zoning review. There is a 150k cap on this cost.  The desire is to create a scaled down development of the area.

Kate Murray does not want NY Islanders to leave, and does not believe they will. Plans will include refurbished arena.

Newsday: If Wang doesn’t want to do it, they report it will be opened for other developers, who might be interested.

Wang called Kate Murray and was very “pleasant” on the phone about an hour before conference. Looks forward to seeing the plan.

Per Kate Murray, this plan will incorporate many of the things in Charles Wang’s vision

Source: Charles Wang still has not called new Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano. Mangano’s group has called him twice now.

Vote is tomorrow night on it.

Goosby cites that those things she and others have questioned at hearing are not in the report, as the LHP keeps repeating.

Source: If it was in the report, one would think they’d come in and show us the page, right?

She also cited that the Environmental Study is required by state law.

Yesterday, as I have been chasing down Lighthouse Project information that will be hitting the feeder sometime soon, I heard Howie Rose say that he’d be interviewing Charles Wang...about the Lighthouse.

Very timely, since there were rumblings that Lighthouse News was imminent, per sources.

“Ahh, Charlie is trying to head them off at the pass,” I thought to myself.

I was fascinated. This week was going to be a mess was a gut feeling in my pit. Charles Wang did not disappoint as he seem flustered, repetitive and even angry at Howie Rose for bringing it up.

Well, Charles, why else were you there?

All he did was reiterate points made back at October 3rd. Points thrown back at him from Town of Hempstead sources ever since.

The biggest fib that exited his mouth was the one I broke months ago as I found out about a morning meeting between Charles and Kate, and then subsequent meetings between both sides on lower channels to hash issues out. It has been denied by the Lighthouse Project who even put it in a press release before things got dark, and then parroted by the usual public advocates. 

It was even repeated again last night.

Charles to Howie: “There hasn’t been communication with Town, County or anyone else.”

Well…I guess it’s me versus them. Right?

In this morning’s Newsday:

“In response to Wang’s remarks, Town of Hempsteadspokesman Mike Deery said that Wang and the town supervisor, Kate Murray, met one-on-one together in late October, their staffs met once or twice around the same time, and that the parties have exchanged “correspondence” since then.”

Oh wait…really. So these kind of no meetings statements by Charles Wang and some others are NOT actually quite on the up and up?

You don’t say?

I’d look for more blogs and statements to rip on…but I’m tired of picking slop apart on the subject. Despite some personal and professional issues on how some operate or use people for their own ends, I am absolutely disgusted with the Lighthouse coverage specifically. Sorry if this bothers some people, but I am not a fawning reader. I can’t abide. This dude cannot abide.

There is just far too much abiding and not enough questioning. Too much acceptance and not enough discernment. Fans need to stop following and start thinking.

Per a source, this is not the first time there has been a contradiction. I was told that back when Charles Wang first got this public cry of complaint rolling back early last year, he had just met with Kate Murray in a one-on-one meeting. His statement back then was nobody was talking to him. Per that source, this is why the Town has been angry at Charles Wang, and nothing has changed since. This is why the words “bully” had been bandied around.

Well, that’s just your opinion man.

Indeed.

Another source has been telling me throughout the summer, and especially now, that Charles Wang no longer has the financing for this project. That this is all just a giant crazy bluster of saving face.

Just this weekend it was said again…

ToH source: “We believe Charles has no financing anymore for Project. We have heard this even from those connected to LHP”

Meanwhile, the Lighthouse Project, since going dark, had stopped paying FP Clark for their Environmental Review. Something they must have to go forward.

Don’t believe me. Let’s go to that same Newsday piece today…

“The ball’s in his court. They have an outstanding balance with the consultant, and there are unanswered questions that the Lighthouse group is aware of. Quite frankly, you can’t vote on a zoning until the environmentals are completed.”

So, is this all attempt for Charles to blame everyone else and now look for other places? If so, then the Nassau County Lighthouse Project is an abject failure…and not just by one side. There has been far too many missteps, contradictions, and just plain old chicanery here. I’ve had about my fill of it.

“I dropped off the money exactly as per… look, man, I’ve got certain information, all right? Certain things have come to light. And, you know, has it ever occurred to you, that, instead of, uh, you know, running around, uh, uh, blaming me, you know, given the nature of all this new shit, you know, I-I-I-I… this could be a-a-a-a lot more, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, complex, I mean, it’s not just, it might not be just such a simple… uh, you know? ”
- The Dude

 So we finally need to ask, why? Why all this silliness? Why the lies? Why the subterfuge?

One theory might be that the Islanders have made some sort of headway to be one of the main choices for Queens. This would be an amazing feat since over 29 entities are vying for the space at Willet’s Point. It would make Brooklyn rumors merely a feint, and the Nassau County dance just…as Nick Giglia once said aptly: A giant kabuki show.

Another is that Charles is serious about being just a tenant in Brooklyn in a place that would need to be retrofitting to fit hockey. I still find this very hard to believe unless he’s selling.

Meanwhile, with the SMG lease redone, perhaps this is what it was always about. Create a huge ruckus so that in the 11th hour, SMG who is fearful of losing a cash cow, might be able to work further with NY Islanders. After all, it was when all was bleak that Suozzi did this for them.

Who is to say. I am not sure we will ever know the truth of what is going on. To me that is the great crime here.

What needs to be understood here is that this is a situation that Charles himself put himself in. Going dark. Being reactive, not proactive. Stopping the environmental review. This is not actions of a man here for the long haul. They just maybe trying to make chaos so that they convince the NHL they need to move elsewhere. What else would this chaos produce besides more chaos?

Someone keeps peeing on my rug, and I really don’t like it. And stay tuned folks, because this is far from over this week.

Interesting reaction from this weekend as Nick Giglia broke on his site: LetThereBeLight(house) about the developers lining new Nassau Executive, Edward Mangano’s coffers once he won the election. No,  there were other Brooklyn rumors just yet.

Instead, curiously, was a few tweets and a garbled article behind the Newsday’s pay-wall about how Mangano is surrounding himself with pro-Lighthouse supporters. .

Really?

Funny, because since it’s been pretty much known since a day after the election by ToH proponents and even the Lighthouse…after all, these people aren’t stupid…the meetings stopped. All went on hold. Instead it is a new war of attrition seemingly been going on between both sides all looking for leverage.

Recently also just found in Brooklyn?

While Chris Botta brings down the word of Wang from the mountain of 10% in what was a lot of interesting paint in his “Lighthouse Primer”, it is believed that the Town of Hempstead proponents have been looking for about 30-35% reduction.

So, since then has been a Brooklyn rumormill. Which would make sense, since in Queens there are over 29 projects all vying for inclusion…and years away. (The city has 29 parties interested in redeveloping 18-acres of southwest Willets Point in Queens, the Economic Development Corp. announced Friday.) That doesn’t bode well for Wang and company, and which is why there haven’t been many Queens rumors coming since.

So, with word of funny money, Mangano proponents were very quick to get Newsday flacks a piece about how pro-Lighthouse everyone is around him. But if this really was the case, would all be in limbo? If this was the case, would developers who have their eye on that land, making sure they some influence comes their way if and when Wang/ToH fail to come to any accord?

And what of the sentiment of the “sweet heart lease deal” that some in the ToH were bringing up once it became clear Suozzi is falling from grace? Will Mangano and all his Lighthouse supporters be letting that sentiment continue? There is a lot of bad blood between both sides with one another. Can the new Exec come in to solve this stalemate?

Fact is, nothing has been clear from Mangano since Nick’s interview with him back in early November. And even then, Mangano’s language was very careful. In fact, he even cited he like to appraise that land.

Well, that is an interesting notion that doesn’t quite speak volumes of pro-Lighthouse fun and excitement to me.

So, now that we are coming close to the new year, perhaps better words on the Lighthouse than finding out that developers are filling up wads of cash to his campaign or that he knows some Lighthouse supporters. Maybe it’s time to make a statement and being a proponent of getting things solved between two sides stuck would be a nice change.

Meanwhile, no response has been forthcoming from the Lighthouse Project over my piece last week that cited that they have stopped paying FP Clark. not surprising. The Lighthouse Project seems to be laying especially low…which means it is still about Nassau County and not Brooklyn as some would like you to believe. Let’s all remember that Kansas City was a hot rumor touted by many (including one who’s been pushing Brooklyn now that Queens is questionable), even clearly when it was just a lark.

There is not a doubt that Brooklyn will be a first stop IF and perhaps WHEN Nassau County falls through. But until then, I wouldn’t quite get on the LIRR just yet. I think there is more to this ride still. But as to what really might depend on the new Exec who takes change in 2010 IF he is inclined to do so by his “pro-Lighthouse” supporters or perhaps “dis-inclined” due to some influential supporters who would like a shot at the land.