Politics & Government

Nassau Notebook: Bond Referendum Goes Down, Yatauro Wants Taxpayers' Money Back

A weekly look-in at the news of Nassau County.

The following is a look back at some of the top stories in Nassau County over the past week:

Bond Referendum Voted Down; Mangano Seeking Private Funding

On Monday, Nassau County voters decided they didn't want their tax dollars going toward a new hockey arena to replace the aging Nassau Coliseum.

Find out what's happening in Malverne-Lynbrookwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

And less than 24 hours after the referendum — to allow the county to borrow $400 million for the arena and a minor league ballpark — was voted down, County Executive Ed Mangano was asking for privately financed proposals to be submitted by next Friday.

"No offer will be discouraged," Mangano said. "This is simply a call to bring them forward now, in whatever form that they are in."

Find out what's happening in Malverne-Lynbrookwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

New York Islanders owner Charles Wang has said that he wants to keep the team on Long Island, but doubts he will be able to beyond 2015 — when the team's lease expires — without a new arena.

Yatauro Criticizes Cost of Special Election

Nassau Minority Leader Diane Yatauro, D-Glen Cove, is calling on Mangano to return to taxpayers the $2 million it cost to hold the special election on the $400-million bond referendum.

Yatauro questioned why money was being spent on the vote in a time when Mangano is supposed to be cutting spending, given the county is under the watch of the Nassau Interim Finance Authority.

"Since Mr. Mangano disregarded our advice to hold this election in November, when county residents as well as elected officials would have greater access to specific details pertaining to any Hub development," Yatauro said. "He should reimburse the county for this wasteful use of taxpayer money."


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