Legislative Redistricting Ceased
Hundreds of Nassau residents protested against a Republican-led plan to change legislative lines at the Nassau County Legislature Monday.
Several residents voiced a variation of the same objection, accusing the representatives of political gerrymandering and expediting a process which Democrats say previously took place over a two-year period.
A few days later, a Nassau judge ruled that the legislature cannot vote the plan into law for this year’s election.
Nassau Legislative Majority Leader Peter Schmitt, R-Massapequa, added, "we’re reviewing the judge’s decision."
A Potential New Home for the Islanders
County Executive Ed Mangano and Islanders owner Charles Wang, together with Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray unveiled a plan that would keep the New York Islanders pro hockey team in Nassau after their lease expires in 2015.
The proposal, which includes a sports entertainment complex adjacent to the existing Coliseum, would only move forward if county residents approve $400 million in bonds. That vote takes place on Aug. 1.
Though Mangano said the Islanders would pay the county back through revenue earned at the new coliseum, NIFA, the state oversight board charged with reviewing the county's finances, is currently evaluating the deal.
Parking Tickets Eligible for Amnesty Program
County Executive Ed Mangano announced that the Nassau County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency (TPVA) will be holding an amnesty program for all parking tickets issued prior to Jan. 1, 2010. The amnesty program will begin on May 16, 2011 and continue through June 30, 2011.
During the amnesty period fees and late charges will be waived. Full value will be restored once amnesty program has concluded. All payments must be received by July 1, 2011 in order to be considered part of the amnesty settlement. Any payment received after July 1, 2011, will be credited towards the full remaining balance. Full remaining balance means that penalties and other fees will be restored to its full original balance prior to the amnesty program.
All vehicles that have three or more unresolved parking violations or unresolved Red Light Camera Notices of Liability, also known as scofflaws, will be subject to Nassau County’s Boot and Tow Program. As part of the County’s Boot and Tow Program, violating vehicles will be immobilized, removed from the scene and stored. The recovering party will be liable for these expenses. The vehicle will not be released until all fines, surcharges and additional fees are paid in full.
Residents can search for and pay unpaid parking tickets that qualify for the County’s Amnesty Program by visiting the following website: http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/amnesty. For additional information, residents can contact our Nassau County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency via email at TPVA.Amnesty@nassaucountyny.gov or by phone at 516-572-0954.
Proper, entertainment oriented development of the site is pivotal the future of Long Island. That development includes the Islanders. Minor league sports can supplement the "major" draw, but a resident pro teams has to exist here. How come no one is talking about basketball? Perhaps not a pro team- Final Fours, College hoops...make it pretty and easy to get to (tram from LIRR) and they will come....
There are three LIRR stations (Hempstead, Carle Place & Westbury) within 3 miles or less from the Coliseum. They need a shuttle bus, not a tram.
There is an existing field/small stadium in the Mitchell Athletic Complex. It was used for soccer (Rough Riders) but they now play in South Huntington. The Lizards LAX used to play there, but now play at Hofstra stadium. Hofstra stadium which doesn’t have a Hofstra football team, could also be a venue for any soccer tem, or other sports in the area. http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Parks/Images/BUSH0004_000.JPG http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Mitchel+Athletic+Complex&sll=40.777774,-73.873189&sspn=0.029248,0.052614&ie=UTF8&ll=40.722814,-73.595466&spn=0.014636,0.026307&z=15&iwloc=A#http%3A//maps.go
Nassau should build a tram from Westbury or Hempstead. Going to the facility should be simple, environmentally friendly, fun. No bus, no cab- just a transfer (and $7 fee) from the LIRR. You never have to sit,walk or wait in the cold. Heck, today you can get to MSG or even Newark's "the Rock" easier from Nassau!. Along with a decent convention center (workers can train it to work) you've got straight-forward return on the investment. Nassau owns and profits from the tram and Convention Center. Mr. Wang builds the Arena and ballpark.
You stated very correctly: "5 million people because there is an International Airport at one end and public transportation to NYC at the other end" Precisely why its needed. A tram connects LI Entertainment Complex to both! Point #2 Now you have access to supplanted L I ers now living in NYC. Workers on way home from NYC, college kids, HS students...currently, driving to the coliseum is perceived as far vs. just hoping a train. Point #3 Pack more folks in without pesky traffic. Get them out without. DWI laws being what they are, know plenty of folks who would opt to train it. Make a day of it. .
Futuristic Jetson flying cars will not generate enough interest for people to leave NYC, to come to the Nassau Coliseum.
When you think big- big things happen. 1.3 million people live in Nassau. 2.2 in Queens. Nassau is closer for most if the means are available. The antiquated automotive driven suburban layout is what's destroying the same suburbia it sought to create.
The only problem I see is that out of the 8 million potential customers, only 20,000 maybe Islander fans, and those are the only ones that would bother to make a trip to the new Coliseum or buy tickets for that matter. the only draws that would reach over 50,000 would be concerts, again, note the disparity between potential market and actual customers.
Yes, there is alot that can be done, but you can do it without the Islanders. Islander playoff history: 2007 -- lost to Buffalo, 4-1, Eastern Conf. quarterfinals 2004 -- lost to Tampa Bay, 4-1, Eastern Conf. quarterfinals 2003 -- lost to Ottawa, 4-1, Eastern Conf. quarterfinals 2002 -- lost to Toronto, 4-3, Eastern Conf. quarterfinals 1994 -- lost to NY Rangers, 4-0, Eastern Conf. quarterfinals 1993 -- defeated Washington, 4-2, Patrick Division semifinals defeated Pittsburgh, 4-3, Patrick Division finals lost to Montreal, 4-1, Wales Conference finals 1990 -- lost to NY Rangers, 4-1, Patrick Division semifinals 1988 -- lost to New Jersey, 4-2, Patrick Division semifinals 1987 -- defeated Washington, 4-3, Patrick Division semifinals lost to Philadelphia, 4-3, Patrick Division finals 1986 -- lost to Washington, 3-0, Patrick Division semifinals 1985 -- defeated Washington, 3-2, Patrick Division semifinals lost to Philadelphia, 4-1, Patrick Division finals
My point is Hockey is not the only thing that happens at there and yes Nassua needs a place for other events to happen.
More disturbing than that, we're turning a blind eye on the discharge of raw sewage into East Rockaway Inlet and Reynolds Channel. Nassau won't ask for a $20 M bond to repair the plant, but Nassau finds it necessary to spend $2 million to vote on an ice rink in August? Words cannot describe the disparity of priority the representatives have to its constituency
Nassau is the 8th most affluent county in the USA. 1.3 million people live here. Build it and they will come. Understandably, many may will not be able to afford season tickets. Fine. Some couldn't care less about Hockey. Fine. Its about the Isles as a centerpiece to a larger program. Bringing prime to a rusty pump. Supply and demand, while harsh, ALWAYS works. Nassau should bond a convention center and tram from Hempstead. Then ask Mr. Wang politely to build the sports complex. The Jets play in a swamp in NJ.
http://www.tomsuozzi.com/news/archives/suozzi-supports-lighthouse-project-at-public-meeting/ http://www.tomsuozzi.com/pages/lighthouse/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_lHa1afapA Not sure what else you need. Kate Murray and the Town of Hempstead monopoly is what stopped the Lighthouse Project from becoming reality.
With 633 thousand people, half as many as Nassau, and an household income of less than half what we make here, and absolutely no access to people in surrounding Manitoba area- Winnipeg has an NHL team.
First, they HAD a hockey team. The Jets left in '96 (TO ARIZONA of all places) due to financial difficulties in Winnipeg. Second, what else do they have to do in Winnipeg? Drinking and ice fishing? Chasing a moose after a few Molsons? If they can't support a hockey team in a place where it is close to being a religious experience, I don't think you should be making a point of it. They got the team, because Atlanta had no place else to go and Winnipeg is foolish enough to think they can support it this time. Second time a hockey team left Atlanta! Arizona (also hurting) didn't move back to Winnipeg because Glendale, Arizona agreed to cover the NHL's $25 million in costs to operate the team for the 2011-12 season. BTW, the stadium in Winnipeg - it seats 1,500 less than the Nassau Coliseum does today.
Winnipeg couldn't support the old WHA Jets due to, as we see often, poor management. Teams have to win sometimes in order to draw fans. The old Jets never won, no one came to games, they left town. Which also happened with the Flames and now, the Thrashers (all-time record of 342-437-45-78). Location matters. Venue matters. So does decent ownership - unless your The Habs, Leafs, Rangers, Red Wings... they are always going to sell out due to the history and massive fan base... can bet the house the that this new NHL Winnipeg team (no nickname as of yet) will sell out. Also to my point: Glendale AZ, plunked down 25 million., with no "hard" returns, to keep team solvent. Why? Sure Winnipeg's arena seats 1500 less. Probably going to have fewer luxury boxes for the same reasons.
The Jets left town when the Canadian dollar slid to 62 cents U.S.
The Coliseum is NOT the oldest stadium currently in use by the NHL - MSG is. The current Garden opened in 1968, 4 years before the Nassau Coliseum. Canada has a dollar???
MSG, in my option, is a far better arena. Has been/is being updated all the time. Sure Canada has a dollar, believe Wayne Gretzky is on the face.
Yikes. I hope residents use better judgment than this before agreeing to subsidize a local billionaire with $400 million out of their own pockets. The example you give re politicians and taxes confirms that politicians are inaccurate at best, and liars at worst. So you want me and my fellow residents to pay $400 million more on some politician's say so? This is a fleecing of the highest order just waiting to happen. Why don't you just admit the truth - you are a hockey fanboy and you think a new arena would be so much fun - you just need every Nassau resident to pony up $400 million.