Lighthouse mailbag

Our next installment of the Lighthouse mailbag brings us a letter from Craig in Virginia:

(I repost these letters as they were written and with the approval of the author.)

I grew up in West Babylon and there was nothing more I liked better than catching an Islanders game at the arena. As a Long Islander it was a sense of pride, something we could call our own and not share with the huge city to our west that often dominates “New York Talk”. Although I no longer live on the Island I have been back several times to watch my beloved Islanders while I am staying in New York City (I am not staying near the arena as it is now). I am ashamed that we have to watch our team in such a downtrodden place. I now live just outside Washington DC and have been to many Capitals games and more recently Washington Nationals games and I can tell you first hand what an area centered around a sports arena does. The Verizon center as well as Nationals Stadium has revitalized areas that even criminals wouldn’t venture down. Businesses are popping up/stores are opening up, condos are being lived in around the arena/stadium and people are taking their families to spend the entire day because it’s more than just a game to watch. The Islanders are just as much apart of Long Island as the Hamptons, Montauk Point Lighthouse, etc. We need something special for the Islanders (as well as attracting many other events and shows to the Island and the Lighthouse Project is the way to go. Thank you for your time.

Craig, Virginia

No Craig, thank you for your time. Thank you for submitting this letter.

-Katrina

Today is Election Day, the most important day of the year

Make sure you visit your local polling places and vote for those candidates that represent what you want for your future on Long Island.

In Sunday’s Nassau County edition of Newsday, a break down of all the candidates made it clear what each candidate's platform is. Find out where they stand on the important issues facing our Island and click here before going to vote.

Remember, it's our Island.

-Katrina

Ellis Henican has great costume ideas

Every week when I settle in to read the Sunday Newsday, the first spot I hit isn't the sports section. It's Ellis Henican's "The Sunday Column."

As Saturday was Halloween (if anyone dressed up as a Lighthouse, email me and I will post your picture), Henican professed his love of the holiday. He also included this list:

"This Halloween I went as...

1. The Lighthouse project's sticky switch

2. The Islanders question mark of a home

3. Charles Wang's second thoughts

4. Kate Murray's dragging feet

5. Tom Suozzi's suburbs of the future."

(I would have linked to the story, but it could not be located or was not available on Newsday.com.)

How many of us would have dressed up as any of the above?

It's not dressing up that matters now -- voting does.

-Katrina

Newsday notes support from candidates

In Newsday today, reporter Thomas Maier covered the second debate for Nassau County Executive which was held last night at the News 12 studios in Woodbury. What drew my attention amongst all the rhetoric of the debate between incumbent Tom Suozzi (D), Nassau County Legislator Ed Mangano (R), and Steve Hansen (Conservative), was the last line of the article:

"Despite their difference, all three candidates support the proposed Lighthouse project in Uniondale."

Good to know.

-Katrina

The Ligthhouse Mailbag

I thought it would be nice to share some of the letters we get through our website. For our first installation of the Lighthouse Mailbag, we go to Eric from Los Angeles:

I grew up on Long Island but have lived in Los Angeles for the past sixteen years. My parents and many other relatives still live on the Island , and I frequent both Nassau and Suffolk Counties on a fairly regular basis. While I admit my initial interest in this project was generated by my ongoing support for the Islanders, a closer look has made me realize that The Lighthouse is important for so many reasons beyond hockey. Living in Los Angeles, I have witnessed the massive revitalization of a neighborhood brought on by the construction of a sports arena: The Staples Center and the adjacent LA Live center for arts, entertainment, residence. buildings in the surrounding area have been turned into offices, lofts and galleries, while entirely buildings have been constructed for housing. But perhaps most importantly, an entire sprawling city has rediscovered its center and embraced its identity. The Lighthouse can do the same thing for Nassau County and for Long Island as a whole. What makes The Lighthouse Project truly remarkable is that all of the ancillary development that was needed to transform downtown LA is built right into this project - there is no need to hope that others will begin transforming the surrounding area. The fact that a project this beneficial to the region also ensures the future of keeping a hockey team where they belong makes the approval of the Lighthouse absolutely crucial. The Islanders are as much a part of Long Island history, pride, and culture as anything else in the past 37 years -- probably more. Please make this project a reality for the future of the Islanders and the Island.

Sincerely,

Eric

Los Angeles, CA

Thanks for your support Eric!

-Katrina

Garden City News receives (and prints) slew of pro-Lighthouse letters

The vocal minority of Garden City residents who have made it their mission to speak out against the Lighthouse project have finally struck a nerve with the Lighthouse supporters who (I'm sure to the detractors shock and dismay) also call Garden City home.

A story which was printed in the Garden City News (which I am told is some type of Bible in this community) last week featured the story "Residents hungry for Lighthouse news." The story covered comments made about the project at the October 13the meeting of the Eastern Property Owners Association. Two of the Village's trustees from the EPOA "updated" the group's members on the project. Much of what was discussed at this meeting was misinformation. Garden City resident Art McCarthy (who has worked for and been affiliated with the New York Islanders for over 20 years), spoke up at the meeting in an attempt to shed light on and correct some of the statements that were made.

So, in this weeks issue of the Garden City News, residents wrote letters to the editor to let all of Garden City know that supporters can and will be heard too. Check them out here.

Also included is the following letter from Michael Picker, Lighthouse Development Group: President.

To the Editor:

In response to the October 16, story “Residents Hungry For Lighthouse News,” I would like to clarify and expound on some of the key points.

The Lighthouse Development Group (“LDG”) is pleased that the Eastern Property Owners Association (“EPOA”) has taken a great interest in the Lighthouse Project. It is very important that all Long Islanders understand our mixed-use development components, benefits and mitigation. To that end, the LDG has done an unprecedented 212 community presentations to interested parties/organizations including multiple meetings with the Garden City Chamber of Commerce, the Garden City-Mineola Rotary, two Garden City Mayors and various Trustees (inclusive of Mr. Dennis Donnelly).

A noticeable omission from the above list is the EPOA. The LDG reached out multiple times to Mr. Donnelly without response. Subsequent to those unanswered calls, we were contacted by a concerned Garden City resident and a member of the EPOA (Mr. Robert Orosz), with specific questions. Our organization happily answered the questions and again offered to present to the EPOA. Mr. Orosz subsequently responded that Mr. Donnelly was not interested in a presentation to the Association.

This letter is not to debate whether the LDG has appropriate answers to the concerns raised by certain vocal Garden City representatives but to point out that the Garden City community needs to make sure it understands the Project facts. It is ok for an individual or a group to have concerns about any development in their area but it is not ok if individuals disseminating information do not have the facts and already have their mind made up.

Newsday/News12/Siena Research recently conducted a poll of Long Islanders about the Lighthouse Project that clearly indicated overwhelming support. I believe that the general population base of Garden City also supports the Lighthouse Project that includes a transformed Coliseum, a lease extension for the New York Islanders, a place for new industry and an environment to entice corporations to headquarter on Long Island, maintenance free residential options, tourism opportunities to drive local business activity and generate sales tax dollars, and roadway improvements to an infrastructure that has generally remained untouched since its construction.

Finally, this newspaper has taken an editorial position in opposition to the Project but, unlike countless other media outlets, has not reached out to the Lighthouse organization for a presentation before presenting an opinion.

Thank you,

Michael J. Picker, President

Lighthouse Development Group

Also worth mentioning... Kristen McElroy, the Democratic candidate who is running for Town of Hempstead supervisor (If she wins, she would be ending over 100 years of Republican control of the Township) is a resident of Garden City, in the eastern portion of the village, which is represented by the EPOA.

-Katrina

Sen. Skelos supports Lighthouse project

On Saturday, Newsday ran a story that New York State Sentator Dean Skelos (R- Rockvlle Centre) is behind the Lighthouse Project.

Senator Skelos is one of New York State’s most powerful elected officials, and his support of the project further demonstrated the widespread support of the Lighthouse project as at every level of government, and across party lines.

As Election Day approaches, please let your elected officials and candidates at all levels know you support the Lighthouse project.

Here is the link to the story.

-Katrina