RSS 2.0 FeedJuly 29, 2011, Weekly editorial
Vote yes Monday, August 1!
It is a most unusual time of the year and day of the week for a vote. But by now, everyone should know the county is seeking input on whether to borrow money to build a better coliseum and keep the Islanders hockey team on the island they were named for.
It seems most Republicans support their county executive on this plan, while many Democrats are opposed. The Nassau County Council of Chambers of Commerce is in favor but other business groups are not.
A more ambitious “Lighthouse Project” was shot down by the Town of Hempstead. The casino idea hasn’t floated yet either. Perhaps it is best to start slow given the current economic climate. Eventually, a successful coliseum and ballpark would attract other attractions. Mass transit would need to bring in many of the fans to avoid massive traffic snarls. That’s the way it is at Citi Field, Madison Square Garden, Yankee Stadium and the Prudential Center.
Much has been made of the fact that many details of the plan are missing. Comptroller George Maragos assures us he will veto any plan that takes away the county’s say in development surrounding the coliseum. Hopefully, that would be on the table before he moves up to higher office. Otherwise, the voters should exact the same promise from his successor.
We would like to ask opponents of the plan just what they propose instead? Do nothing? Lose the Islanders and the income they generate? You hear people saying, “I am not an Islanders fan, so it doesn’t affect me.” But we understand the revenue loss to the county if the Islanders leave would be substantial and that would indeed affect all of us.
Generally, in life we have found that the person who pays gets to call the shots. In this case, that should mean the taxpayers, as owners of the county, should get to decide how the new coliseum is used in the future. Let’s own our own stadium and decide our own future.
Please go to the trouble to vote, and please vote yes.
Voting hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at your usual polling place, unless you have received a card announcing a change from the Board of Elections, which can be reached at 571-2411.
