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9:37 Kate Murray is addressing the massive crowd of supporters. "Goalie" Don Clavin is in attendance.
9:38 The Hearing begins.
9:39 The Lighthouse is of course not the only Public Hearing topic this morning. Most of it is parking-related topics throughout the Town of Hempstead.
9:40 Joe Ra, Attorney for the ToH stated that the Meeting would go until 5PM. If the Lighthouse Project Hearing goes anywhere close to the speed of the Public Hearings now. Then we hopefully we'll get through this pretty easy.
9:43 The Lighthouse is brought forth as the main topic of business.
9:44 Kate Murray just went over the main points of the DGEIS and what the speaking points will be during the procedeeings.
9:45 Remember that August 17th is the last date for the Public Comment period.
9:46 Charles Wang begins his presentation to thunderous applause.
9:49 Video presentation begins with the latest information for the Lighthouse Project.
9:51 The message is simply: "What if it doesn't get constructed?"
9:53 The video has included video from the Marriott meeting and the June 11, 2009 meeting in the Nassau County Executive Building. It is stirring speech after stirring speech from residents of Long Island.
9:56 Mr. Wang thanks those who support the Project a huge massing of groups.
9:57 Over 15,000 letters were sent to the Lighthouse Project in support and those have been turned over to the Town.
10:01 Make sure to check out my Twitter feed where most of the quotes I get will be. My Twitter
10:05 Charles Wang finishes his address to the audience.
10:05 Hofstra President begins his speech to the Board. The President believes that that Hofstra is intertwined with the region (including the proposed Lighthouse site) and that the Board will find a way to compromise and get the Lighthouse done.
"This proposal is crucial to the future of Long Island"
"The benefits to Long Island are enormous"
"This is the time, this is the place and these are the developers to make it happen"
10:08 "We must stop the exodus of the young, professional workforce members"
10:13 Stu Rabinowitz, Hofstra President, ends his speech with a flourish about how the Town Board will get this right.
Nassau County Executive, Tom Suozzi steps up to the podium with "I am an Islander". Gotta love it.
10:15 Tom Suozzi: "50% of Americans live in suburbia"
"There was a large group of people much like this in 1947 that wanted a new way of life: Levittown"
10:16 4 Issues with Nassau County
"Property taxes are too high"
"Only 8% of young people are in Nassau County (23-35)"
"Pockets of poverty in one of the most segregated place in America"
"The final issue is Traffic"
"The Lighthouse Project is the model for 'New Suburbia'"
10:21 "I know that working together, we can resolve the issues of this Project"
Tom Suozzi ends his speech.
10:22 Bishop Bill Murray from the Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre steps to the podium.
10:24 "We need a new home, a new vision" --Bishop Murphy
10:26 Comissioner Gary Bettman steps to the podium "I grew up on Long Island"
10:27 "It is clear there is probably no worse Major League facility in North America except for the Nassau Coliseum"
10:30 John Kaiman steps to the podium in place of John Durso (speaking on behalf of the Labor Unions) Kate Murray asks those in the Labor Unions to stand be recognized.
10:33 Jim Castellane steps to the podium and states that "We all represent Long Island"
10:45 Look for a Gary Bettman interview up on IslesBlogger.com
10:46 A Sierra Club representative, a volunteer who made the journey here, speaks mainly about the issue of Water and it's use at the development site. She makes several good points about heavy metals and how much the Project will effect the aquifers of upstate NY.
11:00 Keep following my Twitter feed
I'm going to sign off the blog for now.
I'll be back tonight with pictures from the Public Hearing.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Live Blog: August 4th, 2009 Lighthouse Public Hearing
Monday, August 3, 2009
Our Time has Come...
It's been a hard month and half for me blogging-wise to really come up with new content. I'm not really one to just re-hash the news or try to tread on others turf. Let's just say that I hit a creative impasse as far as things to write about.
Well, now I can safely say: "I'M BACK!"
There are so many things that I've been thinking about for weeks to share with you. The Lighthouse Project, the Rookie Scrimmage, as well as recent signings and moves within the organization.
Let me touch on a these subjects beginning with the most important one: The Lighthouse.
It has been a long time coming that we've finally found ourselves on the precipice of a decision. Many of my fellow bloggers have written hundreds of posts about the issue we face and I'd like to acknowledge their efforts. Please, I urge you to visit The Light Post: The Lighthouse Project's Official Blog written by Katrina Doell whose tireless efforts to not only inform the public through the blog and Twitter have been so vital to the education of people interested in the project. Let There be Light(house) by Nick Giglia has also contributed his own brand of eloquent writing and extremely detailed factual information that has lead to explicit understanding of the project and participation throughout our communities. Last but certainly not least, my fellow Blog Boxers, Dee Karl, who writes for both her site, Unique Perspectives of the 7th Woman and for HockeyBuzz, Mike Schuerlein of Islesblogger and several others who have been proponents of the project as long as I can remember as well as mentors to me and an amazing force within Islander Country.
The time has come for YOU, the people of Long Island and around the world, to contribute your voices and your opinions to the building of the Lighthouse Project. Above this post, you'll find banners dedicated to the Rally and March, the Public Hearing and How to Send Comments to the Town of Hempstead regarding the Lighthouse Project. Let your voices be heard as well as your presence felt. Your contribution is vital to the process.
As I stated back in March, right here and now is an unprecedented time in our lives. Back then, as now, history is unfolding right in front of our eyes. What makes this kind of history so special is that we can mold it how we choose. People like you and I have the opportunity to use our voices to move mountains and change policies.
Now, is our time.
Tomorrow, August 4th, 2009 is the most important day that we can show our support for the Lighthouse Project. At 8AM a rally will gather in the Nassau Coliseum Parking Lot 8 to show the world our unwavering endorsement of a project that will help be the catalyst for our well-being as community well into the 21st century. Howie Rose will emcee the event and will introduce special guest speakers who will include NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Lighthouse Project Principal and Islanders owner Charles Wang. Islanders Alumni, many local elected officials and current Islanders current Islanders Josh Bailey and Joel Rechlicz, will be on hand showing their support for the huge development project.
At 8:45AM, the "Just Build It!" march will begin towards the John Cranford Adams Playhouse on the Hofstra campus located across the street. The main hearing will begin at 9:30AM. So if you can't make it to the rally or the march, please try and show your support at the hearing as this will be our final chance to really give those charged with approval an idea of our passion towards the goal of getting a shovel in the ground.
I'm so excited to be a part of this momentous occasion. I've been waiting for this moment in history and can't imagine how this will change my future. If you haven't already, please read this post that I wrote back in February that showcases exactly how I felt then and as I still feel now. I can't begin to replicate the prose that I wrote in that post. It's a piece of writing that is very special to me and describes my passion and desire for this project to the best of my ability.
Isles Notes and Quotes
I have a bulk of material on last month's Rookie Scrimmage. I have plenty of pictures and insight to share and just simply didn't have the impetus to get it all on here. I promise you that you'll see it as soon as I can possibly get all the ideas out of my mind and on to the computer.
I'll also be including some insights into the recent RFA signings of Jack Hillen and Nate Thompson, the hiring of assistant coach Scott Allen, as well as the contract negotiations of Blake Comeau and Matt Martin. There have been plenty of rumors floating around the Isles as well but these need to be put on the back-burner for now.
It's gonna be hard to stay completely on hockey since the Lighthouse Project really deserves to dominate the news. Things are moving along but the work is not done. WE MUST STAY FOCUSED!. We must show up in force to prove to those in political power that the people desire a new economic engine on Long Island. Now is not the time to divert our attention elsewhere! This is the only issue that we as citizens of Long Island need to be concerned with. I hope to see you there tomorrow!
Cheers!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Islanders Sign Martin Biron!
The Isles sign former Islander-killer, Martin Biron From beating the ever-loving crap out of the Islanders on Buffalo and Philly to going with: "If you beat them that much, join them."
Here's a signing I definitely did not see coming. What this means is Rick DiPietro WILL NOT be ready for the season. It seems the Islanders will attempt to imitate the Bruins of 2008-09 by platooning their goalies. With 3 true NHL starters in the organization, it will certainly be an interesting season for former goalie and current Head Coach, Scott Gordon. How he manages the rotation and whether or not DiPietro should prove to be very telling over the next few months.
We've been hearing since the beginning of this year that "The Rick" would be ready to start skating in the first few weeks of next month. With the signing of Biron, that simply doesn't seem to be a possibility anymore. Could there be a major setback in his rehabilitation? It would seem so. Unfortunate. after so much postulating that Rick would be ready for training camp in Saskatoon.
ISLANDERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH MARTIN BIRON
Goalie Signs One-Year Contract
UNIONDALE, NY, July 22, 2009 – The New York Islanders today announced that they have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with goaltender, Martin Biron.
Biron appeared in 55 games with the Philadelphia Flyers last season, posting a 29-19-5 record and a 2.76 goals against average. The Lac St. Charles, QC native led the Flyers to the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, recording a 9-8 record and a 2.97 goals against average.
“Adding Marty gives us three bona-fide number one goalies,” said Garth Snow, General Manager, New York Islanders. “We learned about the importance of stability in our line-up from last year and he now allows us to have another quality starter.”
Biron has played a total of 433 games in the NHL and comes to the Islanders with a career record of 199-162-25-20-25 (W-L-T-OT-SO), a goals against average of 2.59 and a save percentage of .912. The 6’3, 180 pound net-minder began his career with the Buffalo Sabres where he played parts of seven seasons with both the Sabres and the team’s American Hockey League affiliate at the time, the Rochester Americans. He currently ranks second on Buffalo’s All-Time List in shutouts (18) and third in game played (300) and wins (134).
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Confirmed: NHL Grants fans the Matchup of the Season for the Home Opener
Personally, I can't remember the last time the Isles had their Season Opener the same night as their Home Opener. It seems like it's been a really long time since they weren't on the road to kick things off in October. Nevertheless, on Oct. 3, 2009 the matchup that will generate the most hype around the Islanders since the 2002 Playoff series against the Maple Leafs is officially confirmed: John Tavares v. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Bill Guerin and the rest of the 2009 Stanley Cup Champion Penguins. I really can't even think of a better contest to start the season. It's going to be insane with a packed house in the "Old Barn". I really can't wait for the season to start. How long do I have to wait again?
I can't imagine why the NHL would start JT's career against this guy. Do you?
Also, in more NHL related news, the Winter Classic was officially unveiled between the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers at Fenway Park on January 1st. That had to be the worst kept secret in all of pro sports. I think the NHL League Office needs to start taking some notes from Garth Snow about how to keep a lid on things.
Catch the rest of the New York Islanders 2009-10 Regular Season Schedule here.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tavares is Now Officially a New York Islander!
"Who's laughin' now, Burkie?"
Just got the Press Release from Isles PR. It's official. John Tavares is now officially a New York Islander!
2009 First Overall Pick Signs First Professional Contract
UNIONDALE, NY, July 15, 2009 – The New York Islanders announced today the signing of John Tavares to a three-year entry level contract. Tavares was selected by the Islanders first overall in the 2009 National Hockey League Draft.
Tavares, a native of Oakville, ON, played in 247 career Ontario Hockey League games over four seasons, compiling 215 goals and 218 assists for 433 points. His 215 tallies surpassed Peter Lee’s former OHL record of 214 goals, which Lee held for 33 years. In 2007, Tavares was named the Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year, after breaking the OHL record for goals in a season with 72, a milestone previously held by Wayne Gretzky. Tavares played in 38 career OHL playoff games, recording 20 goals and 36 assists for a total of 56 points.
“It’s an exciting time for the Islanders organization as we develop our young talent into a contender,” said Garth Snow, General Manager, New York Islanders. “John provides another important piece to help us achieve our ultimate goal of winning a Stanley Cup.”
Last season, the 19-year-old center, led the OHL in goals (58) and points (104). Tavares recorded 50 points (32 goals and 18 assists) in 24 games after he was traded to the London Knights about halfway through the 2008-09 season and tied for the league lead in power-play goals with 14. Tavares also finished ninth in OHL playoff scoring with 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points.
“I’m excited to officially become a part of the New York Islanders organization and begin my professional career this upcoming season,” said Tavares. “I look forward to joining the Islanders and be part of a team that’s ultimate goal is to bring the Stanley Cup back to Long Island.”
Tavares won back-to-back gold medals with Team Canada at the 2008 and 2009 World Junior Championships. He was named the 2009 tournament MVP and World Junior Top Forward. Tavares tallied eight goals and seven assists for 15 points at the 2009 Tournament to complete his all-time tournament scoring marks at 12 goals and eight assists for 20 points. His career World Junior goal total of 12, ties him with fellow Canadians Eric Lindros and Jeff Carter for most goals in a career at the World Junior Championships.
Tavares is the fourth number one overall pick selected by the Islanders. In 2000, the Islanders selected goaltender Rick DiPietro first overall. Denis Potvin was picked first overall at the 1973 NHL Entry Draft and in 1972 the Islanders selected forward Billy Harris.
I'll be back later tonight with my impressions on the Day 3 scrimmage. To go with that coverage I have quite a few pictures and an interview with a player I think you'll see on the Bridgeport roster in the fall: Victor Bartley.
