Coliseum plan draws criticism
New York Islanders owner Charles Wang and Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, after bill was approved on May 31 to allow residents to vote on the future of the Nassau Coliseum area. Credit: Howard Schnapp
I am appalled at the audacity of Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and the county legislature for trying to spend as much as $2.2 million on a special election so they can once again fleece the taxpayers into voting for a $400-million bond to build a new Coliseum and minor-league ballpark ["Put it to a vote," News, June 1].
What happened to the idea of Islanders owner Charles Wang privately funding a downsized Lighthouse Project? Why is the county now paying and only getting a revenue-sharing contract?
The Nassau Interim Finance Authority should step in now and prevent this poorly run county government from burdening Nassau County with more debt, and having the resident taxpayers ultimately pay for it. Now is the time for Mangano to work with this oversight agency, or leave office.
Matthew Seinberg, Wantagh
All the millionaires and politicians expect the almost-broke taxpayers to foot the bill for a new sports arena in Nassau County. How about we have the millionaire owners, players and players unions foot the bill? Why do they expect to overburden the taxpayer again?
We all know anything any government agency or politician gets involved with, is going to cost the taxpayer. Nassau residents should vote no, and let those who can afford it pay for it. Let's have the taxpayers benefit from any new arena.
Bernie McGrath, Holbrook
Despite claims by Charles Wang and County Executive Edward Mangano, a new Coliseum will only incur unneeded debt for Nassau County. I don't see how it's possible for the county to recoup construction costs if the Islanders don't begin selling out games. However, this past season, the Islanders finished dead last in National Hockey League attendance. A new arena will not fix this.
Numbers 28 and 29 (of 30) were the Atlanta Thrashers and Phoenix Coyotes, respectively. Both teams played in relatively new arenas: the Thrashers' Philips Arena opened in 1999 and the Coyotes' Jobing.com Arena opened in 2003. The Thrashers just announced they will move to Winnipeg.
The fact is that any stadium the Islanders play in, regardless of age, will remain empty until the team becomes competitive again. Unless Wang can guarantee that the Islanders will be competitive in the near future, voters should reject the plan to borrow $400 million to build a new arena.
Joseph Niczky, Bethpage
The vast majority of Nassau County residents are so involved in their summer lives that turnout for the Aug. 1 vote will be low, with only the ardent supporters coming out en masse.
If Nassau officials truly wanted this to be a public referendum, they would put it on the November general election ballot as a proposition.
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