Politicians won't let new coliseum happen

Newsday did a an excellent and thorough job outlining the four hurdles standing in the way of a new coliseum for the Islanders ["Ice storm," News, May 16]. But I believe that the only thing that really stands in the way of the new Nassau Coliseum is politicians.

We should remember two events in our recent New York sports history to influence this decision: the loss of the Brooklyn Dodgers and the loss of the New York Jets.

We lost both because there was not enough in either project for the politicians in charge at the respective times: Mayor Robert F. Wagner Jr. and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan). Therefore, they voted the proposals down.

So, all of Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano's adversaries will fight it just because Mangano proposed it. Because of the greed of a few, Flatbush deteriorated and the West Side Yards remain just that -- a railroad yard.

If we don't want Mitchel Field to turn into a wasteland, vote for the new coliseum on Aug. 1 and keep the Islanders -- as well as Lady Gaga and all the other top performers -- in Nassau County.

Don't be influenced by the self-seeking, greedy naysayer politicians or nonelected dictators.

Richard LePetri, Rockville Centre