N.Y. ISLANDERS ~ Home Improvement?

The Referendum To Build The Islanders a New Home and Bring Baseball to Nassau County:

At 6:00am - Monday, August 1, 2011 - Residents of Nassau County, Long Island, can begin voting on a referendum to borrow up to $400 million dollars to fund construction of a new arena for the New York Islanders Hockey Club, and a secondary project to build a baseball park for an Atlantic League expansion team.


On the baseball team; it has already been announced the new team will be branded as Long Island. The expanding Atlantic League also has plans to have a team based in Texas and Virginia.   Originally slated to start play in 2012, the League announced the teams will not be ready on time, and therefore will still maintain the ROAD WARRIORS for scheduling purposes until the League's expansions plans are satisfied.


Strictly speaking as a sports fan, I hope the voters get it done and vote YES on the project.  I would gladly make my way to Nassau County for baseball games.  And as a Hockey fan, I would love to see the Islanders get a new home and stay in the area so as to continue the rivalry with the New York Rangers. 


But who am I to say how the people of Long Island should spend their own money.  Knowing they pay one of the most onerous tax rates in the country, I would empathize should they decline to not fund the project.  But I would say very simply, it would be a shame if the Islanders were faced with no other options but to move from Long Island.


We'll see how the vote goes and take it from there.







Mike.BTB