On August 1, 2011, Nassau County voters will have the opportunity to vote on a positive plan for saving the New York Islanders with a new arena, bringing a minor league baseball stadium to Nassau County, creating jobs and bolstering Nassau County’s economy generally. This is an easy choice to make, and I will be voting yes.
What could be bad about a modern new arena that will be a home for the Islanders till 2045 and a minor league ballpark (is it too much to hope that it will house a Mets farm team?) that will spur reasonable development of the entire Nassau hub and create a guaranteed steady revenue stream for hard-pressed Nassau taxpayers? Remember, the monies due to the county will be based entirely on revenue, regardless of profits. That makes the deal a perfect scenario for taxpayers.
There are those who say that we need more time to study the concept, and that we should wait still longer to make a decision. That’s an option that we simply do not have. We have dithered and dithered about the Coliseum for years, and we have run out of time. If this referendum fails, we will lose the Islanders. Wang has made that perfectly clear and certain.
The alternative to a Yes vote is a dark and empty Coliseum that will sooner or later have to be demolished at county taxpayer expense and will be replaced with who-knows-what.
Those who know me are aware that sports and my beloved Long Island are two tremendous passions of mine. So when something comes along that will both enhance our Island and promote sports, hey, that’s a natural for me. It should be a natural for anyone who loves Long Island. Please join me in voting Yes on August 1.
Mike Polansky
