I can’t help but think of the void that will be left in Nassau County if the Islanders end up somewhere else.
The past few months of playoff hockey have been tremendous for Rangers fans like myself and hockey fans around the world. The thought of a deep Islanders playoff run, as distant a possibility as it may seem considering the past few seasons, is even more fleeting considering we may not even have a chance to witness it after 2015.
I voted “yes” last August to keep the Islanders on Long Island, and most importantly, in Nassau County. Since then, the issue seems to have disappeared faster than the Vancouver Canucks in the first round.
Thinking back to August, opponents argued that they didn’t want taxes to go up as a result of a new arena. My thought process, albeit given my limited economic insight, was: don’t taxes go up every year anyway? Why not pay for something tangible, something enjoyable?
The Mets may not have the best team in baseball, but they definitely have some of the greatest pulled pork sandwiches in the game. Do fans go to these pristine new arenas and stadiums to watch the game or enjoy a day out with family and friends?
The people of Nassau County deserve the opportunity for both – right here in Nassau County.
