SKELOS' ENDORSEMENT IS
HUGE!
HUGE!
That Dean Skelos, Republican State Senator and Minority Leader, has endorsed the Lighthouse Project changes the whole ballgame.
Not only is he the first major Republican to endorse the Lighthouse, in doing so he has either ignored or issued a serious challenge to Joe Mondello and Al D'Amato.
Joe Mondello, Nassau and former State Republican Leader, has not won an election, outside the Town of Hempstead, since Tom Suozzi took office. That is why he was recently dump as Republican state party chairman. Skelos' endorsement most likely signals "The king is dead. Long live the king" in
the Nassau County Republican party!
We have always written that NOTHING happens in the Town of Hempstead or Nassau County without Joe Mondello being for it. Mondello has been nothing but a hindrance to the Lighthouse Project because he tells Kate Murray and her board what to do. Dean Skelos did not give his very strong support to the project after asking Mondello's permission. Mondello was and is opposed to the project. Skelos acted on his own and challenged the once powerful Mondello.
In the past, Joe Bruno was the Republican Majority leader in the State Senate for what seemed like an eternity. Bruno ran the State, no matter who was the Governor, and the State Assembly, as well, at least during in the years when the Republicans controlled the State Legislature. With the Democrats in control of the Assembly, Bruno and Sheldon Silver ran things as a team. Bruno cared little about New York City or Long Island. Evidence this by noting that when Silver killed the new stadium for the Jets (because of his own self-interests), Bruno said nothing.
Well Bruno is gone and Mondello is left with only the leadership of Nassau's Republicans and that leadership has just been challenged. Unlike Mondello and Murray, Skelos has to concern himself with more than the Town of Hempstead. (Mondello was supposed to represent all of Nassau's Republicans, but most of his efforts and influence centered around the Town of Hempstead.
Long Island's unions have told Murray they are ready to withdraw their endorsement and financial contributions if the Lighthouse is killed. They have obviously sent the same message to Skelos. Unlike Mondello/Murray Skelos can read the polls and has to concern himself with how Nassau County voters view the Lighthouse not just the opinions of those in Garden City and the Town of Hempstead.
Key in Skelos' statement is "I am confident that any remaining issues that can prevent this from happening CAN BE RESOLVED SO WE CAN MOVE FORWARD." Skelos is clearly telling Murray "Get this thing done!" We have continually said that the Town of Hempstead and Mondello feared no, one especially not the voters. The State Minority Leader is someone for the Town of Hempstead and, especially Kate Murray, to fear. This is even more so with Nassau's party boss, Mondello, in decline. Just how far does Kate Murray, who wants higher office, go if she crosses one of the most important Republicans in the State?
How about Senator Al? This development seems to say "Thanks for all you have done Al, but it is time for you to enjoy your kids and grand kids." Mondello and D'Amato have little or nothing to lose by blocking the Lighthouse. Oh, Mondello might lose control of Nassau's Republicans, but that could happen anyway. D'Amato will lose some prestige and he will NOT like that. But, he still runs a lobbying firm and how much does he gain by crossing Skelos?
By his move, Skelos has told both Mondello and D'Amato he is ready to do battle. Skelos has much to lose if he backs away now. If he does so, he then becomes part of the reason union workers and others remain out of work. He loses whatever political power he has or is trying to get by kowtowing to Mondello/D'Amato. He endangers the future election of Republicans to the New York State Legislature. It seems he will not and can not do that.
Look for Skelos to offer to mediate or designate someone to mediate the sticking points between Wang and the Town of Hempstead. It may be that the only thing that stops the Lighthouse from going forward is an unreasonable Charles Wang. Obviously, Murray, Skelos and other Republicans want some credit for getting this thing done and, most likely, have to show that they got some kind of compromise from Wang. Wang will have to turn everyone off, including his supporters, to kill this. We do not see that happening. Once Wang is close and knows he get a deal by giving a little, he will.
As we said, the Skelos endorsement is HUGE!
Not only is he the first major Republican to endorse the Lighthouse, in doing so he has either ignored or issued a serious challenge to Joe Mondello and Al D'Amato.
Joe Mondello, Nassau and former State Republican Leader, has not won an election, outside the Town of Hempstead, since Tom Suozzi took office. That is why he was recently dump as Republican state party chairman. Skelos' endorsement most likely signals "The king is dead. Long live the king" in
the Nassau County Republican party!
We have always written that NOTHING happens in the Town of Hempstead or Nassau County without Joe Mondello being for it. Mondello has been nothing but a hindrance to the Lighthouse Project because he tells Kate Murray and her board what to do. Dean Skelos did not give his very strong support to the project after asking Mondello's permission. Mondello was and is opposed to the project. Skelos acted on his own and challenged the once powerful Mondello.
In the past, Joe Bruno was the Republican Majority leader in the State Senate for what seemed like an eternity. Bruno ran the State, no matter who was the Governor, and the State Assembly, as well, at least during in the years when the Republicans controlled the State Legislature. With the Democrats in control of the Assembly, Bruno and Sheldon Silver ran things as a team. Bruno cared little about New York City or Long Island. Evidence this by noting that when Silver killed the new stadium for the Jets (because of his own self-interests), Bruno said nothing.
Well Bruno is gone and Mondello is left with only the leadership of Nassau's Republicans and that leadership has just been challenged. Unlike Mondello and Murray, Skelos has to concern himself with more than the Town of Hempstead. (Mondello was supposed to represent all of Nassau's Republicans, but most of his efforts and influence centered around the Town of Hempstead.
Long Island's unions have told Murray they are ready to withdraw their endorsement and financial contributions if the Lighthouse is killed. They have obviously sent the same message to Skelos. Unlike Mondello/Murray Skelos can read the polls and has to concern himself with how Nassau County voters view the Lighthouse not just the opinions of those in Garden City and the Town of Hempstead.
Key in Skelos' statement is "I am confident that any remaining issues that can prevent this from happening CAN BE RESOLVED SO WE CAN MOVE FORWARD." Skelos is clearly telling Murray "Get this thing done!" We have continually said that the Town of Hempstead and Mondello feared no, one especially not the voters. The State Minority Leader is someone for the Town of Hempstead and, especially Kate Murray, to fear. This is even more so with Nassau's party boss, Mondello, in decline. Just how far does Kate Murray, who wants higher office, go if she crosses one of the most important Republicans in the State?
How about Senator Al? This development seems to say "Thanks for all you have done Al, but it is time for you to enjoy your kids and grand kids." Mondello and D'Amato have little or nothing to lose by blocking the Lighthouse. Oh, Mondello might lose control of Nassau's Republicans, but that could happen anyway. D'Amato will lose some prestige and he will NOT like that. But, he still runs a lobbying firm and how much does he gain by crossing Skelos?
By his move, Skelos has told both Mondello and D'Amato he is ready to do battle. Skelos has much to lose if he backs away now. If he does so, he then becomes part of the reason union workers and others remain out of work. He loses whatever political power he has or is trying to get by kowtowing to Mondello/D'Amato. He endangers the future election of Republicans to the New York State Legislature. It seems he will not and can not do that.
Look for Skelos to offer to mediate or designate someone to mediate the sticking points between Wang and the Town of Hempstead. It may be that the only thing that stops the Lighthouse from going forward is an unreasonable Charles Wang. Obviously, Murray, Skelos and other Republicans want some credit for getting this thing done and, most likely, have to show that they got some kind of compromise from Wang. Wang will have to turn everyone off, including his supporters, to kill this. We do not see that happening. Once Wang is close and knows he get a deal by giving a little, he will.
As we said, the Skelos endorsement is HUGE!
EVERYONE WANTS THE ISLANDERS!
Forget Portland, Kansas City, Hamilton and the rest. Brooklyn, Queens and Suffolk want the Islanders. What are the chances that all three of these locations will fall through? Levy wants them in Suffolk, Bloomberg wants them in New York City, the NHL does not want them to relocate to another city, if at all possible. Any one of those sites will take years to get done, but none of those sites will take as long as the Town of Hempstead to give Wang the certainty he wants. Perhaps most important, Charles Wang does not want to be remembered as the man who cost Long Island the Islanders.
The Brooklyn/Queens/Suffolk destinies put enormous pressure on the Town of Hempstead. Murray and the board would fare far better if the Islanders moved out of the metropolitan area.
If the Isles wind up just 30 minutes from Uniondale, that means the tax revenue does not go to the Town of Hempstead or Portland Oregon, but it all stays close to but does not help the Town of Hempstead voter/taxpayer at all. Once the initial shock and sense of loss disappears, if the Isles move to a far off city, most people will forget. But if they are in Brooklyn or Queens or Suffolk, Republicans running for office in the Town of Hempstead and Nassau County will HAVE TO RUN AGAINST THE LOSS OF TAX REVENUE AND THE ISLANDERS FOREVER.
Like we said: THE SKELOS ENDORSEMENT IS HUGE!*
* WE remain Doctor Doom so we will only believe it when the shovel is in the ground, but, at least, now the Town of Hempstead and Kate Murray have a lot more to lose than just the Islanders.
The Brooklyn/Queens/Suffolk destinies put enormous pressure on the Town of Hempstead. Murray and the board would fare far better if the Islanders moved out of the metropolitan area.
If the Isles wind up just 30 minutes from Uniondale, that means the tax revenue does not go to the Town of Hempstead or Portland Oregon, but it all stays close to but does not help the Town of Hempstead voter/taxpayer at all. Once the initial shock and sense of loss disappears, if the Isles move to a far off city, most people will forget. But if they are in Brooklyn or Queens or Suffolk, Republicans running for office in the Town of Hempstead and Nassau County will HAVE TO RUN AGAINST THE LOSS OF TAX REVENUE AND THE ISLANDERS FOREVER.
Like we said: THE SKELOS ENDORSEMENT IS HUGE!*
* WE remain Doctor Doom so we will only believe it when the shovel is in the ground, but, at least, now the Town of Hempstead and Kate Murray have a lot more to lose than just the Islanders.
ONE BIT OF BAD NEWS
Islander fans may still be forced to demonstrate one final time even if things go well from here on. We have a surprise for you.
As reported in Newsday, Al D'Amato's wife is a member of the Town of Hempstead Zoning Appeals Board. Mrs. D'Amato has already had some problems about her working for the Town of Hempstead and have a lobbyist for a husband.
We will bet Garden City will appeal anything that is agreed on. If so, when their or any appeal goes before Mrs. Al and her board, Islander fans MUST BE THERE AND DEMAND THAT D'AMATO'S SPOUSE RECUSE HERSELF.
As reported in Newsday, Al D'Amato's wife is a member of the Town of Hempstead Zoning Appeals Board. Mrs. D'Amato has already had some problems about her working for the Town of Hempstead and have a lobbyist for a husband.
We will bet Garden City will appeal anything that is agreed on. If so, when their or any appeal goes before Mrs. Al and her board, Islander fans MUST BE THERE AND DEMAND THAT D'AMATO'S SPOUSE RECUSE HERSELF.
IMPORTANT
We must tell you that, we have been told by a good source at the Town of Hempstead that Skelos', a State Senator, view will have NO impact on Murray or Mondello.
Though this source is good, we stand by our piece and hope the opinion we gave turns out to be correct.
Though this source is good, we stand by our piece and hope the opinion we gave turns out to be correct.
2 comments:
Hey I know I am commenting on an old entry here, but I am interested on hearing your take on recent events- the results of the elections here on LI and whats been going on with the Isles. Time for an update! :)
fart feeney the blowhard.
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