Members of the Nassau Democratic Caucus joined outside of the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola Thursday afternoon and demanded that Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano reimburse residents for Monday's vote, which will cost taxpayers $2 million.
If Monday's referendum vote had passed, Islanders owner Charles Wang would have footed the $2 million bill himself, but as a result of its failure, the burden now falls on Nassau residents.
“Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano should reimburse county tax payers for the senseless and irresponsible waste of tax payer money,” said Leg. Diane Yatauro, D-Glen Cove, the Nassau Legislature’s Democratic Minority Leader.
Earlier this week, Mangano said he had "no regrets" about holding the vote.
A statement from County Spokesman Brian R. Nevin Thursday defended Mangano and his reasoning for holding the vote.
"Our nation is built upon democracy and the right to vote," Nevin said in the statement. "It is shameful that the Nassau County Democrats would dishonor those who fought to defend these rights by suggesting that a vote should not have occurred. ... County Executive Mangano let the people of Nassau County determine the future of the Nassau Coliseum."
Monday's county-wide referendum vote allowed for residents to approve Mangano's plan to borrow $400 million to construct a new Coliseum and a minor league baseball field. It was hoped that this plan, if approved, would retain the Islanders at the team's current location, as well as solicit interest from minor league baseball teams in a new stadium adjacent to the Coliseum.
"The county should have placed the Coliseum question on the November ballot when specific details might have been available and more residents could have voted at no additional expense," Leg. Judi Bosworth, D-Great Neck, said. "The Mangano administration needs to be held accountable for these funds and let us all know how he is going to reimburse our depleted county coffers.”
Most Democrats opposed the referendum vote due to a lack of specific information as to how the development plans would benefit the county. Many Democrats had also favored holding the referendum vote at the time of the Nov. 8 general elections to assure greater voter participation.
“Since Mr. Mangano totally disregarded our advice to hold this election in November when county residents as well as elected officials would have greater access to specific details pertaining to any HUB development, he should reimburse the county for this wasteful use of tax payer money,” Yatauro said.
Do you think a hockey genius like Lou Lamoriello would ever work under Wang and his inept gang? Since Wang took over the team, their record and their reputation and success has gone down the toilet in comparison to the NJ Devils. Wang knows nothing about hockey and has proven it along with his guy/pal Mike Milbury.
The NJ Devils deserved a new arena for what they have done for their fans and for NJ. Charles Wang deserves NOTHING. And dont compare the Islanders to the Rangers. The Rangers in MSG are the Yankees of NY hockey, despite being mediocre. Thats just the way it will always be for the Islanders and the Devils. But that doesnt excuse Wang from running his team into the ground...10 years of rebuilding. He should take some lessons from Jeffrey and Lou on how to run a successful NHL franchise.
I heard he couldnt deal with the Wang and his incompetent gang of associates.
Mangano should resign and Wang belongs in jail.
Its never the owners fault, its the fans fault for refusing to pay the exhobitant ticket, parking, and concessions prices. and now you want the taxpayers to reward Mr. Wang for a half ass job done.
Its not exactly an Islander fan hangout. Its more for families with kids. Where were all your Islander fans last Monday? Maybe thats telling Wang something.
Hey...O.J. and Casey Anthony were never convicted. Would you trust either of them?
As long as Wang sells the team, a new arena should be built somewhere for them, professional bull riding, Justin Bieber and Lindsay Lohan concerts, and monster truck meets.
Just some of the facts for you , not in evidence, but because of MY work with the other Pro Teams that Wang ruined or pushed away from the coliseum by raising the Rental fees game after game ,year after year,season after season -till the "In the red" flowed worse that the blood at a Clark Gillies fight or they never could afford to play there in the first place. NY Saints - NLL Lacrosse NY Majesty- Indoor Football NY Titans- NLL Lacrosse NY Renegades- Indoor Field Hockey Strong Island Generals- Basketball Google them and you will see that Mr "Barnum" Wang ... will show how empty the coliseum is by pushing away renters and making life diffucult for promoters like Tony Hawk and Vince Mcmahon , that he gets what he wants in the end.
Does that mean ALL Republicans approved it ? Or did their votes just get thrown out?
As upposed to Uniondale not wanting revitalization and only enjoying Rihanna, Jay-Z, Three Six Mafia and the Harlem Globetrotters? Grow Up , dude!!!!
mangano suozzi murray gulotta wang
But you forgot to mention some of the garbage politicians we have here in Long Beach. I won't do that. They might tow my car away. BTW..Mac thinks I have something against the WangMaster. Not really. He can screw anyone he wants at his computer and real estate businesses, as long as it's not the public. And for your info, Mac, I was a rabid Islanders fan from the start until the ownership/mangement shennanigans of the 90's , even before Wang and his brain dead. bad boy Milbury. Then I woke up and got tired of all their chicanery and looked to the West and found a great, promising, up and coming franchise to root for...the NJ Devils. And I've been hooked on them ever since.
So far the Coliseum and all the office buildings surrounding it have not really revitalized Uniondale, and neither will a new Coliseum. Just as the new CitiField did not revialize all the junkyards surrounding it or add any business in the Corona neighborhood...only more traffic. Same with the NEW Yankee Stadium, and the South Bronx.
Concerned Citizen I agree with your last comment 100% I am not important at all if any doesnt believe it ask my wife.
One exasperating team is enough for me at my age. And I dont dislike Wang. We are around the same age, both grew up in Queens Village, and we are both Queens College grads. He just has a few more bucks than I have. I wish him well....with the Islanders, using his money. I still like the Isles, but hope Wang sells them to the Steinbrenners and gives me a few dollars for old times sake. And Mac..You ARE very important here. I respect your opinions and look forward to battling with you. See you next yesr in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Hopefully this will be the year the Isles make the playoffs.
Chuckie Wang is my best buddy compared to Omar Minaya. Mac...Im sure your wife finds you very important at least two nights a week.