Lighthouse Rally/Hearings: T-minus 24 hours... [updated]

Over the last 18 months, the principals have met with war veterans, sports fans, school boards, civic leaders and elected officials. They created at least four videos and a commercial, and developed several slogans, including "Build It Now."

And this time, the Lighthouse has garnered very public support from major figures...

>>Newsday's Eden Laikin

It's just about here: If Anchorman were running proceedings, he'd say tomorrow is "kind of a big deal."

Public hearings on the Lighthouse project proposal begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Adams Playhouse at Hofstra -- but before that, a rally for supporters at 8 a.m. outside Nassau Coliseum, emceed by Howie "radio simulcast" Rose and featuring Charles Wang and Der Kommissar, Gary Bettman. (Will fans treat it like the Stanley Cup finals and boo Bettman at a completely irrelevant moment just to get in dig number 3.5 million and one? Or will they think about the bigger picture, and not let their distaste for one man (or his puppetmasters) override the point of why they're there?)

• In a smooth move just before the big day, the Lighthouse Development Group reached an agreement with the Uniondale School District to fork over $4 million to mitigate possible enrollment increases that could stem from the development (It's quite debated how many new kids the project's housing would introduce). Newsday sources said the district "previously asked for $20 million," so if you're of the belief resignation that developments like this require payouts, score one for the Lighthouse negotiators. LHinks: More bits, news and resources for the big day after the jump -- including two updates that came right after I clicked "publish"...

• As usual, Nick at Let There be Light(house) has the most detailed thoughts and analysis on things heading into the big day. Today he asks about the invisible opponent we've been waiting to hear from: Where is the eloquent, reasoned (i.e., not straw-man resorting) opposition?
• Like Nick, 7th Woman Dee also tackles a curious Garden City angle.
• Updates [You hit "publish," check you reader, find two three more links. So it goes...]: Point Blank's primer, Doug with a Braveheart-level round of inspiration, and B.D.'s cigar-infused thoughts from vacation. Brian's point about using the collective power of Isles fans toward team matters, too, is not lost.
• Gary at View from Section 317 is geared up. And speaking of rallying cry, I liked the weekend comments here at Lighthouse Hockey about the importance of letting politicians know a project like this will bring you out to the polls and affect your vote. (i.e. Politicians don't read your letters, but they know how many and of what tone are coming in.)
• Finally, to bring this post full circle, you might say the non-stop Katrina of the LDG is "kind of busy." (Alright, also "kind of a big deal.") Kidding aside, her accessibility and ability to juggle 100 balls at once is a credit to the project as it navigates the evermore fractured channels of modern media. To that end, keep an eye on the official group's blog, The Light Post, for the latest and official news.
  

The public comment period does not end with tomorrow's hearings. You can enter your written comment into the record with the Town of Hempstead through this address: lighthousecomment@tohmail.org