Another Batch of Nassau Coliseum Referendum Links...and Hockey!

The more I read about the Coliseum referendum proposal -- including the projections from the Long Island Center for Socio-Economic Policy report and the Camoin Associates report [PDF] -- the more I think it makes sense as the best, and last, feasible option. Granted, this is about a County and its voters choosing their direction, their self-identity from this summer forward (something they've had oh, about 30 years to mull over and get done as the lease marched toward its 2015 expiration).

But as far as sports venue deals go, this one sounds fair: The sports owner is required to share revenue. There is a $14 million "floor" -- i.e. minimum -- payment going from arena revenues to the County, a share that grows as Charles Wang's arena revenues grow. This isn't one of those "build the guy an arena and rent it to him for a dollar" deals. It's insane hyperbole for Jay Jacobs or the Daily News to act like it's a gift to a billionaire.

That's how it looks to me, anyway. I'm biased, but not exactly looking at it blind. Now, for some more Coliseum reading -- and even a little hockey reading, too:

First, The Hockey

• More on this later, but very interesting interview with agent Don Meehan, touching on Michael Peca and the business of negotiating with GMs.
• On that note, Ryan Callahan's contract negotiations looking tough.
• Summer assessment of the Atlantic Division from Dan Rosen.
• Pr*j*ct*ng: Is Travis Hamonic poised for a breakout?
• The top 25 centers in the NHL. Needs more Nielsen. Interesting that Duchene > Tavares, yet both are > than Stastny. Hmm.
• Dobber Nation on Islanders prospects (about 17 minutes into the podcast)
• Maybe Versus gets into the college coverage game?
• Funniest NHL commercials. NHL All-Stars for NBC - Funniest NHL Commercials - Photos - SI.com
• School of Block: Goalie Prospects Pulse Pt. 3
• Nominate Amazin' Avenue: most-valuable-bloggers " CBS New York

Now, the Issue of the Moment (Nassau Coliseum Referendum)

• Nassau adds track facility to Coliseum plan [Newsday]
• Listen to Wang's interview on WFAN.
• Pretty cool stuff: The finalists for fan-submitted videos: Vote for your favorite VOTE YES video
• Nick with a lot about the topics and coverage of the last day, including taking down Jacobs' arguments.
• Chris Botta also lets Jacobs really have it. Apparently Jacobs came off horribly.
• Prospect News of the New York Islanders: Nassau Democrats just lost the Jobs argument.
• SNY’S "ISLANDERS INTERACTIVE" The August 1 New Arena Referendum Edition [IPB]
• And Part II: MICHAEL PICKER, PART IIOur final interview before the Aug. 1 referendum ·
• Comparing the Coliseum bonds to a fixed mortgage. [DP's Knees fanpost]
  
• The silly Daily News editorial: Nassau County Exec Edward Mangano's $400 mil gift to billionaire Charles Wang is bad for taxpayers
• But: NY Islanders 7th Woman: Coliseum Lease Details Open to Public, Says NY Islanders Owner
• This topic sounds like a symptom of why we're in this mess: Judge blocks order halting new Nassau district lines
• Oh, and so does the expectation implied in this: Thanks for nothing: Andrew Cuomo takes 75k from Zuffa, omits MMA from NY budget proposal - MMAmania.com
• Dems continue to fight Coliseum | Compton's Cubicle
• and Islanders urge fans to contact Nassau County legislators for August 1, 2011 new arena vote
• FiOS1 on One: A Conversation With Charles Wang | Verizon FiOS1 News - Long Island
• Outsider's view, from James Mirtle: Islanders' future on Long Island goes to vote - The Globe and Mail
• And from Vancouver: Will the Islanders Get Their New Arena? - Orland Kurtenblog
• Finally, a call to action to the youth who care about hockey (and concerts, and) or just plain think about the direction of their home: Youth Of Nassau County, It's Time For You To Step Up, Save The Islanders And Part Of Your Financial Future " CBS New York

Useful Links

• Absentee ballot dates, regulations.
• Governer Cuomo's contact information
• Jay Jacobs Contact Information
• Jay Jacobs Twitter
• Mangano's Twitter
• Mangano Contact Page
• All Nassau Legislators
• Team Site: Contact Information for Letters to Editors of several local publications

Some of the listed contributors of this blog live on Long Island (three of us) or used to (one of us) or used to live in New York (one more). I'm the outsider. It's been painful and awkward to watch this process from afar. For me this is a beloved team and a reason I've made many friendships and gotten to know Long Island over the years, yet I carry the obvious awareness that the issue is much higher stakes for people born and/or still living in Nassau County. I don't like to mix politics and sports, but we're left with no choice on this matter.

So if you oppose the referendum, by all means speak up -- but be fair and sober about it, rather than trolling or bitter. Speak to the facts and the philosophy. Meanwhile, I don't have an actual say in how things turn out, but tomorrow I will lend my voice to many in trying to help supporters get the word out to non-Isles-fans eligible voters. Grass roots, by the way, is how politics works when it works. So best of luck to everyone, and live by your conscience.