Nassau County Exec Edward Mangano “made his pitch to the Nassau Legislature Tuesday for a new arena for the Islanders as critics and supporters got their first opportunity to weigh in on a plan to borrow" up to $400M for the project, according to Robert Brodsky of NEWSDAY. The GOP-controlled legislature will vote next week on "whether to put the borrowing issue to the voters." The referendum would seek voter approval for Nassau "to borrow up to $350 million to build a new arena for the Islanders and another $50 million for a minor-league baseball field." Mangano yesterday addressed the legislature after participating in a “boisterous rally on the steps of the County Executive and Legislative Office Building." Mangano told lawmakers that "without the bonding approval, the Islanders will leave Long Island and Nassau Coliseum will go dark." He said, "The status quo cannot be maintained. We are now at a crossroads.” Islanders Owner Charles Wang has indicated that he "will move the team in 2015, when his current lease expires, if a new arena isn't built." But Long Island Progressive Coalition Dir Lisa Tyson "criticized the borrowing plan as short on details about how a revenue-sharing arrangement between the teams and the county would work.” In addition, "several Democrats remain on the fence about the timing of the referendum vote -- on a Monday in August.” County Legislator Wayne Wink “offered an amendment that would push the vote to Election Day, Nov. 8.” But Islanders Senior VP Michael Picker indicated that the team "supports holding the vote on Aug 1" (NEWSDAY, 5/25).
