Islanders - "Just Build It"

Updated 3:54 p.m. - Unfortunately, I could not really attend the hearing since I was cleaning and breaking down the rally event so, if you want information on the hearing CLICK HERE to go to the official Lighthouse Project live blog.

That was basically the theme today as well as on the back of many people. People who attended the early morning rally at the Coliseum received free "Just Build It" t-shirts (see picture to the right). A few hundred of supporters showed up and began "Just Build It," chants. Charles Wang and partner Scott Rechler spoke briefly, as well as Islanders broadcaster Howie Rose and Islander legend Bobby Nystrom. They all spoke mostly about the amount of jobs the project would create and how Long Island needs it, not just to keep the Islanders on Long Island but, to keep and bring in younger adults. The poor economic times was also brought up and how the project will put many Long Islanders to work during these difficult times. Howie Rose talked about how the Islanders desperately need a new state-of-the-art facility. He said, as a broadcaster he gets to visit just about all of the NHL's arenas. That how looking at them makes him realize how badly the Islanders really need a new building despite all the good times and experiences that took place at the aging Nassau Coliseum. My favorite quote of the day was delivered by Bobby Nystrom. “We cannot afford to lose the Islanders because they are a symbol of Long Island and a symbol of pride.” As a die hard Islanders fan, I cannot disagree with that statement. The rally really made everyone there feel optimistic that the project will soon be approved but, as Charles Wang said, “we’re not there yet. Don’t let up the pressure. We have to keep it going until we get that shovel in the ground,” we will have to show our continued support until the Lighthouse project see's the word “approved.”