Second meeting, will you be at the last meeting?

[DOR 58 FIGURE 8]

Well, as the second meeting has now become history, I have to say, :applause: Joe Larsen, :applause: you gave yet another excellent speech. You did your homework and came up with a lot of good facts, for them to go back and talk about. :confused:
I have to say that I was VERY :disgusted disappointed in the turn out from the oval track drivers and crews, again. I really thought that this racing community was a close group. Everyone comes together for just certain things and I really thought you all would have come together for something for yourself, and fellow drivers. Well, I guess I was wrong. Maybe one cares about this new race track opening? Maybe once Riverhead does close for good that's when you will retire and hang up your fire suits and helmets for good? When that does happen, who will buy your investments? Maybe you want to be in the same position as all those drag racers who HAVE TO go out of state to race, or hope that an out of state guy wants to buy your car? Or are you just going to have a big, colorful flower pot sitting on your front lawn? Well, if you don't get up now and do something about it thats just what you'll be doing? Yea, Yea, Yea I know you want a race track to race at but you'll worry about it when you have to, or let someone do the work for you. Or are you thinking that one more person (you) won't make a difference? Well, your dead wrong.
It's just the fact that you all can sit behind a screen and say what you have to say but you can't go to these meetings and put what you have to say on paper, for the committee to read. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying there wasn't any oval track people there, but the way it seamed to look by what everyone was saying on here I really expected more then there were. What are you people afraid of the rain? Hey, I know you die hard racing people who sit out in the parking lot at Riverhead hoping the rain will let up so you can race.
Well, the next and last meeting to be heard is next Wednesday Nov. 30 :help: @ Bellport High School. And I personally know a few people that all they want to do is race and haven't been to any meetings yet. Maybe they might show up for the last one. Then to hear the reasons why some of you couldn't make it, I had to babysit or I had to work, not that theres anything wrong with that, but let me ask you something if you wrecked your race car and had to get it back together for next week, (for those of you who work on your cars) what would you do? I'll tell you, you would either get a babysitter or take the kids with you or you would have told your boss I have to go home, or lie and tell him/her you had a doctors appointment or something dumb like that. The same thing you could have done to get to at least one of these meetings.
This is just my option and I'm sorry if you don't like it, but racing is something my family and I really enjoy, Yes, even at Riverhead Raceway, and I hope Riverhead stay open for another 10 plus years!

[CIN]

Thanks for the update. Does anyone have Joe Larsen's speech?
I had told LIC4S that I wouldn't be able to make the meeting cause when we came home from PA Sunday night I was up the rest of the night with my daughter, who was really really sick.
It is a shame that more oval track guys don't show. I just hope that they are not staying home out of fear that they would have someone take it out on them at Riverhead next year. Cause that's known as a dictatorship. And this is the US and we're still pretty much free to say and do what we like.

I know after speaking with Tom Isles last Friday that they were supposed discuss design? What kind of feedback did they get?

Well I will be at Bellport next Wednesday. And I will get up and speak again.

Thanks Dor for attending

Cin

[hollywoodmic]

I apoligize for not making it, but I do have some comments to what you had to say Dorthea. What if you are the boss, and you couldn't get out of work??? What if you couldn't get a babysitter, should you just leave your kids??lol. As far as fixing a racecar, you can do that until 4am if you had to. You could get started at 9:00, when you get home from work.This is a scheduled meeting, it's not always easy to get there in the time alloted. With that said, I got stuck at work. I feel bad I didn't make it. I think a lot of the people on here myself included heard about the "QUOTES" in the other meeting rooms in regards to racing, and this facility and sometimes you feel like your speaking to a wall. I know every person makes a difference, if business allows I'll be at the next one. My only point is be a little more positive you may get a better result with the turn out. People have situations that are sometimes out of their control. It may not be the same situation that you have, or they may not have the same resources to deal with it, that you do. I doesn't mean that we don't want to keep racing on L.I alive after Riverhead is long gone, or that we are not a "close" group. I as a L.I'er I thank you and Cindy, and Joe Larsen for putting in the effort that some of us just don't have the time to put in. Thank You again.

Steve Halpin

[CIN]

Steve,
I too, felt really bad about not being able to make last night's meeting. But I had to play mom. I believe that what those who can not make the meetings can do to help the cause is possibly send a note to the County Executive and their Legislator. Explain that do to work, family or school that you couldn't make the public hearing, but would like your voice heard on the proposed site. If enough of us show up at the meetings and enough send letters then they should listen. Just a thought. And, thanks for supporting all of us.
Cindy

[LongIslandJam]

I too have that dilemma with work. I wish I didn't have to work as I would attend all the meetings, but then there would be no roof over my head nor food on my plate. I will write to whoever to help support this cause. Anything that may help Long Island Racing grow is to the best interest of everyone involved.

I know some of you guys got the addresses to write. I also assume as a Nassau County resident my support means something (at least I hope). I will try to word my letter in a way that people like myself help support the Suffolk County economy. Please repost the address and I will be sticky-ing this thread.

Thanks!

[CIN]

Address letters to:
Suffolk County Planning
PO BOX 6100
Hauppauge, NY 11788-0099

Include name, address, phone number and date. State that the county may contact you about your comments.

Include racing, but emphasize family entertainment, restaurants, arena etc.

And keep a copy of the letter for your records.

Cindy

[LongIslandJam]

Thank you Cindy! :D

One more question...

Where's third and final meeting at?

Thanks!

[CIN]

Here's the info for the third meeting:

Bellport High School
205 Beaver Dam Rd.
Brookhaven, NY 11719

Wednesday, November 30th 7-9pm

Directions: Sunrise HW to exit 56 S - Station Rd.
Follow Station Rd South over Montauk HW & over Railroad tracks.
Beaver Dam Rd should be your next left after you pass the RR.
(according to mapquest)
Make left on Beaver Dam Rd - follow to High School

Thanks JA for all your help with these postings.

Cindy

[Fat Albert]

I am with you, Dorothea! I was disappointed in the Oval racers turnout. Seemed like we had more support at the first meeting. Their were very few faces I recognized this week. Once again, Joe Larsen gave the best speech of the night. He's definately been doing his homework...THANKS JOE! I understand some people cannot make it, but those drag race guys sure show up in force. Good for them! I hope they get the new drag strip that they need and deserve. Steve, too bad you couldn't make it. I hope you make the next one. You should make up a little speech. I know you'd do great! One thing you can do is talk! No doubt about that. And I mean that only in the nicest way. LOL! See you next week?

[Rich Mergl]

It is an absolute insult what the oval racing community has done to TOP GUN.
They are trying to Build two oval tracks to accommodate the oval racing community and they have been given no support with the exception Joe Larsen,Cindy & Dor 58.
Everybody knows things happen and you cant make it, however when 600-700 people turn out at all three meetings from the DRAG RACING community and only a handful from the oval racing community, including fans as my self, something is wrong.
The Drag Racing folk turned out with engine builders, fabricators,drivers,crews,sponsors and fans pleading their concerns for lost
revenue,travel to other states, and costs of travel. THEY KNOW WHAT THEY HAD AND N O LONGER HAVE. (Racing on Long Island). The sad part about this is that, They support oval racing as well and we aren`t even at the meetings to support them.
Oval Drivers,Crews,Engine Builders, Fabricators,Sponsors and Fans. Get your FREEKIN HEADS OUT OF THE SAND. The end at Riverhead could be near. Give yourself an option. Do you want to travel ,pay tolls,spend lots of money on gas,maybe hotel accommodations ,or even end your life long dreams to be a racecar driver. Or do you want to have a state of the art Facility in YAPHANK as an option.
HUUUMMMM someone once said "IF YOU BUILD IT THEY WILL COME"
Drivers will support drivers, Go fast turn left, or pedal to the metal strait. The strait drivers are hungry to be back in SUFFOLK COUNTY as you will be if you lose Riverhead. At the meetings yell and scream for them as i do, in return they will yell and scream for you.MOTORHEADS are MOTORHEADS.

4TH and Final Meeting WED NOV 30th Bellport H.S. 7PM
(I`m counting windows on the lake)
RICHARD MERGL YAPHANK RESIDENT

[Tower Man]

My plan was to set the tone for the meeting at Suffolk CC. I got lucky, I was picked first and it seemed to work.

Those of you whom are close to me know, I love racing. I want to see Yaphank and Riverhead co-exist. When I first started racing we could race on Long Island three times a week. Now some divisions only race three times a month.

Next week it's at Bellport H.S.

I am prepared and plan to speak about the economic impact this facility will have on Suffolk County. I also plan to speak about tag along revenues which this project will generate.

Remember, this project is not just racing. It's concerts, restaurants, soccer fields, etc...just to name a few. Many of us racers have children who play sports, go to concerts and eat out regularly.

This will be tha place!

Thanks for all the kind words of encouragement. See you next week.

[LongIslandJam]

Yes, you guys got to remember, people who travel to Suffolk help keep your taxes lower by supporting businesses out there.

If there's no attractions, there's no reason for anyone else to go out there.

Top Gunse could be a great economic boom for the Suffolk area. Good for government as they get extra tax revenue, good for workers who need employment, good for racers who need a place for their passion, and good for families who need more family entertainment on the Island rather than off the Island.

It's a win win situation if it works out as planned. I encourage everyone to make it out there and give this a shot. When the details are finished, then we can discuss the particulars.

Remember, this may be your one chance at securing the future of LI Racing. Use it...

[Charlie's Angel]

I would like to clarify something that Rich Mergl stated. Only Joe, Cin, Dorothea and himself came to support this..not true. Just because others don't speak does not mean they weren't present. Charlie and I were at both meetings and plan to be at the next one as well. I may not have spoken in public but I certainly put my thoughts on paper and handed it in both times. Please just don't assume that we all aren't on the same page. I sat in front of Joe Larsen at the first meeting and behind him at the 2nd. We cheered and whistled in support of Joe's speech and yours Rich. Just as we applauded the woman from Islip Terrace who made many valid points.
I have prepared something to say at the next meeting if given the opportunity. I just didn't want to go up there unprepared and babbling. I can talk a lot but I'm just not very good at speaking in front of large crowds. So if I am given the opportunity and I don't chicken out, I will speak next Wednesday.

I agree I wish more oval track drivers,crews,sponsors etc. were present, but as a business owner and mother I understand. I'm thankful that we had the opportunity to make both meetings. We have a passion for this sport and want to see this project approved and come to life.
See you all Wed., and hopefully maybe more can make it this time.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving to all my Racing Community families.

[Tower Man]

Hey, Charlie's Angel, give me a kick next time. At these meetings I get so intuned to what is being said, that I don't pay attention to what's around me.

I understand what Rich is trying to say. It's about perception, which we all know, perceptions can be wrong.But when 30 drag people get up from ages 16 to 67, it makes a point.

Maybe Dennis from Oval Speed could talk about the impact this would have on his business. Or worse yet, the impact of a Riverhead closure and no Yaphank. (God forbid).

This is your backyard, speak up.

[Charlie's Angel]

I can kick you if want. :lol:
You know us on a different level. Your brother Bruce is married to Charlie's cousin Theresa. Not sure if you recognize us from that. At the first meeting I wore a Bobby Labonte jacket. It was too cold and rainy at the 2nd one so I wore my Charlie's Towing sweatshirt.

You are right about the amount of drag racers showing up. We sat with a friend who is there on behalf of the drag racers. And as for Dennis, I'm surprised he didn't show up. I would think this would help his business as well. Then again it would help all the engine builders,fabricators, etc.

I worked up a little speech. I will try to get up and have my say. As a taxpayer, homeowner, business owner, and a Mom. Not to mention as I said before I did put my words in writing and hand it in both times.

[art11758]

I will see you all there. It will naturally be upon me to introduce myself to you all as I'm sure few that post here actually know me. No one's fault, just making a point.

[Tower Man]

Ah yes...I remember seeing you. I'm used to seeing you at the track.

Like I said, I will be ready for the next meeting as well. I really want to see both tracks flourish. Then the parts guy will sell twice as many parts, the gas guy will double his sales and so on.

Revenues...that's what it's all about. Nobody will loose here.

[CIN]

Ah yes TowerMan, Revenue. Here is somthing I found on the net. Should open up some eyes: (Thanks for your idea to research revenue impacts, it was an eye opener)

Economic Impact Results Revealed - (this is an article regarding motorsports in North Carolina, from Insider Racing News Archieves 10-7-04 to 10-13-04)
"the impact of the motorsports industry on the North Carolina economy in 2003 was $5.1 billion....30th largest of 481 industries ranked by the state....generated 24,406 jobs...including 12,292 ...direct emloyment. .......Motorsports' direct impact on the state, or the sales and revenue generated by the organizations that comprise the motorsports industry, was $3,190,279,409. The motorsports' supplier chain, measured as indirect impact, contributed 1,104941,429."
That was just one article I found, there are alot more. We need to emphasize not only what this facility will do as far as entertainment, but also the revenue that it could bring to this county. How long before we are taxed out of living on Long Island. We need to come back with statistics this time, to show this committee that we are doing our research with regards to other parts of the country. It is very nice to be passionate about ones hobbies and families, but the money will speak.
Also: North Carolina: 2004 population est. 8,541,221
square miles: 53,821
Suffolk County: 2000 population est: 1,419,369
square miles: 911
Suffolk has more people per square mile that North Carolina.
Facts people. We have nagged the committee enough. We start to sound like nagging spouses. Well they want quality responses let's give it to them. We are all on the net. Research. And not only motorsports but what impact other entertainment venues have on local & state economies too.


CIN

Oh and I agree TowerMan, Riverhead & Yaphank can co-exist, I've been optimistic about that all along.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Mike Fields]

Joe, you better bring a flashlight, just in case. After 4 hours of use, my Viagra keychain light obviously had to go see it's doctor!

[DAN D.]

I looked up flashlight doctor in the yellow pages? and I do not see any there ? I do not even see Flashlight repairs? who is your Flashlight Doctor? I have one Flashlight and It has not worked since I got it ?every time i put the 2 batteries in (double AA) they seem to be loose in the the flashlight and make noise when I move the flashlight.? I just figured it out... the flashlight might use those new little blue triangle shaped batteries that viagra makes.. Mike do you have any spare ones?
I figured if mike was going to off topic I might as well go way off topic...
NOW back to the serious issue at hand, which I am glad there is a thread about. Is there a partition that is going around ? that can be signed? I would be glad to circulate it in nassau county as well .

[Tower Man]

Thanks Mike, it was tough to read my speech in the dark. Hey, people have turned out the lights on me before and I still got the job done. But Mike, a blue light?

Now I have to toss a question out there...

Jeff Bressler, a man who I have worked with at Riverhead and on radio has come out publicly on how this project will fail. Jeff, I always knew you to be positive. As a racing person, why wouldn't you come out and support this project?

Remember what I used to say, "If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem". Come on Jeff, call me. We can talk. maybe even enlighten each other. I am really surprised that a racing radio personality of your staure here on Long Island and an announcer at Riverhead would come across negatively.

I even saw Riverhead officials at ther last two meetings.

[DOR 58 FIGURE 8]

Hey Don't get me wrong, But like Fat Albert said, It seemed to be less oval racers last week then the then the week before. And I was disappointed with the turn out. All I was saying was that the drag racers (who DON'T have place to race) showed up in large numbers and we just didn't seem ever close to their numbers. I will be there again this Wednesday, (giving up my bowling night) and my son MIGHT be getting up to say a few words, ;) which might get even fewer after he gets up there.
So I hope to see more of you there at this last meeting.