One of the noblest traditions in sports is hockey’s handshake line after the Stanley Cup is decided. After a long season and an intense and grueling postseason, the two opponents put aside their sometimes acrimonious relations to embrace each other for bringing out the best in each other.
Everyone from the vanquished team then surrenders the ice to the victorious team, reluctantly yet gracefully.
So it is in that spirit, that as a member of the Floral Park Belmont Task Force I congratulate the NY Islanders for being able to receive the unanimous approval from the NY ESD Board of Directors.
The resident volunteer members fought the good fight with the support of their 16,000 neighbors, many making tremendous sacrifices and they left it all out on the ice. Surely the NY Islanders must admit that their project is a much better one because of the passionate involvement of the hosting communities.
So like the greatest generation who gave us the example of lifting and rebuilding eastern Europe, it is hoped that the hosting communities and the Islanders will put down their sticks and gloves and embrace each other in the goal of being the best of neighbors and friends rather than worst of bitter enemies.
If the Islanders and Rangers can live in the same neighborhood surely the hosting communities can too.
So as someone who proudly wore the captain’s jersey as Floral Park mayor for six seasons, let me be the first in line to start the handshake line for us all.
Thomas Tweedy
Floral Park
