Archive: News

In response to concerns raised by constituents about the latest Department of Health nursing home visitation guidelines, which require visitors to be tested for COVID-19, Senator Helming is urging the state to expand access to free COVID-19 testing.  Under current guidance from the New York State Department of Health, a visitor must now present a verified negative COVID-19 test result within the last seven days to be permitted to visit a family member in a state nursing home.  In a letter to the Governor and State Health Commissioner, Helming said since the state is mandating this testing requirement, they must expand access to free COVID-19 testing in the Finger Lakes region.

"Many people in my district, particularly those in more rural areas, do not have convenient access to free COVID-19 testing," said Senator Helming. "Many asymptomatic individuals who are able to get the test are paying a significant fee for it, in some cases, nearly $200 or more. Then, consider the fact that these individuals have to get and pay for the test multiple times if they want to see their family member in a nursing home again after the seven days," Helming added.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and State University of New York Chancellor Jim Malatras today announced that the individual saliva swab diagnostic test for COVID-19 developed by SUNY Upstate Medical University and Quadrant Biosciences has been granted emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. While this test has been used to date to support SUNY's widespread testing of students across campuses, the emergency use authorization will help additional labs begin to use this test, helping pinpoint and contain the virus and protect New Yorkers.

"From the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, it's been clear that testing is one of the most critical tools we have to slow the spread. The more you test, the more accurate a picture of the state's cases you have," Governor Cuomo said. "This is a perfect example of how New York's approach of partnering state institutions with the private sector is paying dividends and helping us fight the pandemic. I want to thank SUNY's talented team that produced this simple, quick and effective solution to conduct more testing, faster. We're glad to see it approved by the FDA and look forward to its use throughout New York and beyond."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced new regulations have been finalized to significantly reduce the use of hydrofluorocarbons in New York and help prevent these climate-altering gases from affecting the state's environment and public health. HFCs are a group of potent greenhouse gases found in an array of household and commercial refrigerant products like refrigerators, air conditioners and consumer aerosol products. The Department of Environmental Conservation regulations finalized today will adopt changes to the Significant New Alternatives Policy that the Trump Administration's U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is failing to implement.

"As New York continues taking bold actions to fight climate change, we have leaders in the federal government who ignore proven science, deny that climate change even exists and are gleefully rolling back efforts to protect our planet from harmful chemicals at every opportunity," Governor Cuomo said. "With these nation-leading actions, New York will help drive manufacturers to adopt better, cleaner products, and pioneer clean energy solutions that not only protect our health and our precious natural resources, but also grow our economy."

Law enforcement agencies throughout the state issued 3,262 tickets for impaired driving during the STOP-DWI 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' campaign, which ran from August 19 through September 7. During that time, officers also issued 116,292 tickets for other vehicle and traffic law violations, such as speeding and distracted driving.

"New York has zero tolerance for impaired driving and the results show reckless motorists will be caught and will be held accountable," Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said. "Our message is simple: drive sober or plan for a safe ride home. Impaired driving puts you and all those sharing the road at risk - it's just not worth it."

Five states—Arizona, Minnesota, Nevada, Rhode Island, and Wyoming—have been added to New York State's COVID-19 travel advisory. No areas have been removed. The advisory requires individuals who have traveled to New York from areas with significant community spread to quarantine for 14 days. The quarantine applies to any person arriving from an area with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average or an area with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

"For a clear example of the continuing extent of the COVID crisis in America, look no further than New York's travel advisory list. The virus' spread across the country—new cases have increased more than 15 percent in the last 10 days—makes it all the more urgent that we stay vigilant here at home," Governor Cuomo said. "That's why New Yorkers need to continue wearing masks, socially distancing and washing their hands in conjunction with the careful enforcement of local governments. We can defeat this virus by staying New York Tough, but we have a long way to go."

On the face of it the request seems simple.  The developer of Lansing Meadows has determined the market is more favorable to sales than rentals, so he is requesting two changes to his Planned Development Area (PDA) that will make it possible to subdivide the units in buildings that are already built.  Four of an eventual six triplexes in the Oakcrest Road development are well on their way to completion.  The buildings won't change, nor will the density, traffic impact, or, really anything except that the units will have separate water meters and owners rather than renters.

But nothing is simple with this development.  Changes to a PDA are made by Village Trustees, because a PDA is, in essence, a zoning ordinance that applies to a specific area.  Lansing Meadows is part of a PDA -- it was a condition of building the retail building that became BJ's Wholesale Club.  The 55 and older housing underwent many major changes before the final plan was agreed to by the Village Planning Board and the developer.  At least some of the Trustees have been vociferous in their opposition to any changes from here on out, and that could mean the 'changes on paper' may not be approved.

On September 1st, the Tompkins County Legislature unanimously approved changing the name of the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport to Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (ITH). The airport is a vital service within our community supporting our global community and local businesses by providing access to national and international destinations.

Recently, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law several bills to ease absentee voting and to make polls safer for in-person voting during the coronavirus pandemic. For clarity to voters on what options they will have for voting in the November 3rd General Election, the Tompkins County Board of Elections offers the following:

In-Person Voting: When citizens vote in person and cast their ballot, it is counted and locked in. There are two options for in-person voting:

• Early Voting is scheduled for 60 hours across 9 days from October 24 to November 1. Anyone registered to vote in Tompkins County can go to either of our two Early Voting sites, sign the electronic poll book, be issued a ballot, mark the ballot, and cast the ballot just like on Election Day.
• Election Day Voting on November 3. All Tompkins County polling places will be open between 6 AM to 9 PM. Voters must go to their assigned polling place during those hours. They will sign the electronic poll book, be issued a ballot, mark their ballot, and then cast the ballot.

Monday Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the $3.79 million sale of an 8.16-acre state-owned former New York State Department of Transportation maintenance facility located on the Cayuga Lake Inlet at 683 Third Street in Ithaca at a live onsite auction held by the New York State Office of General Services. The relocation of the DOT maintenance facility from the waterfront to a new, 15-acre location adjacent to the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport was initially announced by the Governor in May 2018 to improve agency operations while making this waterfront property available for development. The new owner, Peter Dugo, president of Arnot Realty Corporation, one of four registered bidders, plans to redevelop the property.

"This sale of a prime piece of waterfront real estate is an essential step in meeting our goals of providing development opportunities in the Southern Tier while modernizing the region's vital transportation infrastructure and building more efficiencies into state operations," Cuomo said. "Following our recent upgrade of the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport into a 21st-century facility, and the DOT's maintenance operation's move to a more viable location near the airport, the successful auctioning of the Ithaca property scores a hat-trick for the Southern Tier Soaring strategy to revitalize communities and expand the economy."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Monday that six states—California, Hawaii, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada and Ohio—have been removed from New York State's COVID-19 travel advisory. The Northern Mariana Islands have also been removed. Puerto Rico has been added. The number of new cases, percentage of tests that were positive and many other helpful data points are always available at forward.ny.gov.

"When other states and territories make progress fighting COVID-19, that's good for New York and while I am glad to see areas removed from the travel advisory list, it still remains far too long," Cuomo said. "Make no mistake: We must continue to be New York Tough and stay smart. Wearing masks, social distancing and hand washing is what tamed this beast in New York and we must keep it up."

Wednesday Tompkins County and the City of Ithaca announced a collaborative approach to public safety reform and reinvention. The collaboration will bring together County and City leadership and their respective public safety departments, including the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Ithaca Police Department. The County and City will be working with the Center for Policing Equity, a national organization that partners with police departments on data-driven interventions. The group also will engage other Tompkins County municipalities with public safety departments throughout the process.

All municipalities with police departments in New York State must adopt a plan for police reform and reinvention by April 1, 2021, per an executive order. Guidance shared with municipalities can be found on the Governor’s website. The guidance includes that municipalities must address policing functions, standards, and strategies; fostering community-oriented leadership, culture, and accountability; and recruiting and supporting excellent and diverse personnel.

Proclamation from the Tompkins Legislature Recognizes LatinX Heritage Month

A proclamation submitted by Legislator Henry Granison (D-Ithaca) was read acknowledging LatinX Heritage Month. Members of the Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County joined the Legislature to receive the acknowledgement. Patricia Fernandez de Castro, president of the association, stated, “It’s immensely satisfying for us to be recognized in this manner, and for Tompkins County to be a welcoming place for all of us.” Legislature Chairwoman Leslyn McBean-Clairborne thanked all members of the association and the LatinX community for their contributions to Tompkins County.