Hello! My name is Smuckers: an adorable name for an adorable little lhasa mix like me! I, like many of the animals here at the SPCA of TC, had a rough start at life. I spent most of my 5 years in an outdoor pen in a house with too many animals to care for. Because of this, I am extremely shy and afraid of anything new. I have been making slow and steady progress in a foster home but will need extra special people to adopt me and help me gain confidence in this world. I have a long life ahead of me, and am hoping it will be much better than how I began it. Won't you help me become the happy, well loved dog I deserve to be?

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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The Legislature awarded the contract for reconstruction of the historic upstream Forest Home Bridge over Fall Creek in the Town of Ithaca Tuesday to Economy Paving Company, Inc., of Cortland, for its bid of over $1.7 million.  Estimated County cost is nearly $248,000, with contributions also from Cornell University and the Town of Ithaca as part of the federally funded project. 

The Legislature also approved a supplemental agreement for project construction inspection and support services with Erdman Anthony, of Rochester at a cost of $165,000 beyond the amount already allocated for design.  Legislators also approved an $85,000 budget transfer from the Highway fund balance to the project’s capital account, to prepare for added project funds that could be needed, since construction and inspection costs came in slightly over what had been budgeted.

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Groton -- Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins & Cortland Counties (TCHFH) will host a Home Dedication Ceremony at 207 Barrows Street in Groton, NY on Saturday, September 21st at 3:00 PM.

The Wilcox Family was selected in April of this year, and has worked incredibly hard to complete their full 500 hours of 'sweat equity' in just 6 months! The family has contributed towards the construction of their home, as well as participating in homeownership education classes, volunteering time at Habitat events, and even preparing food for volunteers.

Fourth-grade teacher Jenny Emerson was honored with the Raymond C. Loehr Innovative Science Teaching Award at the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) Convocation for all staff members on September 3. Managed by the Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI), the award was presented by Loehr’s son Stephen Yale-Loehr and Ann Caren, IPEI board member and Awards Committee Chair.  Emerson, who teaches at Fall Creek Elementary School, was nominated for the award by Fall Creek Principal Mike Simons.

“She regularly collaborates with her grade-level teaching partners to coordinate instruction so that all students learn high-quality science that not only teaches important content but also incorporates experiential learning and meaningful activities,” he said. “Although she has been teaching for only four years, she has made a large impact on the education of our students, particularly in science.”

Responding to a New York State Comptrollers audit that accused the Lansing Fire District of overtaxing, Former Deputy Lansing Supervisor Connie Wilcox expressed support this week of the fire commissioners' fiscal plan.

"I want to commend you for the way you handle your finances and what you do as far as budgeting," she said at the Tuesday fire commission meeting.  "I think it was wrong for the Comptroller's office to beat you up.  If the County and some of the rest of the governments would take a lesson from you and pay for things as they get it instead of going into debt."

Ithaca, NY - United Way of Tompkins County’s (UWTC) Board of Directors recently approved a total of $953,241 in  funding requests to support local health and human services and programs.  Community Care Fund (CCF) Awards totaled $930,500 and Spring ’13 Hunger & Food Security Awards totaled $22,741. The recommendations were presented by Elaine Quaroni, UWTC Board Member and Chair of the Community Investment Committee.

The informed investment of community dollars is one of the most important task United Way volunteers and staff tackles. Using the UWTC online data manager, Community Investment volunteers have been able to more effectively analyze service capacity and needs data with greater depth and effectiveness. Elaine and her team have done an outstanding job on behalf of donors, consumers, and the entire community.

The SPCA of Tompkins County to announced that the ASPCA®, through the New York State Animal Population Control Program, awarded a $5,000 grant for spay/neuter surgical supplies.  Spay/neuter surgical supplies like a micro-hematocrit centrifuge, temperature pumps, forceps, clippers, blades and more are essential for a successful and ongoing spay neuter program to continue the SPCA’s work to diminish pet overpopulation.

Jim Bouderau, executive director,  says “The behind-the-scenes equipment needed to support our spay/neuter program is something that most folks don’t think about, but are obviously critical for our surgical program.  We are so grateful that the ASPCA recognizes this need and has been so generous to our shelter.”

Much has been made of the osprey couple that took up residence on a nesting platform on Salt Point in Lansing last April.  The pair hatched three chicks in June that today are about as big as their parents.  A sixth family member has a nest nearby.  She can't fly, but has been part of the ospreys' world since the first day the parents became interested in each other.  Biologist Candace Cornell has been on the scene observing the birds nearly every day.

"I was struck the first time I saw them," she says.  "I fell in love with them.  I stood here and took 500 to 600 pictures for hours and hours.  I started coming every day after that."

Hi there! My name is Fiona! I'm a beautiful 10 year old girl! I came to the SPCA of TC after my previous owners gave up on me after 5 years of being in their home as they were allergic to me. Isn't that so sad?! They reported that I am shy at first but then become an "expressive, loving companion." I've lived with dogs before but was apparently fearful of them. In other words, if you have a dog I'll get along fine with them but probably won't be their best friend. If you're looking for a beautiful, older girl then she may just be me!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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SMART TALK

Lansing United Methodist Church will be celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout the 2013–2014 program year. We’ll kick off our celebration with a dish-to-pass brunch and ice cream social next Sunday, August 25, in Fellowship Hall following worship. Please bring your favorite breakfast or lunch dish to share with everyone.

Ice cream and toppings will be provided.

	Before the end of this year the NYS Public Service Commission (PSC) will rule on whether or not the Cayuga Power Plant remains open.  Two weeks ago we looked at the repowering proposal and what led to it.  Last week we reported on the plant's reputation as a clean coal-powered facility.  This week we look at the plant's participation in the community and the likely result if it is closed.

Giving back to the community is something that many companies do quietly.  AES Cayuga gave generously to the Tompkins County community, but much of that stopped when the company went into bankruptcy.  Now operating under new ownership, the Cayuga plant needs to build to a point where they can be profitable before it can reinstate charitable contributions.  But with a New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) ruling on whether or not the coal-fired plant will remain open coming later this year, its fate is too early to predict.  If the plant closes it will have a multi-million dollar impact on the local community.  Last year  Lansing residents saw property tax rises significantly attributable to the plummeting taxable value of the plant.  The plant's giving program has also become collateral damage in the company's battle to resurrect itself as a natural gas-fired facility.

"Up until 2010 we'd been giving $10,000 or more (per year)," says Upstate New York Power Producers CEO Jerry Goodenough.  "We sponsored some of the FIELD.  We did some work at the YMCA.  We sponsored some of the building at TC3."

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