Archive: Around Town

Mark S. LewisBoard of Education to Vote on Construction Project Resolutions

At the December 14 board meeting, the Lansing Board of Education will act on two separate resolutions that, if approved, will place two propositions for renovation of the three schools and the bus garage and expansion of the high school on or about February 6, 2007. If approved, there will be significant activity during the ensuing six weeks to inform the Lansing voting public of the details of the propositions, the impact on the buildings and the educational programs, and the cost to the local taxpayers.

Every effort will be made to communicate with as wide a population as possible. Civic, church, and neighborhood groups, as well as other district organizations will be contacted in order to establish times when school officials, design team members, and community awareness group members can meet with them to present the proposals and answer questions and/or concerns.

ITHACA, NY — The Sciencenter will open its doors for free to everyone in the community on the first Sundays of December, January and February. Visitors will participate in new winter-themed presentations and hands-on activities during each Free Sunday. These Free Sundays are made possible with the generous support of Greek Peak Mountain Resort – “the Official Sponsor of Winter at the Sciencenter”.

On December 3, at 1 p.m., Kevin Morrin of Greek Peak will discuss the physics of downhill and cross-country skiing as visitors explore the “Science of Winter Sports.” At 2 p.m., the Roots & Shoots club of Cornell University will present a special activity on animal tracks in the snow. Kids will have the opportunity to make their own molds of animal tracks to take home. At 3 p.m., Todd Miner of Cornell Outdoor Education will share ways for families to safely explore the outdoors during winter.

Pet of the WeekHi my name is Cheddar!  I am a male orange tabby. I am a beautiful boy so, won’t you come and visit me at the SPCA.

Visit the SPCA Web Page



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Ithaca, NY— Olivia Restaurant, located in Ezra Cornell's historic Train Station in East Hill, has committed to using Zero Trans Fat Oil for all its fried foods. 

Olivia is known for having all natural, grass fed, local burgers and steak, but is also known for its herbed fries. "People are fanatic about our fries. And, of course, any burger fan knows, a burger is nothing without fries. So now, we have committed to using Unique Zero Trans Fat Oil for all fried foods. It's more expensive, but we won't raise our prices. It's well worth it, and you can taste the difference", says Rob Cohen, co-owner. Changing oil not only eliminates 3 grams of trans fat per tablespoon, but also reduces the saturated fat by 34%.

Last weekend the Ithaca Shooting Stars hosted a hockey tournament so big that it took two rinks to contain it.  24 teams came to Ithaca to compete at Cass Park and The RINK in Lansing.  Each team played a guaranteed three games including two in their division plus a playoff game, and the champions faced off at The RINK on Sunday.  "The girls have a great time, they love it," says Tompkins Girl's Hockey Association (TGHA) Vice President for Travel Cathy Long.  "The teams that come in stay locally.  Most of them are from out of town so it's a community event as well."

The U.S. Small Business Administration Syracuse District today recognized Alternatives Federal Credit Union, based in Ithaca, NY, for its lending to small businesses, as the Top Federal Credit Union Lender in the Southern Tier for 2006. Leading all credit unions across the Syracuse District’s 34-county service area, Alternatives distributed 13 SBA loans valued at $707,200 to small businesses in the nine-county Southern Tier region of New York State. Alternatives ranked 5th out of 33 lenders in the number of SBA loans made throughout the southern tier.

Bernard J. Paprocki, SBA’s Syracuse district director presented the award to Bill Myers, Alternatives CEO.

"Our advanced placement dilemma has come to a resolution," High School Principal Michelle Stone told the Board of Education (BOE) at their regular Thursday meeting.   "I don't know if it's a happy one or not.  We will be doing a retest.  It is not scheduled yet, but I am hoping it will happen after our December break so the students will have some time to prepare."

Sections of the AP Exams taken by students around the world, including a dozen Lansing students, were lost by the Educational Testing Service, which administers the tests for the College Board.  Stone has reported on her lack of progress with the College Board over the course of several months, so this resolution is a breakthrough of sorts.  "I'm sorry they were not able to locate the tests at the College Board, because that's the resolution I wanted," she said.

Lynn LeopoldI have known Lynn Leopold casually for years.  Knowing her socially, I was only vaguely aware of her considerable accomplishments.  I knew she was the Recycling Queen. 

She has long been an active green advocate, and not just talking about it, but doing something about it.  She and her husband Carl are among the most gracious people I know.  They take a genuine interest in the people they meet, and in the environment both globally and locally.  Between her recycling work, the Floating Classroom, her participation as Village of Lansing Trustee, and the many other things she does, she has arguably touched the lives of every resident of Tompkins County.  So it should come as no surprise that she is our December Star.  -- Editor


I am lucky to have Lynn Leopold as a good friend. She has been an inspiration for me and she has been the one who whetted my appetite to do the right thing when it comes to the environment. She educated me on the latest news/information on all the different aspects of the environment. She helped me put together a presentation that I take to all the local Tompkins County schools, local organizations and neighboring counties. She showed me how to make it interesting for all ages and fun too.


She has also showed me how to make paper from unwanted used colored paper and how to make felt out of old wool sweaters, rugs out of old rags or blue jeans, cards decorated with potato stamps, wrapping paper from paper bags, old business cards made into gift tags, using the ribbon from last year's gifts and many other items that she has showed me how to reuse, or give new life to - to be used for something else.

Lynn retired from the TC Solid Waste Division several years ago, but she still stays active in our events, either making paper or just willing to lend a helping hand. She is so active with all her other commitments like choir, birding, skiing, her public seat at the Village of Lansing, and many other Boards.

Lynn is one of the people that inspire me to continue on with teaching ways to sustain the life or rebuild the earth and to find new ways to cut back the waste being thrown into our landfills, and so much more. Thank you Lynn for letting me be a friend, a student, a partner and someone who admires and loves you."  -- Linnett Short, Tompkins County Solid Waste Division


Lynn is not only a Star in Lansing but also for Cayuga Lake.  She has been active in water quality and watershed protection for a number of years.  As a trustee for the Village of Lansing, Lynn is a representative to the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization (IO), a group comprised of municipalities across the watershed that works to protect the watershed. 

Her involvement in the IO's Education, Public Participation, and Outreach Committee has led to the production of the IO newsletter and the creation of the Floating Classroom on Cayuga Lake.  Thanks to Lynn's energy and coordination to work on curriculum and recruiting teachers, the Floating Classroom has been successful with close to one thousand students per year having an opportunity to learn about water quality issues first hand.  -- Darby Kiley, Cayuga Lake Watershed IO Project Manager and Town of Lansing Planner

Lynn Leopold has been active in Village of Lansing politics since she and her husband Carl moved to the Village in the mid 1970’s. They built a low impact new home on a large parcel of land between Route 34 and the Twin Glens Natural Area adjacent to the North Glen. Their water source is a cistern fed by a small spring near the old Ithaca Auburn railroad path that forms the eastern boundary of their property. Lynn and Carl walk the walk in terms of having as small an impact on the environment as they can. This is characteristic of her work with the Tompkins County Solid Waste Facility where she was one of the prime movers in getting the recycling program started that has been very successful.

In February of 1999, we were successful in persuading Lynn to serve on the Board of Trustees after Audrey Kahin resigned to be able attend to personal matters. Lynn serves as the Board’s liason with the Village Planning Board so has double duty in terms of meetings. As part of her interaction with the Planning Board she is the key person on the Village Lighting Committee that has to approve the lighting plan for any new projects within the Village to limit light pollution and trespass.

Storm water management has become an important part of Village responsibilities due to EPA mandates. Lynn has worked closely with Dave Putnam, our consultant engineer from T. G. Miller, in submitting the required annual documentation to DEC. She is also the Village representative on the intermunicipal group that is working to develop a common approach for the needed legislation for each municipal to satisfy these requirements. As the Village representative in the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization that sponsors the Floating Classroom on Cayuga Lake she is further contributing to the education of the public on the importance of preserving our great natural asset Cayuga Lake.

As a person, Lynn is an absolute delight to work with and as Mayor I would like to thank her and acknowledge her very strong contributions to the Village. Her touch even extends to maintaining the flower beds around the Village Office to make the Village of Lansing a more colorful and pleasant place to live and work. Thanks Lynn! -- Don Hartill, Mayor of the Village of Lansing

I worked many years with Lynn in various capacities in County government. She was always a pleasure to be around and she brought a contagious enthusiasm for protecting the world environment. Her wealth of knowledge regarding environmental issues enabled us all to achieve greater goals. -- Tom Richardson, Recycling Supervisor, Tompkins County Solid Waste Division


Lynn is one of the most conscientious and caring people I've ever known and worked with. Her appreciation for the environment is real and is incorporated as part of her life. -- Barb Eckstrom, Solid Waste Manager, Tompkins County Solid Waste Division

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"The fearful and dangerous facility suggested by the worst of the allegations made in February is not the reality that we found in the Gossett Center, reported New York State Inspector General Dineen Riviezzo at a press conference Monday.  "Overwhelming the residents told us that they felt safe and that they were being treated fairly.  Looking at over 40 alleged instances of physical and sexual abuses by the staff, in no instance did we find evidence to support criminal charges, nor is there evidence of systemic abuse."

Over the holiday weekend Red Jacket Pony Club offered pony rides at Moore's Tree Farm on Route 34 in Lansing, and Santa even made an appearance. 

Pet of the WeekHi my name is Milky Way! I am a neutered male orange tabby. I am very handsome and would like to come and live with you. So please come and visit me at the SPCA.

Visit the SPCA Web Page



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Mark S. LewisAt the December 14th board of education meeting, the school administration will present the 2006 statewide English/language arts and mathematics test results, given last January and March, respectively, for students in grades three through eight. The LCSD results will be compared to regional results as well as resource group outcomes. The latter group is a list of schools stratified on the basis of wealth, enrollment, and geographic size factors. These factors have been shown to impact significantly student achievement results. In addition, the following information will be presented: