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In a landmark announcement Tuesday Governors Andrew Cuomo (D, New York) and Rick Snyder (R, Michigan) announced that the Town and Village of Lansing will be relocated to a 65 square mile parcel west of the Michigan capital.  Residents and businesses will be given property equivalent to their property in Lansing, New York, and Snyder says that to attract the fast growing township the State of Michigan plans to dig a small lake to be called 'Cayuga II" so that Lansing's 14 miles of lakefront will be preserved.

"Since the sons of Thomas North moved from their home in New York to the great state of Michigan 1836 to lend the name of their birthplace to our Michigan State Capital, this state has wanted more of their kind here," Snyder said.  "These people's grit and determination in the face of daunting challenges they face in the State of New York has been an inspiration for us all.  We have big plans to build a new lake, a power plant and salt mine, infrastructure including free water and sewer for all residents, including agricultural residents in the north of the township, and provide an unlimited supply of natural gas to anyone who wants it.  We want our newest communities to feel at home."

	When April Fools Day falls on a Friday, it is only fair that we supply an article to celebrate it.  April Fools!

The reaction in Lansing, NY was one of surprise, and then elation.  Village of Lansing Mayor Donald Hartill, Lansing Town Supervisor Ed LaVigne, School Superintendent Chris Pettograsso and Fire Chief Scott Purcell said they had not been consulted in a deal that was kept hush-hush in Albany and the Michigan Lansing at a joint press conference Wednesday.  But they all said they were delighted with the opportunities the move will present both their municipalities.  While much of the Town and Village will be duplicated in Michigan, some improvements will be made.

"We can finally have a village that looks like a village," Hartill said.  "We have done everything we can to make Triphammer Road more village-like with sidewalks, crosswalks, and street lights that look like Darth Vader's helmet, but that's not the same as having a village square.  I have already talked to our Greenway committee about creating an entirely walkable village.  The greatest challenge for us will be moving the airport and the Shops At Ithaca Mall, which will probably need a new name once we get to Michigan."


Hartill noted that moving the Tompkins County Sheriff's Office and Health Department, both of which are located in the Village of Lansing, will mean a difficult commute for those employees, but he said that for the most part the move would be very beneficial to villagers.  He said he had been called by Borg Warner officials at the company's corporate headquarters in Auburn Hills, MI, who said they are delighted the Lansing plant will be moving so close to home.

Pettograsso said it would be a relief to leave the GEA and shortfalls in state foundation aid behind so she and her faculty and staff can focus on education.  She said new school buildings, a larger auditorium, pool and ball fields will give the district resources they have struggled to maintain in New York in the aftermath of years of plummeting value of their biggest property taxpayer, cuts in state aid, layoffs and rising taxes on homeowners.

"This move will be a big improvement for the people who matter the most in our community," she said.  "Our children.  Though I have to say, isn't it just typical -- that just when you've paid for a new septic system you end up moving?!"

Purcell added that new, wide straight roads with a hydrant at every corner would mean a huge improvement in the safety of every Lansing resident.

LaVigne said he also favors the move.  He said that getting out from under the mountain of unfunded mandates Albany imposes would allow him to cut town staff needed to fulfill the mandates, providing additional savings for taxpayers.

"Let's face it," he said.  "Michigan has lower taxes than New York.  That's good for all Lansing residents.  A leader leads, and this is what we do.  So I am already packing."

But not everyone welcomed the plan.  In a sampling of town and village residents, a Lansing Star poll has learned that 73% of residents are worried that the change of address will be the equivalent of an unfunded mandate, because they will be responsible for the expense of replacing business cards and envelopes and stationary with a new state and ZIP code.  Additionally the Ithaca Postmaster said that since the Ithaca Post Office is actually in Lansing on Warren Road, the Town would still be spit in terms of large chunks having the ZIP codes of neighboring communities.  Homeowners in the part of Lansing with an Ithaca ZIP code will share a ZIP code with Delta Charter Township.  Those who currently have a Groton ZIP code will share a ZIP code with Watertown Charter Township. 

Neighboring communities were quick to weigh in.  Dryden residents, no longer faced with gas pipelines to fuel Lansing businesses or a repowered Cayuga Plant, said they were thrilled.  Cayuga Heights Mayor Kathryn Supron said she would miss her sister Village, including mutual aid from the Lansing Fire Department.  She said the move would present some challenges for her village, such as the problem some villagers will have because the Cayuga Heights Road bridge will now lead from her village to nowhere.  But she went on to wish Lansingites well in their move.

Reaction in Albany was jubilant.  Cuomo said that he has struggled with the 'Lansing problem' for a long time, and that moving the community will be a win-win for both New York and Michigan.  He noted that as the fastest growing community in Tompkins County the Town and Village of Lansing is just the medicine Michigan needs to battle its slump in the face of its struggling auto manufacturing segment, adding that Lansing, which has been at odds with its neighboring communities on various power delivery issues, will probably not be missed.

"The Town of Lansing has been a thorn in my administration's side for more than three years," Cuomo said.  "I can't even use my telephone with all the calls about the Lansing power plant.  Power plant, power plant, power plant!  Enough with the power plant already!  And now they want more natural gas, more money for their little schools, and -- get this! -- transition money from the State if the power plant closes!  When Rick Snyder approached me with the idea of moving the whole township out of New York I jumped at the opportunity!  Finally I will be able to get a good night's sleep without the d--- phone ringing!"

Cuomo said that the empty Tompkins County land will remain vacant as a warning to other New York communities that challenge Albany policies.  He said that State roads 34 and 34B will continue to be maintained in what otherwise will be 60.7 square miles of blackened wasteland.

Snyder said that clearing of the land and construction of a 14 mile long finger-like lake that will duplicate the New york community's current 14 miles of lakefront property, as well as exact duplicates of Myers Park and Salt Point, will begin in mid summer.  Actual homes and other buildings will be airlifted to the new site in late 2018.

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