Archive: News

In the wake of a Lansing teenager's recent tragic suicide, Beth Hogan Callister said she was moved to take action.   She led a meeting of concerned parents on September 10th, and admonished the Board of Education to drastically improve the school district's response to bullying at its September 13th meeting.  Callister said her daughter had been subjected to bullying in the Lansing schools since 4th grade, and the system of dealing with bullying is ineffective.  At the September 13 Board of Education Meeting she pleaded for well trained professionals to replace employees currently charged with dealing with bullying situations, saying that a 'new and effective approach to eliminate bullying' is needed.

"After hearing Anne Czymmek speak at the funeral I felt the need to do something," Callister said. "Sophie's words, when she heard the news about Will, were, 'It could have been me, Mom.'  I am hoping that the Lansing school district will step it up and address the bullying issue more effectively."

Lansing Town Supervisor Ed LaVigne gave a brief update on a controversy involving the Lansing Rod & Gun Club Wednesday.  The club had submitted and then withdrawn a plan to move shooting ranges to a different area on club property to comply with a United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) consent order to protect the environment and Salmon Creek from lead contamination.  LaVigne reported that after being invited to inspect the site that the club commenced clearing in late August, Code/Fire Enforcement Officer & Building Inspector Lynn Day issued a Stop Work Order.

"The stop order was put in place because the gun club allowed Lynn to go on their property and roll the area," LaVigne reported. "He has a roller which measures exactly how big this area is.  It was over one acre of disturbance, which triggered a stop order.  That means nothing happens until they come up with their Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).  My understanding is they're working on it now.  We'll move forward when they have their SWPPP and we'll see where that goes."

Washington, DC - Congressman Tom Reed announced Tuesday that he will cosponsor a bipartisan bill to provide dental care for veterans.

"We care about helping our veterans who fought to keep this country safe and want to ensure our vets are treated fairly," Reed said. "Currently, most veterans are not eligible for dental care in the same way they are eligible for other care from the Veterans Administration. This bill will ensure dental care is provided to our veterans in the same way they would receive healthcare for anything else from the VA."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that $5 million is available as part of the first rebate designed specifically for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations at workplaces, office buildings, multi-family apartment buildings, and public locations such as theaters, malls, parks and retail locations. The installation of charging stations for public use supports the Governor's ambitious clean energy goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030.

"New York continues to lead the nation in reducing our carbon footprint by aggressively investing in clean transportation methods," Cuomo said. "By expanding public access to electric vehicle charging stations, this program will make it more affordable for New Yorkers to make the switch to an environmentally friendly electric vehicle, resulting in a cleaner, greener New York for all."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Monday nearly $224 million in federal funding to support counterterrorism and emergency preparedness efforts in counties across New York. Tompkins County will receive $114,967 of a $52.5 million State Homeland Security Program grant.

"The safety and security of all New Yorkers is our number one priority, and we will continue to ensure those on the front lines have access to the very best training and resources to protect our communities," Cuomo said. "With this funding we will continue to bolster efforts to keep everyone who lives, works and visits the Empire State safe and secure."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced last Friday that the largest community solar project in Tompkins County has been completed and is fully operational. Located in the Town of Enfield, 373 households, as well as a local church, are benefitting from the 2.3-megawatt solar array which supports Cuomo's mandate for half of all electricity consumed to come from renewable energy sources by 2030. The project also complements "Southern Tier Soaring," the region's comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development.

"Clean, renewable energy is critical to combatting climate change and protecting our environment for current and future generations of New Yorkers," Cuomo said. "With the addition of this community solar project, we are continuing our commitment to a green future and to a more resilient, affordable energy grid."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced Wednesday more than 200 communities across the state have earned the Clean Energy Community designation, completing more than 1,250 total high-impact clean energy actions. The designation recognizes community leadership in reducing energy use, cutting costs and driving clean energy, all supporting the state's clean energy goals. The Clean Energy Community initiative advances the Governor's Reforming the Energy Vision strategy by demonstrating the importance of communities in helping New York achieve the state's goal to supply 50 percent of its electricity from renewable energy resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030.

"New York is a national leader in combating climate change, and this significant milestone demonstrates that communities in every corner of this great state are committed to our efforts to create a more sustainable future," Cuomo said. "These 200 communities serve as a model for cities and towns across this state and this nation to reduce energy use and preserve our environment for generations to come."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced approximately $585.2 million in low-cost, tax-exempt bonds has been issued through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York on behalf of 56 school districts, including almost $5.5 million for the Lansing Cdentral School District. This financing is the largest pooled school district issuance in DASNY history.

"New York is committed to providing students of all ages with an education that will help them reach their greatest potential," Cuomo said. "By modernizing academic facilities and learning environments across the state, we are supporting the next generation of leaders and laying the foundation for a stronger, more competitive Empire State."

Following a detailed presentation from department administrators September 10th, the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee has given preliminary consent to the Department of Social Services' favored choice for a new provider of homeless housing services in Tompkins County.

The committee authorized the Department to begin negotiations with St. John's Community Services, which would begin to provide those services as of November 1st. The Department will next come back with a resolution seeking formal approval of a contract with St. John's, along with requested committee authorization for a necessary adjustment to the 2018 homeless services budget.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Tuesday that five counties will receive grants totaling $1 million to combat man-made climate change. The grants will be used to help the counties develop resiliency plans to better prepare for, and efficiently recover from severe weather events in an era of increased storm and severe weather risk.  The five counties awarded funding through the grant are: Albany, Genesee, Orange, Sullivan and Tompkins.

"With unpredictable weather becoming more and more frequent, we can't afford to wait for the next storm to happen before working to protect our communities and infrastructure," Cuomo said. "This funding will help counties across New York develop plans to prepare for future disastrous weather events and protect New Yorkers from some of the unpredictable ramifications of man-made climate change."

The Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium began operations in 2011 with 13 Tompkins County local governments as its founding members.

At the August 23rd meeting of the Board of Directors, the Consortium welcomed the Villages of Freeville and Lansing. With that action, all Tompkins County local governments are now part of the Consortium. These villages are the 34th and 35th Consortium members of the Consortium, which also includes municipal partners from Cayuga, Cortland, and Chemung counties.

Washington, DC - Congressman Tom Reed announced two grants worth $1,054,874 Wednesday from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide the city of Ithaca with funding to develop affordable housing.

“We care about ensuring our friends and neighbors have fair access to quality housing,” Tom said. “This grant enables our communities to develop affordable housing and boosts jobs.”