Archive: News

Gimme! Coffee baristas unanimously voted to ratify their first union contract with Gimme! Management, the culmination of seven months of negotiations. The union covers baristas at Gimme! Coffee locations in Ithaca on State and Cayuga streets, at Gates Hall on the Cornell Campus, and in Trumansburg.

The Gimme! Coffee union campaign was led by an organizing committee and negotiating committee of Gimme! baristas. This effort has been supported by a unique partnership between the Tompkins County Workers' Center and Workers United which has its regional headquarters in Rochester.

"Having a contract that protects me and my co-workers is only one of the benefits to having a union. For me, the most integral part of this has been to see how far my co-workers and I have come in building solidarity, in rebalancing power and having the courage to take action and create a better workplace. It’s important to me that all workers understand that they can change their workplace," said Gimme! Coffee Barista Samantha Mason.

Senator Pamela A. Helming announced the passage of legislation Tuesday that she wrote to allow those who rent property to have the right to display the American flag. The legislation has now passed the Senate unanimously for the second consecutive year. Senator Helming believes that displaying an American flag is not only a way to show patriotism and to support the United State of America, but it is also a right – regardless if you own or rent a property.

"To me, fighting for this bill is simple. It is about American rights. It is incredibly troubling to me that in 2018, in the United State of America, an individual must be granted protections under state law in order to show their patriotism and support of their country. At the end of the day, proudly flying the American flag from your front porch is a freedom of expression and it is a right every American should have. I thank my Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle for passing this legislation unanimously two years in a row, and I hope the Assembly will join the fight," Helming said.

Washington, DC- The House of Representatives released a plan Monday that included priority legislation sponsored by Congressman Tom Reed (NY-23). Included in this outline is the extension of four critical health care programs to New York's 23rd District: Medicare Dependent Hospitals, Low Volume Hospitals, Community Health Centers, and the Special Diabetes Program. The plan funds these vital programs for two years and keep our government working for the American people.

Reed has sponsored or co-sponsored these programs through various pieces of legislation and has been an active voice in making sure they were part of the funding plan.

Mayor Donald Hartill reported Monday that a sewer project will bring new sewer service to both the Village and the Town of Lansing.  Prompted by negotiations with the Town to bring sewer to two major developments plus the RINK, the pipe was originally expected to run north from existing Village sewer along Triphammer Road, almost as far as Asbury Road.  But when an East Shore Drive route proved more feasible, Hartill says it brought an opportunity not only to bring sewer to Village residents on Cayuga Heights Road, but also to fix a dangerous intersection.

"We're still discussing the exact routing," Hartill said. "There may be an opportunity to fix the intersection of Cayuga Heights Road and East Shore Drive so that it's not as dangerous as it currently is.  That may involve acquiring some land to the east of that intersection to make it .  So there are several things in play."

Geneva, NY – Senator Pam Helming announced the passage Thursday of a three-way amendment to streamline the process for schools to purchase fresh food from local farms. The original legislation - signed into law last July - allows local BOCES and municipalities to directly purchase New York State-produced foods, but required a county to apply to the State Commissioner of General services to make the purchases. The chapter amendment passed earlier this week cuts the red tape and removes this costly and time-consuming requirement.

"I am proud that we were able to eliminate an unnecessary barrier to to bringing fresh, local foods to our communities and schools. By streamlining the process and removing the state requirement, school districts and municipalities can work together to decide what is best for their own community without Albany bureaucrats dictating the decisions. This important legislation is key for the success of family farms and will ensure that local kids have the opportunity to choose fresh, nutritious food options. I want to thank my colleagues for making this amendment so early in the year, and hope the Assembly and Governor will quickly follow suit," Senator Helming said.

New York State Senator Pam Helming announced Wednesday that local farmers are eligible to receive up to a $5,000 tax credit for food donations made to food banks that serve needy families and seniors in our region. Eligible donations include fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, and meat produced in New York State. Working with the New York Farm Bureau, Senator Helming fought for this measure to be included in last year's final State Budget.

"Our farm families throughout the Wayne-Finger Lakes region and across New York State not only put food on our tables, but also support many local food pantries and charities. This important program will support the fight against hunger and put fresh, local food in the hands of those who need it most. No child should go to bed hungry in a country that is the world's top producer of food and I am committed to continuing to work with local food banks to battle hunger and malnutrition in our community. Local farm families represent the best of our communities and I am proud to support them in their efforts to donate food. As State Senator, I will continue to advocate for legislation and programs that will allow our local farms to keep growing and thriving. New York Farm Bureau has been a terrific partner, and I look forward to working with President David Fisher," Senator Helming said.

Washington – Wednesday, the Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Tom Reed (NY-23) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) delivered a bipartisan message to the American people in response to President Trump’s State of the Union speech. Echoing the President’s call for unity, the Caucus co-chairs shared their approach to finding common ground, across party lines, with the American people, and their efforts to increase unity and agreement in a culture of trust.


v14i5

Frank P. Proto took over as chairman of the TCAT Board of Directors at its first meeting of the year on Thurs., Jan. 25. Proto, a former long-time Tompkins County legislator and TCAT board member, follows David Howe, who served as the board's chairman in 2017.  Proto said this year he will place heavy emphasis on strategic planning, as well as addressing TCAT's need for a larger facility, which will be a long-term and costly project involving local, state and federal stakeholders. The purchase and acquisition of new Gillig buses next month, he said, will be a big help in replacing TCAT's aging fleet.

"It is going to be a little bit of a challenging year, not that other years weren't challenging, but the highlight at this point is that we will be receiving 11 new buses in February, which is the culmination of the work of many, many people," said Proto, who has served on TCAT and its predecessor operating committee starting in the 1990s and served as head of the board several times over the years.

When BJ's Wholesale Club was built part of the agreement developer Eric Goetzmann had with the Village of Lansing was that he would construct senior housing north of BJ's that would act as a segue between the active commercial mall area and residential areas to the north.  At the time the idea was that walking paths, a possible bird sanctuary, and wetlands would be part of the package.  Three significant design changes and several minor changes later, the project is almost ready for construction, but may be delayed another building season depending on whether the Village Planning Board declares the new design a minor change or a major change to the Planned Development Area (PDA).

"It's been a long road to get here," Goetzmann said at Tuesday's Planning Board meeting.  "I've listened to your comments in the fall and October and November.  There has been a lot of discussion here on the Bomax issue I went back to the architects and they completely redesigned it to get back to what we committed for, 12 units.  We spent quite a bit of time trying to make each unit more practical, larger in size, with larger interiors.  I think it's completely different from what's out there.  And I think this falls more in line with what we've heard in the past about what you like and what you don't like.  I think this incorporates a lot of those design aspects you were looking for.  We're excited to move forward with this.  It makes sense."