Archive: News

An Inside View From Our Representative in Congress

Thanks to social media, the press, and live appearances, the public perception of President-elect Donald Trump has been that of a loose cannon, quick to attack his attackers, perhaps a little too engaged in social discourse.  But Congressman Tom Reed (R- New York) presented a different picture at a press conference yesterday at which he answered questions about his appointment to Trump's transition team as one of seven co-chairs.  Reed said he has had personal conversations with Trump that showed the next President as a person who is willing to listen.

"We had very candid private conversations where I tried to offer my two cents," Reed said.  "I appreciate his constructive intake of that conversation.  That's why I'm excited about where this is going.  I think people are underestimating who Donald Trump is and the ability he brings to the table to make America great again."

Congressman Tom Reed (R-23rd Congressional District, New York) has been named one of seven co-chairs of President-elect Donald Trump's transition team.  Reed will provide input on staffing and issues as the new White House staff is assembled.  Reed said in a press conference Thursday that he is honored and humbled to be part of the transition team, and that his access to the President-elect and Vice President-elect will be good for western upstate New Yorkers.

"I am excited about the opportunities that lay ahead for us as the Trump administration takes form and takes hold in the White House," he said.  "Having this relationship with the White House is also something that I'm very excited about personally.  Being in the position on the Ways and Means Committee to write the 21st century tax code; to be in a position to be part of the efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare as we go forward with President Trump's administration; and, really, to put the American people first so that we can make sure that the American men and women that are out there struggling each and every day... that their voice is no longer forgotten, and that it is heard loud and clear here in Washington, D.C."

Congressman Tom Reed supported two pieces of legislation that would encourage healthcare innovations and find new ways to combat chronic illnesses.

"We care about changing lives for the better through medical innovations because we understand the lifelong challenges of those with chronic diseases and conditions. It's only right that we encourage improvements in our medical research and help these people live healthier lives. These innovations also will help keep rising healthcare costs in check," said Reed

Tompkins County 2017 Budget Adopted
Ending two-and-a-half months of deliberation and review, the Tompkins County Legislature tonight adopted the County's 2017 budget and the capital program for the next five years. The budget was approved by a 13-1 vote, with Legislator Dooley Kiefer voting no.

The $171 million budget represents an increase in local spending of 0.9% and increases the County tax levy by 2.93%. The tax rate of $6.62 per thousand is down by 11 cents (1.53% from 2016, representing an increase of $15.65 in the tax bill for the median-valued $175,000 county home. The levy increase exceeds the County's adjusted tax cap of 2.22%, as defined by New York State.

Tom Reed continued to raise the alarm on Iranian aggression and took a stand against the rogue state by supporting two pieces of legislation that would continue sanctions, protecting the American people. "We care about keeping Americans safe. It's only right that we stand firm against the tyranny of dangerous nations like Iran and make sure tax dollars aren't going to fund the activities that they would use to harm American citizens," said Reed.

The House passed two proposals to protect Americans from Iranian aggression. The first, the Iranian Sanctions Extension Act, extends existing sanctions against the nation through 2026. The sanctions were set to expire at the end of the year.

The Cornell University Board of Trustees today unanimously elected Martha E. Pollack, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the University of Michigan, Cornell's 14th president. Pollack will assume the presidency on April 17, 2017.

The board's vote followed the selection of Pollack by a Presidential Search Committee that was formed in April 2016 following the death on March 6 of President Elizabeth Garrett. Hunter R. Rawlings III, who has served as Cornell's interim president since April 25, will remain in his current role through April 16, 2017.

The Lansing Varsity Girl's Swimming and Diving Team season was hugely successful this year, with the Ladycats ending a perfect regular season with the fourth Class C Finals for Section IV championship in a row.  The team triumphed under the guidance of coach Diane Hicks-Hughes despite the fact that their home pool was closed for repairs.  District officials hoped the pool would reopen before the end of the fall season, but now it looks as if it will remain closed for at least part of the winter Boy's Swimming and Diving season.  School Business Administrator Mary June says pool repairs have been halted while an investigation of past repairs is being conducted.

"We had our first debriefing on preliminary findings from the forensic team that is looking into the pool,"  King told the Board Of Education Monday.  "We asked them to further their lab testing on the materials involved, the grouts and the various stages of materials between the bottom of the pool and the tile.  They had very comprehensive discussion prepared for us on the things that they had found and the things that they were looking into."

Despite cost control efforts and increased state financial assistance, the New York State Thruway Authority will continue to face fiscal challenges, according to an audit released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The Comptroller recommended the authority develop and implement a long term capital plan given that its current revenue structure may not be sufficient to cover ongoing and future capital needs.

"The Thruway Authority should develop a better roadmap for the future," DiNapoli said. "In addition to the Tappan Zee bridge replacement, many of the Thruway Authority's aging roads and bridges require significant work or repair. Thruway officials need to come up with a viable plan to make ends meet for the long term and clearly lay out how it will affect New York drivers and taxpayers."

The Lansing Town Board voted Wednesday to contract with Beardsley Architects and Engineers to develop a master plan for Myers Park and the recreational fields that will include plans for some of the vacant land north of the Town Hall and ball fields.  The board authorized $15,000 to develop the plan, which will then be used to support grant applications to fund an array of potential projects.

"It's an opportunity for us to put together a strategy," said Lansing Planning Consultant Michael Long.  "When you are looking for grants to support infrastructure, capital projects, or park projects, it's extremely important to have a defined project.  It's one thing to have a pretty picture, but it's more important to have an accurate estimate of what the costs are going to be.  That's where you have a leg up on the competition."

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Notice of Complete Application

Date:  10/03/2016

Applicant:		CARGILL INCORPORATED 15407 MCGINTY RD W WAYZATA, MN 55391-2399
Facility:		CAYUGA SALT MINE 191 PORTLAND PT RD SOUTH LANSING, NY 14882

Application ID: 0-9999-00075/00001

Permits(s) Applied for: 1 – Article 23 Title 27 Mined Land Reclamation

 

	Now that Election Day is over, those political campaign yard signs - whether made of plastic film or Coroplast® - can be recycled in Tompkins County.  Metal sign holders and stakes can be recycled in the scrap metal area of the Recycling and Solid Waste Center.  there is no charge for recycling metals or plastics.

Lansing has a reputation for being conservative.  But Tuesday's election results tell a different story.  With the exception of the town's one local election for Town Clerk, Lansing voted for the Democrats over Republicans in every race.  Lansing voted decidedly Democratic Tuesday, more in synch with Tompkins County than the various voting districts it is a part of.  For example, Congressman Tom Reed won a clear victory over Democrat John Plumb with 58% of the vote district-wide.  70.82% of Tompkins County voters preferred Plumb, and Lansing voters were more in line with the county as a whole, voting nearly 2-1 for Plumb.

The same was true in the US Senate, State Senate and Assembly races, and Tompkins County District Attorney election.  When looking at the back-stories of the clerk campaign, it could be argued that mitigating circumstances in the clerk race skewed party voting.  Or, perhaps Lansing's reputation for conservative voting is limited to its own local elections.  Whatever the reason, incumbent clerk Debbie Munson (R) edged out challenger Tammy Morse (D) by winning 54.9% of votes Tuesday.

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Contractors begin work this week on infrastructure improvements at the Tompkins County Recycling and Solid Waste Center (RSWC), 160 Commercial Avenue in Ithaca.

The facility upgrades include repairs to the pavement and new striping, and could result in delays when using the facility. The RSWC will remain open at all times, but customers are reminded to proceed with caution as there could be changes in traffic patterns.