Archive: News

Congressman Tom Reed, co-chair of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, lauded the announcement of a major medical breakthrough for type one diabetics.

"We care about getting critical healthcare resources to those living diabetes. This is something I am all too familiar with, since my son is a type one diabetic. It's only right that we continue to support these innovations and celebrate the improvement in the quality of life for so many who struggle with this disease. We will continue to stand with those in the diabetes community," said Reed.

Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton (D/WF- 125th District) announced that her legislation to allow partial tax exemptions for affordable housing in Tompkins County was signed into law by the Governor.

Lifton explained that the law was needed because, even for housing that has a capped re-sale value to remain affordable, tax assessments can increase based on full-market value, creating an unsustainable tax burden for families.  The legislation allows for the county -- and any municipality within the county, including school districts, at their option -- to grant a partial real property tax exemption for affordable housing that has a regulatory agreement restricting the purchase of the property to those who qualify for affordable housing.  It requires that the county hold a public hearing and then adopt a local law to put this into effect in the county.

The Lansing Town Clerk race took a nasty turn this week when nearly 25 campaign signs were stolen or vandalized.  Tammy Morse said her yard signs were stolen Monday, and Debbie Munson reported several yard signs were taken Tuesday.  Additionally two of Munson's large signs were vandalized.  Supporters from both parties expressed outrage that any candidate's signs had been removed or ruined.

Both candidates said they are upset that people were taking or damaging either candidate's signs.  Both Morse and Munson stressed the acts were not coming from their campaigns.

Washington, D.C. - The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is honored to present Congressman Tom Reed with the prestigious SEIA Solar Champion Award, an honor bestowed upon entities or individuals who have helped strengthen solar power in America. Reed was named on Thursday by the association as the latest award recipient for his efforts to promote greater use of solar energy to advance our nation's energy diversity.

"Support for solar energy is support for American jobs and innovation," said Tom Kimbis, SEIA's interim president.  "Congressman Reed has demonstrated through his leadership, his public support and his voting record that he recognizes the enormous benefits – from national security to economic development – bestowed on our nation through solar energy. We credit him  with recognizing that solar is not a partisan technology, thank him for his support, and proudly present him with this well-deserved award."

The Legislature held its annual Community Budget Forum Wednesday, inviting residents to learn about and comment on the County's recommended 2017 budget currently under review by the Legislature.

About a dozen people attended, and 11 of them spoke.  Six speakers urged that additional funding be provided the Library as part of the budget, especially for a Technology Librarian.  An $82,000 request for over-target funding to support the librarian was not included in the administrator's budget.  Nina Scholtz, president of the Friends of the Library, thanked the County for its continuing and ongoing support of the library, but said the Technology Librarian is needed to provide that needed technological expertise to the people of Tompkins County as part of the Library's new 21st Century Technology Lab.  Linda Bartnick, a retired university librarian who relocated here two years ago, said she had operated three mission-centered labs such as this, and that such facilities cannot be operated without the appropriate personnel.

Democratic candidate Kenan Baldridge, running for New York State Senate, was at the Lansing Community Center Wednesday to talk about why voters should pick him to replace retiring Senator Mike Nozzolio (R).  Baldridge is challenging Republican Pam Helming and Floyd Rayburn (Reform Party) for the 54th District Senate seat.  Although the district skews to Republicans, Baldridge said he believes he has a chance to win the election.

“It has been an interesting ride in terms of being a Democratic supervisor in a Republican town,” he said.  “The town was formed in 1826 and in all those years there have only been three Democratic supervisors, all in the last two generations.  It’s a challenge. So we learn to work across the aisle, and we end up appealing to others on the basis of something other than party.  And we find that that works.”

Tom Reed offeredg a proposal which would toughen penalties for drug dealers that supply users with illicit substances that cause an overdose death.

"We care about the families of every overdose victim in our community and the addicts that are struggling. We've held several roundtable discussions and heard directly from the parents who have lost children to opioids and heroin. It's only right that we hold those responsible for harming our loved ones accountable," said Reed.

Beginning their final week of the presentation phase of their review, Legislators acting as an Expanded Budget Committee heard Tuesday from seven more departments and agencies, as they continue to review County Administrator Joe Mareane's recommended 2017 budget.

Presenting were the Office of Human Rights, the Probation and Community Justice, and Youth Services Departments, the County Attorney, Rural Library Services, Cooperative Extension, and The History Center.

After a hotly contested primary Pam Helming has become the Republican candidate for NYS Senator in the 54th District.  Helming won the endorsements of the six Republican committees within the district from a field of about a dozen candidates, but as the primary progressed she and Ontario County businessman Floyd Rayburn emerged as the lead candidates.

"I am very grateful for the support of the primary voters," Helming said.  "Over the coming weeks I look forward to meeting with as many residents as I can across the six county district so I can learn first-hand their individual concerns. Having an open line of communication with constituents is paramount in allowing me to best serve our region.  My plan is to continue to work hard to secure a victory in November. As your State Senator, I will continue to fight for Upstate and what's in the best interest of the hardworking taxpayers and families of this great region."

Tom Reed supported the stop-gap funding bill which passed Congress this evening.

"We care about making sure the government is able to operate for the sake of our taxpayers, veterans, senior citizens and national security," said Reed. "It was only right that we came together to support this bill as it prevents a lapse in critical programs. We remain committed to prioritizing spending and focused on long term efforts to get the deficit and debt under control."

The Lansing Town Board voted to settle a claim by Time Warner Cable (TWC) that its  Highway Department had damaged a cable along Woodsedge Drive last March.  TWC was claiming $8,242.34 in damage, but the Board voted to settle the claim for $2,500 if and when TWC's agent signs a general release form.  Highway Superintendent Charlie Purcell said that the cable had been laid where it was not supposed to be, and such disputes are common and frustrating.

"This is something where one party says something and the other something else," said Lansing Supervisor Ed LaVigne.  "Doing his due diligence, Cricket (Purcell) found the wire where it shouldn’t be, in my opinion,  Over an $8,000 claim was proposed.  We had (Town Attorney Guy Krogh) look into it.  We’ve agreed to settle for $2,500.  Sometimes these things aren’t where you think they are.  Sometimes they’re where you hope they’re not.  This is one of those times."