Archive: News

County Administrator Joe Mareane today presented the Legislature's Facilities and Infrastructure Committee the first draft of the County's proposed 2017-2021 Capital Program.  The Legislature adopts the five-year capital program as part of the County's annual County budget process.

The draft program carries forward a number of projects included in the County's 20-year Capital Plan and contained in the 2016 capital program.  Among new projects included in the 2017-2021 draft are two new bridge projects—rehabilitation of the Fall Creek Road Bridge in the Town of Dryden (design only) and replacement of the Ludlowville Road Bridge over Salmon Creek in the Town of Lansing.

Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton (D/WFP-125AD, Tompkins/Cortland) announced last Friday that she was introducing a bill she has authored that will require the preparation of a comprehensive greenhouse gas tax study by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

"Many economists agree that a carbon/ greenhouse gas tax is one of the most effective ways to curb emissions, by accounting for the full costs of climate pollution through a market-based solution. A comprehensive carbon tax study can help pave the way for taking strong action on climate change," said Lifton. "A greenhouse gas study will answer many important questions about the impacts of implementing a statewide greenhouse gas tax. Understanding the impacts to low-income families and neighborhoods, the environmental and policy benefits, the optimal taxation level, and how to allocate the revenues generated by a greenhouse gas tax, among other concerns, will provide important information tailored to the specifics of New York State."

About a dozen Village of Lansing residents weighed in Monday on a new Village Park planned on a parcel between Dart and Northwoods Drives.  Work has already begun to scope out the best location for park features and trails, and to prepare the property for the new project.  Village Trustee Ronny Hardaway says that a rough plan for the park and accompanying trails will incorporate ideas from concerned citizens.  Many were delighted at the prospect of a park.

"I was pleasantly surprised on Friday, since, watching a bulldozer doing some of the clearing a couple of weeks ago, I was wondering who was going to do what there," said Northwoods resident Mark Norman Adelewitz.  "I was hoping it wasn't another apartment complex."

Senator Michael F. Nozzolio announced that the New York State Senate recently passed legislation to provide the public with the ability to obtain important information about sex offenders in their communities. Senate bill 3811, which Senator Nozzolio actively supported and voted for, would allow the state's Sex Offender Registry information to be searchable by the zip code of a registrant's employment.

"The expansion of the Sex Offender Registry to include the registrant's employment zip code is an important step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of all New Yorkers," said Senator Nozzolio. "As State Senator I will do all possible to make certain our residents are fully informed of potential threats that, not only live, but also work in their community."

Tom Reed announced his support and involvement with for an upcoming strategy unveiled by the House this week to address the problem nationwide.

"We care about the families that are struggling in poverty because we understand the challenges of breaking that cycle firsthand. My mom was a single mother who raised the last six of us children on my father's military and Social Security benefits. We stretched every dollar during my childhood.  That experience allows me to bring a my own perspective to the task force about the realities that many of these families face. This plan is a great start to getting solutions in place that will help create the opportunities that so they can achieve financial stability and independence," said Reed.

Due to construction, the intersection at College Ave. @ Dryden Rd will be closed to traffic starting Mon., June 13, until further notice. The project will prompt the detours of TCAT Routes 10, 30, 32, 51, 70 and 72 serving College Ave. /Collegetown for the duration of the project.
 
Signs are posted at stops throughout the detour area.

Next month may be a new beginning for the land on Auburn Road, across from the Town ballfields, and the current Town Center Trail.  The property has been divided into areas -- some may be commercial, some residential, some agricultural -- and privately assessed to give the Town Board an idea of what they can charge.  Once that is done town officials say they want to ask developers for their ideas, and then, presumably, sell the land.

While a town center is obviously not a pressing issue -- it has been talked about for over two decades, but the property is still a mostly empty field -- townspeople are split on how it should be developed, or even if it should be developed.  The Town paid close to $400,000 for the property, and certainly stands to make a profit on its sale.  The outcome could be anything from haphazard suburban sprawl to a carefully planned community with an attractive, consistent look and feel to the buildings, with walkways and parking, shopping, recreation, and homes, including single family, apartments, and condominiums.

Tom Reed offered new bill which would provide a new national designation to the Finger Lakes in recognition of the economic impact the natural wonders have on the region.

"We care about protecting our natural resources for generations to come. After spending time on the lakes while growing up and even as an adult with my own kids, I've had the opportunity to appreciate what's right here in our backyards," said Reed. "It's only right that we come together and find a commonsense approach to preserving our heritage and growing our local economy. This bill is a great first step."

Citing his record setting 34 years of elective service in the New York State Legislature and dedication to the people of his home county and the entire Finger Lakes Region, the Seneca County Board of Supervisors recently adopted a resolution honoring New York State Senator Michael Nozzolio.

The resolution was introduced by Supervisor Robert Shipley of Waterloo and seconded by Supervisor Robert Hayssen of Varick.

81% of voters approved all three proposals, including the $28,047,000 budget last week, and elected three school board members.  The budget vote was 436 to 103, with even higher voter approval for bus purchases (446-91) and the creation of a capital reserve (441-96).

Three board seats were open, each term a different length due to the resignations of two board members whose families moved out of Lansing.  Aaron Thompson will fill the longest term, having received the highest number of votes (448).  Susan Tabrizi (385) and current Board President Christine Iacobucci (373) will fill the second and third longest terms.

Contingent full-time faculty at Ithaca College (IC) have voted yes to join the national Service Employees International Union (SEIU)/Faculty Forward.  The victory shows growing momentum for college faculty forming unions in New York, following the success of part-time faculty at IC last May and full-time and part-time contingent faculty at Wells College in January.

IC contingent full-time faculty will join SEIU Local 200United as part of Faculty Forward.  The victory was overwhelming.

Congressman Tom Reed supported a series of bills this week, aimed at making it easier for veterans to receive the care they need and deserve.

"As Memorial Day approaches, it's only right that we remember the sacrifices of our fallen heroes. We are forever grateful, and to honor their legacy, it is critical we stand with the veterans that are still with us," said Reed.