Archive: News

This may not be a presidential election year, but it is a big year for what many consider an important election in Lansing.  Six elected positions are up this year, including Town Clerk, Highway Superintendent, one Town Justice position, and two Town Board seats.  And Town Supervisor.

Least controversial, at least at this moment,  are the clerk and justice positions.  Typically the incumbents run unopposed for these positions, and while that isn't set in stone for this year, there is currently no reason to believe it won't be that way again.  With Highway Superintendent Jack French stepping down this year after 38 years in the department, 15 of them as Superintendent, it is not yet known who will run.  Behind the scenes the word is that two potential candidates are exploring the possibility, but only one of them will run.  That leaves the board seats, including that of Supervisor.  And election season starts early on the Republican side with Ed LaVigne and Chris Williams going head to head in the primary.

Wednesday, U.S. Congressman Tom Reed supported increasing funding for a number of vital programs for sexual assault survivors with the reauthorization of the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Act of 2016, HR 2578.

"I am extremely proud to have supported this legislation. By passing this bill, Congress is taking strides to ensure that victims of sexual assault have access to a well funded, impartial judicial system, and the resources they need for recovery," said Reed.

The special legislative committee charged with recommending a preferred developer for the Old Tompkins County Library site today began a careful analysis of   the three proposals before it to redevelop the site, but decided to wait a few more days before a scheduled decision.

After nearly two hours of discussion today, the committee decided to meet again next Tuesday, June 9, when it expects to continue its committee review and make a recommendation to the full Legislature.  Considering the importance of the decision, committee members agreed that they should take a bit more time to evaluate what it has been stressed are three "quality" proposals. Legislature Chair Mike Lane, who chairs the Old Library Committee, also noted, however, that it is important to keep the process on track, and submit a recommendation for the Legislature to consider at its June 16 meeting, so that the project timeline remains intact.

A major portion of the Town Of Lansing could some day be rezoned to favor farming if a draft of Lansing's Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan is approved by the Town Board.  After more than six years developing the plan, the 46 page plan will help protect a $20 million industry and over 17,000 acres of  farmland in the most vibrant farming community in Tompkins County.

"By protecting agriculture in North Lansing and encouraging development in South Lansing, the town will preserve economic activity generated by farming enterprises including $20 million dollars in product sales and jobs for at least 100 people," the plan states.  "In addition to the economic contribution of agriculture, it is important to recognize the value of high quality soils that are not replaceable once developed.  Farming is viable in Lansing because of its high quality soils."

Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton (D/WFP – 125th) has introduced a bill in the Assembly that would allow the Cornducky Derby, a popular event that is held annually in Cortland, to raise money by selling tickets in commercial establishments with state alcohol licenses. The Cornducky Derby is always held on the same day as the Kentucky Derby and features a race between small plastic ducks down a creek in one of Cortland's public parks. Sponsored by the Cortland Community Services Club, Inc., the Cornducky Derby raises money for a variety of local youth causes.

However, the event also awards cash prizes to individuals who purchase tickets, and state law currently considers the sale of these tickets as gambling, and thus prohibited, when the sale takes place in any establishment with a state liquor license. Those same ticket sales are currently legal in places that don't have a liquor license. Lifton's proposed bill would allow nonprofit organizations that hold events to raise money for charitable causes to raise funds through ticket sales in taverns and restaurants. The licensee is allowed such ticket sales twice a year and 90 percent or more of the proceeds must go to charity.

NY, New York – More than 28,000 miles of the state's streams, including those feeding the Hudson River and the Long Island Sound, will gain federal protections under a final rule signed today by top Obama administration officials. The measure restores Clean Water Act safeguards to small streams and headwaters that have been vulnerable to development and pollution for nearly ten years.

"The Long Island Sound, Great Lakes, and Hudson River waters we swim, fish, and boat in are only as clean as the streams that flow into them," said Heather Leibowitz, Director with Environment New York. "That's why today's action is the biggest victory for clean water in a decade."

A sampling of municipalities from across New York reveals gaps in the review of fire safety plans or evacuation procedures for public buildings such as adult care facilities, hospitals, hotels, preschools, libraries and shopping malls, according to an audit released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The audit reviewed enforcement of the state's Uniform Fire Code in seven cities and three villages.

"Local officials must do their part to keep fire safety a priority," said DiNapoli. "By neglecting to properly implement these regulations, New Yorkers may be at risk should a fire or other emergency occur."

Lansing officials are now saying they think the Bone Plain Road Water Tank project not require eminent domain proceedings.  A week and a half ago Town officials said they were prepared to institute eminent domain on two small pieces of property for which they had not obtained easements.  After seven months of multiple attempts to get landowners to sign easements, two property owners were the only holdouts blocking the $2,006,500 project that is expected to increase poor water pressure in the eastern central area of the Town, as well as servicing new developments on and around Warren Road.  They were given until last Friday to sign or have their properties expropriated.

"This is the last tool that we have in our tool chest to get this done," Water and Sewer Advisory Board Chairman Dan Adinolfi told Town Board members at their May 20th meeting.  "Members of the committee have been working very hard trying to get the signatures.  We've been just trying to push it through so we can get the project done."

Last week Planning Consultant Michael Long provided the Lansing Town Board with a snapshot of development in the Town.  Long listed nine active development projects, that could bring 157 new dwelling units to the Town, as well as business improvements including a 2.9mw solar farm.

"We haven't had this before," said Lansing Supervisor Kathy Miller.  "Mike put a lot of work into it."

Adjunct professors at Ithaca College have voted yes to join adjunct faculty at schools across the country in SEIU/Adjunct Action.  The victory shows a growing momentum for college faculty forming unions in New York, following adjunct victories at The College of Saint Rose and Schenectady Community College.

Ithaca adjuncts will join SEIU Local 200United as part of Adjunct Action.  The final vote count was 172 to 53. Tahlia Fischer, a part-time Women's and Gender Studies Lecturer, reflected on the victory: "We, the adjunct faculty at Ithaca college are excited to begin this new chapter with our higher ed. community. We look forward to a new era of interdialogue with administration on behalf of students and the mission of higher education more generally."

Legislature Fails to Affirm Support for Single-Payer Health-Care
Asked to reaffirm its earlier actions in 2006 and 2009, the Legislature failed to take a stand voicing continued support for a single-payer approach to health care coverage in New York State.  Acting on a measure advanced by Legislator Kathy Luz Herrera that would have urged the State Assembly and Senate to pass legislation to enact the New York Health Act that would support universal health coverage, the Legislature voted 7-4 in favor which, while a majority, did not draw the 8 votes needed for passage.  (Legislators Dave McKenna, Glenn Morey, Mike Sigler, and Peter Stein voted no; Legislators Jim Dennis, Will Burbank, and Carol Chock were excused.)   The measure, however, could be brought up for reconsideration at a future meeting, and Legislator Luz Herrera said she would be speaking in favor of it again at the Legislature's next meeting June 2, when she hopes the Legislature can discuss the issue in more detail.

Before the vote, Luz Herrera said the time has come to move from the multi-payer approach to a "simple, one-stop single-payer system for all," that overall health care spending would be reduced and that 98% of New Yorkers would pay less for health care than they do today.  Legislator Sigler said that there are too many uncertainties in the proposals and assumptions that he's not sure are true, saying the resolution indicates that the Affordable Care Act has failed and a new system should be adopted.  While saying he's not necessarily for or against a single-payer system, Legislator Stein said the matter is complicated and he fears it is being "oversold", and termed it "madness" to leave the Affordable Care Act at this point.  While he voted in favor, Legislator Nate Shinagawa, a health care administrator, noted that the current fee-for-service system for health care is not sustainable.  "You need to have fundamental change to make single-payer work," he said.

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