Archive: News

New York State Senator Mike Nozzolio today announced that the State Senate has taken significant and important action in adopting a tougher stance against violent crime by enacting the "Domestic Violence Prevention Act-Brittany's Law."  This legislation, Senate Bill 513, sponsored by Nozzolio, will create a publically accessible registry of convicted violent felons.

"Brittany's Law represents a major step forward for New Yorkers in the fight against violent crime and domestic abuse crimes. By putting new measures in place to track violent offenders and keep our communities informed of their whereabouts, Brittany's Law will undoubtedly save lives. As Chairman of the Senate Codes Committee and as the former Chairman of the Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee, I am committed to enacting tougher sentencing laws for violent criminals, reinforcing laws to protect women and children from domestic violence, and strengthening the rights of crime victims to prevent future tragedies from occurring," said Nozzolio.

Hydro-fracking bans were up for discussion in both the Town and Village of Lansing this week as officials of both Lansings considered what, if any, action they will take to protect the two municipalities from potential negative impacts.  Supervisor Kathy Miller and Councilwoman Ruth Hopkins said they were in favor of scheduling a public hearing on a ban for July, but the majority of the town council feared that banning hydro-fracking now might send the wrong message to New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) before it rules on whether or not to keep the Cayuga Power Plant open.

"My concern is not the public hearing or the ban," said Councilman Ed LaVigne.  "My concern is the timing.  It would be tragic if we gave a perception that swayed the PSC to not re-fire this plant with natural gas, considering that this is the number one taxpayer in this County.  I am simply asking to wait a few months until the PSC has given their answer."

The Lansing Central School District's $28,370,000 2015-16 budget passed Tuesday 355 to 101.  The budget includes program additions including a high school assistant principal/athletic director, elementary teacher, a half-time social worker and special education teacher, and a teaching assistant position shifting to a teacher position.  

Board Of Education members Julie Boles and Aziza Benson were both reelected.  Boles received 394 votes, and Benson 367.  Voters also approved up to $310,000 in bus purchases 366 to 78.

Village of Lansing Trustees voted 3 to 1 to accept a bid on a project that will add a traffic light to the intersection of Craft and Triphammer Roads.  In addition the project will include a slight widening of the intersection to make room for a new right turn lane, and improvements to pedestrian connectivity.  But even the lowest bid came in 24% higher than anticipated.

There were only two bidders for the contract," said Village Clerk Jodi Dake.  "It was considerably fewer than expected.  The lowest bidder was Binghamton Road Electric, LLC with a base bid of $274,107.  This bid is $52,947 above the engineer's estimate.  That was a little bit of a shocker."

On May 15th, the Tompkins County Sheriff Kenneth Lansing, reported on the results of a Multi-Agency Special Operation: #11, also known as Clean Sweep. This operation was started in July of 2014 as a result of a rash of community complaints regarding drug sales in Tompkins County.

Sheriff Lansing says, "The utilization of all resources available is one of our main objectives in keeping this community thriving and feeling safe."

They say that people only show up to public meetings when they are unhappy.  By that measure Lansing was ecstatic Monday when only one member of the public showed up for the Lansing Central School District's 2015-2016 Budget hearing.  Even so, Superintendent Chris Pettograsso made a full presentation for those voters who may watch the hearing on the Internet.  District voters will approve or reject the proposed $28.37 million budget Tuesday.

"Some involved community members mentioned how in the past our budget hearings have been really long and detailed in the last couple of years and didn't leave a lot of time for community input," Pettograsso said.  "Part of the reason is that we haven't had a lot of community input in this one day.  We have a lot of community input throughout the process.  That's part of why we may not have people showing up at this one hearing."

As an early step preparing for the 2016 County Budget process, Tompkins County Administrator Joe Mareane presented the Legislature's Facilities and Infrastructure Committee Monday the first draft of the County's proposed 2016-2020 Capital Program.  Administrator Mareane stressed that the Plan is still a work in progress, and will be reviewed again in late summer.

Among capital projects contained in the draft plan, continuing the multi-year program to address deferred capital maintenance issues in County buildings at a total cost of $2.4 million, a stepped-up schedule of $800,000 each year.  Long-discussed bus stop improvements at the Health Department to allow easier bus access would begin with design in 2016 with construction the following year. Also related to facilities, the Plan also includes replacement of obsolete analog cameras and access control system at the Jail.

Tom Reed applauded Wednesday's House passage of the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act, H.R. 1732, which protects landowners from intrusive government and ensures the protection of personal property.

"I care about the property rights of landowners," said Reed.  "Not only are these rights guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment, but they are vital to the American way of life. This bill ensures fairness in the regulatory process and for landowners."

The New York State Senate today passed four measures that would keep our roads safe by holding drivers accountable for reckless and irresponsible actions. The legislation would increase and create new penalties for repeat DWI offenders, those who drive at high speeds, and individuals who cause a death while driving without a valid license.

"These measures we enacted today would deter drivers from engaging in dangerous situations that put lives at risk. Whether you're driving drunk, without a valid license, or at high speeds, you're taking an irresponsible action that has the potential to cause harm to yourself and others," said Senator Mike Nozzolio.

Tuesday, US COngressmanTom Reed announced the upcoming introduction of legislation which would help improve the integrity of government data and help prevent fraud, waste and abuse.  The Standard Data Act would establish consistent requirements for data formatting and content used by a number of key human services programs throughout the Federal Government.

Recently, the United States Inspector General issued a report that indicated roughly 6.5 million Social Security Numbers issued before 1903, were still active. Those Social Security Numbers belong to people who would be over 112 years old. According to the Gerontology Research Group, there are only 48 people above the age of 112, globally; 14 of which reside in the United States.

New York collected $149.1 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2014-15, an increase of $11.4 billion, or 8.3 percent, from the prior year, largely because of one-time financial settlements and a boost in federal aid, according to a report on the state's year-end finances issued today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

"New York benefitted from nearly $5 billion in revenue from settlements last year, with even more on the way this fiscal year," DiNapoli said. "While these settlements are certainly good for the state's bottom line, we can't expect such windfalls to continue. State leaders need to make sure this money is spent on capital investment or other one-time purposes. We can't count on it to fund ongoing expenses."

Tompkins County and the City of Ithaca have been accepted into AARP's network of Age- Friendly Communities.  An international effort of the World Health Organization, the Age- Friendly Community network includes localities where leadership and residents have committed to making their community a great place to live for people of all ages.  The announcement was made at the Tompkins County Office for the Aging's 40th Annual Luncheon Thursday.

"It's no wonder that Ithaca and Tompkins County is consistently voted one of the smartest and best places to live—with its gorges and institutes of higher education. Now, the City and County are committing to making their community friendlier to an aging population, the largest growing demographic in that area," said William Armbruster, Associate State Director for AARP in western New York. "Today, AARP applauds the addition of one of New York State's most beautiful and progressive areas to AARP's Network of Age-Friendly communities."