Archive: News

One of the COVID-19 issues raised at the May Town Board meeting was how lower-that-estimated sales tax revenue will impact the Town of Lansing Highway Department. The two main functions of the Highway Department are plowing and road maintenance, including paving. Councilman Joseph Wetmore raise the question of anticipated sales tax loss may specifically impact road projects.

"We've done the projections with the road improvements for instance," replied Lansing Supervisor Ed LaVigne. "(Highway Superintendent Charlie 'Cricket' Purcell) has come up with a contingency plan that if he needs to shave some of that down, he can. So we reviewed some of that already. Once again, we'll see where the sales tax goes. We may take a hit. We do have 8.4 months of sales tax between the B and the DB in our fund balance policy rather than six months. So we have a bit of a surplus there."

On Thursday, May 21, the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) Board of Education approved a modification for an early end to the 2019-2020 academic calendar.

Along with other districts in the region, and in accordance with Governor Cuomo's executive order requiring remote instruction through the April spring break, the ICSD is positioned to end the school year approximately one week early.

Congress passed the largest stimulus package in US history last March, to the tune of $2.3 trillion. US Representatives Tom Suozzi (D, 3rd District) and Tom Reed (R, 23rd District) talked about upcoming aid packages being considered in Washington at a press conference hosted Wednesday morning by the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC). Reed and Suozzi agreed in general about the need for further aid, though they disagreed on some of the details. But when asked about how the federal government is planning for a second wave of COVID-19, both said that after experiencing this disastrous first wave they hope that a reemergence of the virus this winter would not cause the same level of disruption.

"There's going to be a definite second wave of the virus hitting again. I think that what we have to do is learn as much as possible, do as much as possible, change our behavior as much as possible between now and then so it doesn't become the crisis that we just went through," Suozzi said. "That means we have to wear our masks. That means we have to do social distancing. That means we have to be much more careful than we were this first time around."

Due to the coronavirus, 2020 census data will be calculated and returned on a later-than-normal schedule and are not expected until mid 2021. One of the implications of the late returns is on local redistricting for elections. The Tompkins County Legislature is considering how best to adjust term lengths around the return of this data in order to most accurately represent districts by total population. The redistricting process ensures that residents receive adequate representation in our County Legislature.

Legislator Amanda Champion shared options for adjusted terms at the May 19th legislature meeting. One option would be to maintain the current election cycle, with the next election for four-year terms happening in 2021, based on the current legislative districts. Another option being considered is to change the upcoming 2021 elections from four-year to two-year terms and to return to four-year terms in 2023 after new district lines are drawn based on the Census data. Options will be discussed at the next Government Operations Committee meeting on June 4th before a recommendation moves to the full Legislature.

“This impacts our county, our residents, and anyone else who wants to run for office,” said.

While Lansing's Town Recreation programs are closed according to state coronavirus guidance, updates to town parks have been progressing. Field maintenance and new donated turf in the two batting cages is being done. Restrooms in the parks will be open during the day, and several of the pavilions at Meyers Park are getting electrical upgrades and new lighting. Security camera installation at Myers Park has begun, and Kayak storage spaces are almost sold out.

But Town of Lansing Parks & Rec. Supervisor Patrick Tyrrell and Lansing Director of Planning C.J. Randall have a much bigger vision, not just for Myers Park, but for parks and trails in the town as a whole. In addition to continuing to try to get funding for a Myers Park Master Plan, the pair have been working with the Town's Parks, Recreation and Trails Committee to create a Request For Proposals (RFP) that could expand the town's park and trail systems, and potentially join town trails with those in the Village. This Month the Town Board approved the issuance of the RFP that will result in another Master Plan called the 'Parks, Recreation, and Trails Master Plan'.

"A lot of hard work and time went into preparing this RFP, many thanks to C.J. and our committee members," Tyrrell says. "My hope is that we will get this plan in place relatively soon to be able to apply for several different sources of funding. I’m excited to see what the future holds for Lansing Parks & Recreation."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo called on the U.S. Senate Wednesday to pass a coronavirus relief bill that helps all Americans and provides unrestricted fiscal support for states. The next bill should focus on funding state and local governments, working families, state testing and tracing efforts and a real economic stimulus with no handouts to corporations who do not protect their workers and only enrich executives or shareholders. The House of Representatives has already passed a bill that includes $500 billion for states and $375 billion for locals; Medicaid funding for the most vulnerable; increased SNAP food assistance; 100 percent FEMA federal assistance; funding for testing; and repeals SALT cap to help states most affected by COVID-19.

In a press conference Wednesday Congressman Tom Reed (R- 23rd NY Congressional District) accused Cuomo of sitting on $5 billion that Reed said should have been distributed to the state's counties. He said he predicts a new bill will take distribution of the federal aid out of the Governor's hands, with the federal government distributing it directly to counties and municipalities.

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued an Executive Order yesterday, authorizing businesses to deny entry to individuals who do not wear masks or face-coverings. The Executive Order builds on the state's ongoing efforts to protect New Yorkers and slow the spread.

Cuomo also announced a partnership with Rosie Perez and Chris Rock, who will help New York State build communication and education on the importance of wearing a mask and social distancing and the availability of testing and healthcare in the state.

LATE BREAKING NEWS...

 

According to an announcement Friday from Governor Cuomo, Tompkins County, as part of the Southern Tier Region, can begin phase two of reopening as of 1:00pm Friday, 5/29. The delayed reopening was in response to a further review of COVID-19 data by public health experts. 

 

Phase two industries include:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Monday that the state is bringing in international experts to help advise the state's reopening plan. Dr. Michael T. Osterholm, Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota and Dr. Samir Bhatt, Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London will work with the state to provide technical advice and analyze data/metrics throughout the state's reopening process and help track the state's progress.

"As we begin to reopen businesses and regions across the state, we have to make sure we are paying attention to the numbers and the data to make sure that infection rate doesn't go back up again," Cuomo said. "This virus is not just an issue in New York State - it is a global issue - and we need to make sure we have the best informed approach to reopening. We are bringing in international experts in this field to help advise our reopening strategy and analyze the numbers and the data as we move forward."

Ithaca College President Shirley M. Collado announced Monday that the college is making plans to open for on-campus instruction for students on October 5, 2020.  A Cornell Housing Task Force member told the Village of Lansing Trustees Monday that Cornell University's plans for reopening are in the early stages, but at this point it lookls like Cornell will also be starting later than usual, and may cancel Fall and Thanksgiving breaks to make the time up.  In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Ithaca College had moved spring semester classes to remote instruction on March 23. Classes for the 2020­-21 academic year would normally begin on Aug. 24.

"By putting a stake in the ground for an October 5 start, we are giving our returning and new students the space they need to get ready for the upcoming year," said Collado. "This carefully thought-out timeframe provides our faculty with the opportunity to fully prepare to deliver the strongest educational experience, and for our staff to fully map out their work and put solid, responsive plans in place around our emergency health and safety management."

State Senator Pam Helming and Assemblyman David DiPietro today announced last Friday they are introducing legislation to repeal new powers granted earlier this year to Governor Cuomo. Under S.7919, the Governor of New York was given the power to take virtually any action he deems necessary when there is a declared emergency. This measure gives him the ability to make changes and enact legislation without consulting the state legislature, holding hearings, or providing opportunities for public input. He may declare an emergency in virtually any circumstance.

"No Governor, Democrat or Republican, should have the ability to make hundreds of unilateral decisions without input from or votes in the state legislature. In times of crisis, decisions must often be made quickly, but they should not be made in a way that undermines the foundation of our democracy and the system of checks and balances. This is something that should concern all of us, regardless of partisan politics. State legislators are elected by their constituents to represent them, people do not solely vote for a governor. The State Legislature and Executive were created to work together for a reason. The State Senate and Assembly cannot abdicate our role in government as legislators and simply leave the difficult decisions to the Governor. I believe that it is our job to listen to our constituents, research the issues, vote and be wholly accountable to the people we represent," said Helming.

Congressman Tom Reed announced Tuesday that key health networks and hospitals across the region have agreed to join the 'Western, Finger Lakes, and Southern Tier New York Healthcare Network and Hospital Pledge.' The agreement reflects a good-faith effort by medical providers to ensure local hospitals and health networks are effectively collaborating and coordinating as the region presses forward with reopening. This level of coordination will also help to prevent specific localities from unfairly backsliding into additional shutdown orders, which would have devastating impacts on providers and the local economy.

"Our local hospitals and health care providers are truly incredible, and I thank them for continuing to work with us to make sure communities across Western New York receive the care they need. By sharing resources and bed capacity, the region can continue to meet all the necessary health metrics and return to offering critical elective surgeries and out-patient proceduresa," said Reed. "It is only fair that we come together to provide the people of our state with access to the quality services they deserve."