Archive: News

Lansing lost its bid to lower the speed limit along Auburn and Ridge Roads (NY Route 34B) from Triphammer Road to the Lansing Schools.  The Town Board voted in December to submit a request to the New York State DOT (Department of Transportation) to lower the speed limit from 45 miles per hour to 35mph.

"We petitioned the state to look at the speed limit," says Lansing Supervisor Kathy Miller.  "We got turned down.  They felt that because it slows down to 35 near the school that was enough."

Local news has focused on the Tompkins County Legislature's consideration of a resolution to recommend Albany repeal the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013.  More than 200 citizens turned out with 59 speaking.  37 urged repeal of the law.  Last week Lansing residents told the Town Board what they think about the SAFE Act, with a half dozen speakers split half and half for or against. 

The Board considered two potential resolutions.  One urges repeal of the SAFE Act, while the other asks Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature to reconsider the law.  There was some confusion among citizens about why there were two resolutions, but Supervisor Kathy Miller explained that the board is considering options.

A municipal sewer in South Lansing will be closer to reality next week when proposed district residents are mailed the official document that defines the project for the town and for the New York State Comptroller's office.  Town Engineer David Herrick told the Lansing Sewer Committee Wednesday that the Map Plan Report (MPR) would be completed this week.  The MPR is the official document that describes a sewer project, its scope, justification, and costs.  Town Supervisor Kathy Miller said that copies of the MPR will be mailed to all property owners within the proposed all-town district next week.

That mailing begins a plan for bringing accurate information about the sewer to the public.  A public information meeting is planned for April 23 at 7pm in the Lansing Middle School Auditorium at which Miller says people will have a chance to get the facts and have their questions answered.

About 25 people showed up for a community Forum at Lansing High School to learn about the budget and school taxes, and to learn about Acting Superintendent Chris Pettograsso.  The Lansing Board of Education is expected to vote on whether to make Pettograsso the permanent superintendent at the April 8th school board meeting.  The purpose of the forum was to provide information to and get feedback from the community.

Pettograsso began with a presentation on why she wants to become the permanent superintendent, stressing the importance of the school culture and community.  She talked about where she sees the district going, stressing data that shows that while the district is successful academically, it has work to do on its culture.

State Senator Mike Nozzolio announced Wednesday that the Senate has adopted a series of legislative measures designed to increase criminal penalties for sexual predators and prevent them from obtaining access to potential victims.  As Chairman of the Senate Codes Committee, which has jurisdiction over all aspects of criminal justice law, Nozzolio led the fight to crackdown on sexual predators and enact these aggressive new legislative measures.

“Sexual predators prey on the innocent and are among the most dangerous criminals in our society because of their tendency to commit repeated acts of violence," said Nozzolio. "As the Chairman of the Senate Codes Committee, I have fought strenuously for increased penalties for sexual predators and improved services and support for crime victims.  The legislation adopted by my Senate colleagues and I represents the next step in our efforts to keep our children and communities safe by ensuring that those who commit these horrific crimes are kept off our streets and in prison where they belong.”

The Tompkins County Legislature listened to nearly three hours of public comment regarding the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013 (more commonly known as the SAFE Act), and decided to examine the issue at a special meeting of its Public Safety Committee next week before weighing in on the new law, which prompted comments both against and in support before Legislators tonight.

At what may have been a record in recent history for public turnout and comment before the Legislature, more than 200 citizens turned out, filling the Legislature Chambers and overflowing into the Main Courtroom at the County Courthouse.  Of them, 59 people spoke—about two thirds (37) urging repeal of the Act and about one-third (22) in support.

Part of developing a municipal comprehensive plan is learning what your residents want in the forseeable future.  The Village and Town of Lansing are are taking different approaches to updating their plans.  Both are at the point where they need this data before updating their plans.  This week there was heated discussion on both boards about the value of paying for a professional, scientific phone survey.

Town and Village officials have taken different approaches to updating their plans.  Each Village Trustee has been assigned a portion of the Village plan, and was encouraged to solicit villagers to help update those sections.  The Town hired Planner Jonathan Kanter to help develop its plan and lead a Comprehensive Plan Committee that has been meeting since October.  Members include town and village officials and stakeholders from different segments of the town.  The discussion has focussed on questions and issues the committee thinks important for a survey.

Wednesday (March 20th) Acting School Superintendent Chris Pettograsso sent a letter to parents warning of a suspicious driver that had approached a Lansing elementary school student who was waiting for the school bus near Collins Road in Freeville.  A blue sedan stopped and a male driver attempted to speak to the girl until her mother opened the door and approached.  The car sped off and did not return.

The next day Pettograsso issued an update with another report of a white male in his 20s, driving a blue sedan that slowed down to follow a Lansing student walking on Goodman Road in Groton.  He followed for a short time, then drove away.  Both incidents were reported to the police.

Highway Superintendent Jack French reported Wednesday that he has been notified that Lansing's Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) allotment will hold steady for the sixth year in a row.  But French said the State is thinking about discontinuing the funding altogether.

"It probably will be decreased, if not eliminated," he said Wednesday.  That's $156,000 for the Town of Lansing.  The County was getting $350,000 -- it might be more than that.  It could possibly be eliminated."

Reviewing a framing memo presented by County Administrator Joe Mareane, the Legislature’s Capital Plan Review Committee today agreed to a plan for examining the future of the Old County Library building over the next three months.

Noting that the 33,000 square foot structure is still safe and habitable, but in relatively poor repair and that there could well be “problems around the corner,” Administrator Mareane told the committee that with nearly all County archival records digitized and out of the building, and with felony drug court and family treatment court programs soon to be relocated, the Community Justice Center’s Day Reporting Program will soon be the only occupant of the building.

Nate Shinagawa, 2012 Democratic Nominee for Congress and Tompkins County Legislator, announced today that he will not be running for Congress in 2014.

"With Congress still failing to turn around this economy, it's clear Washington needs leadership. However, while I've been pushed by the national Democratic Party and local leaders to run, I have decided that this district, and my family, need my attention at home," said Shinagawa.

New York State Senator Mike Nozzolio announced the introduction of the 'Blueprint for Jobs' Monday, a targeted package of tax cuts, reform measures and training initiatives designed to grow jobs and encourage economic development.

The 'Blueprint for Jobs' would cut taxes for one million small businesses and reduce energy costs for every business and residential ratepayer in New York, saving them $2.5 billion dollars.