Archive: News

This month the Lansing Town Board provided an inside look at projects they are considering or working on as they went over their -to-do list in a public meeting earlier this month.  Projects and potential initiatives range from a new town sewer project to a local burial law.  Several of these initiatives are already in progress, and many will help shape the future of the town.

The sewer project would span the area between the Lansing schools campus and Kingdom Farm, running along Route 34B to service homes and businesses that are nearby.  Town officials hope that this new plan, which utilizes a stand-alone sewage treatment plant that would be owned by the Town, will be much more economical than the plan that failed to come to fruition a few years ago, largely because of the cost.  Currently engineers are working on a map plan that will define the scope of the project.

For years, many Americans and an equal number living abroad have been highly critical of the United States and its policies. During my lifetime, I have heard plenty of criticism ranging from the Vietnam War and racial injustice to Watergate and our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Much of the negative publicity is justified as we are a nation which partners with regimes that offers little in the way of democratic ideals, human rights, and universal freedoms. This has been our "American Paradox." We are a beacon for freedom, liberty and justice while turning a blind eye to many allies that deny basic freedoms and rights to its citizenry.

The Legislature, by unanimous vote, approved State legislation pending in the Senate and Assembly that would extend the County’s authority to enact an additional one percent sales and use tax for another two years, authority that has existed since December 1992.

The current authority, which permits the total local sales and use tax to stand at 8%, expires as of November 30, 2011.  Late last year, the Legislature requested members of the county’s Legislative delegation to sponsor such enabling legislation.  Tonight’s action endorsed the legislation that has been proposed.  Once approved by the State, the County Legislature would have to vote again to enact the extended 1% tax.

By unanimous vote, the Legislature accepted a $28,500 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to acquire and refurbish used friction measuring equipment for Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, such equipment used to determine safe operating conditions for aircraft during the winter months.  The equipment will replace a friction measuring device that no longer works.

v7i12

Fatal Fire on Buck Road

On 03/05/11, at 4:47 AM the Sheriff's Office responded to a residence located at 88 buck Road in the Town of Lansing in response to a structure fire.  The investigation revealed that resident, Ryan Burris, age 28, and perished in the fire.  Two other residents, Michael and Matthew Adams suffered burns and smoke inhalation, while resident Steven Miller escaped unharmed.

The investigation into the fire is ongoing, however the cause does not appear suspicious at this time.  The Sheriff's Office were assisted by Lansing Fire, Cayuga Heights Fire, Bang's Ambulance, and the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control.

Frank Kruppa Appointed Public Health Director

The Tompkins County Legislature tonight confirmed the appointment of  Frank Kruppa to the position of Public Health Director.  The appointment of Kruppa to the top position in the County’s Health Department comes after a year-long national search to replace former Director Alice Cole.  Kruppa currently serves as the County Health Officer and Administrator in Okeechobee County, Florida.

Mr. Kruppa (pron:  KROO-pa) is a native of the Southern Tier and earned his bachelors degree in Environmental Studies from SUNY Binghamton.  He received his Masters in Public Administration from Central Florida University.

Thomas P. DiNapoliReduced Spending in NY Schools

School districts across New York are reacting to current economic conditions by reducing spending, with the number of districts doing so in 2010 rising six-fold from two years earlier, according to a report released at a meeting of the New York State School Boards Association today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

“The cost of education, like everything else, keeps going up, and school district revenues are going down,” DiNapoli said.  “Many school districts have taken steps to align spending with today’s economic realities. But it’s imperative that every school district look at ways to cut costs and plan strategies that help them deal with fiscal stress. The fiscal climate isn’t going to get better overnight.  School districts have to find ways to educate and economize at the same time. Raising taxes should be a last resort. Districts need to take a serious look at streamlining operations, sharing services and using multiyear planning to keep costs in check.”

Lansing School Superintendent Stephen Grimm tried looking into his crystal ball Monday to show the Board Of Education what the district's future may look like.  The picture was bleak.  While Lansing is in better shape than many school districts across New York State, it faces the same challenges as schools across the state are being pushed over the so-called 'funding cliff'.  While reserves could take care of a $2.5 million budget gap, like a savings account once the money is spent it is gone, and what do you do next year?

"You have to start thinking about what does a million dollars look like?" Grimm said.  "What does another two million dollars look like?  What do we want education to look like for kids, and at what point do we say to taxpayers, 'we know you're fatigued, but we have to have a tax levy that's 12%.'  That's what some districts are talking about: get some money now 'cause when the tax cap comes..."

Tompkins County Administrator Joe Mareane announced Wednesday that former Ithaca Fire Department Chief Brian Wilbur has accepted an interim appointment to manage Tompkins County’s 911 Dispatch Center.  Wilbur succeeds Communication Center Manager Lin Hurd, who retired after seven years of service with the County as of March 15.  Chief Wilbur will serve in the position until a Civil Service test is issued and a permanent manager selected, a process expected to take as long as one year.

“I can’t think of anyone more qualified or respected among emergency services and law enforcement professionals than Chief Wilbur,” said Mareane.  “He is the right person to lead us through this transition.”

U.S. Rep. Richard HannaWashington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna (R, C, I-Barneveld) will use his insight from more than 30 years experience in the private sector as he joins the House Small Business Committee.

Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) made the announcement Tuesday.

“As a small businessman for over three decades, I know that if small business does not do well, then this country will not do well,” Hanna said. “We need low, predictable taxes, less red tape, and new ways to encourage business formation. I look forward to working with Chairman Graves and the entire Committee to help create an environment where business can thrive.”

The Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) received a revised request yesterday for bonding support for the Arrowhead Ventures project, a mixed-use development in the Village of Lansing, adjacent to the Shops at Ithaca Mall. Last December, the IDA, by a 4-3 vote, declined to support Triax Management Group's initial request for support.

The Arrowhead project involves a BJ's Wholesale Club, 12 units of senior housing, and expansion of a reclaimed wetland for bird habitat. Developers seek a payment-in-lieu-of-tax (PILOT) financing agreement (known as PILOT increment financing) to support qualifying project costs related to development of the senior housing and wetland development parts of the project, required by the Village of Lansing.