Archive: News

Potential Town GreenIn January Lansing residents got to tell architects and town officials what they would like to see included in a new town center.  The Lansing Town Center Committee worked with architects to get more input and translate that into tangible plans for potential features and locations for elements of the center, which led to a second presentation in April.  Town Councilwoman and Town Center Committee Chairwoman Kathy Miller continues to get community input, and she says she hopes work can begin on some of the elements within the next year or two.

"If you create an entry into this area (town land north of the Town Hall) then anyone who is interested in locating their business here can go back there and see it," she says.  "The neat thing about having all this land is that parking could be behind businesses.  You could have municipal lots behind, which would be lovely.  It would still serve the recreation areas.  It would be connected to Conlon Road and 34.  It would be really fun riding your bicycle here.  The potential is wonderful."

The hot race in Tompkins County right now is the race for Sheriff.  Ken Lansing is hoping to replace Sheriff Peter Meskill, who is running for his fourth term as Sheriff.  Both candidates are Democrats from Trumansberg, and with nobody else throwing their gauntlet into the ring, the Sheriff's race could be decided -- unofficially, at least -- in the primary on September 14th. 

The main issue in the race boils down to management versus law enforcement experience.  With 37 years of police experience including 33 years in the Cayuga Heights police force where he retired as chief, Lansing says that on the ground experience is necessary in order to be an effective leader.  But Meskill argues that he has 12 years of experience as Sheriff that shows he is a proven leader with an impressive array of accomplishments.

Peter Meskill

Peter Meskill has lived in Trumansburg all his life.  He and his wife Dale have three children, Diana (a medical student), Michael (an accountant), and Kelly (studying to be a special education teacher).  Meskill worked as a real estate broker for 13 years, and has served in local government and his community for many years.  He is currently finishing his 12th year (third term) as Tompkins County Sheriff.  He stopped the Lansing Star this week by to talk about his candidacy.  Here is what he had to say:

Originally from the Catskills, Ken Lansing came to Central New York in 1973 after graduating from college.  Has lived in Trumansburg with his wife Kim since 1975.  They have four children, Sean, Denise, Jason, and Chad, and six grandchildren.  He has served for 37 years in law enforcement, 33 of them in the Cayuga Heights Police, from which he retired in 2007 as Chief of Police.  He took time out of his campaign schedule to talk to The Lansing Star on Tuesday.

Lansing Star: Why are you running now?

Ken Lansing: I was involved in law enforcement during the incumbent's tenure, when he became Sheriff.  I've worked with him and his department.  When I retired in 2007 my intentions were to just enjoy retirement, but I did take up part time employment with the Schuyler County Sheriff's Department and with a private detective to keep myself occupied.

The former director of the State Department of Corrections’ (DOCS) prison food production operation and his staff routinely traded favors and gifts with favored businesses that were rewarded with millions of dollars in state purchases, according to a report released by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Inspector General Joseph Fisch.  DiNapoli and Fisch have forwarded the findings of their report to the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office and the State Commission on Public Integrity.

“Corruption should never be tolerated on any level,” DiNapoli said.  “But the abuses we discovered here, at a state criminal justice agency, committed at a time when New York’s taxpayers are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet, are beyond the pale. And all of this mushroomed in a culture of acceptance at DOCS.  We’re referring our findings to law enforcement and public integrity officials.”

Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Michael A. Arcuri (D-Utica) announced today that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport a total of $100,000 to conduct a wildlife hazard assessment.

“I am pleased to announce this grant which will enable Ithaca Tompkins Regional to identify potential safety issues related to wildlife at the airport,” said Arcuri, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee which is responsible for authorizing funds through the FAA.

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Richard Hanna was among about a half dozen candidates that were at the Lansing Harbor Festival two weeks ago.  Hanna is challenging U.S. Congressman Michael Arcuri for the second time.  Two years ago their race for Congress was reportedly the closest in the country.   Here is what he had to say about the race, issues, and what will be different in this year's campaign.

Lansing Star: Things are starting to heat up.  What's different this year?  How are you going to win it?

Richard Hanna:  Winning is not guaranteed.  But everybody has a strategy.  I'm not a career politician.  Strategy is something that I find an odd word, because it somehow implies almost a trickery.  I'm going to be myself.  I'm going to say what I think and I haven't changed my story.

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Until a few weeks ago the race for Lansing's U.S. Congressman was between  Democrat incumbent Michael Arcuri and Republican challenger Richard Hanna.  A new challenger entered the race almost at the last minute.  Logan Bell, a Texas native and currently a Lansing resident, was at the Lansing Harbor Festival garnering signatures, meeting voters, and talking about what he says is a unique and independent approach.

Lansing Star: You are running for Congress as an Independent?

Logan Bell: I am running as an independent nominated by the Libertarian Party.  I have no affiliation with the Independence Party.  I'm seeking to be a true independent because I think the political establishment has failed us.  I think the people need to be represented and that's why I'm running as an independent.

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What happens to our students after they graduate from Lansing High School?  How well does the school prepare them for life, college, and careers?  As the Lansing School District develops its long term strategic plan, school officials are anxious to use as much data as is available to help shape it.  High School Principal Eric Hartz presented a piece of that data Monday when he shared poll results with the Lansing Board Of Education (BOE).  The survey asked graduating seniors to rate their experience in the Lansing schools.

"This is the first of three surveys," said Superintendent Stephen Grimm.  "This one was administered before they graduated.  Then there is one that is three years out, and one that's five years out.  They stay in touch with the young adults, who are surveyed those other two times.  It also helps them stay in touch for class reunions and things like that."

The recent uproar over the construction of an Islamic Center at Ground Zero has ignited a nation wide discussion about Islam, the 9/ll Terrorist Attack, and President Obama. The entire debate about the Mosque at Ground Zero and the growing anti-Islamic sentiment echoes our nation's struggle to recognize the ever changing fabric of our identity as Americans.

Heated conversations over religion, religious identity, and Presidential alliances to a church have been waged in the United States since its inception. In a country where our national character has been tied up with God since our founding, it's hardly surprising that we decry our political opponents as worshiping a different God than we do.

The Legislature’s budget committee is recommending the County offer a special one-time local retirement incentive to eligible employees, seeking to minimize involuntary reductions in force in 2011.  The one-time local incentive, recommended by the County’s Departments of Personnel and Administration and recommended by the committee in a 4-1 vote, would be tied to the cost of retiree health care. It would allow employees who retire and vacate their positions between September 15, 2010 and March 31, 2011 to receive County health benefits for 24 months after retirement at the employee rate of 20% of premium, instead of the retiree contribution of 50% of premium for those who elect individual coverage and at a higher percentage those with family coverage.