Archive: News

On the heels of its success in raising money to reassemble Lansing's historic 1791 log cabin, the Lansing Community Council is taking on a more ambitious project to replace the playground in Myers Park.  While the Community Council aims to raise $130,000 for the project, that is not its only goal.  Council members hope to involve the whole community in the design and building of its playground, which it is calling MP3 (Myers Park Playground Project).  To get things started the group is hosting a community celebration.

"I think it's a fun way to bring people together," says Charmagne Rumgay, an MP3 committee member and Town employee .  "The children really benefit in the end.  They have a fun place to play.  They need a place to play to be able to grow, and this is a great opportunity to bring that together."

WASHINGTON, DC – Wednesday U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri (NY-24) led debate on the floor of the Cyber Security Enhancement Act (H.R. 4061).  Arcuri spoke about the major contributions being made to advances in cyber security at places like Rome Lab and other local businesses as the bill provides a plan for cyber security research and development and places an emphasis on training men and women to become cyber security professionals.

“Investing in cybersecurity is the Manhattan Project of our generation,” Arcuri said.  Cyber threats and attacks are real, and they threaten our financial and defense networks every day.  Nearly every aspect of our daily lives in the global society is dependent on the security of our cyber networks.  We rely on these systems to carry virtually all our business transactions, control our electric grid, emergency communications systems, and traffic lights.”

The Legislature has delayed consideration of support for revising the 20-year Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement between the County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) and the AES Cayuga power generating facility to provide more time for citizens to obtain information on the proposal. 

Lansing Legislator Pat Pryor requested postponement of the vote until the Legislature’s February 16 meeting, saying that she has received, and is continuing to receive, many questions about the proposed revision, and would like additional time to ensure that those who would be affected have their questions addressed.

Legislature Concludes Update of Legislative Rules and Procedures

The Legislature completed the process begun a year ago to review and revise the rules and procedures of the Legislature. After more than an hour of thoughtful discussion, Legislators updated a dozen rules of the Legislature, not previously considered during the special review process undertaken in 2009. 

The final vote on the rules changes was 11-4, with Legislators Jim Dennis, Pat Pryor, Pam Mackesey, and Leslyn McBean-Clairborne voting no.  Much of the discussion focused on new language recommended by the special Legislative Rules and Procedures Committee governing use of electronic devices during meetings. 

Two public hearings were held Monday to accept the conveyance of two roads to the Village of Lansing in the Bolton Estates subdivision.  Village Trustees accepted the roads subject to legal requirements to do with warranty and other requirements being met.  This opens the door to the possibility of a new Village park, but the history of Bolton Point complicate matters somewhat.  Poison Ivy Point will be conveyed to the Village, but access to the small promontory is complicated.  The Village and the Bolton Point Water Commission have begun talking about conveying a third road to the Village as a walking trail to the point, but access across the railroad tracks may be difficult to obtain.

"I see this as an initial step," says Mayor Donald Hartill.  "At the end of this episode we may begin to explore access with the railroad what it would cost to have pedestrian access across that track."

State Senator Mike Nozzolio today joined a number of his New York State Senate Colleagues in demanding President Barack Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder, and the United States Congress to move the 9/11 terrorist trials out of New York City.

“The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 were the most horrific crimes ever committed against the people of the United States. The idea that these trials would be held just blocks from where nearly 4,000 people lost their lives is an outrage and demonstrates a lack of understanding of the serious threat to the public." said Senator Nozzolio. “Holding the terrorist trials in New York City would threaten the safety and well being of all New Yorkers and would cost taxpayers nearly $1 billion.”

Tops Friendly Markets announced Monday that its bid to acquire a majority of Penn Traffic's assets, including its 79 supermarket locations, has been approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.  Supermarkets include local P&C outlets, but the status of these stores is still uncertain.

"It is Tops' intention to run as many stores and retain as many jobs as possible," says company spokesperson Katie McKenna.  "Over the next month, Tops will be diligently evaluating all 79 locations including the stores' economic viability to determine which stores Tops will continue to operate, sell to other retailers, or close."

'Welcome to Finger Lakes Residential,
Where dreams matter, And change happens.'

So reads the bright purple and yellow banner, which now hangs above the entrance to the OCFS residential facility formerly known as the The Louis Gossett Center .

Speaking on behalf of the Tompkins County Legislature, Chair Martha Robertson, as part of an Albany event Monday, urged that Governor David Paterson withdraw the proposed document that would regulate natural gas drilling in the Marcellus shale. 

Last month, the Legislature, approving its official comments to the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) without dissent, urged that the State reevaluate its review process and permit no drilling using the hydraulic fracturing technique until an adequate environmental review is completed.

AES Plant Manager Jerry Goodenough faced a tough room Monday when he appeared at the Lansing Board of Education meeting.  He was accompanied by County Administrator Joe Mareane and Tompkins County Area Development (TCAD) president Michael Stamm to explain why an agreement between the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) and AES has been reopened so soon with significant negative long and short term consequences to the school district.

"As you know things have changed very profoundly over the past couple of years," explained Mareane.  "It's the worst economy in our lifetime.  Energy demand has fallen with the economy.  Much of the demand for energy can now be filled with lower cost energy sources like hydro and natural gas.  With falling demand the price paid for energy has fallen, too.  Surprisingly, the price of coal has remained stable."

While the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) still faces the need for budget cuts, reports and discussions at the January 26 meeting focused on strategies to insure inclusiveness and good learning experiences for all students.

Reports from the Discovery Trail, the Declaration of Shared Values, the Ithaca Teachers Association, and the Northeast and Enfield elementary schools, all showed a strong interest in finding ways to create a good community for learning.

 

On 01/18/10, deputies charged Devante A. Johnson, age 17, of 10 Springbrook Circle, Lansing, with Burglary 2nd, a Class C Felony.

It was alleged, that on 01/18/10, at approximately 2:30 PM, Johnson forcibly entered a residence on East Shore Circle and subsequently became in engaged in a dispute with a female resident inside. This was not a random incident, as Johnson was found to have had a past relationship with the resident. Johnson allegedly struck the resident, and damaged a vehicle in the driveway by throwing a rock through the window. The resident was treated and released from Cayuga Medical Center with minor injury.