Archive: News

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri (NY-24) testified at the House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources’ hearing on legislation pertaining to Indian Land Trusts.  Arcuri highlighted the many issues that the land into trust process currently leaves unresolved and called on the Federal government to take a strong role to assist tribes, state and local governments and school districts in addressing these issues.

After a drug scare in June in which Lansing middle and high school students were falsely rumored to be arrested, parents asked school officials for a program on drugs.  This year Superintendent Stephen Grimm and his leadership team have been farming data from an anonymous youth development survey students tilled out a year ago, as well as planning events to help parents and students be aware of the hazards of illegal drugs.

Next Thursday (November 12) the school district will offer a 'Parent University' on drugs at Lansing High School.  Only parents are invited to the 7pm Thursday event.   The district will provide babysitting services for parents that need them.  Students will have attended a companion event earlier in the day, tailored for them.

Lansing Councilman Bud Shattuck reported that he is meeting with Cornell Cooperative Extension officials about getting grant money to put solar panels on the Lansing Town Hall.  Shattuck says there is both stimulus money and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) grant money available for the project.

"I'd like to be able to move forward with at least that part of it," Shattuck said at last month's Town Board meeting.  "If the bids are too costly and the return is not enough then I'd acquiesce, but I'd like to be able to move forward with it over the next couple of months prior to my leaving the Board."

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri (NY-24) called on the CEOs of Bank of America and Citigroup to end the unreasonable new credit card interest rates and fees that the two banks are allegedly going to be charging consumers for not carrying a consistent balance on their credit card.

“To see two companies that came before Congress only a year ago and asked for federal funding to save their banks and gouge the consumer is despicable,” Arcuri said, “The American people have done more than their fair share to rescue our country from this economic downturn and it is time for these banks to recognize that they are in the business of customer service and are not set up to prey on the consumer, but rather help them succeed.”

Reconvening a meeting adjourned from last week, The Tompkins County Legislature adopted amendments to the 2010 tentative budget, as recommended by its Expanded Budget Committee.  The vote was 9-6, with the full Legislature present.  Voting in favor of the amended budget were Legislators Greg Stevenson, Will Burbank, Carol Chock, James Dennis, Dooley Kiefer, Pam Mackesey, Frank Proto, Martha Robertson and Nathan Shinagawa.  Legislators Mike Sigler, Mike Hattery, Kathy Luz Herrera, Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, Tyke Randall, and Chair Mike Koplinka-Loehr voted no.

	listen Note: The debate took two hours so the sound file may take some time to load, depending upon your Internet connection speed.

Lansing 2009 DebateResidents came out to the Lansing Community Center Sunday for a debate between Lansing's Town Board and County Legislator candidates.  Republicans Doug McEver and Robert Cree faced off against Democrats Kathy Miller and James Mason for Town Board, and County Legislature incumbent Mike Sigler (Republican) was challenged by Democrat Pat Pryor.  The questions came from the audience, and were read by moderator and former Town Supervisor Steve Farkas.

Most of the questions were directed at Town Board candidates.  Major issues included possible natural gas drilling, budgeting, development, and the need to attract business to Lansing to relieve the tax base.  Much of what was said was covered in Lansing Star interviews over the past two weeks (Click here for detailed exclusive interviews), but some new questions were put to the candidates.

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In response to an outrageous new mandate requiring every New Yorker to purchase new license plates, whether they need one or not, State Senator Mike Nozzolio has started on online petition campaign to repeal the mandate, which will cost motorists $25 per vehicle. The new plate requirement was included in the 2009-10 State budget enacted by Governor Paterson and New York City legislators now dictating State policy.

“This New York City-driven tax hike is especially hurtful to Upstate New Yorkers, because people depend on their cars to get to work, go to school, shop and travel throughout their communities. Cars are not a luxury for the residents of Upstate New York, as we do not have the same access to public transportation that Downstate residents enjoy,” said Senator Nozzolio. “This absurd new license plate fee also comes in addition to the 25 percent increase in driver’s license and registration fees that were included in the budget and are already in place.”

About a dozen people turned out for a Town meeting with State Senator Mike Nozzolio and Tompkins County Legislator Mike Sigler Wednesday at the Lansing Community Library.  The two legislators met with constituents informally, then held a question and answer session.  Both commended the library for its success, and noted their parts in finding funding for it.  Nozzolio awarded State money to the library twice during its formation, and Sigler fought to get County funding on a par with the other rural libraries.

""This is a town that I represent in a county that I love," Nozzolio said.  "It borders the lake that I love the most.  It's a wonderful place."

Superintendent Stephen Grimm reported on the state of capital improvement projects at Monday's Board of Education meeting.  Grimm updated the board on two projects that are underway: a new roof on the Elementary School that is nearly finished, and an energy performance contract that is ongoing in all three school buildings.  Both were financed with no additional cost to taxpayers, but a new project may have some tax impact.

All three projects came out of a failed $20 million project the year before Grimm joined the district.  That project included many repairs to the buildings that need to be completed to keep them operating.  Grimm managed to get the most urgent repairs covered in his first two projects, cleverly financing them with a combination of building reserve money. EXCEL aid, and state aid.  While the energy contract will require some expenditure by the school district, the savings realized by more efficient boilers, insulation, etc. will outstrip the money spent.

This year the Lansing Star is only interviewing candidates for contested seats in Lansing.  If you vote in Lansing Districts 1-5 (most of the Town of Lansing, not including the Village) your County Board Legislator Mike Sigler (Republican and Independence parties) is being challenged by Pat Pryor (Democrat and Lansing Lighthouse parties).  In the Village Dooley Kiefer is running unopposed for her fifth term.  This year Town Board members Bud Shattuck and Matt Besemer are stepping down.  Robert Cree and Doug McEver (Republican and Independence parties) and James Mason and Kathy Miller (Democratic party) will vie for those seats.  Town Justice William Burrin (Democratic party)  will run unopposed for his fifth term.

This week we have exclusive interviews with the four Lansing Town Board candidates.  We asked each the same questions so you can compare as you make your choices for the November election.

Click on the pictures below to read the interviews, or visit the Elections Page in our News section.

Pat Pryor

Mike Sigler

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Robert Cree is running for Lansing Town Board on the Republican and Independence tickets.  He has lived with in Lansing for 17 years with his wife Elizabeth, and in Tompkins County for over 30.  They had two children, ages 14 and 10.  He is Associate Vice President for Business and Finance at Ithaca College, and serves on the Boards of Directors of CFCU, Longview, and the Downtown Ithaca Alliance.  His education includes a BS in accounting and an MBA from Ithaca College.

Cree wants to give Lansing more bang for its buck.  He stresses fiscal responsibility, and says he will bring financial and management experience to the Town Board, if elected.  He talked to the Lansing Star at his office this week about how his experience will enhance the Town Board.

James Mason is a structural and geotechnical engineer who works on historic structures.  He and his wife Stephanie Levy also own and operate a historic structure, the Federal House B&B in Ludlowville.  They have lived in Lansing since 1997, and have one son, 20.  Mason holds a PhD in Geotechnical Engineering from Cornell, and has worked on structures including the Bay Bridge in the San Francisco area.  He is originally from Livermore, California.

Mason is campaigning on a platform of protecting Lansing's history and natural resources, applying a holistic engineering approach to solving problems, and experience working on local issues.  Among others he has been active in a group of Ludlowville neighbors who have been working with Tompkins County on a project to mitigate flooding in Ludlowville.  He invited the Lansing Star to his home to talk about his campaign.