Archive: News - The Lansing Star Online

Archive: News

Sigler Wins Republican Primary

: By Dan Veaner; News; | Sep 15, 2005 |

Mike Sigler Republicans turned out at the polls in Tuesday's primary election to choose a candidate for the District 6 County Board seat being vacated this year by Thomas Todd. The district includes most of Lansing, except for the Village of Lansing and part of North Lansing.

Michael J. Sigler defeated Douglas T. McEver 230 to 82. Mr. Sigler will run against Democrat Hurf Sheldon in the November general election. While the turnout for the primary was low, it was about average for a primary election. "I'm very pleased, says Mr. Sigler. "It was good to see the Republicans turn out for the primary. I'm pleased that we got such a high percentage of the vote. Now my job is to convince the Democrats and the independents."

Republican Primary Tuesday

: By Dan Veaner; News; | Sep 8, 2005 |

Republican Primary ElectionsLansing Republicans will go to the polls on Tuesday (9/13) to pick their nominee for the District 6 seat on the Tompkins County Board. Doug McEver and Mike Sigler are vying for the nomination.

Sigler

View Comparison Chart
View McEver Interview
View Sigler Interview

McEver

Mr. McEver currently sits on the Lansing Town Board, and has 35 years in insurance business, four years on the Town Board, has participated on about 15 committees including environmental, political and economic committees. Mr. Sigler ran a campaign against State Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton in 2002. He has been a NYS Parks Commissioner and says he will be a fresh voice with new perspectives.

Democratic Caucus Struggles to Find Candidates

: By Dan Veaner; News; | Sep 8, 2005 |

Thursday September 8 -- Lansing Democrats held a caucus at the Lansing Community Center tonight to nominate candidates to run in November's general election. Three town seats are up this year including one Town Justice seat and two on the Town Board.

William Burin has been one of Lansing's two Town Justices for three four year terms so far, and he was nominated again to run for a fourth. "Four more years," he said, looking forward to another term. He added that he might retire from the bench after that, but it is too early to make that decision. Justice Burin will be uncontested in the general election.

County Candidates: Dooley Kiefer

: By Dan Veaner; News; | Sep 8, 2005 |

Dooley Kiefer has served three terms on the County legislature, and she spoke to the Star about why she wants another term. She has lived in the district for over 45 years and has been active in government and politics nearly all of her life. The brings an environmental perspective to the legislature, and is outspoken about what she believes the County can and should do.

This is part three of a five week series in which we will publish one interview of a candidate for Lansing seats on the County Board per week. The interviews were conducted in late July and early August. Candidates were asked the same questions to make it easier for readers to compare. We also provide "at a glance" charts showing the highlights of each campaign.

Compare the District 10 Candidates

District 10

Triphammer Torn Up

: By Dan Veaner; News; | Sep 1, 2005 |

Triphammer Road construction continues to cause delays, as the next step in the construction has begun. Now that the utility companies have finished moving telephone, cable, electric and utility poles work has begun on the actual roadway, causing longer delays than before. Traffic is reduced to one lane, often in more than one spot.

Many residents have been finding alternate routes, says Village Clerk and Treasurer Jodi Dake. When finished the Village portion of Triphammer Road will become a three lane road with a center turning lane. Bicycle paths and sidewalks will line both sides of the road.

NW Lansing Water District Extension Considered

: By Dan Veaner; News; | Sep 1, 2005 |

The Lansing Town Board is considering extending the water district to include an area in the vicinity of Algerine Road and part of Lansing Station Road in the North West area of town. Some residents in the area have been interested in having town water there for almost ten years.

Last April a group of residents from the neighborhood conducted a survey, which they presented to the Town Board. Of the eighty questionnaires returned, 82.5% (66 residents) responded positively to extending the district. One resident told the Board, "These people want water!"

Tompkins County Helps Katrina Victims

: By Darla VanOstrand; News; | Sep 1, 2005 |

Tompkins County American Red Cross Responds to the need for aid
due to the effects from Hurricane Katrina to the Gulf Coast States

The Tompkins County American Red Cross has mobilized and is sending 6 staff members and volunteers to the Gulf Coast areas effected by Hurricane Katrina. These volunteers will initially be working in one of Shelters/Evacuation Centers currently open from the panhandle of Florida and west across coastal Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia and Texas. The Red Cross will assess later in the week whether additional volunteers need to be deployed.

Housing Authority Holds Annual Public Meeting

: By Constance S. Conlon; News; | Sep 1, 2005 |

The annual public meeting of the Lansing Housing Authority was held Monday, July 25 at Woodsedge Senior Housing in Lansing. Two new members, Barbara Bills and Susan Mehr, have been appointed by the Lansing Town Board and their participation in Housing Authority work will be most welcome.

Many Sewer Questions, Answers Elusive

: By Dan Veaner; News; | Sep 1, 2005 |

Wednesday's Sewer Committee meeting highlighted the unresolved questions the public and committee members face in the months ahead. It also illustrated the fear of the unknown that is concerning the public and stymieing the committee. In the face of this Bud Shattuck, Councilman and Deputy Town Supervisor, showed determination that outstanding questions be answered openly and soon, so that decisions can be made and the public informed.

This group is a working committee, so it is understandable that there are unknowns in this stage of their deliberations. The purpose of the committee is to identify the issues, gather information and make decisions. They are well into the process, but not yet at a stage where the path is clear.

County Candidates: Cliff Buck

: By Dan Veaner; News; | Sep 1, 2005 |

Cliff Buck is definite about what he thinks is wrong with County government. He speaks thoughtfully, and is impressed with what numbers tell him. he is passionate about libraries and has been actively involved in the community. A graduate of SUNY Cortland, he taught secondary English in Trumansburg and Lansing for two years in the early 1970s. Hehas lived in Lansing for 25 years, and with his wife Suzanne has three children.

Compare the District 10 Candidates

District 10

County Candidates: Hurf Sheldon

: By Dan Veaner; News; | Aug 25, 2005 |

Hurf Sheldon is a gregarious, yet soft spoken man who gets involved in his community. He and his wife Melissa came here for two years for Melissa to go to college. He took a job as a technician in a physics lab at Cornell, because he thought it would be fun for a couple of years. Then he began doing computer work there and his family became settled here. He says, "We've been very happy. It's a wonderful community."

Compare the District 6 Candidates

District 6

Traffic Light for School Safety?

: By Dan Veaner; News; | Aug 25, 2005 |

Should there be a traffic light on the exit from the school campus at Ludlowville Rd. and 34B? That was a question the Lansing School Board considered at their regular Monday night meeting on August 23. Concerns for safety have arisen because of the new traffic pattern proposed as part of the Phase II capital improvement project.

Board member Glen Swanson did some research on what it would take to get a light installed. He noted that a lot of attention was being paid to the traffic pattern on the campus, but not as much given to how traffic enters and exits. He visited the Sheriff's office to get statistics on accidents at the intersection. In the last year there were 26 accidents, with eight people hurt. There were no deaths.

Building Project Chicken and Egg

: By Dan Veaner; News; | Aug 25, 2005 |

At a special meeting in the Lansing High School library the school board and representatives from the architectural firm King & King held a workshop to clarify concerns the board has about the upcoming capital improvement project. Kirk Narburgh, a partner in the firm, led a team of five who answered questions the board posed.

The board had been given a list at their last regular meeting that grouped items that should be constructed together, either because it is a logical cause and effect, or because grouping them maximizes state aid. For example, moving school offices to the main entrance is a priority for security and flow control reasons. But moving the High School office also means moving the music rooms, because the office would go where they are currently located.