Archive: News

County Candidates: Mike Sigler

: By Dan Veaner; News; | Aug 18, 2005 |

Mike Sigler is enthusiastic and confident. With a background in broadcast journalism he is well spoken. He recently moved to Lansing with his wife, Sarah, his step son and baby daughter. Mr. Sigler challenged Barbara Lifton in the lively 2002 State Assembly race.

This the second part 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 6 Candidates

District 6

Unclogging the Sewer District Plan

: By Dan Veaner; News; | Aug 18, 2005 |

The Town of Lansing has been working on a sewer district plan for about eight years. Town officials view the project as an environmental imperative as well as a vital part of town planning to preserve farm land in the North of town while encouraging development in the South.

With a growing population and ongoing development septic systems built over bedrock threaten Cayuga Lake water. The town predicts that the lake will become the major source of drinking water in the future, so it must be protected. At the same time a sewer system would encourage development within the proposed district. By keeping North Lansing out of the district the Town would also protect farmers from possible high fees that could partly be determined by lot size.

Audit Shows Fiscally Responsible Town

: By Dan Veaner; News; | Aug 18, 2005 |

Patric S. Jordan of the accounting firm Ciaschi, Dietershagen, Little, Mickelson & Company, LLP presented the Lansing Town Board with a draft of an independent audit performed on the town's 2004 budget and spending. The report contains an unqualified opinion, which he explained is good, that the financial statements were accurately stated.

"The financial position is good for a town of this size," Mr. Jordan told board members. The firm found nothing negative, finding the town has complied with regulations in accepting bids and departmental spending.

School Board Notes

: By Dan Veaner; News; | Aug 11, 2005 |

Athletic Code Passed: The School Board passed the final draft of the Athletic code in their regular Monday meeting. Edits had been made to define the punishment for students who break the code so that both students and teachers could be clear about what is expected.

Taking Care of Business: Gary Alger will be resigning as Interim Business Administrator for the school district at the end of September, and the board considered what action to take to make sure the district continues to have good coverage in this area. The consensus was that another temporary person should be hired, deferring the hiring of a permanent Business Administrator until the new superintendent has been hired and can have a say in the process.

Boiler Bid Accepted: The School Board accepted the lowest bid on the Middle School boiler replacement project after it was determined that the contractor will be able to complete the work on schedule, or at least get temporary heat into the building by the September 15 deadline. The firm with the winning bid is Kimble, Inc. of Elmira. Interim Business Administrator Gary Alger said he was pleased that the bid came in ten to fifteen thousand dollars below the amount that had been allotted for the project. The total expenditure will be between $235,000 and $240,000.

School Tax Levy Approved

: By Dan Veaner; News; | Aug 11, 2005 |

August 8 -- The Lansing School Board approved a resolution to fix the tax levy for the Lansing Central School District at $12,640,111.00 at their regular Monday night meeting. This levy is necessary to raise money for the current budget authorized by Lansing voters not to exceed $20,007,661.00.

Phase 2 Revisited

: By Dan Veaner; News; | Aug 11, 2005 |

August 8 -- The Lansing School Board considered the Facilities Committee's recommendation for handling the Phase 2 construction project. The recommendation is to implement a $31 million dollar base proposal, and to conduct two referendums to determine whether the public will approve spending for a new High School Auditorium and a new IP-based security/phone system. Interim Superintendent Tiffany Phillips stressed that the $31 million is a working figure that will certainly change as the Board considers what will be in the project. She said it was conservatively calculated and could be lower when the proposal is finalized.

County Candidates: McEver

: By Dan Veaner; News; | Aug 11, 2005 |

Doug McEver is confident, self-possessed and knowledgeable. He speaks slowly and thoughtfully, asking his own questions and then answering them. He has definite opinions about the direction the County is headed, and what he thinks it should be doing.

This is part 1 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 6 Candidates

District 6

County Board District 6 (Town)

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

This chart compares the candidates running in the general election for the District 6 seat on the County Board. Tom Todd is stepping down this year, leaving the seat open. Most of the Town of Lansing votes for this seat. This chart compares Republican Mike Sigler and Democrat Hurf Sheldon. [View District 10(Village of Lansing, NE Ithaca)]

County Board District 10 (Village)

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

District 10 represents Lansing Village and Cayuga Heights. This chart compares Republican challenger Cliff Buck and Democrat incumbant Dooley Kiefer in the general election. The Vilage of Lansing votes for this seat. [View District 6 (Town of Lansing)]

Lansing Votes: County Campaigns Heat Up

: By Dan Veaner; News; | Aug 4, 2005 |

It may seem early to be thinking about elections, but the summer weather in Lansing isn't the only thing heating up. Both County Board seats held by Lansing representatives will be contested, and three positions in Town government, two Town Board seats and one Town Justice, are up for reelection this year. Village elections are held in April, so they are done for the year.

Doug McEver, a Republican, is running for the District 6 County Board seat being vacated by Tom Todd. He will be challenged in the Republican primary by Mike Sigler. The winner of the primary will run against Democrat Hurf Sheldon. District 6 is the only Lansing-only seat on the County Board.

Substitute Charged with Child Pornography

: By Dan Veaner; News; | Aug 4, 2005 |

On July 29 Middle School Principal John Gizzy sent a letter to parents, informing them that a substitue teacher who has taught in the district 18 times over the past three years has been charged with federal and state crimes having to do with child pornography. He had taught twice in the elementary school, and eight times each in the middle and high schools, the last time on June 13 of this year.

New Temple Dedicated in Lansing

: By Dan Veaner; News; | Jul 28, 2005 |

Sunday, July 24 - There was jubilation in the air as the Reform Jewish Congregation Tikun V'or gathered at Ithaca's Unitarian Church last Sunday. The sun was out, and it was not too hot for the planned march from the Church where they have been meeting for the past 14 years to their new synagogue in Lansing. The congregation bought the land at the corner of Triphammer and Burdick Hill roads over four years ago hoping to build their own synagogue there some day.

With no home or Rabbi of its own, prayer leaders Abbe Lyone and Mona Sulzman conducted services at the Unitarian Church until now. "I am pleased and thrilled to be here," said Nancy Goody, the temple founder. "It is great to celebrate with so many people who helped start this temple and then kept it going for so many years. It's just a glorious day to march this Torah up to it's real home."

School Board Makes the First Cut

: By Dan Veaner; News; | Jul 28, 2005 |

The School Board met in the Buckley Elementary School Thursday night to decide which candidates for Superintendent will be considered. Approximately six qualified candidates will be chosen from the more than 28 resumes that have been submitted.

Resumes were sent to Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES District Superintendent Ellen O'Donnell. Part of the Fast Track process is that she will bring her recommendations of the best candidates to the board.

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