Archive: News

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the Grape-to-School pilot program yesterday, a brand new Farm-to-School effort that introduces students to New York-grown Concord grape juice in participating school districts and BOCES programs. Through the end of the school year, 10 districts will serve NYS Grown & Certified Concord grape juice on their menus. In addition, the participating districts will provide educational activities and taste tests to promote New York agriculture and expand locally sourced products on school menus.

"This first-of-its-kind program will not only bring nutritious, locally grown Concord grapes to schoolchildren across the state, but will provide educational opportunities that allow them to learn more about New York's agricultural industries," Cuomo said. "With this initiative, we are continuing our commitment to bringing nutritious menu items to schools in every corner of the state, and supporting our local farmers and growers as they work to provide the highest quality products around."

Congressman Tom Reed criticized New York's Governor Andrew Cuomo Tuesday for what Reed called "his blatant disregard for our law enforcement community." In a recent radio interview, Cuomo stated he would "do nothing to cooperate with ICE" and the state should do anything "short of breaking the law" when dealing with the federal agency.

Also on Tuesday NYS Senator Pam Helming blasted legislation introduced in the Senate and Assembly that would grant parole eligibility to all inmates age 55 and older who have been in prison for at least 15 years, regardless of their crimes. This legislation could mean the release of hundreds of hardened criminals, including child molesters, murderers, rapists, and drug traffickers.

Governor Cuomo, Joined by Billy Joel, Signs Bill to Ban Offshore Drilling in New York Waters
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, joined by Billy Joel, signed legislation (S.2316 (Kaminsky)/A.2572 (Englebright)) Monday to ban offshore drilling in New York State waters. The legislation will bar the state from granting permits for drilling, or oil or gas exploration in offshore areas controlled by the State. The ban will protect New York's waters and coasts by making it more difficult for oil and gas drilling to occur close to coastal New York, even in waters controlled by the federal government. In addition, the legislation prohibits the leasing of State-owned underwater coastal land that would authorize or facilitate the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas. The Governor signed the bill in direct response to the Trump administration proposal to open U.S. coastal areas to drilling.

"This bill says no way are you going to drill off the coast of Long Island and New York, because we must lead the way as an alternative to what this federal government is doing," Cuomo said. "Today is about making sure Jones Beach and all of the coastal communities are here for our children and for the next generation. We must make sure we leave this world a better place for them because our job as parents, as citizens, as human beings is to pass it on better than you found it."

With the building season already upon us, Developer Eric Goetzmann, of Arrowhead Ventures, was before the Village of Lansing planning Board again to ask for new changes to the Lansing Meadows PDA (Planned Development Area) that will provide housing for people 55 and over off of Oakcrest Road.  The development is part of the same PDA that the BJ's Wholesale Club building was built, and was a condition of the PDA the Planning Board wanted to provide a gradual transition from the high density commercial area in the Village to residential neighborhoods north of the mall.

"We have three changes.  The first change is that the road is now a one way road," Goetzmann said.  "The second item that we have is a change to duplexes to triplexes.  If you look at that plan it has almost the same footprint.  The third thing is that we're going to build these to 'Town House' code, which means in the future if we can't rent them we'll be able to sell them."

Lansing Supervisor Ed LaVigne told the town Planning Board Monday that members of all the Lansing boards will be required to attend training sessions to improve municipal interaction with the public.  LaVigne said the training is one of three measures being taken to include town residents and insure they are being heard.  Town Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals members will be required to attend the training.  LaVigne said that any town employees will also be welcome to attend.

"Right now this is not a matter of transparency," he said. "It is a matter of communication.  How we communicate to our public, whether it be through taping (Town Board) meetings so people can watch those at their convenience, whether we do it posting on the Web sites, posting on Swift 911... how we can communicate with our citizens about what's going on in our town, but also reminding them that democracy is an act of participation."

"You see plastic bags hanging in trees, blowing down the streets, in landfills and in our waterways, and there is no doubt they are doing tremendous damage," Cuomo said. "Twelve million barrels of oil are used to make the plastic bags we use every year and by 2050 there will be more plastic by weight in the oceans than fish. We need to stop using plastic bags, and today we're putting an end to this blight on our environment."

The Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) reports that a red fox located on North Sunset Drive, on April 19, 2019, in the Village of Cayuga Heights was determined to be rabid by the New York State Rabies Laboratory on April 22, 2019.

Anyone who has questions or thinks they or their pet may have come in contact with the fox or any other wild animal should contact the Tompkins County Health Department at (607) 274-6688.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Monday the release of the first report from the New York State Suicide Prevention Task Force. Established by the Governor in November 2017, the Task Force serves to increase awareness of and access to supportive services with a special focus on high-risk groups including veterans, Latina adolescents, and members of the LGBTQ community. Recommendations from the report include strengthening public health prevention efforts, integrating suicide prevention in healthcare, timely sharing of data for surveillance and planning, and infusing cultural competence throughout suicide prevention activities.

"It is critical that every New Yorker has access to the resources and mental health services they need to lead stable, healthy lives," Cuomo said. "As we continue to bolster prevention efforts in communities across the state, especially among high-risk groups, these recommendations will help increase awareness and strengthen the safety net to protect anyone who needs help."

The Lansing Town Planning Board considered two projects Monday that will fill out development on the east side of North Triphammer Road.  North of Asbury Road a ten home rental development is planned.  And to the north of Franklyn Drive a single story 12,000 square foot professional building has been proposed.  Developer Andrew Sciarabba, representing S.E.E. Associates, said his partnership's aim is to attract professional services such as medical or dental practices that the community currently doesn't have.

"It will be a one story building with 48 parking spaces," Sciarabba said. "The objective is to try to attract services we don't already have in the community.  Our intent is to build a shell of a building and a parking lot.  Once the tenant comes in we'll build interiors to tenant needs."

Senator Pam Helming announced Wednesday that the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities has received more than 6,000 requests for developmental disabilities identification cards since the program was implemented in February. The free, optional ID cards help improve communication between people who have developmental disabilities and others, particularly during an emergency situation. The card can be given to law enforcement officers and other first responders, and it conveys important details related to the person's special needs, such as potential difficulties with interpersonal communications or physical contact, an inability to respond verbally, and additional contact information.

"As someone who began my career managing services for those with developmental disabilities, I know firsthand how crucial it is for people with special needs to be able to communicate with those around them, especially in an emergency. It is also critical for our first responders to be able to adequately assess a situation and properly respond to it during a crisis. This initiative accomplishes both of those goals and helps keep the public, our emergency personnel, and those with developmental disabilities safe. Individuals who choose to obtain a developmental disabilities identification card will have a new tool at their disposal when interacting with law enforcement officers or first responders. I highly encourage those with developmental disabilities and their family members to consider requesting a card. It is terrific that the program is working so well and that so many people have requested cards. Thank you to everyone at the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities for your great work implementing this program," Senator Helming said.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation (A2571 Englebright/S2317 Kaminsky) to protect menhaden, a fish whose population recovery has been instrumental in restoring striped bass, whales, dolphins, bluefish, coastal sharks, predatory fish, seals, and seabirds, among other species to New York's waters. The measure will strengthen conservation efforts to protect this vital bait fish by prohibiting the commercial use of an industrial net, known as purse seines, that can encircle an entire school of fish.

"New York has made significant investments to improve our habitat, clean up sources of harmful pollution, and restore a healthy diversity of life to our waters," Cuomo said. "This critical new law will help us further protect a vital fishery that supports species important to our sportfishing economy, as well as the majestic whales and other marine life that are once again returning to our state's coastal waters."

The 'Osmica at Spring Trail Farm' Bed & Breakfast/events venue project came under more scrutiny Monday as the Lansing Planning Board began to consider neighborhood concerns about potential traffic, lighting, storm water drainage, and sound.  The discussion hinged on what business owners' Kurt Martin and Allison Trdan have proposed, town land use ordinances, and strong concerns raised by neighbors during the public hearing that concluded last month.

The meeting began with a lengthy summary of issues to be considered by planning board member Larry Sharpsteen.  Sharpsteen said the board would be considering hours of operation; the kinds of music that should be allowed outside the main events space in a large barn that is to be remodeled to serve as a reception venue; water usage, especially water from a spring on the property; lighting restrictions; the use of temporary tents; the amount of foliage to be added to create buffers between the venue and neighboring properties; and traffic.