Archive: News

Dryden, NY -- Town of Dryden leaders are encouraging residents to take advantage of savings being offered to residents through community solar initiatives. Some offers are available on a limited-time basis and provide additional sign-up bonuses.

"Dryden is taking the lead in going solar, which is good for the planet and the local economy," stated Dryden Town Supervisor Jason Leifer. "With solar projects moving forward, the town is reminding residents that we all stand to benefit from the increased tax base, as well as access to cheaper power."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced last week the Independent Advisory Committee on Applied Climate Assessment is releasing a report after being disbanded by the federal government in 2017, and reconvened by the Governor in 2018. The report includes recommendations to help federal, state, and local governments, communities, and the private sector plan for the effects of climate change.

"While the federal government continues to deny climate change and ignore the dire need to strengthen the resilience of our communities, New York and the U.S. Climate Alliance are taking action," Cuomo said. "Last year we proudly reconvened the advisory committee to put a spotlight on this global catastrophe, and this report will provide important recommendations to communities across the country as we work to address climate change."

The State Education Department (SED) needs to improve its efforts to ensure school districts are following state requirements for school safety planning, including whether those plans are shared with local first responders, according to an audit released Tuesday by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.  The audit found that SED did not do enough to make certain that the requirements under the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE) Act were being met by school districts. For instance, many of the school districts the auditors visited could not demonstrate they had adopted annual safety plans in accordance with SED guidance, held public hearings on the plans, appointed some required personnel to district-wide safety teams or trained employees on the plans.

"Horrific school shootings across the country show the urgent need for schools to remain vigilant against threats to student and teacher safety," DiNapoli said. "New York schools are required to develop and regularly review safety plans as part of the SAVE Act. The State Education Department needs more staff and resources to help make sure those plans are being developed and sound. I urge the state Legislature to look at this issue. We don't want to nickel and dime the safety of our children."

Village of Lansing Trustees have been considering how best to address Dart Drive residents who have expressed safety concerns, largely due to speeders who use the route to avoid Route 13 traffic between Triphammer and Warren Roads.  The Trustees were talking about building a sidewalk, and adding a crosswalk where the new walking trail to Marion Hartill Park meets Dart Drive.  But speeding statistics have caused Village officials to rethink the sidewalk solution.

"There has been some question about what extent we have to go to on Dart Drive to make it safe for pedestrians," reported Mayor Donald Hartill at the March 18th Trustees meeting. "We're still thinking about what that is, whether it's a full blown sidewalk or something else.  My analyst did some analysis on the speed limit.  While the speed limit is 25, the average speed is actually more like 29 miles per hour."

Village of Lansing Trustees took another look at the 2019-2020 budget Monday, preparing the final draft for a public hearing on April 15th, after which the trustees are expected to approve the $3,255,141 budget.  Eight days later voters will go to the Village Hall to elect their mayor and two of the four trustees.  The polls will be open from noon until 9pm on April 23rd.

Mayor Donald Hartill is running for his 12th term as Mayor.  Hartill is finishing his 22nd year as Mayor, and he as a trustee before that, starting in 1989.  Trustee Patricia O'Rourke is running for her third elected term (she also filled part of Larry Fresinski's term when he moved out of state), and Ronny Hardaway is running for his second term as Trustee.  All three are running unopposed on the Community Party line.

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Washington, DC - Congressmen Tom Reed (R-NY) and Steven Horsford (D-NV) introduced legislation Wednesday to rein in the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs.  The Stopping the Pharmaceutical Industry from Keeping Drugs Expensive (SPIKE) Act of 2019, would require drug manufacturers to publicly justify large price increases and launch prices for high-cost drugs.

"We care about ensuring hardworking people are being treated fairly," Reed said. "Many Americans with pre-existing conditions face exorbitant costs at the pharmacy counter and deserve to know why they are paying more for their medication. This is a great step toward transparency and accountability in the cost of drugs."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Tuesday an innovative partnership between the New York University Tandon School of Engineering Urban Future Lab and the New York Power Authority that will recruit and support startup businesses pursuing electric vehicle and energy storage technologies. The partnership will help advance Cuomo's Green New Deal, a nation-leading clean energy and jobs agenda that will aggressively put New York State on a path to economy-wide carbon neutrality.

"As a national leader in the clean energy economy, New York State is working to stimulate growth that will generate jobs and economic opportunities, while achieving a healthier environment," said Cuomo. "This new innovative partnership will recruit and support a new wave of entrepreneurs who have the knowledge and expertise needed to develop new technologies with utilities and help us build a cleaner, greener New York for generations to come."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Tuesday a joint effort by state agencies to crack down on underage drinking throughout the state during the month of April. The New York State Liquor Authority and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, along with local law enforcement agencies, will conduct statewide sweeps of locations holding liquor licenses, including bars, restaurants, liquor stores and grocery stores, looking for fake IDs and retailers who sell alcohol to minors.

"These statewide enforcement sweeps are proactive measures to deter underage drinking that can lead to life-altering consequences," Cuomo said. "New York is committed to building on our already successful efforts to protect our state's youth, keep our roadways safe, and hold those who enable underage drinking accountable."

Legislature Receives Report on Tioga Street Property
The Legislature received a full report on the County's examination of properties located on the 400 block of North Tioga Street in Ithaca, as county government looks at whether the adjoining parcels, located at 408, and 412-414 North Tioga, might be acquired to enable the County meet its office space and parking needs. The Legislature late last year authorized the County to enter into a four-month purchase option on the property, which expires later this month. The issue now before the Legislature is whether to exercise the County's option to acquire the property.

County Administrator Jason Molino's more than hour-long presentation on the County's ongoing feasibility study analysis, conducted with the assistance of HOLT Architects, was an updated and in-depth version of briefings delivered twice before to the Legislature's Facilities and Infrastructure Committee. The feasibility study's primary goal is to review the current and future needs of individual departments and consolidate a number of County offices into a single location to maximize efficiencies and remove or reduce lease payments.

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced last Friday that State Police issued 13,038 tickets and arrested 259 people for impaired driving during the St. Patrick's Day weekend impaired driving crackdown. The STOP-DWI initiative started on Friday, March 15 and continued through Monday, March 18, 2019.

"New York has zero tolerance for reckless or impaired driving and St. Patrick's Day weekend is no excuse to engage in illegal behavior," Cuomo said. "These results send a message to drivers that we will continue to aggressively enforce the law to keep our highways safe."

During the 2018 campaign, Troopers issued nearly 12,959 total tickets and arrested 243 motorists for impaired driving.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo was joined Sunday by the full delegation of Long Island Senators for a rally at Clinton G. Martin Park in New Hyde Park in support of the Governor's campaign to make the 2% property tax cap permanent. Earlier this month, the Governor vowed that he will not sign a budget without the permanent property tax included while outlining his remaining budget priorities.

"Washington's tax plan took care of the rich, but cast the burden on states like New York and did nothing for the middle class," Cuomo said. "In this budget we are taking action so we can say to the middle class, we hear you, we know your pain, we know you're struggling, and this hand will not sign a budget that does not have a permanent tax cap, period."

Senator Pam Helming called on the Governor and Democratic Majority in the State Senate Monday to include $2 million in the state budget, and take action on a series of bills, to help battle Lyme Disease. Helming has been working closely with local advocates, particularly the Ontario County Lyme Disease Support Group, and is a former member of the Senate's Task Force on Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases. Last year, she successfully advocated for $1 million in funding through the state budget to raise awareness and increase research.

"Lyme and other tick-borne diseases continue to be on the rise, and I have been working hard to secure important funding and resources for our communities affected by this growing public health issue. I am proud that we were able to secure $1 million in last year's state budget for education and research. However, we must do more. Lyme and other tick-borne diseases impact thousands of individuals and families across our region. We have to continue to fight for resources for our communities – including children, who are at the highest risk of Lyme disease exposure, as well as our hardworking farmers whose livelihoods depend on working outside all day," Helming said.