Archive: News

It wasn't nuclear war, but there was certainly dissension among Lansing Town Board members Wednesday as they debated whether or not to vote on a resolution calling on the federal government to sign a nuclear weapons prohibition treaty.  The discussion was in response to Lansing resident Dennis Osika's plea a few weeks ago to pass such a resolution.  Wednesday's discussion centered on whether the Town government should reach beyond its jurisdiction on issues of concern, or simply conduct Town business.

"Not doing this does not mean that we don't take this seriously," argued Supervisor Ed LaVigne. "But when you grow up with the bomb you realize what you can and cannot do.  My point is we need to discuss town issues when we do it as a town.  If you want to write private letters to Congress and the State Assembly and State Senate, they're more than happy to receive them, but I get very concerned when we start a precedent down this road when we were elected to take care of the Town.  Because we don't address this with a resolution does not mean we're not concerned about it.  It means we are trying to address what we were elected to do, which is the town."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Tuesday that $16.8 million has been awarded to support 54 agricultural water quality conservation projects across the state. The funding, which will benefit 131 farms, serves to help farmers with projects that prevent pollution of New York's waterways. Included is $572,805 to the Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with one farm in the Owasco watershed.

"Agriculture is one of New York's greatest economic drivers, and we will continue to assist farmers across the state as they work to deliver quality products while also conserving our treasured natural resources," Governor Cuomo said. "As the fight against climate change continues, New York is committed to leading the nation in agricultural best-practices that support hardworking farmers and protect the environment."

Congressman Tom Reed blasted Governor Andrew Cuomo November 19th for his support of a bill to grant illegal immigrants drivers licenses, and highlighted his work to find a legislative fix to our immigration system by changing the House rules.

"For Cuomo to support this bill is reckless. Giving drivers licenses to illegal immigrants is not fair for the men and women who immigrated here legally, for hardworking New York taxpayers or the Mothers who worry about the safety of their children in our neighborhoods," Reed said. "This is why we are working to change the House rules so we can reform our immigration system responsibly and make it easier for bipartisan bills to pass."

Washington, DC - Congressman Tom Reed announced Thursday that Democrat members of the Problem Solvers Caucus struck a deal with Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Rules Committee Ranking Member Jim McGovern to change the House rules, break the gridlock in Washington and make it easier for bipartisan bills to pass.

"These rule changes represent a hopeful and substantial breakthrough to empower the people we represent, enable rank-and-file Members to truly govern and make it easier for bipartisan bills to pass." Republican co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus Reed said. "We look forward to continuing to work across the aisle to find common ground in order to get things done for the American people."

Agricultural land mitigation was the topic at a public hearing Monday on a 6.5 megawatt community solar farm project proposed on farmland on Jerry Smith Road in northern Lansing.  in response to the Tompkins County Planning Department concern about preserving 'prime farmland', Nexamp Business Development Manager Joseph Fiori explained how the company plans to protect the 24 acres beneath the solar array during the life of the project, and steps being taken to restore the property to usable farm land once the project is decommissioned.  Fiori said the land beneath the solar array will be largely or entirely mowed by sheep.

"We're actually using the same farmer who is on the Cornell property on our Newfield property," he said. "That's one of the things that we're looking at to try to keep the agricultural integrity of the property.  It's a type of agricultural use on the property.  We also put together an agricultural mitigation plan.  We understand that is going to be a chief concern in this community, making sure that retrieving this area with a lot of the soil that is considered to be prime farmland to make sure all of our construction practices are done in such a way that they enable the area underneath the panels to be brought back to farmland once the array is decommissioned."

After listening to two hours of public comment and engaging in close to another hour-and-a-half of thoughtful discussion, the Tompkins County Legislature went on record against the Cayuga Operating Company's current proposal to repower the Lansing coal-fired plant. The measure, approved by a 12-2 vote, with Legislators Mike Sigler and Glenn Morey voting no, opposes the Cayuga Operating Company's proposal to convert the Cayuga Power Plant to natural gas. Through amendments incorporated to what had been passed in committee, the resolution also urges the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to require a full Environmental Impact Statement with a full public scoping process that solicits input from all impacted communities; urges Governor Cuomo to support Cayuga's transition to renewable energy and energy storage; and to work with the State Legislature and State agencies to provide transition support to plant workers and support to the Lansing Town and School District to mitigate tax impacts of plant closure, under the State's program through the State's Urban Development Corporation.

More than 100 people packed Legislature Chambers and 50 spoke. As had happened earlier before the Legislature's Planning, Development and Environmental Quality Committee, virtually all expressed serious concern about continued dependence on fossil fuels, the dangers of an increase in greenhouse gas emissions including from methane, use of imported "fracked" gas (inconsistent with the County's past opposition to and the State's prohibition of fracking), and the increased truck traffic and potential dangers associated with trucks transporting compressed natural gas (CNG) to fuel the plant. A number of speakers voiced impassioned concerns about the need to protect the planet for their children and grandchildren.

Culminating weeks of discussion on the part of two of its committees, the Legislature took a stand in support of marijuana legalization in New York State. The resolution, which supports what the State is already doing, favors bringing an end to marijuana prohibition; creation of a diverse and inclusive marijuana industry; reinvestment of revenue from taxed and regulated marijuana in communities impacted by the war on drugs; and passage of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA). The proposed MRTA, through pending bills in the New York State Senate and Assembly, would legalize the production, distribution, and use of marijuana by removing the substance from classification as an illicit drug under New York's Controlled Substances Act.

The vote was 13-1, with Legislator Michael Lane voting no. Mr. Lane said he is not convinced that this is a stand the County should be taking, suggesting the push for marijuana legalization is coming from big business that wants to make money.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Tuesday more than $262.2 million in enhanced funding has been awarded to municipal governments to accelerate the renewal and modernization of local bridges and culverts. As part of the State's BRIDGE NY initiative, these awards will fund 165 individual projects in 95 communities across the State. This funding builds on the $300 million in enhanced assistance made available to municipal governments for accelerated bridge and culvert projects since 2015.

"Investing in transportation infrastructure is critical to our economic prosperity and the safety of New Yorkers and visitors alike," Governor Cuomo said. "By providing Bridge NY funding to local governments in every region of the State, we are ensuring bridges and culverts remain safe and reliable and continue supporting economic growth for decades to come."

County Legislator and voting member of the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency Mike Sigler says he stands in solidarity with Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick in regards to asbestos remediation at the Old Library.

"While I trust the Department of Environmental Conservation will do its job professionally, I also recognize that this construction is in the Mayor's city, directly impacting his constituents. If he has reason to lack faith in the DEC to protect these folks, I stand with him so that his faith can be restored," said Sigler. I support the DEC's work and recognize the top quality of their work, but I also understand the agency needs the full faith of the mayor. I still look at the city building a park at Ithaca Falls, when it was unclear that site was free from lead and which the DEC later found was still contaminated."

Tompkins County 2019 Budget Adopted
Concluding a process that started at the beginning of September, the Tompkins County Legislature tonight adopted the County's 2019 budget and the 2019-2023 Tompkins County Capital Program. The budget was approved by unanimous vote.

The $187.5 million budget, which includes $90.6 million in net local spending, increases the County tax levy by 1.54% and represents an increase in local spending of 3.55%. The tax rate of $6.41 per thousand is down by 17 cents (-2.58%) from 2018, representing an increase of $14.63 in the tax bill for the median-valued $185,000 county home. The levy increase falls below the County's tax cap of approximately 9.59%, as calculated by New York State.

The Planning, Development, and Environmental Quality Committee of the Tompkins County Legislature listened to an hour-and-a-half of public comment last Friday, then reached a recommendation to advance to the Legislature regarding the future of the Cayuga Power Plant.

Legislators, by a vote of 4-1 (Legislator Deborah Dawson dissenting) approved one of two alternate resolutions—one that urges the New York State Department of Conservation (DEC) to reject the Cayuga Operating Company’s proposal to convert to natural gas, and also urges the Governor to support Cayuga’s transition to renewable energy and energy storage. The Committee acted on that position, instead of a proposed alternate that would have urged the DEC to determine that the Cayuga proposal may create the potential for significant adverse environmental impact, and to require a full Environmental Impact Statement and formal public scoping process, which solicits input from all impacted communities.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued an executive order Wednesday that directs state agencies to include New York State Prevention Agenda priorities and the AARP/World Health Organization eight domains of livability for age-friendly communities, where appropriate, into federal and state plans, and agency policies, procedures, and procurements.

"New York is committed to creating thriving communities that support and attract people of all ages, and this executive order will continue to maximize our efforts as the first age-friendly state in the country," Cuomo said. "Incorporating age-friendly smart growth principles into the fabric of state government will support community development and improve the health and quality of life of all New Yorkers."