Archive: Opinions

As you may know, we strive to publish 48 issues of the Lansing Star per year.  This year we did not meet our goal -- this is issue 49!  So consider this issue our holiday gift to our readers.  Or to look at it another way, I was not adept at taking vacation time.  We will be taking next week off, and returning with the January 5th issue.

This last issue of 2006 gives me an opportunity to reflect on the top stories of the year.  I've tried to choose one from each governmental body in Lansing.  Actually quite a lot has happened in Lansing this year, and picking one story for each is tough.  But a few stand out.  Use the Lansing Star Search to find these and all the other stories we have reported on in the past.


I'm going to pick two for the Town of Lansing.  The proposed sewer project has dominated my reporting ad the Town Sewer Committee worked its way toward a project that could be presented to the public.  But even with a defined project it faces hurdles in selling it to district residents.  At this phase people are divided into three groups:  those who want it, those who oppose it at any cost, and those who would like it if their concerns are addressed.  The committee is attempting to address those concerns, not the least of which is the cost of the project.  At this point it looks like the project will come to a vote around July of 2007.

Because sewer was such an obvious pick, I'm going to choose another Town story I think was important.  This year Lansing became the first municipality in Tompkins County to enact a local sex offender law.  A look at the State and Sheriff's sex offender registry Web pages identifies two Level 3 offenders, those most likely to repeat their offense,  in the 14882 ZIP code, one of them living quite close to Ludlowville Park.  State law only provides for registering offenders and making the registry available to the public.  Lansing's law goes farther to keep offenders a certain distance from places like parks, schools, churches, and so on, where children are most likely to be.

The big story in the Village of Lansing is that the Triphammer Road reconstruction project is now complete.  A long time in coming, the new road is demonstrably better, with much better traffic flow, far fewer delays, and it just darn well looks a lot nicer.  Last month's ribbon cutting celebrated a singular success for the Village, which started looking at a Triphammer project in the late 1980s.  Village officials are deservedly pleased with the result, though they continue to tweak it to maximize the benefits.

The biggest stories in the School District had to do with money.  First the failed budget and the subsequently passed one.  And second, the Capital project that will go before the voters this February.  But a story I think should be emphasized is that Lansing's administration is nearly complete with only one interim administrator still in the district (Interim Elementary School Principal Earlene Carr).  In a district that has gone through so many administrators in the past half dozen years, I believe that having permanent officials will have big pay-offs in long term planning and maintaining Lansing's high educational performance.

The big story in the Fire District is the new station in Lansing Village.  Or is it?  Progress has been very slow, sparking frustration on the part of Fire District and Village officials.  But really, calling it frustration might be too strong.  Neither group seems in too big a hurry to make it happen.  With over 50% of Lansing's emergency calls coming from the village it will be an eventual necessity.  But for now it is hard to feel the urgency, because the percentage of calls responded to by Lansing's Fire Department is up this year.


Calling the Library a governmental body is inaccurate.  But next year they will probably ask voters to approve a charter that will allow them to take the library to the next level by hiring a professional librarian.  They planned to do it this year, but decided instead to put their house in order.  They managed to do just that with an impressive addition that, while later than expected, is expected to be completed soon.  The new space will allow them to expand their collection and programs, while enhancing the 'Town Center' as defined by the library, Town Hall, Community Center, the historical schoolhouse, and Town Fields.  Volunteers raised the money and kept the library within budget, and when they ask taxpayers for a charter, they'll have a very strong case to make.

I'll finish by wishing you the happiest of holidays, and a safe, warm and wonderful New Year.  I'm looking forward to reporting on Lansing in 2007.  As a successful county's fastest growing community, Lansing is a great place to be.

----
v2i49