Archive: Opinions

EditorialOn the national level candidates running for office are very good at attacking the incumbents, and the incumbents are pretty good at tooting their own horns about the records they have achieved.  On the local level here in Lansing the opponents have been good about identifying bones of contention they have with the current administration.  And the incumbents have been general dismal about articulating their achievements.

I don't understand this.  Is it that they think people in town know in detail what they have been doing?  Is it that they are modest?  Is it that they see their achievements as a group effort and thus don't want to take personal credit?  Achievements are solid things you can hang your vote on.  You can agree with them or not, and vote accordingly.  Telling people what they are makes the political discussion rich and gives it substance.

If you look at the collective flyer that came in the mail this week they tell you about their lives here in Lansing, but not much about what they have achieved or stand for in the election.  And this is not a new approach -- I can't think of an election since I've lived here where issues dominated over personal bullet points.

Just off the top of my head, they could talk about how they see the future of the town and some specific things they want to do to achieve that vision.  They could talk about taxes.  They could talk about the level of services the Town provides.  They could talk about why, if they think a sewer is a good idea, they support the idea, at least in theory.

Speaking of the sewer, even though the sewer initiative hit a wall when the Town couldn't bring the cost to district residents down to a reasonable level, the sitting board has a long list of accomplishments they could put out there.  They are helping to facilitate a smaller sewer project that will bring service to the Warren Road Business Park, an important initiative because the area is part of an Empire Zone that has the potential to keep jobs here and bring many more good-paying jobs to the Town.

They passed a rapid access lock-box law that will help the Lansing Fire Department respond more effectively and safely to fires.  They have taken on the management of Salt Point, which will mean a safer, more enjoyable nature park for the Town that will attract tourist business and reduce crime.  They were the first in Tompkins County to pass a law that keeps convicted sex offenders from our schools and parks.

Their support of the Lansing Housing Authority has yielded 25 years of a successful and happy retirement community at Woodsedge.  They also support other initiatives that make the quality of life better in Lansing, including the library, Lansing Harbor Festival, and many programs and services like the Drop-In center and Lansing Youth Services.

The current Supervisor's close ties with politicians in Albany have helped bring funding for various initiatives in the Town.  He has also fostered a cordial and cooperative relationship with the Village of Lansing government, a new concept since the time the Village was formed.

While some candidates accuse the Town of wasteful spending, the budget itself has risen modestly in line with cost of living rises for at least 20 years.  A friendly negotiation with the Teamsters Union brought savings to the Town while providing excellent health coverage to its employees.  A grant to put solar panels on the Highway Department roof will result in energy savings to the Town.  Lansing arguably has the best highway department in the region.

I'm sure there is a lot more -- I didn't research these things before I wrote this.  They are just things I can think of that I have observed.

These accomplishments are on the record and they are actions, not words.  They don't necessarily negate the incumbents' opponents' points.  But they are solid achievements on which to base the political discussion.  Incumbents always have the advantage of having done consequential things that have been good or bad for the community.  They have the disadvantage of being second guessed by challengers who say that people want change and they would be different.  Sometimes change is good.  Sometimes it isn't.

I have an enormous advantage in terms of making my choices this election day, because I got to interview each Lansing candidate and get answers I wanted to base my vote on.  I hope you will read the transcripts, all of which are now available by clicking the Elections tab on the front page, or by going to the Elections page in this publication.

And most of all, despite the fact that it is not a presidential election year, I hope you will take a few minutes to vote on Tuesday.  They say that communities get the governments they deserve either because they voted for them or because they didn't.  Personally I'd rather get a government that I voted for.

(PS- we'll have election results as soon as they are available.  Check the front page Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.)

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