Archive: Opinions

Letters to the EditorTo The Editor:

Over five years ago, when the bridge near the intersection of Asbury and N. Triphammer was demolished, and rebuilt, the flashing yellow and red light that had been there for over 25 years was not replaced.  This caused a great deal of complaints and anxiety from motorists who often drove through the intersection.  The "blinking" light had slowed traffic down on N. Triphammer, and proved a red beacon to stop on Asbury Road.

Barbara Littlefair gathered many names on petitions to get the Tompkins County Highway Dept to replace the blinking red/yellow light...but to no avail.  Eventually, the county placed flashing red lights on top of the stop signs on either side of Asbury Road.  Although, we applauded those efforts, we soon realized that something was missing, for not only had the blinking yellow and red light been a traffic signal, it also illuminated that very dangerous intersection.

We were faced with a dark intersection at night and in fog.  Some of us, who had lived in the area for decades, would often miss the turn onto Asbury Road because the lone dim light on the telephone pole near the cemetary shined so weakly.

So, about four years ago, we began efforts to get either the county or our own Town of Lansing government to change the light bulb on that lamp on the telephone pole.  Many emails and phone calls went back and forth, all ending in a stalemate with each government entity proclaiming that it was the responsibility of the other to change that light bulb.  We wondered, as if we were in the midst of some bad riddle, "How many municipalities does it take to change a light bulb?"

We pretty much gave up on our efforts.  Then, last Fall, when Scott Pinney was elected Town of Lansing Supervisor, we decided to ask him for help.  We sent him emails during his first month of office in January 2008, and he replied with genuine concern.  In less than six months from taking office, Scott Pinney resolved this issue which his predecessor had been unwilling or uninterested to achieve.  Scott got in touch with NYSEG, who put in a work order to put in a new light fixture diagonally across from the cemetary. 

The new light was installed recently.  It is held in a long arm which extends over part of North Triphammer Road....and it illuminates that intersection so motorists can see it coming from either direction on North Triphammer.

We give our heartfelt thanks to Supervisor Pinney.  Often, politicians and elected officials are viewed with disdain.  Well, if the steadfastness and reliability of Scott Pinney in this instance is an example of what to expect from him in the future, the citizens of Lansing are in for good government throughout his term in office.  Thank you, Scott.

Our next project is to get the county to fix those flashing red lights atop the stop signs on Asbury Rd, so they work all the time, and flash in an alternating sequence.

Are you listening, Tompkins County?

Sincerely,

Barbara Littlefair
Marc Catone