Archive: Opinions

A long time ago I promised myself I would never sit on a committee again.  As a reporter for the Lansing Star I seem to do nothing but attend meetings, and I don't even get a vote!  So why was I so darned cheerful after sitting through three meetings in a row at the Lansing Town Hall Wednesday?

The meetings included the Lansing Sewer Committee, Economic Development Committee, and a session with Community Foundation of Tompkins County officials who came to learn what Lansing wants and needs.  All three meetings were about dealing with inevitable change in ways that preserve the values of the community.  It was a way of getting a vision of Lansing's future with groups of people who want to do something about making it happen.

You know how kids love to hear stories about themselves when they were smaller?  I was like a kid enjoying the story of our community, and seeing the passion with which my neighbors are fighting for the best possible future.  That vision may or may not be realized, but a lot of people in town are excited about making the best possible version of it happen.

All three meetings were about the future.  While the economy and the travails of the AES Cayuga plant have delivered serious blows to the town, these people are focusing on how to bring prosperity to Lansing in ways that will preserve the town's heritage and the things people love about living here.

With rising costs, dwindling revenues from the Town's biggest taxpayer, and continuing challenges it is important to make Lansing more attractive to business in particular, to make up for the loss of AES Cayuga tax revenue and to try to lower taxes for everyone.  That revenue loss alone will account for 3% of the school tax rise this summer.  More revenue from new businesses is needed.  Also, home prices keep escalating to the point that people who have lived in Lansing all their lives and young workers can't afford homes.  In one meeting that case was made to encourage affordable housing.

So it was inspiring to see groups of Lansing residents getting together to find ways to make these things happen, while preserving the excellence of the Lansing schools, town programs, and supporting farming and the town's rural heritage.  I don't know what the future will actually bring, but seeing diverse groups of townspeople get together to figure it out was exciting.

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