Archive: Opinions

We are writing in opposition to the current Sewer Proposal and a Lansing Town Center that will probably cost Lansing Real Estate Taxpayers in excess of 10 million dollars.  We think that this proposal is very short sighted in light of the economic plight of the United States, its individuals, and local government at all levels.

A recent article by Bill Haynes at CMIGS.COM, Jan. 3, 2013, points this out well.  In the year 2000, an ounce of gold cost $273.00.  In the year 2012 an ounce of gold cost $1675.00.  Gold and silver are considered to represent true wealth.  The Federal Reserve note (Dollar) is a fiat currency with variable value related to gold & silver.  In the 10 year period noted, the dollar lost 83.7% of its value.  Money that you had placed in a bank or elsewhere to save for retirement in the year 2000, now in the year 2012, is worth only about 16% of its previous value.

Though the numbers in your account book are still there, the Federal government has stolen about 84% of its worth by devaluing the dollar. We think that it is short-sighted to follow a maximum development plan in Lansing at this point.  Jumping over the Fiscal Cliff is equivalent to Lemmings jumping madly into the sea.  The Bankruptcy of AES Cayuga and the decision of the Kingdom Farms not to put up their property for development lend further credence to the above.

In 2006/2007 the Town took a survey on Sewer Development.  Most of the public were against it but they proceeded anyway (it failed due to lack of adequate funding).  Now they’re doing it again, without significant public input.

The current Sewer scheme requires the maximum development of the southern portion of the Town of Lansing as soon as practical.  Once again, we are expected to put our Real Estate at risk for the sake of Development and Expanded Government.  There will be other costs involved besides water and sewer; an expanded road system and increased use of salt in the winter quickly come to mind, along with an larger Highway Department.

Our ancestors were in this country in the early 1600’s.  Roger has ancestors who were in Lansing when it was called the Town of Milton in Onondaga County.  We think that this current Planning Scheme is out of character for Lansing – a Town of mixed rural development.

In any event, Lansing already has Lansing Village which has an Airport, Route 13 highway, motels, banks and other businesses.  It would make more sense to have the Town Center there, physically, not geographically.  It is likely that Cayuga Heights, Lansing Village and Southern Lansing will ultimately be absorbed by Ithaca.  This is the normal case for high density development.  We suggest that some of the other Townships should have the opportunity for development over the next 20 years.

Finally, the current Development Proposal includes clusters of “Affordable Housing”, a term which means publically supported Low Income Housing.  This will develop a Voting Block that will continually vote for more of the same from Real Property Owners.  In summary, we should not burden Lansing Real Estate with further debt at this point with the World and United States economy as they are.  The last thing we have of value is our Real Estate and our alleged leaders have that in their sights now!

Roger & Marilyn Hagin
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