Archive: News

Ithaca College (IC) contingent faculty have been bargaining with Ithaca College administrators for 17 months. Although some gains have been made through negotiations, The IC Contingent Faculty Union/SEIU Local 200United says they are not enough to address the primary concerns of the membership: fair pay and job stability. The contingent faculty union has decided to hold an on-campus vote on February 13th and 14th, which would authorize them to take action up to and including a strike.

Said contingent faculty and bargaining committee member Brody Burroughs, "We are deeply disappointed that that our administration has dragged out this process for so long under the guises of negotiating, when it is clear that they are not willing to consider our fundamental issues of pay inequality and teaching instability. We owe it to our contingent colleagues to allow them to decide for themselves by voting to fight for more or accept the status quo. That's the democratic process."

Members of the Tompkins County Energy and Economic Development Task Force (EEDTF) announced Monday that NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas) has requested the the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) review a plan that provides an alternate approach to providing energy to the Lansing/Freeville Reinforcement Gas Pipeline Project.  The project, also known as the 'West Dryden Road natural gas pipeline' because its proposed route takes it from Freeville to Lansing along West Dryden Road, would be replaced by a two tiered approach: first, a compressor would be installed in the Town of Lansing to insure a steady flow of gas delivery to existing customers.  Second, creative solutions would be proposed to reduce natural gas use, and the existing moratorium on new natural gas customers in Lansing would be extended indefinitely.

"We feel we have a responsibility to try to address this issue, even if the rest of the country or the world is not moving as quickly as we would like," said Task Force Chair and Tompkins County Legislator Martha Robertson.  "That doesn't absolve us of the responsibility to do as much as we can on our climate goals.  We also feel we understand there is a deep responsibility to support job growth and economic development.  We desperately need new housing in Tompkins County as well."

Washington, D.C. - Congressmen Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Tom Reed (NY-23) were elected Co-Chairs of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. Gottheimer committed even before being elected to Congress to bring Members together across party lines and find areas of agreement on key issues like lowering taxes and improving infrastructure to help the American people. Reed has been involved with the Problem Solvers Caucus since 2013. Both say they are eager to work to bring Members together to move the ball forward on the issues that are important to the American people.

"The Problem Solvers Caucus, nearly 40 members strong from both sides of the aisle, will be fighting for common sense principles that impact all Americans – Democrat, Republican, Independent – everyone," said Reed. " It's a new day in Washington and now is the time for us to work together with new energy to get things done for the American people."

It's not often that the Village of Lansing has a contested election.  Most years members of the Community Party run unchallenged.  But this year Mayor Donald Hartill and Trustees Pat O'Rourke and Ronny Hardaway will be challenged in the April 25th election. In a letter to Lansing Trails neighbors, John A. LaVine announced that the newly formed Village of Lansing Preservation Party, which he chairs, would be collecting signatures to get Lisa Bonniwell on the ballot to challenge Hartill for the Mayor's office, and Tatyana Duval and Gregory Eells for the Trustee seats.

Last year Bonniwell, and her mother Janet Jonson rallied neighbors to protest a zoning change on a lot on Bomax Road from High Density Business and Technology to High Density Residential use.  They brought over 50 neighbors toVillage trustee meetings to protest the change, saying the upscale apartment complex proposed for the lot would harm their property values, create unsafe additional traffic, and threaten the character of their neighborhood.  The Lansing Trails 1 and 2 and Janivar Road neighborhoods were conceived and built by Janet's husband, developer Ivar Jonson.

The Finger Lakes region is home to some of the most esteemed craft breweries, distilleries, cideries and wineries in our state. Since 2014, an informal network called the Rochester Craft Beverage Trail has existed to help support and better develop this significant piece of our local economy. Now, this support is on the cusp of becoming state law.

This week, NYS Senator Pam Helming co-sponsored and helped pass a bill (S.1346) drafted by Senator Rich Funke that would designate the Rochester Craft Beverage Trail in State Highway Law. This designation would provide a boost to the already successful promotional efforts by securing branded signage throughout the region. If passed by the Assembly and signed into law, signs advertising the trail would appear on Interstates 390, 490, 590 and 90, all areas of frequent traffic and use.

David Howe took over the gavel as chairperson of the TCAT Board of Directors at its first meeting of the year on Thurs., Jan. 26.

Howe, assistant dean of finance and administration at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine, replaces TCAT Board Member Bill Gray, who served as chair in 2016. Howe has served on the board since September, 2012, and was in rotation to serve as this year's chairperson. "I thank Bill for his hard work and leadership as board chairman in 2016, and I look forward to working with him, my other fellow board members and TCAT staff this year to tackle the many challenges TCAT continues to face," Howe said. He said his focus this year will be on strategic planning, working closely with local funders and filling vacancies.

"TCAT, just like transit agencies all across the country, must constantly find ways to secure adequate and predictable funding, as well as come up with creative ways to attract and retain employees in a tight labor market," Howe said. "The talent demonstrated by both board members and staff give me every confidence that we can overcome any obstacles and maintain and grow this great transit system."

Tompkins County Democratic Committee announced the candidaes in the March 21 village elections.  Candidates were chosen in local caucuses.

In Groton, Faith Tyler is running for mayor. She has a degree in Communications and worked for years as an administrator in the nonprofit world. Today she is Chair of Tompkins Community Action’s parent council and has become involved in infrastructure needs in Groton, helping the village win a grant from the state and encouraging an investigation into the safety of a major intersection.

U.S> Congressman Tom Reed offered support for executive orders which establish the White House Manufacturing Jobs Initiative and others which provide regulatory relief for US manufacturers.

"We care about bringing quality, family sustaining jobs to our region and our nation. As we stand with the American people and their dedicated 'can do' work ethic, it's only right that we partner with the Administration to get this sector of our economy on track," said Reed.

With the potential for winter weather conditions over the next several weeks, the Tompkins County Department of Recycling and Materials Management reminds residents there could be delays in curbside recycling collection because of poor road conditions. Updates on the status of curbside pick-up will be posted on the RecycleTompkins Web site.

Residents can do their part to prevent additional delays and interruption of service by keeping their recycling bins accessible. When possible, please remove snow and extra material from around the bins. Please ensure the containers are placed in an accessible location, such as an area by the end of a driveway clear of the road or street (including bike lanes). Secure materials to protect them from windy conditions, and place bins on a level and hard surface if possible.

"We care about keeping Americans safe from the threat of radical Islamic terrorism both at home and abroad. It is critical that we look past the hyperbolic rhetoric from both sides of this issue and remain dedicated to ensuring the security of American citizens first and foremost," said Congressman Tom Reed. "We are confident these orders will be carefully and fairly implemented, with strong oversight by Congress."

The comments come in the wake of President Trump's executive order to temporarily suspend admittance of nationals from seven nations known for terrorism. This gives the new administration an opportunity to finish the transition process and develop a sound policy regarding vetting and travel to the United States.

Construction is being completed on the Lansing Post Office, and USPS officials say they are optimistic that the branch will reopen soon.  A Jeep Grand Cherokee smashed through the glass storefront December 23rd, causing damage in the front of the glass fronted store, including the customer counter area.  The branch has been closed since that time, forcing Lansing box customers to get their mail at the main Post Office on Warren Road.  USPS spokeswoman Karen Mazurkiewicz says the branch could reopen as soon as a week or two.

"The Ithaca Postmaster said the construction is coming along great," she says.  "He doesn't have an actual date that it will be ready, but he does believe it will be in the next week or two.  Once the owner gives the OK, he has to approve the construction as safe.  We can get in there in a day or two.  So we're just waiting for the final OK that it's safe, and then within a day or two we'll be back up and running."

Last month the Lansing Town Board approved the purchase of a narrow band radio system for the Town Highway Department.  Town officials say this is a vital part of the Town's push for emergency preparedness.  Board members approved an expenditure not to exceed $50,000, which they hoped would be enough to equip the entire Highway Department fleet of trucks and other vehicles.  Highway Superintendent Charlie Purcell says he is in the process of deciding exactly what equipment should be purchased.

"I'm hoping it will be in the 40s, but we need to get the thing set up," says Purcell.  "Radios will be installed in all of our vehicles and the main pieces of equipment that we utilize on a daily basis.  We have 10 big trucks, five smaller vehicles, and five other pieces of equipment like our grade-all, loader, and backhoe.  20 mobile units that would work along with the four portable units we already have, and a base unit here."