Archive: News

The Lansing Town Board will update its Freedom Of Information Law (FOIL) to make procedures clearer and help the public understand how FOIL works and why some information must be held back.  In a working session this month the Board directed Town Attorney Guy Krogh to rewrite the current law.  Town Supervisor Ed LaVigne said the rewrite will 'bring the law into the 21st century'.

"It came about largely as a discussion between (Town Clerk Deborah Munson) and I," Krogh explained.  "She said she had been looking at the FOIL procedures, and they appear to be adequate, but they don't appear to cover all bases."

As the summer district work period comes to a close, Tom Reed took a moment to look back and highlight some of his efforts throughout the region. "We care about making sure the voices of the hardworking men and women are heard in Washington and that is why we have spent so much time listening to them," said Reed. "We have continued to stand up for these families and look to focus on ways to improve their quality of life right here at home."

Reed went on to note major economic improvements in the district including efforts to bring and keep for quality, family sustaining jobs in the region. "We recently saw the finalization of the Alstom/Amtrak deal, which is expected to bring over 400 direct jobs to the area. We also saw the road and bridge construction projects start as a direct result of the five year highway funding bill being signed into law."

September 1, 2016, Watkins Glen, NY - US Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand co-signed a second letter to FERC in support of their constituents' unresolved concerns regarding natural gas storage expansion and FERC's recent approval of a two year extension for that build-out.

Gas Free Seneca filed an appeal of FERC's decision  in June, stating that the Commission did not consider critical safety concerns related to the project, as well as new information on safety that was not available when the certificate issued, arguing that the extension of time was not justified and the Commission should not permit Arlington to proceed until these issues are addressed. (FERC's reasoning for granting the extension was that there was no appointed state geologist to issue the underground storage permit, which prompted further questions regarding the validity of the permit issued for Crestwood's other proposed project on the same site to store 88.2 Million gallons of propane in the salt caverns.)

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Matthew Driscoll today announced that the draft update to the Department's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan is available for review and comment. The ADA Transition Plan provides a self-assessment of the accessibility of sidewalks, rest areas, and other buildings and facilities owned and operated directly by NYSDOT.

"The New York State Department of Transportation is fully committed to providing safe and accessible facilities and services to all citizens," Commissioner Driscoll said. "I encourage individuals to review and comment on this plan as it will guide future investment decisions."

Last summer, the city of Ithaca introduced a paid parking program along with new payment equipment that makes paying to park on the streets and in the garages in the city and Collegetown more versatile and efficient.

To ensure that locals understand the new structure and the parking payment options that are available to them, the city's Department of Public Works is hosting two workshops.  The first workshop is set for 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24 and the second session will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21. Both workshops will be held in the Borg Warner Community Room in the Tompkins County Library, 101 E. Green St., Ithaca. Director of Parking Frank Nagy will lead the talks.

In the wake of the 20th anniversary of the landmark bipartisan welfare reform, Tom Reed renewed calls for bipartisan efforts to reduce poverty.

"We care about those struggling in poverty. As the youngest of 12, being raised by a single mom, we know how difficult those challenges can be," said Reed. "That's why it's only right that we come together with our partners across the aisle to make efforts to develop lasting reforms that elevate people out of poverty, and not trap them in a downward cycle."

For the first time in its history, TCAT will offer modified service on Labor Day Mon., Sept. 5, 2016.

Traditionally, TCAT has offered a typical weekday schedule for the Labor Day, but decided to revert to a Sunday service schedule, which offers less service and ends earlier in the evening.

Parents and varsity swimmers told the Lansing Board of Education Monday that repairs to the high school pool are subjecting the team to challenges they fear will impact the team's performance.  The pool was closed in May when issues were discovered, and repairs are currently underway.  Superintendent Chris Pettograsso said that it is unlikely that the pool will reopen before the girls varsity swim season is over.  Lansing's  top ranked Varsity Girl's Swimming and Diving team practice began last week at the Ithaca Swim Club, prompting fears that they will be forced to practice in an outdoor pool next month as temperatures begin to drop.

"The only swim facility that we're aware of that we'll be swimming at is the Ithaca Swim Club.  Unlike other sports, as the temperatures start to drop in September the girls are in the pool and they really can't put on another layer," noted parent Ewan Barr.

On August 24, 2016, a bat found on the sidewalk in front of 437 North Geneva Street, near the intersection of Cascadilla Street in the City of Ithaca, was determined to be rabid by the New York Stat Rabies Laboratory.
 
If you or your pets have had any contact with this bat, please contact the Tompkins County Health Department at 274-6688 immediately to discuss possible exposure to rabies. Untreated rabies in humans is fatal.
 

The Legislature tabled a proposal Tuesday to schedule a public hearing to take comment on a proposed Charter change and Local Law that, if approved by the voters, would change the position of Tompkins County Sheriff from an elected to an appointed position.  Because of time requirements related to the General Election ballet, the action means that any consideration of the issue will not be put before the voters this year.

Government Operations Committee Chair Dan Klein, as well as several other Legislators, stressed that the issue was whether to schedule the hearing to permit the residents of Tompkins County to vote on whether the position of Sheriff should be appointed or elected, not that there was any foregone conclusion to make such a change.  A September 6th hearing, with legislative action the same night, would have been the last opportunity to act to put the matter to referendum on the November ballot.  Nine people addressed the Legislature at the beginning of the meeting—all but one voicing support for keeping the position elected.

Legislature Authorizes Jail Study.  Jail Study Committee Formed.
The Legislature authorized and appropriated funding to support study of the inmate population and population trends at the Tompkins County Jail and of potential design options to accommodate the Jail's population.  The action follows notice from the New York State Commission of Correction (COC) that the jail's 18-bed variance beyond its 82-bed capacity, which has been in effect since 2009, will be revoked as of September 1st.   The Commission has advised the County that it seeks immediate progress in reducing the jail population to a level that can be housed in an 82-bed facility, or to increase jail size to accommodate the incarcerated population.

By unanimous vote, the Legislature authorized and directed the County Administrator to procure consultant services for two studies—to analyze the current and projected population of the Jail, incorporating current and pending activities intended to reduce the jail population; and to develop cost-effective design concepts that would accommodate the projected population.  The Legislature allocated $85,000 from the Contingent Fund to underwrite the studies.

As the President sends formalized notice to Congress about the finalization of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), Tom Reed reiterated his opposition to the deal.

"We care about creating quality, family sustaining jobs in our region. While we are big supporters of exporting products made here in the U.S. around the world, we can't support a trade deal that would undercut and harm American workers," said Reed.

Reed opposes the TPP trade agreement because it does not open foreign markets to U.S. dairy products, particularly in Canada, leaving New York dairy farmers behind.