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LEAVING SENECA: Finance Director Deeds will resign effective Aug. 1st

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More change is coming for Seneca County. As debate unfolded in recent weeks about the future of former Emergency Management Director Melissa Taylor, who was at the center of an internal investigation, county leaders received another notice on Tuesday. In an email to the Board of Supervisors, County Manager John Sheppard said Finance Director Brandi Deeds will resign effective August... more

Cayuga County website plan tentatively approved in fourth time through committees

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A Cayuga County legislative committee tentatively approved a plan for a new county government website Tuesday after earlier versions of the plan were previously defeated in several other committees. The county’s Ways and Means Committee voted 4-2, with one absence, in favor of a resolution to contract with CivicPlus for a new municipal website that would add features for public... more

Sennett votes to prohibit winter street parking

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Sennett voted to prohibit parking on the town’s streets during winter months in a regular town meeting Tuesday night. The town board opened a public hearing for Local Law No. 1, regarding the seasonal parking prohibition, which lasted only a couple minutes. One question was raised from a resident who wondered whether or not signage would be put up throughout... more

THE DEBRIEF: Crestwood expansion killed, SF rental agreement, and unexpected court closures (podcast)

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Whether it was news that the DEC had killed plans by Crestwood Midstream to store LPG underneath Seneca Lake in abandoned salt caverns, or a controversial rent agreement and arrangement in Seneca Falls – the heat of summer hasn’t slowed political news. Even an unexpected court closure in two high-profile cases in Penn Yan stirred discussion on a range of... more

Canandaigua fines its supervisor $250 for stolen water

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It’s not every day that a town fines its own supervisor. But it happened Monday in Canandaigua, where the Town Board approved a measure fining Supervisor Greg Westbrook $250 for a fire hydrant outside his home that was improperly turned on. It could’ve been worse for Westbrook. The offense is punishable under the town code by the fine or 15... more

INSIDE THE FLX: Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb talks policy inaction, gridlock (podcast)

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New York State Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb (R-Canandaigua) believes that there is still room for improvement and change. That is why he remains at his post. While frustration boils over regarding Albany’s corruption, Leader Kolb is looking at the ways in which policy can bring on change. To discuss those policy concepts, and talk about some recent news in... more

Dean Skelos guilty: Ex-NY senator, son convicted of bribery, extortion

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A former New York state Senate leader and his son were convicted on Tuesday of extortion, wire fraud and bribery charges that they pressured businesses to give the son no-show jobs or else risk losing the powerful Republican’s political support. A jury in federal court in Manhattan deliberated over the course of four days before reaching the verdict at the... more

GOP Rep. John Katko criticizes Trump for defending Putin

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U.S. Rep. John Katko joined a chorus of bipartisan lawmakers criticizing President Donald Trump for his comments regarding Russia’s interference in the 2016 election and defense of Russian President Vladimir Putin at a joint press conference Monday in Finland. Trump said Putin denied Russia’s involvement in the cyber attacks, despite mounting evidence and investigations conducted by U.S. intelligence agencies. “He... more

County attorney says CIN police have no authority without reservation

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Seneca County Attorney Frank Fisher said the recently announced Cayuga Indian Nation Police Department has no police authority because the Nation does not have a reservation. “This is just my opinion, but they do not have the authority to enforce state laws on property owned by the Cayugas unless an official reservation is created,” Fisher said recently. “Anyone enforcing the... more

Newark downtown resurgence continues with ‘sweet’ addition

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The locals lament the Newark of old, when this village — the commercial center of Wayne County — was home to blocks of stately two- and three-story buildings, most built in the 1800s. Those days, and those buildings, are mostly gone, victims of an ill-fated urban renewal effort four decades ago that left the village of about 9,300 without a... more

Recreational marijuana should be legalized, New York report concludes

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New York could take in up to $678 million in tax revenue in a year if it legalizes marijuana for recreational use, according to a long-awaited report issued Friday by the state Department of Health. The state Health Department's 74-page report officially backed the legalization of marijuana, concluding that the "positive effects" outweigh the "potential negative effects." That conclusion was... more

Seneca County supervisors debate support for Sampson dog show

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Should Seneca County provide financial support to the organizers of the 31st annual Wine Country Circuit Dog Show at Sampson State Park? That question was raised at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. Romulus Supervisor David Kaiser broached the subject, calling the American Kennel Club dog show a “big event and an important attraction” for the county to retain. Kaiser noted... more

Katko for Congress has $1.6M for re-election campaign against Dana Balter

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With less than four months to go until Election Day, U.S. Rep. John Katko has a significant financial advantage over Democratic challenger Dana Balter in the 24th Congressional District race. Katko, R-Camillus, raised $514,977 in the second quarter, according to Federal Election Commission records. His campaign spent $153,859 from April 1 through June 30. At the end of the fundraising... more

Auburn, CCC discuss $3M project at Falcon Park

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The city of Auburn and Cayuga Community College are in the process of negotiating a deal that would require the city to make $3 million in upgrades to Falcon Park and allow the college to have greater use of the park’s facilities and expand its athletic offerings. City Manager Jeff Dygert and CCC President Brian Durant shared details about the project... more

Additional staff hired to handle snow removal, other tasks in Seneca Falls

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In a move that Deputy Town Supervisor Lou Ferrara called a ‘great move’ for Seneca Falls – the Town Board unanimously supported hiring three laborers at a special session on Thursday. Those employees will work in the Highway Department, and be worked into a pay scale of $14 to $20 per hour. The candidates were not identified, but Highway Superintendent... more

Cayuga County Health Department set to act as lead for regional cancer screening effort

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The Cayuga County Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee voted Thursday to tentatively accept a five-year, $1 million grant for free cancer screenings, this time with the county acting as a regional lead based on its exemplary success in the past. The grant provides $200,000 a year, beginning in 2018 through 2023, to help the Cayuga County Health Department participate... more

Mitrano believes she can win in 23rd District

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Tracy Mitrano, the winner of the crowded Democratic primary in New York’s 23rd Congressional District, is optimistic that recent enthusiasm among Democratic voter bases across the country — in particular what she’s seen in the 23rd — will help her against incumbent U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, in November’s general election. “Among Democrats … there is a real recognition that... more

Seneca County supervisors discuss Taylor’s exit in executive session

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On Tuesday, the Seneca County Board of Supervisors went into executive session to discuss the investigation into former Emergency Management Director Melissa Taylor. She was placed on administrative leave, and then last week announced that she would be resigning. Several supervisors, including Fayette Town Supervisor Cindy Lorenzetti and and Varick Town Supervisor Bob Hayssen have been critical of the investigation.... more
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