Lansing Town Board candidates talk issues

Legislator Mike Sigler, Republican, interviewed two candidates running for Lansing Town Board in the election being held next month. Below are their responses.

Mike Sigler: Why are you running for Lansing Town Board?

Erin Worsell: I am compassionate about representing my community, having respect for its history and roots, and at the same time, helping to drive it forward to support the needs of future generations. My interest lies in finding strategies to assist our rural community to achieve responsible growth and development which strengthens our local economy and builds on our local assets, while maintaining our distinctive rural character. Our community worked hard to establish the Town Comprehensive Plan, and I will ensure that it is adhered to. This plan is a guideline for our town’s development, deeming what lands are suitable for further development, which lands should be protected, and what lands should be left untouched for community recreation and the environment. I plan to bring a fresh perspective along with my ability to bridge generations with openness and transparency.

Hugh Bahar: To keep Lansing, Lansing — not a suburb of Ithaca. There is a crime every two-and-a-half hours in Ithaca, with two homicides in the last 8 months. We are a “right-to-farm” community, and many of us live in Lansing because we appreciate the rural values and we wish to raise our families in peace and safety.

MS: What do you think are the top three issues facing the town?

EW: To me, the top three issues facing our town are responsible town growth, the preservation of our rural footprint and increasing overall community awareness and support of a broad number of issues. For example, the recent addition of a large apartment complex in Lansing has led to the unintended consequence of Lansing becoming the busiest patrol zone for law enforcement in Tompkins County outside of the city of Ithaca.

HB: We have to justify each line of the town of Lansing budget to keep our county/town taxes as low as possible. Every penny that is misspent adds up to real dollars that diminish our ability to provide for our families. 2. From my first-hand discussions with school and sheriff personnel, the Milton Meadows development has been a major change to our community both in the impact to our schools and to the number of calls to law enforcement. Any future similar developments have to demonstrate that Lansing has a plan to address and humanely resolve these realities. 3. Route 34B (Ridge Road) towards the schools is already busy with traffic from salt trucks, bus traffic, student and parent traffic, and people commuting to work. We need to ensure that any additional businesses along Ridge Road have a formal traffic study to satisfy parents that their children will be safe on the way to and from school.

MS: As you campaign, what have you heard from residents?

EW: People have expressed a great deal of enthusiasm regarding my campaign. I have sensed an excitement for positive change and the creation of a balanced board consisting of members who can work together to drive forward towards a better Lansing.

HB: “Keep Lansing, Lansing” resonates with nearly everyone. The Tompkins Farm Bureau members greatly appreciated my position. Parents are concerned about Ridge Road traffic, and they want to be assured that any proposed new businesses along that [route] will not add to the risk of accidents. When I speak with village of Lansing residents, I am asked if they can vote in Town Board elections, which they can and should.

MS: What have you done in your life to prepare you for this — job, volunteer, etc.?

EW: My family has lived in this community for generations and has seen how Lansing has taken shape over several years. I work as a community health nurse and have developed the ability to work with a variety of people in very trying times. During my campaign, I have had the opportunity to interact with hundreds of community members and have heard firsthand what is important to them. I offer fresh perspective, an open nature and the personality necessary to build relationships within our community.

HB: As a professional project manager, construction manager and degreed engineer, I will bring a critical eye to each proposed expenditure and will press my fellow Town Board members to justify each budget line and each decision to spend taxpayer funds. I will also bring a decadeslong background in capital projects and construction techniques to make sure that large proposed expenditures for buildings, grounds or infrastructure are reviewed for budget, schedule and accurate scope to ensure that Lansing gets the expected value from each dollar spent.

MS: Do you have a vision for the town?

EW: I have a strong desire and commitment to bridge the gap between those who have loved living in Lansing for generations and those who may be newer to the area. I envision a transparent local government that will work with all people to keep Lansing a beautiful place to live well into the future. In our current age, people seem divided more now than ever, and I want to be part of changing this.

HB: I moved to Lansing because of the great schools, recreation, agriculture and kind and helpful people.  My vision for Lansing is to keep it exactly as it is — a vibrant and healthy combination of village and town.

MS: If the state approves utility-scale solar or some other development that concerns homeowners, what can be done to protect their interests?

EW: This is a topic which will need much more community input and study. I have heard from people on both sides of the issue, including those that feel they have the right to do what they want with their own property, as well as those who strongly oppose the visual change this could cause to our landscapes. We are going to have to come together to find ways to protect the interests of all residents in Lansing. I am willing to have these tough conversations.

HB: ​​Homeowners, landowners, renters and farmers need to make their voices heard by attending Town Board and Planning Board meetings and signing up to speak. During a recent Town Board meeting that I attended, the town supervisor was very clear that hearing from town (and village) residents was very impactful. Landowners have a right to build on their land as the zoning laws and building codes allow. To have a moratorium on any kind of allowed construction in the town or village sets the municipalities up for costly lawsuits. There should also be routine reviews of the Comprehensive Plan, and at that time, Lansing residents should be invited to speak, contribute and shape how they wish to see our town and village evolve.

MS: How much does politics play into your campaign?

EW: I do not see myself as a politician, but rather someone who deeply cares about people. I believe this is what sets me apart from others. I am a fifth-generation Lansing resident, a mother, a community health nurse, and an active volunteer, and feel I can connect with and serve all people. In fact, serving all people in our community is what the Town Board should be about, not just those in one particular party.

HB: I consider myself to be nonpolitical as I view our founding document, The U.S. Constitution (as amended), to be a nonpolitical document, and it is the foundation for my political beliefs.