Local News Bites

[KarenK 503]

2 hours ago, Chris said:

One of them mentioned a bike lane and that the bus was crossing over on to it.

There isn’t a bike lane there. I checked.

And yet thats where people get their “news.”

Yep I saw that but what one guy said was they were "riding the line" and that's illegal.  Is it?  I would think crossing the line would be, but riding the line?  You would know that one better than me, but that guy knows.

 

[Chris 3,211]

9 hours ago, KarenK said:

Yep I saw that but what one guy said was they were "riding the line" and that's illegal.  Is it?  I would think crossing the line would be, but riding the line?

Well first off we’d have to define “riding the line.” What line? I looked around at them at intersection and there’s no “bike line”, at least one that’s labeled as such. Just the fog line.

I’d have to look up the vehicle and traffic law as it pertains to the fog line.

I see all the time people running down bus drivers, but what they don’t know is that bus drivers are the most highly scrutinized and trained commercial drivers out there. They’re told that on Day 1. Annual physicals, annual defensive driving evaluations, and every other year an additional, more in depth evaluation that includes a physical performance test.

They've got that bus under control, I assure you.

That doesn’t mean perfection, they’re only human after all. But the “they’ll let anyone drive” line is a complete crock. 

[Chris 3,211]

I just did a little experiment to make sure I’m correct in something.

My bus is 9’2 wide. I don’t know the exact width of a driving lane, they kinda vary though. On Maple Ave, centered in my lane, I am about 6” off of that fog line. In Jerusalem Hill Rd., I keep myself centered ( especially careful to stay more to my side of the road because we all know how people drive on that middle line). I can’t see it out the door window, that’s how close I am to it.

So I’d ask the armchair experts out there, what is or isn’t “riding the line” in a large vehicle? Or are they just spouting off nonsense?

[MsKreed 1,571]

There is no designated bike lane, and the sections where a bicycle could "fit" outside the fog line looks like it's clearly striped to show it's not a bike lane. 

When I worked in the DOT building in Hornell, I had a conversation with the boss in the Traffic Department and was told the only time it’s OK to cross the fog line is to pass on the right.....in the case where there is not any turning lane, and the vehicle in the traffic lane is making a left turn, and is stopped waiting for oncoming traffic.

And, although you wouldn’t know it from what LEO ignores around our area, the laws say that bicyclists are required to follow the same rules of the road as motor vehicles. 

So, regardless of whether the bus width partially crossed that line -- if the bicyclist was intentionally fully occupying that illegal space they are violating the "don't cross the line" law much more than the bus. 

I have long felt that local LEO are fomenting a serious safety risk by not citing cyclists for their constant violations of traffic laws.

Edited April 19 by MsKreed

[Chris 3,211]

Well this is interesting:

Quote

 

ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) — Elmira City Manager Michael Collins remains under a performance review by the city council, that started in January, after confirmation with the mayor on Thursday. 

Mayor Mandell told 18 News that the review is ongoing and that an update will made once the review is complete.

An 18 News reporter asked Mandell about the review after the city council held a closed-door meeting on Thursday, May 2, on a “personnel matter involving employee performance,” according to the council. The city did not comment about the specifics of the meeting, or which employee it was about.

 

Source

[KarenK 503]

3 hours ago, Chris said:

Well this is interesting:

Source

Having a performance review doesn't mean he did anything wrong.

A stipulation was added to his contract indicating his 3 year (or whatever it was) extension of contract would require a performance review.  What's the big deal?

I am required to have a performance review once a year.  It's part of the terms of our employment.  There are set metrics regarding certain aspects of my job that I am expected to meet or exceed and it is reviewed annually.

[Chris 3,211]

36 minutes ago, KarenK said:

Having a performance review doesn't mean he did anything wrong.

On its own, no, of course not.

In this case, it could be something more. 

[Chris 3,211]

Or not:

[KarenK 503]

So there ya go.

[Chris 3,211]

3 hours ago, KarenK said:

So there ya go.

Honestly, I'm quite surprsied, after hearing the things I hear. But I'll admit, I was wrong. 

[Twin Tiers Living 489]

The City of Elmira has released its first newsletter. For more information on how to receive it, read below:

The City of Elmira is pleased to announce our first ever bi-weekly newsletter. This newsletter will be released starting Wednesday, May 8 th , 2024, and will continue
to be released every other week thereafter. The newsletter will contain information on upcoming events, roadwork, adoptable pets, and much more.

To sign up for the newsletter;

• Visit https://www.cityofelmira.net/
• Click on News Flash
• Select Notify Me
• Enter your email address

[Chris 3,211]

Salsa’s is opening a new location at the site of the former Classic Cafe at 805 Pennsylvania Ave in Elmira. The signs are up now. It’s nice to see something there again.

[Elizabeth Whitehouse 22]

I'll check it out.

[KarenK 503]

2 hours ago, Chris said:

Salsa’s is opening a new location at the site of the former Classic Cafe at 805 Pennsylvania Ave in Elmira. The signs are up now. It’s nice to see something there again.

I heard they were opening one up in Elmira.  I like them but still prefer Los Pancho's personally.

[command_prompt 298]

On 12/27/2023 at 9:00 AM, Chris said:

 

As for representation, well, I have to disagree with Brinn and others on that. If ones constituents are overwhelmingly against something and you vote in favor of it, you are not representing them as you were elected to do. Yes, you represent everyone, but that doesn't mean you go with your own feelings or the feelings of a small handful of people against the wishes of the rest.

THIS.

[Pvt Snowball 44]

On 5/3/2023 at 11:31 AM, Ann said:

These areas under the bridges need to be completely blocked to prevent living in these spaces.    Fencing or fill the area with large chunks  of rocks or concrete that can’t be moved.   

And where are they supposed to go or you rather them sleep on the sidewalk or in front of someone home?

[Elizabeth Whitehouse 22]

Good point Pvt Snowball.  How about the now closed Southport correctional facility? That could house 350 unhoused people.

[Pvt Snowball 44]

1 hour ago, Elizabeth Whitehouse said:

Good point Pvt Snowball.  How about the now closed Southport correctional facility? That could house 350 unhoused people.

As long as the proper services are in place such as mental health which includes socal work follow up job training etc which can be funded by federal grants and sponsors.

[command_prompt 298]

1 hour ago, Elizabeth Whitehouse said:

Good point Pvt Snowball.  How about the now closed Southport correctional facility? That could house 350 unhoused people.

Great idea, housing-wise, but would you do to keep these folks busy/entertained/occupied? How would you get them to/from work, assuming they'd be interested in becoming productive members of our community? Would you work with C-Tran on designing a special route to the former correctional facility, so that its new residents can get to/from work on time? Who would pay for such route, if that was to happened? The campus is far from any main drag and/or any commercial activities. The homeless aren't wealthy enough to afford their own transportation. Would YOU like to live in a concrete block with very little sunlight? Methinks not. 

[MsKreed 1,571]

19 minutes ago, command_prompt said:

Great idea, housing-wise, but would you do to keep these folks busy/entertained/occupied? How would you get them to/from work, assuming they'd be interested in becoming productive members of our community? Would you work with C-Tran on designing a special route to the former correctional facility, so that its new residents can get to/from work on time? Who would pay for such route, if that was to happened? The campus is far from any main drag and/or any commercial activities. The homeless aren't wealthy enough to afford their own transportation. Would YOU like to live in a concrete block with very little sunlight? Methinks not. 

All good question!

Of course, it's also a challenge for any residency for the 'unhoused' to balance residents' freedom/independence against basic rules of safety and conduct. Many choose to remain unhoused rather than be subjected to policies that prohibit drugs/weapons, etc. (And no one can be forced to accept services for drug treatment or mental health).

 

Also, the fact that New York State own the property. Local communities have no authority to decide the fate of closed prisons....and NYS takes years and years to approve any use for them.

Bayview (prime Manhattan real estate off Chelsea Pier) has sat empty since 2012. Warren Buffet's family foundation couldn't get approval to invest $50M to use it to offer services for formerly incarcerated women.  

In our own backyard, Monterey Shock facility has languished to the elements since it closed in 2014.....with NYS declining all kinds of proposals over the years to purchase it for anything from rehab facility to tourism.

Edited June 9 by MsKreed

[Twin Tiers Living 489]

On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at 1 PM, there will be a ceremony and ribbon cutting at the southside of the Madison Avenue Bridge. This ceremony will be in honor of renaming the Madison Avenue Bridge to the Allen-Berry Bridge.

Earlier this year Elmira City Council passed a resolution to rename the bridge after A'don Allen and Bessie Berry, two local leaders who made great strides for the city's black community. 

You can read more about both of them at this story from WETM news.

[Beekeeper 50]

To change the thread...Salsita's in Horseheads is setting up Salsita's II in the old Classic Cafe.  Anyone know when they open?  It is painted, the signs are up and new parking lines have been painted.

TIA

[Chris 3,211]

28 minutes ago, Beekeeper said:

Anyone know when they open? 

I'll ask around!

[Twin Tiers Living 489]

Due to concerns about the heat and the safety of vendors as well as attendees, this week's Wisner Market has been canceled:

[Twin Tiers Living 489]

Those missing M&M Hots got some exciting news today: