Headlines for January 6th, 2023

Lewis won't Run for Reelection in 2023

On Wednesday, Ithaca Mayor Laura Lewis announced she would not seek reelection in 2023. According to the Ithaca Voice, Lewis’ announcement came during Lewis’ state of the city address at the Common Council’s first meeting of the year. Lewis was elected to fill the final year of Svante Myrick’s unfinished term just this past November. The mayor's office will see many changes after this year and many of the mayor’s responsibilities will be handed over to a city manager position. The job of mayor will retain most of its ceremonial responsibilities and receive a vote on the Common Council. Also at Wednesday night’s meeting Tiffany Kumar was sworn in as 4th Ward Alderperson.

Black Reappointed Chair of County Legislature

The Tompkins County Legislature held its reorganization meeting on Tuesday where legislator Shawna Black was reappointed as Chair. According to the Ithaca Voice, Black’s reappointment was approved unanimously as was legislator Dan Klein’s appointment as Vice-Chair. Klein was nominated by incumbent vice chair Deborah Dawson. Black, a Democrat, represents the 11th District located in the town of Ithaca.

Democratic Head Jay Jacobs backs LaSalle

In Albany, controversy continues over Governor Kathy Hochul’s nomination of Hector LaSalle to the State Court of Appeals. LaSalle’s relatively conservative record has led progressives and even some moderate Democrats to oppose his nomination to the state highest court. However, according to the Albany Times Union, state Democratic chair Jay Jacobs is defending Hochul’s choice. He says progressives didn’t win enough support in the gubernatorial election to “tell the rest of the state what they’re going to have to swallow." State Senator Lea Webb, who represents Ithaca and Binghamton, has announced her opposition to LaSalle.