Legality, legitimacy, ethics, and the intent of those who created New York State Town Law have little meaning in Tompkins County. The Town of Lansing Comprehensive Plan had no more meaningful participation by the town’s residents; than the assertion that they did.
Although Town Law states “Among the most important powers and duties granted by the legislature to a town government is the authority and responsibility to undertake town comprehensive planning” – Lansing’s comprehensive plan was created and approved by Cornell. And while the Law’s intent was that the comprehensive plan “is in the best interest of the people of each town” – Lansing’s comp plan creators [Cornell] disputed that; ignoring the town’s best interests, and claiming the law “does not forbid a more coordinated process” and even calling its predatory policies a “symbiotic relationship.”
The planning began with Cornell’s cold call survey of the issues [before residents even knew there were issues]: and ended with Cornell’s stamp of approval.
Lansing’s comprehensive plan was never allowed to be publicly questioned, debated, or approved by its residents.
And there’s more: I’ve never been able to find an authority, at any level, who admits to jurisdiction, or has shown any willingness to help. When fraud is an everyday occurrence — it’s just business as usual.
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If a fraud takes place and nobody does anything – is it still a fraud?