The Secret Cornell

You’re a world-class University/Corporation that is always seeking to expand. You despise the rural community that surrounds you; and you covet their land.

What do you do to after you’ve taken away their representation, and taken away their services?

You take away their freedom.

In Tompkins County’s “rich farmer – poor non-farmer” equation: there is no attempt at equitable treatment. Cornell’s “Urban Colonialist” government passes restriction after restriction on Lansing’s 200-year old rural community — Agricultural Law replaces administrative law – and corruption replaces conscience.

In 2023; Lansing’s Cornell-run government “expressly repealed and superseded” the existing Rural/Agricultural Zoning: Replacing it with a CAFO crafted Agricultural Zoning – unilaterally stripping 64 previously permitted land uses – even those “Permitted as of Right” – from 95% of the population — and “streamlining” the approval of all agricultural uses.

This manifest abuse of zoning power left the non-farming residents with just four permitted uses: a 1 or 2 Unit Dwelling, a Bed and Breakfast, or a Day-Care Facility – in an attempt to force all large parcels into the hands of expanding CAFOs [or risk leaving them exposed to a predatory tax structure.]

In recent years; urban-sprawl friendly zoning, new-development prices, and Cornell’s takeover of local government, have radically changed this once rural town. Agricultural Zoning is just one more step in the constructive eviction of Lansing’s rural community.

Why would those who have so much; rob and repress those who have so little? Like the gangster in Key Largo; they want “More.”

Tompkins County isn’t a representative government: it’s a gang. The Cornell gang.