Inside the FLX

On this episode of Inside the FLX we caught up with Geneva Mayor Steve Valentino who gave an update on the city's budget process to date, his thoughts on the city's economic development plan, which focuses heavily on housing, and a major outbreak of HABs on Seneca Lake. He says the latter will likely require state and federal resources to keep Seneca Lake a source of drinking water and tourism lon...

On episode #517 of  Inside the FLX we're talking about DRI potential, budget challenges, and HABs in Canandaigua Lake with Canandaigua Mayor Bob Palumbo. The mayor says the city's upcoming budget process will present some challenges, but he's optimistic the city will find its way. He also talked about the needs the city and surrounding communities have amid concerns of HABs on lakes like Canandaig...

On episode #516 of Inside the FLX we're talking about a possible animal abuse registry, the ongoing slew of school threats being reported across the Finger Lakes and Central New York, as well as some upcoming events the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office will participate in. Sheriff Brian Schenck is our guest talking about it all and shedding light on how the community can anonymously get invo...

On this episode of Inside the FLX Canandaigua Mayor Bob Palumbo talks about the budget process, as expenses rise for the city, as well as a public hearing about removing a piece of property from the city's historic district.

On episode #513 of Inside the FLX we're joined by Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck, who provided a major update on a fatal incident earlier this month during a sting in the city of Auburn , as well as several training initiatives.

On episode #512 of Inside the FLX we're joined by Noah Ginsberg, the executive director of NYSEIA, to discuss the state's climate energy goals. Specifically, those like the one released by Comptroller Tom DiNapoli about New York's ability to reach them. Ginsberg says the roadmap is clear and the status quo won't get the job done. In many cases, the solution starts with rooftop sola...

On episode #511 of Inside the FLX we're joined by Geneva Mayor Steve Valentino, who shares updates on a budget debate that unfolded at last week's city council meeting, as well as summertime flooding, some state money aimed at improving an important downtown building, and the elimination of a communications position that he says was too complex as drawn up.

On episode #510 of Inside the FLX we were joined by Canandaigua Mayor Bob Palumbo. He discussed how the city handled heavy rain from Debby last week, as well as recovery efforts after a tornado hit Kershaw Park in July. He also gave updates on City Council action — including some changes to the city’s pickleball courts and a three-way stop near Canandaigua Lake that’s drawn criticism on social med...

Today on episode #509 of Inside the FLX we're talking with Cayuga Co. Sheriff Brian Schenck about some recent issues and developments. He says his team has seen a spike in DWIs this month, which is a concerning trend heading into the second half of summer. Schenck also talked about upcoming budget challenges facing the County, and steps being taken at the sheriff's office to prepare for 20...

Today on episode #508 of Inside the FLX we're joined by Mayor Jimmy Giannettino just before the City of Auburn and Town of Owasco hold a joint press conference after the state Department of Health decided it would not move forward with much needed protections to Owasco Lake. The rules, which Mayor Giannettino says are decades outdated, were aimed at protected drinking water quality and ensurin...

Today on episode #507 of  Inside the FLX  we’re talking with Canandaigua Mayor Bob Palumbo.  The night before our conversation, the city of Canandaigua and surrounding communities like Victor and Farmington were crushed by damaging winds associated with thunderstorms . Kershaw Park saw some of the  most-intense damage . We got the latest update from him on recovery from the storms, as well as sign...

On episode #506 of Inside the FLX two leaders from the Canandaigua Emergency Squad joined us in-studio to discuss an array of EMS-related issues in Upstate New York. Whether it's declining volunteer first responder forces, increasing cost of providing service, or growing demand as populations in the Finger Lakes get older - the stress of operating these agencies is growing by the day. Chief Ma...

Today on episode #505 of Inside the FLX we're talking with Judy Wentzel. She's the executive director of the Bonafiglia Family Foundation. Like many small, rural communities in Upstate New York - Seneca County has challenges, and the nonprofit world is often stretched thin trying to address them. Family foundations are nimble and set out to solve problems. The Bonafiglia Family Foundation...

Today on episode #504 of Inside the FLX we’re talking with Chris Lajewski from the Montezuma Audubon Center. Chris joins us to discuss their recent fundraising effort, the black tern survey that was conducted at Montezuma, as well as several opportunities for the community to get involved. There are  volunteer opportunities as the team begins water chestnut removal  from Montezuma waterways, as we...

On episode #503 of Inside the FLX we sat down with Auburn Mayor Jimmy Giannettino, who provided important updates on water treatment infrastructure projects in the city, as well as zoning changes that were required to bring the city into alignment with the state on cannabis businesses. He also talked about the pending closure of a Catholic church in the city, as well as the transparency he hopes t...

Today on Inside the FLX we're joined by Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck to get an update on critical funding issues that could soon impact his department and public safety there. Since the closure of the Cayuga County Office Building, the legislature has had to look at closing budget gaps created by work that will be required to get the building reopened. Check out the entire conversation...

There's a housing crisis in the Finger Lakes. For several years now homeownership rates have been in decline. This while the rate of rent burdened households, or those that spend 50% or more of their household income on rent, tick up at an alarming rate. It’s a combination with wide-reaching impacts on economic development, community sustainability, schools, and more. Last year, the finishing...

Today on episode #500 of Inside the FLX we're sitting down with Geneva Mayor Steve Valentino to talk about last week's City Council meeting, as well as a number of the biggest stories from the last two weeks. It's the first time talking with the Mayor since news broke that the Trinity rehabilitation project would not be moving forward with its current owner.

Today on episode #499 of Inside the FLX we're joined by Canandaigua Mayor Bob Palumbo to discuss Thursday's meeting for the month of June. It was a busy session, running longer than the average, but city council did adopt the strategic plan, and received several other key updates.

Auburn Mayor Jimmy Giannettino didn't hold back when asked about the denial of the city's proposed hotel tax. The measure, which needed to be brought forward by the city's Assembly representative, was ultimately killed. Giannettino called it a contradiction, because that representative, Assemblyman John Lemondes carried through similar measures for Weedsport and Skaneateles. That wasn&...

On episode #497, we sit down with Deb Turner, the Program Director for the Finger Lakes region's 988 Suicide and Crisis Prevention Line. Join us as we delve into the inner workings of the 988 hotline, offering an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how this critical lifeline service operates. Deb shares insights into daily operations, challenges, and successes of the hotline, shedding light on...

What’s happening at the Montezuma Audubon Center this month? On this episode of Inside the FLX we're joined by Chris Lajewski to talk about upcoming events, give us the latest on the bird migration happening across the Finger Lakes and Upstate New York right now, and talk all things birding as summer arrives!

On this episode of Inside the FLX we're talking about the work being done by law enforcement to curb work zone incidents, like the two fatal ones that happened in recent days across the region. Sheriff Brian Schenck from Cayuga County joined us via Zoom for his monthly touch base, discussing a range of issues. He says work zone safety starts with a mindset change from motorists. While law enfo...

Today on the show we are talking about rural healthcare. According to the National Institute for Healthcare Management -- 12.6 of the 19.6 million people who live in New York are considered medically underserved . Which means there aren’t enough primary care providers, high poverty rates, and a high elderly population. If you live in the Finger Lakes you probably know the doctors in your community...

On episode #493 of Inside the FLX we're talking with Geneva Mayor Steve Valentino about a busy May meeting, which featured a vote to spend more time working through the proposal to regulate short-term rentals there, as well as a number of other issues that appeared on the agenda. We also got the Mayor's perspective on a series of developments that are happening, or expected to happen over...