In a wide-ranging interview on “Inside Government,” Auburn Mayor Jimmy Giannettino discussed recent developments at City Hall, including a contentious holiday parade decision, ongoing housing efforts, strained economic development partnerships, and continued legal battles over Owasco Lake protections.
Council transition underway after close election
Giannettino acknowledged the narrow outcome of the recent City Council race, where Republican Craig Diego unseated incumbent Ginny Kent. Giannettino said the city is waiting for official certification before Diego begins transition meetings with department heads and attends executive sessions.
“I honestly thought it was going to be a close election, and it obviously was,” Giannettino said, crediting Diego’s early campaign outreach and door-knocking efforts.
The mayor thanked Kent for her four years of service, especially highlighting her work with the Watershed Management Council.
Parade reinstated after safety concerns and public outcry
The annual holiday parade, initially canceled due to safety concerns, will go forward with a revised plan following community backlash. The new start time of 3:30 p.m. aims to address concerns raised by the Auburn Police Department and Department of Public Works, including poor visibility and hazardous conditions after dark.
“There are serious safety concerns,” Giannettino said, pointing to previous incidents with pedestrians stepping into dark roadways during the event. He emphasized the need to balance staff recommendations with public sentiment. “It’s all about compromise.”
Giannettino noted that cost was not the primary reason for the cancellation, stating that parade-related overtime was budgeted at approximately $5,000.
Shift in downtown event focus
While discussing downtown Auburn’s event landscape, Giannettino said several long-running events such as TomatoFest and Majorpalooza had ended due to waning participation, not due to a lack of city support. He cited a changing environment where downtown now attracts visitors regularly without the need for constant event-driven traffic.
One program under review is the Friday night music series on State Street, where city staff have observed reduced attendance.
Micron delay may offer planning opportunity
Giannettino said he remains optimistic about Micron’s investment in the region despite a recent announcement delaying the semiconductor project’s start. He framed the delay as a chance for Central New York to better prepare for demands in workforce development and housing.
“This gives us more time,” he said, citing ongoing discussions with developers about market-rate housing on Bluefield Road and North Street. He acknowledged project delays due to environmental and infrastructure hurdles.
“We need time to work through those obstacles,” Giannettino said.
County-city split over economic development offices
Giannettino expressed frustration over the Cayuga County Industrial Development Authority’s (CCIDA) decision to decline an offer to co-locate with other economic development agencies at Auburn City Hall. The city had offered free office space to CCIDA, Cayuga County Development Corporation, the Auburn Industrial Development Authority, and the Small Business Development Council.
“It doesn’t make any sense to me,” Giannettino said. “There is a core group of people on that board that doesn’t like the city of Auburn.”
Although CCIDA opted to move into the Carriage House Building, other agencies including CCDC and AIDA plan to relocate to City Hall. Giannettino said city officials remain in frequent communication with development partners and continue to support the “One-Stop” vision.
He said he was unaware whether Cayuga County Legislature Chair David Gould’s proposed $25,000 allocation to support a one-stop initiative survived the budget process.
Budget constraints and consolidation discussions
Giannettino acknowledged that tight municipal finances remain a challenge, though he said current year revenues appear to be tracking well so far. He emphasized the need for collaboration and service consolidation, citing new financial contributions from Owasco and Springport for shared ambulance services as one example.
Looking ahead, he warned of continuing uncertainty tied to state and federal funding.
“We need stability, not only from Washington, but from Albany,” he said, adding that state AIM funding must increase permanently to support essential city services.
Owasco Lake protection remains unresolved
Giannettino reiterated his concerns about drinking water quality from Owasco Lake, stating the city remains locked in a legal battle with the State of New York. In July, a court ruled in the city’s favor, agreeing that the state had acted improperly by dismantling stricter watershed regulations.
“It was a scathing rebuke,” Giannettino said of the ruling, which found the Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health had failed to protect the lake. The state has since appealed the decision.
Giannettino blamed a lack of political will to confront agricultural pollution in the watershed and said the city may revisit plans to extend the lake’s intake pipe into deeper waters, though work is currently prioritized on an aging transmission line near Highland Golf Course.
No plans to seek higher office
When asked whether he would consider running for the New York State Assembly seat currently held by John Lemondes, who is campaigning for Congress, Giannettino responded unequivocally: “Not a chance.”
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