November 1, 2023 by Ithaca Times

F R E E / N o v e m b er 1 , 2 0 2 3 / V o l u m e X L I I I , N u m b er 6 2 / O u r 5 1 s t Y e a r

Online @ ITH ACA .COM

M E E T T H E CAN DIDAT ES | PAGE 8

2024 BUDGET VOTE

SOUTHSIDE FUNDING PROTECTED

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ANTI-SEMITIC POSTS ONLINE THREATEN CORNELL STUDENTS PAGE 5

OPERA ITHACA PAGE 13

NEWSIES AT ITHACA COLLEGE PAGE 14

Loaves & Fishes Extends Deep Appreciation to Our Sponsors, Potters, Restaurants and Wineries, Whose Support Made Empty Bowls a Resounding Success! Your Commitment to Helping Us Feed People in Need Makes a Diﬀerence Every Day.

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Premier American Crafts by Tompkins Community Bank Robbie Dein Gary Bercow Inn on Columbia Triad Foundation Laura Burch Pottery Leadership Julia e Dean Wegmans The Clay School Cayuga Medical Center Betsy Graham Partner Judy Hoﬀman True Insurance Visions Federal Credit Union Shawn Hull Chemung Canal Trust Perri LoPinto Pottery Company Terry Marcus Design Fingerlakes Wealth Management Sharon Nelson Advocate Gary Rith Pottery Guthrie Front Porch Pottery Cornell University by Tom Roach Crown Construction Triphammer Laundromat Jenny Ross CFCU Federal Credit Union Jaques Schickel Friend Diane Sullivan Design Cayuga Landscape Co. Giotto Zampognia Ithaca Guitar Works The William Henry Miller Inn Dermatology Associates of Ithaca

Food Beacon Events & Catering —Revelry Yards The Boatyard Grill Cayuga Medical Center Establishment Gola Osteria The Heights Restaurant Inn at Taughannock Falls Ithaca Bakery Loaves & Fishes Just Desserts Kiely’s Cooking Maxie’s Supper Club Moosewood Restaurant Taverna Ban� Taste of Thai Express Viva Taqueria Word of Mouth Catering Wide Awake Bakery

Wineries Damiani Wine Sellers Frontenac Point Vineyard Hosmer Winery Lakewood Vineyards Long Point Winery Montezuma Winery Shalestone Vineyards Six Mile Creek Winery Simeon's Wagner Vineyards

THANK YOU! 2 The Ithaca Times / November 1 – 7, 2023

Vital

Life

by Betsy Schermerhorn Director, Marketing and Admissions

GERIATRIC PSYCHOLOGY Geriatric psychology, a specialized ﬁeld within psychology, focuses on the mental health and well-being of older adults. With the growing aging population, the importance of geriatric psychology has become increasingly recognized. Geriatric psychologists work with older adults to address a variety of psychological issues, including depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and adjustment to life transitions. ey employ various assessment tools and therapeutic techniques tailored to the unique needs of older individuals. ey collaborate with healthcare professionals, families, and support systems to provide comprehensive care. rough their expertise and understanding of the aging

process, geriatric psychologists contribute to improving the quality of life and mental well-being of senior adults, helping them navigate the challenges and maximize their potential in later life. When you or a loved one requires care, consider Kendal at Ithaca. Our team works with each and every resident to provide warm, personalized care. With a full array of daily social activities, there are many opportunities to socialize and learn something new. Call the marketing team at (607) 266-5300 to schedule a tour to see our facilities and learn more about lifecare at Kendal at Ithaca. Find us on the web at http://kai.kendal.org/ 2230 N. Triphammer Road Ithaca, NY 14850-6513

Website: www.kai.kendal.org Email: admissions@kai.kendal.org

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VOL. XLIII / NO. 62 / November 1, 2023 Serving 47,125 readers week ly

ON THE COVER:

City to Vote on 2024 Budget Tonight

Election Day is right around the corner. Don’t forget to vote!

NEWSLINE ��3-5 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR �� 6 GUEST OPINION �� 7

By M at t D ough e rt y

he City of Ithaca is scheduled to make a final vote on its $101.2 million 2024 budget during a Common Council meeting on Wednesday, November 1. The 2024 budget totals $101,058,360 — with $80,379,063 in the general operating fund and $5,006,000 allocated for capital projects. The total budget is increasing by over $10 million over the 2023 budget of $90,350,883. Mayor Laura Lewis has said that developing the budget has been a “gargantuan task” and that the city is “continuing to see an increase in costs in all areas.” Lewis said that her top priorities in crafting the budget were to reduce debt, keep tax rate and tax levy increases to a minimum, integrate new labor contract wages, and maintain a robust fund balance. As usual, staff have struggled with the annual difficulty of crafting a budget in a City where 57% of its property is tax-exempt. Cornell University owns 79% of tax-exempt property in the City — the remaining 21% consists of “all county buildings, churches, synagogues, schools, and any other entity that is tax exempt,” according to the Mayor. This leaves the rest of property owners in the city with the burden of paying higher property taxes, which translates into higher housing costs for renters. The Mayor's proposed budget includes funding for several new and vacant positions requested by city departments without increasing the current tax rate of $11.98 per $1,000. The budget also

HEALTH �� 11 SPORTS �� 12 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT �� 13 STAGE �� 14 TIMES TABLE �� 16-17 CLASSIFIED �� 18-20

The Common Council is expected to make a final vote on the City of Ithaca’s $101.2 million 2024 Budget during a meeting on November 1. (Photo: Matt Dougherty)

includes a 5% tax levy increase, and Mayor Youth Bureau, Planning Department, GIAC, Finance, Human Resources, City Lewis said the City will be operating Attorney, City Manager, Mayor, and Comabove the 2.2% tax cap. The total revenue mon Council. In addition, Lewis said the is projected at $30,690,864, with property proposed budget includes “no changes in and sales taxes expected to make up a the sidewalk fee, no changes in the water combined 69.1%. rates, a 10% increase in sewer rates, an According to Lewis, under the proincrease in trash ranges from $4.50 per tag posed budget, the owner of a medianpriced home at $302,000 would pay $3,295 to $5 per tag, and no changes to the cost of yard waste tags or stormwater fees.” in city taxes in 2024, not including Ithaca Lewis says that the proposed budget City School District taxes. When account“adds or restores 22 positions…including ing for the added $4,898 in taxes for the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, three school district, the average Ithacan can new firefighters, and seven new police expect to pay around $8,193 in combined officers starting in December 2024.” She taxes. added, “There are eight police officers in The proposed budget has allocated the most funding to the Department of Public the budget starting at an earlier date.” Check Ithaca.com on Thursday for Works (DPW), followed by the Ithaca updates to this story. Police Department, Fire Department,

T a k e

N o t e

X Ithaca Police Chief Finalists Community Meet & Greet On Thursday, November 2, 2023, at 6pm, the city will host a community meet and greet event with the two finalists for the City of Ithaca Police Chief position at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) 301 W Court St, Ithaca, NY 14850.

After conducting a national search for the Ithaca Police Chief position, the City o f I th a c a s e a rch co m m i t te e i d e nti f i e d seven individuals to interview. The search committee then selected two finalists- John Poleway, Former Police Chief of Larchmont,

NY, and Lieutenant Thomas Kelly, City of Schenectady Police Department. Community input is valued. Members of the Ithaca community are encouraged to attend the meet and greet, interact with the finalists, and ask questions. There will be an opportunity for all to provide feedback.

ON T HE WE B Visit our website at www.ithaca.com for more news, arts, sports and photos. Call us at 607-277-7000 M a t t D o u g h e r t y , M a n a g i n g E d i t o r , x 1217 E d i t o r @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m Ch r i s I b e r t, C a l en da r Ed i to r , A r t s @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m A n d r e w S u l l i v a n , S p o r t s E d i t o r , x 1227 Sports@flcn.org M a t t D o u g h e r t y , N e w s R e p o r t e r , x 1225 R e p o r t e r @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m Michelle L aMorte, Photographer Ste ve L awrence, Spo rts Co lumn ist St e v e S p o r t sD u d e @ g m a i l .co m L u c y A l l e n , F r o n t D es k F r o n t @ I t h a c a T i mes . c o m J i m B i l i n s k i , P u b l i s h e r , x 1210 j b i l i n s k i @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m L a r r y H o c h b e r g e r , A ss o c i a t e P u b l i s h e r , x 1214 l a r r y@ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m F r ee l a n ce r s : Barbara Adams, Stephen Burke, G. M Burns, Alyssa Denger, Jane Dieckmann, Charley Githler, Ross Haarstad, Steve Lawrence, Marjorie Olds, Henry Stark, Bryan VanCampen, and Arthur Whitman THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE ITHACA TIMES ARE C O P Y R I G H T © 2 02 3, B Y N E W S K I I N C . All rights reserved. Events are listed free of charge in TimesTable. All copy must be received by Friday at noon. The Ithaca Times is available free of charge from various locations around Ithaca. Additional copies may be purchased from the Ithaca Times offices for $1. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $89 one year. Include check or money order and mail to the Ithaca Times, PO Box 27, Ithaca, NY 14851. ADVERTISING: Deadlines are Monday 5 p.m. for display, Tuesday at noon for classified. Advertisers should check their ad on publication. The Ithaca Times will not be liable for failure to publish an ad, for typographical error, or errors in publication except to the extent of the cost of the space in which the actual error appeared in the first insertion. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason and to alter advertising copy or graphics deemed unacceptable for publication. The Ithaca Times is published weekly Wednesday mornings. Offices are located at 109 N. Cayuga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 607-277-7000, FAX 607277-1012, MAILING ADDRESS is PO Box 27, Ithaca, NY 14851. The Ithaca Times was preceded by the Ithaca New Times (1972–1978) and The Good Times Gazette (1973–1978), combined in 1978. Founder Good Times Gazette: Tom Newton

November 1 – 7, 2023 / The Ithaca Times

INQUIRING Southside Secures Funding in 2024 PHOTOGRAPHER

N e w s l i n e

By Miche l l e L a Mor te

WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?

Budget After Defunding Threat

rent.” While Fleming said that she “does t the start of the October 25 City not intend to Administration committee meetask the orgaing, Fifth Ward Alderperson nization to Robert Cantelmo announced that Third pay rent,” she Ward Alderperson Donna Fleming would withdraw her amendment to the 2024 City added that the Ithaca residents gather at the Southside Community Center to participate in a forum with the Ithaca Police Department to improve the relationship between City also owns budget that called for cutting $200,000 law enforcement and the communities they serve. (Photo: Matt Dougherty) the Hangar from the Southside Community Center. Theatre buildCantelmo said, “The council member it will be monitored.” Fleming continued, ing and does pay rent. who did file this [amendment] contacted “These are the funds that I would like to In response to the statements regardme and has requested that their amendre-direct either to City departments or to ing rent, Nunn said, “The City built the ment be withdrawn.” Fleming’s move to reduce the tax burden of City tax-payers.” building for us. There was never any rent withdraw the amendment came following She added, “In general, I believe that an upswell of public outrage at the attempt involved.” She continued, “The Black the City should fund private tax-exempt consciousness leader Shirley Chisholm to cut Southside’s funding. nonprofit organizations only when those orsaid that service is the rent we pay.” Nunn The scheduled discussion drew a ganizations provide a specific service under added, “We should not hear ‘rent’ again. packed house to the Common Council Understand the foundation of our history.” contract that the City does not itself provide.” chambers on the Third Floor of City Hall. Southside’s statement insists it proFleming’s amendment was revealed Dozens of Ithaca residents spoke durvides services that the City does not offer. to the public in an October 24 statement ing the public comment portion of the According to the statement, “The Youth circulated by Southside Community meeting in support of Southside, saying Bureau does not provide the culturally releCenter Director Chavon Bunch, Ruth that the amendment to divert funds was vant programming that Southside provides,” Yardow, and the SURJ leadership circle. “coded in anti-black language” and that and “The City owns GIAC and cannot be as The statement announced that the Ithaca Southside deserves even more funding openly Black and proud. It added, “the rich Common Council was scheduled to disthan it already receives. history of Southside is not replicable.” cuss an amendment to divert funds from Associate professor at Ithaca College, The community center is the focal point the Southside Community Center to the board president of Southside Community of the historically Black neighborhood Ithaca Youth Bureau and Greater Ithaca Center, and executive director for the Comof Southside. It was founded with $220 Activities Center (GIAC). munity Unity Music Education Program raised by Mrs. Vera Irvin and Mrs Gessie Regarding the plan to divert funds, (CUMEP), Dr. Nia Nunn addressed the Cooper. The property the building sits on Nunn said, “Listen to how these politicommittee, saying that she knew there was purchased by the center in 1932, and cians pit us against GIAC, knowing that wouldn’t be any reduction of funding the current building was completed in there are so many more young people that “because our evidence is just too strong and need our services. We need another GIAC 1937 in cooperation with the Works Progsignificant.” Nunn continued saying that she ress Administration — which was part and two more Southsides.” was glad to see so many residents come out of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s The statement circulated by Southside supporting Southside “because we need to New Deal. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt deal with the disrespect of our organization.” leadership said, “Alderpersons Donna even attended the dedication ceremony for Fleming, George McGonigal, and Cynthia According to Nunn, the reasoning behind the amendment proposed by Fleming Brock have stated that GIAC and the Ithaca the building in 1938. The community center’s Deputy DirecYouth Bureau can do the work that Southwas “coded in anti-Black racist language.” Nunn told the committee to “tune into the side Community Center is doing.” It added, tor and First Ward Common Council can“Donna Fleming has requested that the City didate Kayla Matos has said, “Southside stigmatizing, damaging language used to is a thriving historically Black institution describe this glorious Black organization… pull funding for Southside in 2024 and that has been serving the Ithaca commubeyond.” In response to the public backlisten and read carefully to the anti-Black nity for nearly 90 years.” Matos continued, lash, Alderpersons Brock and McGonigal racist language.” saying, “It provides low-cost and free said they had no intentions to support the Nunn was referring to language in licensed child care, a food pantry, commuamendment to divert Southside funding. emails sent by Fleming to local activist nity meals, a pet clinic, and one of the oldIn Fleming’s email to Shapiro explainElan Shapiro, co-founder of Sustainest community bike shops in the country.” ing her thoughts behind the amendment, able Tompkins and the Building Bridges Matos added that the community Fleming said, “The Mayor has included network, and Tompkins County SURJ. In center also serves as an overall hub for $200,000 in direct funding to [Southside] the emails, Fleming explained her reasoncommunity and cultural events, such as in her 2024 proposal, as a contract, but we ing behind the amendment by saying that have not received any information about the community center building “is owned specifically what the contract is for or how by the City and [Southside] does not pay Contin u ed on Page 7

A “Ox tail from the Jamaican Food Stand.” – Miriam E.

“"A Pop Tart.” – Steve O.

“Jalapeno Chips.” – Michael F.

“A Potatoe Cheddar hand pie.” – Jordan B.

“Wide Awake Bakery Bread with Irish Butter.” – Grace M.

By M at t D ough e rt y

4 The Ithaca Times / November 1 – 7, 2023

UPS &DOWNS FBI Investigating Posts Threatening Violence Against Cornell’s Jewish Community N e w s l i n e

Ups

By M at t D ough e rt y

Police Department, FBI, and other law enforcement agencies involved n October 29, Cornell University President Martha Pollack released in investigating these a statement in response to a series threats and bringing the perpetrators to justice.” of antisemitic online posts threatening Tompkins County violence towards the Jewish community at Legislator Chairwoman the university. The posts were uploaded to Shawna Black responded an online forum called GreenRank, which to the situation, saying, is not affiliated with Cornell University. “Tompkins County conGreekRank is an online discussion New York State Governor Kathy Hochul visted Cornell University on Monday, October 30 to offer support to the universities demns the hateful and forum about fraternities and sororities on Jewish community after a series of antisemitic posts threatening targeted posts threatuniversity campuses across the country. violence went viral online. (Photo: Cornell University) ening Jewish students The site includes user guidelines that bans at Cornell University. content that “contains hate speech or munities, and we will not tolerate violence Anti-Semitism, violent threats, and hate promotes or condones violence.” motivated by hate and extremism.” speech of any kind are intolerable.” Black There were a total of at least four posts, It remains unclear if the posts were made continued by saying, “All students in our all from different usernames, that were by students at the university since the online community deserve safe learning and livmade on October 29 between 9:17 a.m. forum is anonymous and allows anyone to ing environments regardless of ethnicity and 5:30 p.m. The posts called for graphic post regardless of whether or not they are or creed. Targeted threats toward Jewish acts of violence against Jewish civilians, affiliated with a University. This has caused students are unacceptable and cruel.” She said that Israel deserved the 10/7 Hamas some to question the credibility of the added, “Tompkins County commends attack, and threatened to “shoot up 104 threats, saying that outside agitators could the law enforcement agencies working West,” the location of Cornell’s kosher and diligently to keep people safe and to inves- have made them in an attempt to undermine multicultural dining hall and Center for a productive dialogue among all sides. tigate these threats of violence.” Jewish Living on campus. The Cornell Daily Sun has reported that New York State Governor Kathy HoAccording to the university website, derogatory comments about Palestinians 22% of Cornell’s student body is Jewish. In chul said, “The disgusting & hateful posts and Muslims have also been posted to the on a message board about Jewish Cornell response to the posts, the Steven K. and students is the latest in a series of concern- GreekRank forum, to little outrage. Winifred A. Grinspoon Hillel Center for The posts were made just days after Ising incidents on college campuses. While Jewish Community at Cornell released a raeli military forces announced “expanded it is unclear if these are credible threats, statement advising “students and staff to ground operations” in the Gaza Strip and State Police [are] engaged, and we’ll take avoid the [104 West] building out of an roughly three weeks after Israel declared any steps needed to keep students safe.” abundance of caution.” a state of war against Hamas in retaliation On October 30, the day after the posts In her statement, Pollack said that Corfor the attack on October 7 that killed were made, Governor Hochul visited the nell University Police and the FBI are inuniversity to offer support to the university's 1,400 Israelis. vestigating the posts and the potential of a Since declaring war, Israeli forces have Jewish community. During her visit, Hochul hate crime. “Police will continue to remain expanded their siege on Gaza to an all-out also announced that there would be heighton-site to ensure our students and community members are safe,” Pollack said. She ened security on campuses across the state in blockade by cutting off running water and response to an increase in antisemitic threats. electricity to Gaza entirely. However, the added, “Threats of violence are intolerable, Associated Press has reported that an aid “I came here in person with one strong and we will work to ensure that the person convoy was finally able to enter Gaza on or people who posted them are punished to message that we will not tolerate threats, Sunday, October 29. Communications like the full extent of the law…We will not toler- or hatred, or antisemitism, or any kind of cell service and internet connection were hatred that makes people feel vulnerable,” ate antisemitism at Cornell.” also restored to Gaza’s population of more Hocul said. Ithaca Mayor Laura Lewis has released than 2 million people on Sunday following An FBI spokesperson told CBS News, a statement saying, “I condemn in the intense Israeli air strikes. “The FBI is aware of the threats made strongest terms the threats of violence Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have to Cornell University’s Jewish commudirected at members of the Jewish comconducted massive bombing campaigns nity. We take all threats seriously and are munity at Cornell this past weekend.” in the Gaza Strip, killing more than 8,000 working closely with Cornell and our law According to Lewis, “These threats are Palestinians, mostly women and minors, enforcement partners at every level to deabhorrent to a city that prides itself on according to the Gaza Health Ministry. termine the credibility, share information, tolerance and coexistence of people from The international charity Save the and take appropriate investigative action." all places, backgrounds, and viewpoints.” Children has released a statement saying The spokesperson added, “We encourage Lewis continued saying that “Attacks on that in just three weeks, Israeli air strikes members of the public to immediately people, businesses, or any institution have killed 3,195 children in Gaza. It also report anything they consider suspicious within our city will not be tolerated.” She to law enforcement. Nothing is more added, “The Ithaca Police Department is important than the safety of our comproviding support as it can to the Cornell Contin u ed on Page 7

No. 12 Cornell men’s hockey (2-0-0, 0-0 ECAC) completed its weekend sweep of the No. 11 University of Minnesota Duluth (3-2-2, 0-0 NCHC) on Saturday, Oct. 28 at Lynah Rink with a 3-0 shutout win.

Downs

Ithaca resident Dominic Vietti was arrested on Oct. 5 on an outstanding Superior Court warrant for bailjumping unrelated to charges in the county. Bail jumping is a felony charge in New York State. Vietti is being held in Schuyler County Jail without bail.

HEARD&SEEN Heard

Don’t forget to vote! Election day on November 7 is right around the corner. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Check the cover story for polling locations in the City of Ithaca. Early voting started on October 28 and lasts until November 5, so get out there and cast those ballots!

Seen

In an unexpected replaying of history a pumpkin has been placed atop the Cornell University Clock Tower for the first time in 26 years. The original pumpkin prank occured on Oct. 8, 1997.

IF YOU CARE TO RESPOND to something in this column, or suggest your own praise or blame, write news@ithacatimes. com, with a subject head “U&D.”

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Do you think the City should do more to keep sidewalks clear of snow during the winter? 46.2% Yes . 28.0% No . 29.4% I don’t care .

N ext Week ’s Q uestion :

What is your favorite Halloween candy? Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.

November 1 – 7, 2023 / The Ithaca Times

The Talk at

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR November 7 Endorsements

“

We write in support of Pat Sewell running as an Independent for Common Council. We have known Pat for over 20 years, since he and his family moved to Ithaca. He is every bit as “engaged, empathetic and intelligent a community advocate” as his Democratic opponent, but with more real-world experience. For much of the last 20 years, Pat has been teaching classes in ethics, economics, and public policy at TC3. Pat is also the president of the adjunct professors’ union, which he helped organize and negotiate for at its inception. He has long been employed at GreenStar and is an elected representative to the GreenStar Council. He serves on boards of other non-profits including the Quaker Meeting where he is Treasurer. In sum, he is active in civic and community life and has his finger on the pulse of the needs and interests of Ithacans. He is well-respected. We appreciate his thoughtfulness, good

judgment, and pleasant demeanor. Pat identifies as an Independent, but to be clear: many of us who support Pat are progressive Democrats. Like many Ithacans, we normally vote the Democrat party line. This November we’ll cross over and vote for Pat Sewell on the Community Party line.” — Garry Thomas, Kris Altucher, Marin Clarkberg, Lynn Podhaski

“

Hello city residents and anyone who pays Ithaca City school taxes: the only individual on the Common Council to veto Cornell's revised MOU was Cynthia Brock. Even the solidarity slate voted for the MOU. She has no hesitation about voicing her opinions and backs up her decisions with rational, organized arguments. And facts. I have known Cynthia Brock for over ten years: she is intelligent, hard-working and has a lot of integrity. She understands the needs of all her constituents. Because she is experienced, and has a solid understanding of how the government here works, she won’t need a year to get up-to-speed. She makes it a point to keep the First Ward and beyond informed of the city’s activities and impending decisions. Please vote for her on the Ithacans for Progress line on November 7th.” — Patricia Dutt Contin u ed on Page 7

6 The Ithaca Times / November 1 – 7, 2023

GUEST OPINION

Open Letter to the Trumansburg Board of Trustees Regarding Vil age Zoning Revision By A n t hon y H a n s on

ear Board Members, Thank you for your continued attention to this important matter that will shape the character of the Village for years to come. Good zoning strikes the appropriate balance between growth and preservation tailored to the needs, and vision for the future, of individual communities. A lack of planning can lead to chaotic, unsustainable development, while excessive regulation may preserve existing neighborhoods but not allow communities to evolve and grow. The Comprehensive Plan sets forth both growth and preservation as goals for any zoning revision. While the CPZRC has recommended some welcome changes to the proposed zoning revision, it would be difficult not to recognize that there remains significant community concern that the plan has focused too heavily on growth and not enough on preservation of the cherished qualities of the village. The main recurring themes are: Lack of Environmental Protection, Potential loss of Small Town Feel, Lack of Historic Preservation, Lack of Short Term Rentals Regulations, and Lack of protection of neighborhood character. Some small changes to the proposal can address these concerns and still allow for some increase in allowable development. A more modest, but still significant reduction in lot sizes Reducing dimensional requirements would allow for development of some empty lots and the subdivision of larger lots. While the historic areas of the village generally have lot widths of 80’ to 100’ and an average square footage of 20,000, reducing the minimum dimensions to 65’ wide and 10,000 sq feet for 1 or 2 units, and 80’ wide and 12,500 sq feet for 3 and 4 units, would be a significant drop from current regulations and allow for additional housing consistent with existing neighborhoods. Limit the proportion of land that can be built on. ‘Lot Area Coverage’ is referred to in the purpose clause of the Village Zoning Law

and limits how much of a lot that can be covered. Limiting structures to 15% and impervious surfaces to 30% would have multiple benefits. (houses on smaller lots in the village cover about 10% of the lot) Increases affordability by reducing building size, Encourages growth consistent with village character, Allows for storm water absorption, Prevents overcrowding, Preserves existing trees, Conserves village resources, Protects neighbor’s privacy, Decrease noise and traffic impact on neighbors, and Discourages speculative land purchases. Regulated ADUs, not full second homes: The community’s desire to allow some Accessory Dwellings Units (ADUs) has come up repeatedly for many years. Relief from the financial strain of homeownership, creation of affordable rentals apartments and tourist accommodations have been cited as ‘pros’. Impacts of noise, traffic on neighboring properties as well as overcrowding have been cited as ‘cons’. Design and use guidelines can reduce the impact on neighbors. These can include: Restricting short term rentals of ADUs to owner occupied properties in residential areas, limiting size to 720 feet or 33% of primary house, whichever is less and design guidelines and oversight to ensure privacy and protection of neighboring property values. The original revision changed ‘Care Cottage’ provisions to permanent ADUs. The current revision allows for additional houses that are as large or larger than the primary home in backyards. Second primary homes on a single lot are widely regarded as detrimental to neighborhood form. Rear yards not only provide private recreational space , but when combined, they are our collective parks. They provide shade, wildlife habitat, stormwater absorption and privacy. Preserving them is essential to preserving what people love about living here. Retain Planned Development Area (PDA) regulations: As described in the current zoning, Planned Development Areas ‘enable and encourage flexibility of design and development of that in a manner that fits into the existing fabric Contin u ed on Page 10

ITHACA NOTES

SOUTHSIDE SECURES FUNDING

Charles Feeney: Man for Others By St e ph e n Bu r k e

ith the death of billionaire entrepreneur Charles Feeney recently at age 92, the world became aware of the extent of his extravagant, but for years furtive, philanthropy. At the time of his death he was no longer a billionaire, because in his life he gave away over $8 billion, keeping about $2 million for himself and his wife to live out their last years. Beginning in the 1980s, Feeney gave away his money anonymously through a veil of foundations and trusts, generally with cashier’s checks, to hide its true source. Only in 1997, through legal proceedings around the sale of Feeney’s main business, was his orchestrated secrecy in dismantling his fortune revealed. Feeney did not own a home, living in a rented apartment in San Francisco. He reportedly wore a $15 watch, bought clothes off the rack, traveled by cab or public transportation rather than owning a car, and flew coach. Feeney once said that one way to die a millionaire was to first be a billionaire. His money did not come from money. Feeney was born in the Depression to a working-class Irish Catholic family in New Jersey. Both his parents worked outside the home while raising three children, struggling to make mortgage payments. Feeney’s entrepreneurship developed early. As a boy he sold Christmas cards doorto-door, shoveled sidewalks, and caddied. He worked his way through Cornell University. When he later made his fortune selling luxuries as a pioneer of airport dutyfree shops, he said it was not all that different from hawking homemade sandwiches outside football games at Cornell. “I set out to work hard, not to get rich,” he said. Cornell received much of his largesse. The university got the first donation from his Atlantic Philanthropies, of $7 million. The university also got the philanthropy’s last grant, also for $7 million, when Feeney finally met his goal of distributing all his billions in 2016. Along the way, Feeney gave Cornell over $1 billion. Less known than Feeney’s affiliation with Cornell is an earlier academic

contin u ed from page 4

association, with Regis High School in New York City. Feeney did not last long at Regis, but the connection might have been formative in his philosophy of giving. Regis is a school for Catholic boys founded in 1914 on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. In contrast to its monied surroundings (the school is on E. 84th Street between Park and Madison Avenues), its small enrollment of approximately 500 students comes largely from low income environments throughout the metropolitan area. It is an all-scholarship school; there is no tuition. It was founded with the intention of giving a college preparatory education to boys from families who could not afford to pay for one. Regis is perhaps unique among schools anywhere in that it does not accept applications. A grade school student has to be recommended by his school. Regis then decides whether to invite the student to apply. Regis recognized Feeney’s capacities in admitting him. The school is rigorous. A high percentage of freshmen do not return for sophomore year. Feeney did not graduate from Regis. He was dismissed in his sophomore year and finished high school in a Catholic school near his home in Elizabeth. But it is interesting to consider what Feeney experienced at Regis and how it might have driven his ultimate charitable efforts. Like Feeney’s philanthropy, the founding of Regis was anonymous. For almost a century there was only an unnamed foundress. Ultimately she was revealed as Julia Grant, the widow of Hugh J. Grant, mayor of New York City from 1889 to 1892. She gave today’s equivalent of $50 million to create the school, with only one condition: absolute secrecy concerning her identity. The stricture was finally lifted by the last of her surviving children. Like Regis, Feeney’s foundation did not accept unsolicited applicants. At Atlantic Philanthropies a small staff researched potential candidates and made invitations — surprise ones — for further consideration. The standards were high and the process exacting. (One beneficiary said, “Ed McMahon did not knock at my door. Contin u ed on Page 10

Juneteenth and Kwanzaa celebrations, as well as the community forum with the Ithaca Police Department and the AFLCIO that took place in June. Matos has said, “The root of this attack is political retaliation.” She continued, “The use of anti-Black racist rhetoric and the attempt to divide and conquer Black and Brown resources is the strategy, along with other criminalizing language, to describe this thriving Black organization.” Matos added, “We are seeing in real-time how the government negatively responds FBI INVESTIGATING POSTS contin u ed from page 5

says that an additional 1,000 children have been reported missing in Gaza, assumed buried under the rubble. As a result, the death toll is likely much higher than what is being reported. According to the statement, “The number of children reported killed in just three weeks in Gaza is more than the number killed in armed conflict globally—across more than 20 countries—over the course of a whole year, for the last three years.” The statement also says that since October 7, 33 children have been killed in the West Bank (which is Palestinian territory that is LETTERS TO THE EDITOR contin u ed from page 6

Stand Up For Gaza, Speak Out Against Genocide

“

I write in a time of great urgency asking that you make a statement and urge your readers to act as soon as possible to prevent a deeper humanitarian crisis and potential genocide from happening in Gaza right now. Hamas’ horrific attacks last weekend were ghastly and inexcusable. At the same time, these atrocities cannot be used as a rationale for the wholesale slaughter happening in Gaza today. Having visited Palestine I have witnessed the bad treatment of the Indigenous people at the hands of Israeli settlers and military. A further increase of violence will solve nothing and only further intensify a decades-long crisis. We need an immediate cease-fire in Palestine and humanitarian aid sent to Gaza.

to uplifted and empowered Black voices.” In response to the statement issued by Southside, First Ward Alderperson Cynthia Brock said that she supports maintaining funding for Southside at current levels but does not generally support allocating city taxpayer funds to nonprofits — such as Southside. Brock said, “In the last six city budgets (2018 to 2023), the City of Ithaca has supported the Southside Community Center with over $1M in funding, plus Department of Public Works building maintenance.” She continued by saying that the Southside Community Center provides Contin u ed on Page 15

under Israeli military occupation), and 29 children have been killed in Israel. Save the Children Country Director in the occupied Palestinian territory, Jason Lee, said, “These are grave violations of epic proportions. A ceasefire is the only way to ensure their safety. The international community must put people before politics—every day spent debating is leaving children killed and injured. Children must always be protected, especially when seeking safety in schools and hospitals.” On October 16, several progressive Democrats in the House of Representatives including Representatives Cori Bush (MO-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jamaal Contin u ed on Page 10

The blood of these people, including many children will stain our hands and soak our consciences if we as a nation continue to underwrite this mass murder.” — Rev. Paul F. Rack

Danby Election

“

Danby voters face an important decision this election. The Danby Roots slate fundamentally doesn't understand the process of government. They believe the current board wants to control minutes when they need to assure accuracy to pay bills. Further that all taxpayers assume the cost of special taxing districts. That over 4 years to respond to residents’ concerns about noise is not listening. That functioning committees, boards and appointments are exclusive even as there is ongoing process and outreach to recruit and fill vacancies. Please support Danby Democrats who provide exceptional governance this election season.” — Margaret Kirchegessner

November 1 – 7, 2023 / The Ithaca Times

Everything to Know for Election Day in the City of Ithaca

thaca residents will go to the polls on November 7 to cast their ballots in one of the most consequential local elections in decades. This election day will see every seat on the Common Council, as well as the office of the Mayor, up for grabs. The rare opportunity to reshape local government in its entirety comes as Ithaca has just renegotiated a new memorandum of understanding with Cornell University and is preparing to hire its first City Manager, as well as conducting several searches for high-level positions such as Chief of Police.

WHERE TO VOTE

Polls will be open on November 7 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and early voting begins on October 28 and lasts until November 5. Locations for early voting in Tompkins County include the Town of Ithaca Town Hall at 215 North Tioga Street in downtown Ithaca and the Crash Fire Rescue building at 72 Brown Road near the Tompkins County Airport. If you don’t have sufficient time outside of work to vote, the New York State passed a law that allows workers to “take up to two hours at the beginning or end of your shift, with pay, to allow you time to vote.” In the First Ward, residents in District One can vote at the Lehman Alternative Community School at 111 Chestnut Street; residents in neighborhood two can vote at

By M att Dougherty

The r ace for the First Ward’s 4-year ter m will see a rematch between incumbent Cynthia Brock and first time candidate K ayla Matos. (Photo: File) Titus Towers at 800 South Plain Street; district three residents can vote at the Southside Community Center at 305 South Plain Street, and district four residents can vote at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) at 301 West Court Street. In the Second Ward, residents in Districts One and Three can vote at the Town of Ithaca Town Hall, and District Two residents can vote at GIAC. The Third Ward residents in District One can vote at the South Hill School at 520 Hudson Street, and District Two residents at the Belle Sherman Annex at 75 Cornell Street. In the Fourth and Fifth Wards, residents in every district can vote at the Alice Cook House at 709 University Ave, on the corner of Stewart Ave. MEET THE CANDIDATES

Your polling location can change depending on what ward and district you live in. Polls will be open from 6am to 9pm on Nov. 7. (Photo: Matt Dougherty)

There will be a total of 11 races in the City of Ithaca. Six of the races are contested, and five of them are uncontested. The contested races include: Mayor: Robert Cantelmo (D, WFP) VS. Janet Kelly (R) First Ward (4-year): Cynthia Brock (I) VS. Kayla Matos (D, WFP) First Ward (2-year): Phoebe Brown (D, WFP) VS. Zachary Winn (R) Third Ward (2-year): Pierre Saint-Perez VS. Pat Sewell (I)

8 The Ithaca Times / November 1 – 7, 2023

The r ace for Mayor of Ithaca will see a showdown between current Fifth Ward Alderperson Robert Cantelmo (D) and Janis K elly (R). (Photo: File)

Fifth Ward (4-year): Margaret Fabrizio (D) VS. Michelle Song (WFP) Fifth Ward (2-year): Jason Houghton (I) VS. Clyde Lederman (D) The uncontested races include: Second Ward (4-year): Ducson Nguyen (D) Second Ward (2-year): Kris HainesSharp (D) Third Ward (4-year): David Shapiro (D) Fourth Ward (4-year): Jorge DeFendini (D, WFP) Fourth Ward (2-year): Tiffany Kumar (D, WFP) For efficiency's sake, we’ll take a deeper look at the contested races. MAYOR

This year's Mayoral race will see a showdown between current Fifth Ward Alderperson Robert Cantelmo and Ithaca local Janis Kelly. Cantelmo said he is “running to develop a robust strategy and clear vision for local government at a time of significant change.” Cantelmo says that as Mayor, he would prioritize addressing the housing crisis by “legalizing a diverse range of housing types.” Cantelmo noted that “transportation is inherently tied to housing” and that improving TCAT service would be a critical aspect of his agenda. Additionally, during his time on Council, Cantelmo worked to draft a City Amend-

ment to guarantee the protection of reproductive rights by passing a resolution making the City of Ithaca a Sanctuary City for reproductive rights. Alternatively, Kelly works as a medical journalist and previously ran for Mayor in 2011. She has lived in Ithaca since attending Cornell University in the late 1960s, where Kelly has said she was a founding member of the university's first gay student group. Kelly has been a familiar face in City Hall recently, as she has appeared before Common Council during the public comment portion of the last several meetings to speak out against Ithaca declaring itself a sanctuary city for transgender youth. Kelly has focused her campaign on local issues like crime and reimagining public safety, as well as the undue influence of outside interest groups on City operations. Kelly has said, “We want to live together as neighbors, not be set against each other as competing interest groups, used as guinea pigs for outside programs, or exploited as a backdrop for feel-good political theatrics.” According to Kelly, “The ‘defund the police’ policies pushed by the politically fashionable and by outside consultants have resulted in throwing the most vulnerable people in our community — those who live or hang out in The Jungle — to the wolves,” Kelly said. She continued, “The govern-

ment's primary job is to keep us Chief of Police and its first City safe, and the current City of Itha- Manager. In February, Brock told the Times, “I was thinking about ca administration has failed.” this transition for the city and felt that I had something to offer in FIRST WARD: terms of both institutional knowl4-YEAR TERM One of the most anticipated edge and attentiveness to the nitty races this cycle is the competition gritty of city operations.” Brock said her top priorirepresenting the four-year term in the First Ward between long- ties include addressing “Housing time Alderperson Cynthia Brock shortages, flooding, the growand Southside Community Cen- ing number of unhoused, develter Deputy Director Kayla Matos. opment and affordability, [and] Matos has received endorsements disproportionate impacts of clifrom the Working Families Party mate change on low-income and the Solidarity Slate. Matos communities.”If re-elected, Brock said she decided to run to bring said she would incentivize afford“real change and real representa- able housing by seeking to elimition” to the city. She has called nate tax abatements for developherself a “progressive democratic ers and “urge Tompkins County socialist that wants resources fair- Industrial Development Agency to stop granting tax abatements ly distributed.” Matos told the Ithaca Times to housing development projects that the most critical issue the city that do not demonstrate a significurrently faces is a lack of afford- cant community benefit.” Matos achieved an unexpected able housing. Her top three priorities would be to create a more af- victory over Brock in the Demfordable housing market, increase ocratic Primary with support support for community organi- from local activist groups like the zations, and ensure that the city Ithaca Tenants Union (ITU) and continues to “see out the process the local chapter of Democratic around reimagining public safety.” Socialists of America (DSA) — Matos says that she would work to which have united under the banincentivize more affordable hous- ner of the “Solidarity Slate.” ing by looking at adjusting tax reductions currently in place in the FIRST WARD: city. Additionally, Matos said that 2-YEAR TERM she is interested in increasing the In 2021, the Solidarity Slate got amount that developers have to Fourth Ward representative Jorge pay if they do not include afford- DeFendini and Second Ward repable housing units within their resentative Phoebe Brown elected developments. to the Common Council. Both are When asked how she plans on running for re-election this year, balancing accomplishing the goals with Brown vying for the two-year of reimagining public safety with term in Ithaca’s First Ward against addressing what some residents local conservative activist Zachperceive as an increase in crime, ary Winn as a result of redistrictMatos explained that she views ing. Brown has said that if she wins, crime as a direct result of a lack this will likely be her final term on of resources. According to Matos, the Common Council. “addressing such things as an inIn addition to her role on the crease in affordable housing, cre- Common Council, Brown curating more access to mental health rently serves as the Central Reservices, and providing our com- gional Coordinator for the Allimunity with more food programs ance of Families for Justice. This so that we are not food insecure nonprofit provides support to the are steps in the right direction that families of incarcerated individuleads to a decrease in crime.” als. During her time on the ComCynthia Brock has built a rep- mon Council, Brown says that she utation as a dedicated city official has prioritized being the “voice of who knows how the gears of local the unheard.” government operate. She is hopAccording to Brown, one of ing to bring a sense of stability to the most urgent issues facing the the Common Council as the city City is the crisis of homelessness. works toward hiring a permanent Brown has said that she has expe-

rienced homelessness in the past and that she wants to see it treated as a top priority. Additionally, Brown says that people who are couchsurfing often get left out of the conversation about homelessness, and she wants to change that. Brown has also focused her efforts on advocating for developing free municipal childcare programs as well as reparations for Black Ithacans. Alternatively to Brown, Winn previously ran a campaign for Mayor as a Republican in 2022 and is currently the co-chair of the City of Ithaca Republican Committee. He has been a controversial figure in local politics recently and received a hefty amount of backlash after setting a Black Lives Matter flag on fire on the Commons during pro-police protests in 2020. Winn has focused his campaign on addressing local issues like increasing crime and homelessness, which he says stem from the encampments on Ithaca’s West End known as the “Jungle.” To reduce corruption and homelessness, another priority of his campaign is increasing support The wards in the City of Ithaca have been redistricted as of 2022. for the Ithaca Police Department Here are the new ward maps. (IPD), which has suffered from (Photo: File) staffing shortages for years. Winn has blamed issues at IPD on Ithaca’s Reimagining Public and inter-municipal cooperation,” Cornell University. Fabrizio reSafety plan. In a recent interview, — while Sewell has said they are cently told the Ithaca Times that Winn said that reimagining pub- infrastructure, housing, and “In the most important issues the city lic safety “had such a negative im- the long term, following through currently faces include building pact on law enforcement, staffing, with the Green New Deal.” a new partnership with Cornell, and morale; it's the number one isfilling staffing vacancies within sue that has affected the amount of FIFTH WARD: the city, and improving the condicrime going on in this community.” 4-YEAR TERM tion of roads and sidewalks. The four-year term in the Fifth Ward is an outlier as Margaret FIFTH WARD: THIRD WARD: Fabrizio (D) beat Michelle Song 2-YEAR TERM 2-YEAR TERM Pierre Saint-Perez is running (WFP) in the Democratic primaThe race for the 2-year term as a Democrat, and Pat Sewell is ry on June 27. Still, Song has not in the Fifth Ward will see Jason running as an Independent in the made a public statement regard- Houghton face off against Clyde race for the two-year term in the ing whether or not she is continu- Lederman. Houghton is a longing to run in the general election. time Ithaca resident and has Third Ward. The new redistricted Third Sources have said that Song — made housing affordability a top Ward encircles the neighborhood also a student at Cornell — took concern of his campaign, along of South Hill, including the Col- a semester abroad following her with improving public transporlegetown Terrace buildings, and primary loss and likely failed to tation and wages for city workers. stretches to the city’s easternmost file the paperwork necessary to Alternatively, Lederman is enborder — including the neighbor- take her name off the ballot. tering his sophomore year at CorMargaret Fabrizio has deep nell and has received an endorsehood of Belle Sherman. When asked what they believe roots in the Ithaca community ment from the Working Families the most important issues the city and started the Fair Share Cam- Party. Like Houghton, Lederman needs to address are, Perez said paign, one of the leading groups has also identified housing affordthat the three most important is- pressuring the city to negotiate ability and transportation issues sues are “housing, cost of living, an increased contribution from as top priorities for his campaign. November 1 – 7, 2023 / The Ithaca Times

OPEN LETTER TO THE TRUMANSBURG BOARD contin u ed from page 6

of the Village, but does not strictly meet the dimensional requirements of this ordinance’. The current proposal allows for up to 25 units anywhere in the village where enough land is available with Site Plan Review. Keeping the PDA regulations for lots over 4 units, would allow for projects such as Juniper Manor or smaller ‘pocket neighborhoods’ projects, while providing more protection for existing neighborhoods. What about affordable housing? Along with personal freedom, one of the main reasons that citizens cite for supporting increased density and low regulation is that it will help with housing affordability. Unfortunately, new market based development is expensive and may replace existing, more affordable homes. Public/ private partnerships have proven more effective than deregulation in providing affordable and inclusive housing, The two INHS projects currently under way in Trumansburg will add 56 affordable units and 10 market rate houses at Village Grove and bring the refurbished Compass property to 138 manufactured home sites that previously had numerous vacant or abandoned sites.

What about taxes? High taxes are also a concern and have been cited as a reason for encouraging more development within the Village. While growth may lower the tax burden in the short term, these new residents will also require increased services and investments in infrastructure, so the long term effect of growth on taxes is unclear. Conclusion One of the reasons that housing is more expensive in the village is because people long to live in places that have not been overwhelmed by growth. This is one of our greatest assets, but it is also fragile. High demand, combined with the increased presence of investors in residential housing markets, will put continued pressure for growth that could lead to the loss of the village’s character. In revising zoning laws, the Board of Trustees must be responsive to the current needs of citizens. However, it also has a duty, as the stewards of the village, to ensure that the future residents can enjoy the high quality of life that the Village of Trumansburg provides. Finding a responsible balance of these competing needs is possible, but will require a careful and nuanced approach that is tailored to the needs and concerns of Trumansburg citizens.

for “humanitarian pauses” to allow for lifesaving aid to be delivered to millions of people in Gaza. contin u ed from page 7 According to UN News, “While 12 of the Council’s 15 members voted in favor of Bowman (NY-16), Alexandria OcasioCortez (NY-14), and Ilhan Omar (MN-05) the resolution, one (United States) voted against it, and two (Russia and the United introduced the Ceasefire Now resoluKingdom) abstained.” It continues explaintion “urging the Biden Administration to ing that “A ‘no’ vote from any of the five call for an immediate de-escalation and permanent members of the Council stops ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine, to send humanitarian aid and assistance to action on any measure put before it. The Gaza, and to save as many lives as possible.” body’s permanent members are China, France, the Russian Federation, the United However, getting the resolution passed is a long shot at this point, as White House Kingdom, and the United States.” This structure tends to result in gridlock spokesperson John Kirby has recently that prohibits the United Nations from argued that a ceasefire at this stage “only passing resolutions condemning counbenefits Hamas.” tries that are permanent Security Council In addition, on October 18, the United members (or their allies) for violating States vetoed a United Nations Security international law. Council resolution that would have called FBI INVESTIGATING POSTS

CHARLES FEENEY contin u ed from page 7

These guys really kick the tires.” At Regis, the admission process includes Regis’s own standardized test, on the level of the SAT’s, and a protracted interview not only of the student, but a separate one of his parents.) Regis’s motto is “Men For Others.” A book on the school’s history is titled

“Teach Me To Be Generous.” Even with its limited time, the relationship between Regis and Feeney seems significant. In his biography “The Billionaire Who Wasn’t,” author Conor O’Clery attributes Feeney’s fundamental humility and generosity to his “desire not to distance himself from his boyhood neighbors and friends.” Charles Feeney came a long way in life, then went a long way back.

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Health

County Proposes Rapid EMS Response Program By Staf f Re por t

he Tompkins County Legislature is considering creating an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) rapid response program to address critical gaps in the local emergency response system. The Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response developed a proposal following calls from local municipal officials and an examination of data on existing emergency response times and staffing at local agencies. Tompkins County Director of Emergency Response Michael Stitley and EMS Coordinator Joe Milliman detailed the proposed two-year pilot program. Milliman outlined the issue: volunteer first responders are increasingly complex to recruit, and low staffing levels leave the agencies that rely on volunteers with fewer

resources to respond to every call for service. Some calls for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are going unanswered in Tompkins County, and response times are longer on average for those calls that receive a response. Currently, EMS providers are decentralized across Tompkins County, with different agencies and municipalities offering different service levels and staffing in other geographic locations. The proposed countywide rapid EMS response program would offer three response units in locations around the County, allowing for a quick response (for example, one may be in Lansing, augmenting existing resources). The units would not use traditional ambulances or transport individuals for medical attention to offer rapid, on-site support to address an immediate issue or support someone while they await additional

resources. Director Mike Stitley shared that this program would supplement the existing system and is not designed to replace existing services offered by local municipalities. Stitley added that this new program could be dispatched to any call, even those regarding lower-level concerns. The program’s goal is a high level of customer service, helping ensure that when someone calls 911, they can expect someone to arrive from an emergency response unit. The estimated cost to start the program is just shy of $700,000. The investment would support three units of full and parttime staff members, each with a vehicle and EMS equipment. A subcommittee of the Tompkins County Council of Government, a body of officials from each local municipality, identified and studied the need for enhanced Emergency Medical Services. The resulting conversations led to this proposal and the opportunity for a New York State Countywide Shared Services grant, which the County is in the process of applying for, and a public hearing on the program held immediately in advance of the October 3 Legislature meeting. Part of the Department of Emergency Response’s presentation focused on potential cost-sharing options for local municipalities that would use the service.

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Legislature Chairwoman Shawna Black (D-Ithaca) remarked on the progress that the Department of Emergency Response and Milliman, in his EMS Coordinator role, have made over the past year. The coordinator position was newly budgeted for in 2023, and Milliman was lauded for hitting the ground running. Legislator Dan Klein (D-Danby) added that this has been an ongoing issue faced by local governments everywhere and that many people locally have spent “time trying to crack the code,” adding that he’s excited that there’s something on the table to consider that could “make a dent in this problem.” The program will be considered part of the County’s 2024 Budget considerations.

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The County hopes that their rapid response program will shorten the time it takes for emergency services to respond in rural locations. (Photo: Provided)

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IHS Soccer Teams Excel at Sectionals By Ste ve L aw re nc e

t is difficult to argue with Jon Billings’ statement regarding Ithaca High soccer. In the words of the Little Red boy’s soccer coach, “It was an exciting Saturday.” Indeed it was. The boys went into the Section IV title game seeking their first sectional championship in 6 years, and Ithaca left no doubt as to who is the cream of this year’s crop. Behind an electrifying four-goal explosion from Iago Lopez, Ithaca blanked the Golden Bears of Vestal by a 5-0 score (Lopez had an assist on the fifth goal as well) to bring home the title. Billings has been a part of Lopez’s development into an elite player for several years, as the second-year varsity coach led the JV team for nine seasons, beginning in 2012. Billings (who is a Physical Education teacher at Dewitt Middle School) said, “We have a lot of returning starters this year, and the coaching staff knew that we could repeat the success we saw last year.” He added, “Iago was the leading goal scorer last year, and was again this year.” Of the team's timely win in the #1 vs. #2 seeds, the coach said, “Of course, a team needs to win the key games,” and he pointed out that while the Little Red lost a pair of contests to Horseheads, Vestal took Horseheads out in the semis, setting up what would be a lopsided final. (Ithaca took down Union-Endicott in the semis.) For the state tournament, Ithaca will travel to Yorktown for a sub-regional contest on Wednesday, and Billings is grateful for the opportunity to play in the States. “We will play Scarsdale, which is the reigning champ,” Billings offered. “We know it will be an uphill battle, and we won’t take anything for granted.” Asked if any injuries impacted his team in the tournament, the coach answered, “Every team has some kids hurt at this point in the season, and we have a couple of guys that we are assessing game by game, but mostly, we are looking good.”

Iago Lopez and Maxwell Susskind, both seniors, show off the Little Red’s championship plaque. (Photo: Provided)

The Little Red girls’ team also took the pitch against Vestal, and took a 1-0 lead into the second half. The Golden Bears would tie it up in the second half, then squeak out a 5-4 win in penalty kicks. That said, the teams were crowned Section IV co-champs, but only Vestal will advance to the state tournament. Ithaca College hosted its 53rd Hall of Fame induction ceremony over the weekend, and of course, current Bomber teams want to put on the best show possible show for the returning stars of yesteryear. Unfortunately for Buffalo State, the Bomber football team was firing on all cylinders, and the hosts would roll to a bruising 62-0 win. Ithaca would break a 39 year-old record in amassing 686 yards of total offense (eclipsing the 639 yards put up against Fitchburg State in 1984). The bruising win put the Bombers at 7-1 overall, and their 5-0 Liberty League record secured the team’s second consecutive league title, and an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Ithaca will head north to St. Lawrence on Saturday, November 4 at 1 p.m. for the final Liberty League contest and then return home to host Cortland on November 11 for the 64th Cortaca Jug Game. On the ice, it was a big weekend for the Big Red. Congrats to the Big Red men’s hockey team on a sweep of a ranked team. Despite that the weather felt like summer had made a return, Lynah Rink was packed as usual as Cornell took on #11 Minnesota Duluth. Cornell would pull off a sweep, winning 4-1 on Friday night, and following up 24 hours later with a 3-0 shutout. The Cornell women would remain undefeated on the season by pulling off a weekend sweep of their own, beating RPI 4-2 on Friday and squeaking out a 2-1 win on Saturday. The men are on the road at Yale and Brown next weekend, while the women will host Yale on Friday and Brown on Saturday.

Opera Ithaca Festival Thinks Outside the Box

“

By Barbara Adams

Think. Different.” — that’s the motif of this month’s second annual Opera Ithaca Festival, a range of musical events spanning eight days, beginning this Sunday, November 5. Artistic director Ben Robinson explains: “We’re exploring neurodiversity, sexuality, gender, disability, and other identity traits that can make people feel like they don't completely belong in the world in which they inhabit.” The full-opera centerpiece production is Antonín Dvořák’s fairytale “Rusalka,” the story of a water nymph who falls in love with a prince and seeks to be human. “Besides the score,” Robinson says, “which is one of the most lush and melodic from the early part of the 20th century, this opera is incredibly flexible. It invites an open palette for visual expression and interpretation.” As director, Robinson will be working with projection designer Scott Holdredge “to transform the space and create the key separation between worlds.” The cast for “Rusalka” features soprano Kara Mulder Goodrich as the despairing nymph. Goodrich, whom Robinson describes as “a star on the rise,” recently sang Mimi in Opera Philadelphia’s “La bohème.” The prince is sung by tenor Ben Werley, whose voice, Robinson says, has “immense power and lyric beauty.” “Rusalka,” sung in Czech with Met titles in three other languages, will be staged at the Hangar Theatre. Opening night is 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10, with a 6:45 p.m. pre-performance panel on neurodiversity, disability, sexuality, and the arts. There’s also a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Nov. 12, with a diverse panel at 1:15 p.m. And the opera’s dress rehearsal is free to the public at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8. This Sunday, the festival begins with a 3 p.m. recital in The Gallery on South Hill. “A Singer’s Singer” is a musical biography of Winnaretta Singer, an heiress to the sewing machine fortune. In 1890s Paris, she was a leading patron and champion of a wide range of musicians (Ravel, Satie, and Stravinksy among them). As a lesbian, Singer led a distinctive life while maintaining her “lavender marriage” to a gay prince. The salons hosted by the Prince and Princesse de Polignac included artists like Isadora Duncan, Jean Cocteau, and Colette. This musical tribute to her life is produced

by Lynn Craver, co-founder of Opera Ithaca and director of its Apprentice Artist Program, whose talented young singers will be performing — French art songs for the most part, she says, with a bit of German music and Cole Porter tossed in. The recital is free to the public (donation suggested). A central goal of Opera Ithaca has been to explore the relation of social justice issues and the arts, including a commitment to women artists in music. The third featured event in this year’s At this year’s Opera Ithaca Festival beginning Sunday: Molly Joyce, composer and disability advocate Kara Mulder Goodrich, who festival is by comis the water nymph in Rusalka Ben Werley, who is the prince in poser Molly Joyce, Rusalka Geoffrey Peterson, in Schbert’s “Die schöne Müllerin”. whose work focuses on disability as a creative source. She’s written a groundbreaking Barbara Adams, a regional theatre and arts response to Franz Schubert’s 1823 romantic writer, teaches writing at Ithaca College. song cycle, “Die schöne Müllerin.” Based on a series of 20 poems by Wilhelm Müller, Schubert’s songs relate the passage of a journeyman miller from love to despair. But in “YousaidShesaidHeSaid,” Joyce (with librettist Christopher Oscar Peña) has created a rejoinder to this dominant male perspective, giving voice to the silent “fair maid of the mill.” The performance of these two cycles in sequence, directed by Austin Regan, will feature baritone Geoffrey Peterson and mezzo-soprano Hailey McAvoy, both Opera Ithaca Young Artists. Mary Holzhauer accompanies on piano. The concert will be held at the Hangar on Saturday, Nov. 11, 7:30 Gallery at South Hill p.m., with a pre-show discussion at 6:45 p.m. Sunday Nov. 5, 3 p.m. Disability advocate Molly Joyce is also visiting as the festival’s composer-in-residence, and along with her creative partner Austin Regan, will be featured in a “Chat and Chamber Music” informal gathering. That’s free to the Hangar Theatre public at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9, at Six Mill Creek Vineyard on Slaterville Road. Friday November 10, 7:30 p.m. Mermaids, miller maids, and musical anSunday November 12, 2 p.m. gels offer some fascinating and diverse fare in this festival. Craver points out that opera was originally a popular art form and only gradually became more elitist. She invokes Opera Ithaca’s goal of inclusivity: “I think today we Die schöne Müllerin can give everyone the keys to this musical Hangar Theatre form by telling different stories from different Saturday Nov. 11, 7:30 people in new ways.”

“Think Different” Opera Ithaca Festival

A Singer’s Singer: Biography in Music of Winnaretta Singer, An American Patroness in Paris

“Rusalka”

YousaidShesaidHeSaid

Arts&Entertainment

OPERA DIFFERENT

November 1 – 7, 2023 / The Ithaca Times

Stage

Good Newsies Ithaca College Ensemble Brings “Disney’s Newsies” to Life

A large, athletic and talented cast brings “Disney’s Newsies” to life at Ithaca College.

By Barbara Ad am s

spectacular production of “Disney’s Newsies” exploded on the main stage this past week at Ithaca College. The musical, based on the 1992 film, features music by Alan Menken with lyrics by Jack Feldman. Harvey Fierstein wrote the book, the story being inspired by the actual New York newsboys strike of 1899. During the Spanish-American War, newspaper magnates and competitors Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst raised the price of their papers, prompting protests from the newsboys, as this drastically cut into their meager earnings. In the musical, the fee is raised after the war, but the result is the same.

The street-smart newsboys, many of whom are homeless and orphaned, organize across the boroughs and strike for a fairer price. In the play, their leader is Jack Kelly, a teenager who dreams of escaping out West. He’s a fugitive from the dreaded Refuge, a juvenile detention center, scrabbling to stay alive and to protect his best friend, Crutchie, who’s disabled. They’re joined by the responsible Davey and his irrepressible kid brother, Les, working to help their family while their father is injured and laid off. Together the foursome rouse their fellow newsies to come together and successfully unionize. Ithaca College has memorably presented this show before, and alum Jeremy

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Jordan starred in the 2012 New York production. This latest version dazzles under Cynthia Henderson’s tight direction. And Daniel Gwirzman’s choreography is thrilling — this has to be one of the most athletic troupes of dancers to hit the Hoerner stage. There’s plenty of room for movement on Fabiola Alvarado Berrios’ tidy set, dramatically lit by Ashley Crespo: a backdrop of two brick tenement facades flanking the more elegant offices of Pulitzer’s New York World. The scene is soon animated by Lilijana Branch’s wonderfully textured period costumes — from the newsboys’ soiled trousers and caps to Pulitzer’s shiny vest. As Jack Kelly, Alex Ross is aptly rough around the edges, with a street accent and moody energy. Opening the show from the rooftops at dawn, Jack longs for a different life, singing of “Santa Fe.” Ross ably covers this reflective solo as well as the more frequent ensemble numbers. Jack’s sidekick is the likeable Crutchie, played with striking presence and clear vocals by Jordan Hayakawa. This young actor — who not only must rely on a wooden crutch but dance vigorously on one leg with the other twisted — performs with personality and nonstop drive. Another vibrant twosome is Jack Hopkins’s Davey and Wyatt McDaniel’s Les — the older brother assured and strategic, steadfast to Jack’s vision; the younger irresistibly cute and comic, playing up his “kid” cred. When the cops crack down, Jack seeks refuge in the vaudeville theatre hall owned by his friend Medda, for whom he paints scenic backdrops. Shina Mitchell shines as the confident entrepreneur, singing “That’s Rich.” (Unfortunately, her lyrics are obscured by Jeff Theis’s orchestra, which plays handsomely but too loudly for the Hoerner’s challenging acoustics. The music tends to drown the words in most ensemble numbers as well.)

The other significant female presence is the feisty reporter Katherine, spiritedly played by Meredith Brown. Determined to cover real news, she seizes on the protests, a new “children’s crusade” as she calls it. Gradually she’s drawn to Jack and as the strike develops, so does their romance. Her solo, “Watch What Happens,” just glows. An equally fine voice is heard from (spoiler alert) her papa, Joseph Pulitzer, excellently played by Aidan Babbitt. His robust tycoon must eventually give in to his nemesis, Governor Teddy Roosevelt himself (a versatile Jackson Goad, in one of three amusing roles). With Katherine’s help and an old printing press, the newsies publish their own paper, gaining the sympathy of fellow New Yorkers and (in this imagined version) the support of the governor. Labor and the underdog win the day, forcing a concession from Pulitzer that puts everyone back in business. In two rousing acts, there’s no shortage of story, but what most animates this production is the ensemble numbers. Newsboys (and newsgirls, thank you) take your breath away with their exuberant dancing — agile, muscular, incredibly dynamic. There are many favorites — “The World Will Know,” “Seize the Day” — but surely one must be the signature “King of New York.” Overall, an exhilarating production, for those lucky enough to see it. Barbara Adams, a regional theatre and arts writer, teaches writing at Ithaca College.

“Disney’s Newsies.” At Ithaca College’s Hoerner Theatre, through Wednesday, Nov. 1, 8 p.m. Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and book by Harvey Fierstein. Directed by Cynthia Henderson, choreographed by Daniel Gwirtzman, with musical direction by Jeff Theiss.

SOUTHSIDE SECURES FUNDING contin u ed from page 7

reduce its expenditures or maintenance for the building.” Fleming explained that following recent conversations regarding the City’s relationship with tax-exempt institutions like Cornell, she “thought it would be appropriate to ask questions about tax-exempt entities that request money from the city.” Fleming added, “Obviously, I overestimated the appetite for such a discussion.” Still, Fleming said, “No one has explained why private tax-exempt nonprofit organizations should receive funding before for projects submitted by city staff.” She continued, “I think that we should be very clear about the conditions under which the city should allocate public tax dollars to private nonprofit tax-exempt organizations.” According to Fleming, organizations should seek funding through the Human Services Coalition or the IURA, and if the city then has an unmet need “consis-

tent with our strategic goals, we should issue a request for proposal and develop an MOU with a qualified organization.” Fleming added that she would encourage the Council and Mayor to do this with assistance from the new City Manager next year. Fleming said, “It’s quite likely that once such a policy is developed and made clear that Southside Community Center [and other nonprofits funded by the City] will emerge as funded agencies, but the criteria will be clear early on to everyone.” Despite the public backlash to the amendment, Fleming said, “My conscience is clear that I have given solid reasons in a public setting for my views.” She continued, “However, because it is evident that no one on Council will vote for my amendment, and because of the unique nature of the Southside Community Center…I withdraw my proposed amendment to the mayor’s budget.”

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services that are “deeply valued and cherished by the community.” Brock added, “Mayor Laura Lewis included $200,000 for Southside in her proposed 2024 City Budget, reflecting their contract with the City to provide community services not otherwise provided by the City, a relationship that has existed since 2004.” Brock said, “Any sudden reduction or elimination of the City’s annual funding would have a significant negative impact on Southside and its operations, and I don’t support such action.” As a result, Brock says she would vote “in support of maintaining funding for Southside at the current rate, contingent on the conditions stipulated in their contract.” However, Brock continued by saying that she has previously stated that “as a matter of principle, I do not support allocating City taxpayer funds to nonprofits. Southside is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization which has access to grants and fundraising opportunities unavailable to municipalities.” Brock states, “The City relies on property and sales taxes, and our tax rate must cover the cost of delivering essential services that no one else provides.” She added, “For Ithaca to be affordable to residents, it is incumbent on Councilmembers to keep property taxes as low as possible.” Brock explained that in 2022, Southside requested an additional $325,000 for a new kitchen and other staff on top of the annual $200,000 — bringing the total funds requested to $525,000. The Common Council approved $200,000 for the kitchen but did not approve the additional $125,000. Brock said she “voted against both requests over the Mayor’s budget and stated these funding applications should have been submitted to the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency and not the City.” Brock said, “My position has been consistent throughout my tenure on the Council. I will choose fully funding City departments and services before expanding funding to outside organizations.” Fleming has said that Brock’s position on funding nonprofits influenced her reasoning behind the amendment. In her email to Shapiro, Fleming noted that the Council should prioritize funding City departments or projects that are core to the City’s strategic goals over funding nonprofits “because we are accountable to City taxpayers and have oversight over City employees and systems.”

Fleming said she did “not plan to suggest that the City pull all funding from [Southside]…from the 2024 budget.” However, she continued saying, “I believe that I have very good reasons for asking my colleagues to delete the $200,000 appropriation in order to fund City services or to reduce the burden of City taxpayers.” Fleming explained that there have already been three requests from City department heads for projects they would like to fund but that the Mayor did not include in her proposed budget. She added, “Of those, one is for $46,000 for a maintenance worker at Cass Park.” Fleming continued by saying that at least two of her colleagues “have suggested funding projects that are central to the mission of the City, related to housing and encampment services.” Regarding Fleming’s amendment to reduce funding for Southside, Cantelmo said, “I will say that the mayor and the overwhelming majority of council, myself included, do not support any reduction of funding [to Southside].” During the meeting, Fleming responded to those who spoke in opposition to her amendment, saying that she has “never suggested [defunding Southside]” and has “not suggested that the community center pay rent to the city, or that the city should

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November 1 – 7, 2023 / The Ithaca Times