NEWSLINE

N EWS LINE

Arrest Total Mounts

More Charges In Commercial Burglary Spree

Michael Thomas Now Linked To 6 Of 11 Reported Incidents

Staff Report

Michael J. omas, 33, of Ithaca has now been charged with six counts of Burglary in the 3rd Degree, a Class D Felony, for his alleged involvement in six of the 11 recently reported commercial burglaries in the Ithaca area. e recent spate of burglaries appears to have begun on Monday, June 20 at the Mr. Tire location at 361 Elmira Road.

On Wednesday, June 22 there were reported burglaries at the Newman Golf Course at 10 Pier Road and ETA Pie at 1006 W. Seneca Street.

Ithaca Grain Pet Supply was reported to have been burglarized on Monday, June 27.

Employees at e Antlers on 1159 Dryden Road say their restaurant was burglarized on Tueday, June 28. at same evening K&H Redemption Center at 900 W State was reported to have been burglarized.

On Wednesday, June 29, Papa Johns at 435 Franklin Street was reportedly broken into and B&W Supply suffered damage from what employees say appears to have been an attempted break-in. Local business sources report that Enterprise Rent-A-Car at 803 Cascadilla Street was also hit that night

Hickey’s Music Center at 104 Adams Street was reported to have been burglarized on Wednesday, July 6. e commercial burglary spree currently seems to have concluded with the burglary of Diane’s Downtown Automotive at 435 W State Street on ursday, July 7 and with omas’s subsequent arrest that day. As this issue went to press, the Ithaca Police Department (IPD) has charged omas for the incidents at Mr. Tire, Ithaca Grain Pet Supply, K&H Redemption, Papa John’s Pizza, Hickey’s Music Center and Diane’s Downtown Automotive. omas was arraigned in Ithaca City Court on ursday, July 7 for the rst four counts, and again on Friday, July 8 for another two counts, and was released on his own recognizance a er both arraignments. In its press release announcing omas’s arrest and arraignment on the h and sixth incidents the IPD noted that the crimes were not bail eligible. Under a new controversial state law that went in e ect this year, judges are not able to set bail for a long list of misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies including some forms of robbery. Proponents of the legislation say it is a way to combat systemic discrimination by stopping the poor from being jailed before trial due to a lack of nancial resources.

The burglary locations flagged in red are those for which Thomas has been charged. He Opponents of the legislation has not been charged with those flagged in green. Not shown on this map, due to scale, is say it raises the possibility the reported burglary of The Antlers at 1159 Dryden Road, for which Thomas has not been that dangerous criminals charged, and the burglary of Mr. Tire at 361 Elmira Road, for which Thomas has been charged. will be le at large.

 City Hall Extends hours — Ithaca City Hall has now re-opened to the public between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Friday. The Building Division will close at 4:00 p.m. Building Permit application hours are 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or by appointment. The City Chamberlain’s O ce will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. but will be closed between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. The City Clerk’s O ce will continue to issue marriage licenses by appointment only.  New York’s perfect day — Sunday, July 17 will be New York State’s most “perfect day of the year,” according to an analysis of 36 years of weather data by FamilyDestinationsGuide. com. This date is an average of the date with the most predicted sunshine, June 29, the date with the best predicted temperature, August 31, and the longest day of the year, June 21.  Alternative income city? — According to an analysis of Census Data by Self Financial, 62.2 percent of Ithacans earn income from sources other than wages and salaries, yielding a median $18,000 annually out of a $58,000 median household total income. These sources include self-employment, Social Security, retirement income, supplemental security, interest and dividends, rental income, and public assistance.

T A K E N O T E

VOL. XLII / NO. 47 / July 13, 2022 Serving 47,125 readers weekly

ON THE COVER:

e 2019 GrassRoots Festival (Cover photo: Dave Burbank)

NEWSLINE ....................................3 SPORTS ..........................................7 COMING BACK TO LIFE ..............8

GrassRoots Returns For Real Post Covid

BOOKS .........................................11 STAGE ..........................................12

DINING .......................................13

MUSIC ..........................................12 TIMES TABLE .............................16

CLASSIFIEDS ..............................19

ON THE WEB

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IN UIRING PHOTOGR PHER Q A

WHAT’S THE ONE GAME SHOW OR REALITY TV GAME SHOW THAT YOU ARE SURE YOU COULD WIN?

“Jeopardy. I would take the World History category every time.” – Alex P.

“Family Feud!” – Shalini S. & Mira A.

“The Price is RIGHT!” – Stacy M. & Aaron B.

“…Naked and Afraid.” – Samara W.

“I’d take Cash Cab!” – Elionai W. Union Busting Alleged

City Urges NLRB To Intervene In Collegetown Starbucks Fight

Differences over proper role of local government are debated

Starbucks’ closure of the Collegetown location and local reaction has gained national and international attention. (Photo: File)

DeFendi feels failing to pass the resolution would give Starbucks a blank check locally. (Photo: Provided via Zoom).

Barken believes passing this type of resolution could set a dangerous precedent. (Photo: Provided via Zoom)

In a six to four vote Ithaca’s Common Council passed a resolution condemning “in the sharpest terms” what it describes as Starbucks’ “anti-union attacks on its own workers,” calling on the company to sign Fair Election Principles and urging the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to cite Starbucks for, “its violation of workers’ rights to organize.”

Introducing the resolution and perhaps anticipating the sentiments that the city is overstepping its role with this type of resolution, Alderperson Jorge DeFendini of the City’s 4th Ward o ered language amendments that made the resolution less confrontational and more “in line with a government document and more o cial in its nature.”

DeFendini explained, “ ere are two things we are trying to do: ensure that the law is being followed and that we are lending a voice of support for our unionized neighbors and constituents.”

Continued on Page 5

Just In Case Ithaca Now Sanctuary City For Abortion

Council passes resolution to protect reproductive rights

At its July 6 meeting, Common Council unanimously passed a resolution amending Ithaca’s human right codes to include an Article protecting reproductive rights. e amendment states that the purpose of the new Article “is to recognize the importance of reproductive healthcare as a matter of health, privacy, and equality and to ensure, to the greatest extent permitted by law, that those rights are upheld for all within the City of Ithaca.”

A er the vote, Alderperson Robert Gesualdo Cantelmo of the City’s 5th Ward announced, “e ective immediately, Ithaca is now a sanctuary city for abortion.” e amendment states that no city resources can be used for “detaining persons for performing or aiding in the performance of an abortion within this state, or in procuring an abortion in this state,” if the abortion is performed in accordance with all applicable New York State laws. It also states that no city resources can be used for “cooperating with or providing information to any individual or out-ofstate agency or department regarding the provision of a lawful abortion performed in the state.” While conceding that the New York State Legislature and Governor Kathy Hochul are currently working on similar legislation that would make Ithaca’s law unnecessary, Cantelmo stressed that such

Cantelmo feels the State protection could take time to become resolution was necessary law while Ithaca’s protections are now in since superseding State place.legislation may take time. (Photo: Provided via Zoom) Reproductive rights are now part of Ithaca’s human rights codes. (Photo: File) Staff Report

One Step At A Time

Reimagining Public Safety Report “Accepted”

City hires Outside Counsel to investigate ethical concerns

After some debate over the differences between the words accepts, acknowledges and adopts, at its July 6 meeting the Common Council voted eight to two in favor of a resolution to accept the Report of the Reimagining Public Safety Working Group and commit to implementing portions of the report while continuing to seek out public input and further review the process.

Alderpersons Cynthia Brock of the City’s 1st Ward and Je rey Barken of the City’s 3rd Ward voted against the resolution. e elements of the report that will be implemented are: establishing a civilian leadership position, with authority designated by the Mayor, to oversee the City’s public safety response systems; establishing an ad-hoc public safety committee; requiring community-centered training for both armed and unarmed rst responders; supplying improved technology for community safety e orts; and implementing improved data collection and public reporting of such data.

In a separate agenda item which the Council says rea rms its support for civilian leadership, it directed Acting Mayor Laura Lewis to work with the City’s Human Resources Department to create a job description for a Deputy Chief of Sta for Public Safety and to include funding for this position in the City’s 2023 budget. It also called on the Acting Mayor to provide a written evaluation of the impact of civilian oversight to include feedback from the community and the Council no later than December 31, 2023.

In voicing her support for the resolution accepting the report, Alderperson Phoebe Brown of the City’s 2nd Ward said that reforms to the City’s police department were long overdue: “People like me have been hearing the world ‘wait’ for as long as we can remember. It is imperative that we move on.”

In voting against the resolution accepting the report, Alderperson Cynthia Brown of the City’s 1st Ward said that, while supporting the reforms themselves, she opposes the acceptance of the report because of her ethical concerns over the process: “Outside groups were brought in and contributed signi cantly to this report; outside groups which were neither screened [nor] hired by the city.”

In response to those concerns, in another separate item, Ithaca City Attorney Aaron O. Lavine announced that the City would be hiring Kristen E. Smith, currently a labor and employment lawyer with the rm Bond Schoeneck & King to investigate potential ethics issues involved in the reimaging public safety process.

Smith served as Corporation Counsel for the City of Syracuse from 2018 to 2022 a er being appointed to the position by Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh.

According to Lavine, Smith “understands how government should work and how it shouldn’t work. She played a leading role in the Governor’s Executive Order in the Syracuse setting that gave rise to the reimagining public safety process her in Ithaca as well.”

Cynthia Brock’s ethical concerns led to her no vote (Photo Provided via Zoom) Phoebe Brown believes local police reform is long overdue (Photo Provided via Zoom) Former Syracuse Corporate Counsel Kristen Smith will be investigating ethical concerns (Photo Bond Schoeneck & King website)

STARBUCKS WORKERS

continued from page 4

He stressed that, “It is not for the city to dictate that a store remain open or that it close. It is not pretending to have those powers. What [the City] is encouraging is that a body that does have power over these situations [the NLRB] intervene.

He warned that, “failure to do this would not only give Starbucks a blank check to act [like this] in the other stores throughout the city but also around the country.”

While stressing their sympathy for and support of the Collegetown Starbucks workers and all local and national unionizing e orts, a number of Council members shared their concerns.

Acting Mayor and 5th Ward Alderperson Laura Lewis said “I agree with a number of my county legislator colleagues who voted against a similar resolution in seeing it as overreach. I too see such a resolution as overreach. I do not believe this is a legislative responsibility.”

Alderperson Je rey Barken of the City’s 3rd Ward, who also voted no, feared the resolution could set a dangerous precedent: “When labor forces at di erent stores unionize, are we going to get behind them in such a robust way to leverage a resolution like this on their behalf. What happens when it's a local shop, not a Starbucks involved in a national confrontation? What happens when it's a small mom and pop shop whose labor force has, by all rights authorized unionization and is advocating for a boycott of that shop. Are we sort of duty bound because of this precedent, to get behind that action? What if that local store or company locally then fails?”

Proponents and opponents of the measure seemed to coalesce around a supplementary e ort in which a letter could also be sent to the NLRB on behalf of the city and perhaps even the county legislature.

Ithaca’s Reimagining Public Safety process is contentious and appears likely to be lengthy (Original photo by Tim Gera, edited by the Ithaca Times)

Staff Report

UPS DOWNS &

Ups

Maguire is renovating its remaining older dealership building. Previously envious Subaru owners can now rejoice.

Ups

The Trust Company will be sponsoring free Friday food truck fare from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at its local branches on 7/15 in Dryden, 9/9 on Triphammer, 9/23 on the Commons, and 10/7 in T’burg.

HEARD SEEN &

Heard

Good Vibes Customs on W State is reported to have been one of the 52 stores statewide that received a ceaseand-desist letter from New York State’s O ce of Cannabis Management for “falsely depicting their operations as legal cannabis dispensaries.”

Heard

A hoax call to the Sheri ’s O ce about a violent incident at the Gaslight Village Apartments near Lansing may have been Ithaca’s rst “swatting” incident. Let’s hope it’s the last.

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

Best route to get to NYC?

19.4% Route 17...or is it I86.

30.6% I81 to I80.

50.0% Just take the bus.

NEXT WEEK’S QUESTION: Is ice cream better when outside?

Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.

Tomorrowland

By Charley Githler

Mike, my time-traveling letter carrier, likes to surprise me every so o en. Just this week, he dropped o the Cornstarch Adventure Clothing Catalog for Winter 2032. Kind of reassuring to think that they’ll still be publishing hard-copy catalogs in ten years, and using the U.S. Postal Service to boot, and some of the items were quite interesting. e prices, too. Check these out:

Classic All-Season Kevlar Vest:

Our versatile Level IIIA vest is a trusty companion, whether popping out to the store, heading o to class, or sheltering in place. Certi ed to stop bullets, but also strike and slash resistant, it’s got mid-waist snaps that adjust for a more tailored look when that’s what you want. Zippers on the pockets keep ammo clips secure, while side vents allow you to move freely even when fully zipped. Center front antique brass zipper and nickel snaps give it a traditional look, and the interior chest pocket meets Second Amendment standards. e 100% recycled polyester eece outer layer combines a sweater-knit aesthetic with easy care. Fair Trade Certi ed™ sewn. $1179. Available in Heather and Charcoal Gray. Sizes XS-3XL.

Ultralight Winter Parka: With winter temperatures likely to dip into the 80s, you’ll want this minimalist single-layer nylon jacket with ultralight breathability that o ers solid protection against weather and can be carried in a small daypack. Fully-taped seams for added weatherproo ng during extreme precipitation events enhances the longevity of the jacket. A new feature this season, the parka is equipped with a nitrogen auto-in ation canister that will in ate an emergency lifeboat in case of ash oods. Washable. Imported. $1275. Sizes XS-3XL. Available in International Orange, School bus Yellow, Soylent Green.

Cornstarch Waterproof Lightweight

Holster: ere are times when all it takes is a single, small caliber handgun, tastefully displayed. is best-selling holster has been updated and improved not only for durability, but with innovative new convenience features as well. Designed to o er easy, intuitive accessibility while staying completely out of your way whether shopping or dining out. New features include the recessed storage station with Velcro ap that provides instant, fumble-free access for up to three extra ammunition clips. $975. Available in cloned de-extinct mastodon leather or recycled camo-patterned polyester mesh.

Tactical Inquisition Robe: A favorite of six of the sitting members of the United States Supreme Court, this unisex garment features center pleats, a hidden front zipper, elbow patches, and a handy side pocket large enough to accommodate a standard King James Version, thumb-indexed reference bible. Weathertreated, matte nish military grade nylon will resist the e ects of acid rain. $1100. Consult size chart for length. Available in Retro Black and Breaking With Precedent Republican Red.

Organic Cotton Yale Graphic Tee:

Constructed to be a staple in your wardrobe, this essential lightweight tee shirt is great for trail, water, or staging a coup. It’s quick-drying, has stretch for comfort, and is emblazoned with the Yale University logo, making it a favorite of alumni Reich Fuhrer DeSantis and Minister of Propaganda Hawley. A responsible garment made of 100% Organic Certi ed™ cotton from factories held to the highest Bangladeshi labor standards. $835. Sizes XS-3XL. Available in MAGA Red, Bulldog Blue, and Desert Camo.

Unbleached Muslin Bloomers: Easy on you—and easy on the planet—our naturally breathable muslin natural t, wide leg bloomers feel so and lived-in from day one thanks to our secret prewashing process and are designed to be worn under all approved red or blue woolen Modesty Robes. With a traditional drawstring waist and wooden buttons, they’re an equally great choice for child-rearing or a day of poking around the farmers’ market. Each garment is tted with federally-mandated birthing aps. $475. Sizes XS-3XL.

Laminated State-By-State Voting

District Maps: Say goodbye to confusion over state legislatures’ gerrymandered voting districts. These durable and convenient maps will take all the wear and tear your campaign can dish out. The heavy-duty laminated design allows you to make notes and then wipe the surface clean. A must-have for election officials and campaign committees. $235 per state.

A Plan Of Action To Restore And Protect Reproductive Justice For Women

By Joshua Riley

Women’s healthcare decisions are theirs to make, nobody else’s–not politicians’, not the government’s, and not the courts’. e Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs—which overturned Roe v. Wade—is an afront to liberty, justice, and equality. Candidates for Congress owe you a plan to put anger into action. Below are some highlights of mine, a complete version of which is available on my website (www. joshrileyforcongress.com).

First, Congress must pass H.R. 3755, the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would codify Roe’s protections in federal statute. It states that a health care provider has a right to provide abortion services, and the provider’s patient has a right to receive them—and that’s exactly the way the law should be.

But it is not enough for Congress simply to codify Roe; Congress also must close the loopholes that states have used to create “bounty programs” to circumvent Roe’s protections. Congress should make clear that the Justice Department and aggrieved individuals have recourse in the courts when their freedom is infringed.

Second, we must ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. In Dobbs, the Supreme Court (wrongly) concluded that the 14th Amendment’s protections for liberty do not cover abortion. Instead of relying on the 14th Amendment—and the Supreme Court’s (again, wrong) interpretation of it—let’s create a new amendment making women’s reproductive freedom crystal clear. As an attorney, I submitted federal court briefs arguing for rati cation of the ERA, and I’ll continue that ght in Congress. ird, the Justice Department should do everything it can to protect women’s access to FDA-approved abortion medications, which are approved for the rst ten weeks and are used for about 50% of abortions today. A er a dra of the Dobbs decision was leaked in May, I sent a letter to the Justice Department, urging it to le lawsuits against states that try to ban those medications. Under the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, the federal government’s ruling authorizing the use of abortion medications takes precedence over state laws prohibiting them–so I believe women have a legal right to abortion medications today even with Roe being overturned. e Justice Department must enforce that right. In addition, I have written a letter to the FDA, urging it to extend its approval for these medications from 10 weeks to 12.

Fourth, the congressional appropriations process may be a useful tool to ght back against the Dobbs decision. A few years a er Roe was decided, anti-choice lawmakers attached the Hyde Amendment to government funding bills to prohibit the use of federal funds for abortion services, thereby denying necessary medical care to low-income women. Now, in response to Dobbs, it is time for pro-choice lawmakers to turn the tables by attaching amendments to appropriations bills to withhold certain funding from states that restrict women’s access to reproductive healthcare.

If “liberty and justice for all” is to mean anything, it must mean liberty and justice for women, including the freedom to decide for oneself when and whether to start a family, and Congress must act to restore that freedom in law.

Josh Riley is a h-generation native of Broome County and a resident of Ithaca. A former law clerk to federal appeals judge Kim Wardlaw and a former attorney on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, he is now running for Congress in New York’s 19th District.

Josh Riley is running for Congress in New York’s 19th District (Photo: Provided)

EDITOR’S NOTE

Publishing a guest editorial from a candidate for o ce does not constitute an endorsement of that candidate by the Ithaca Times. We are open to submissions from all announced candidates for public o ce.