NEWSLINE

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City And County Agree To Joint Funding Of Community Justice Center

In an e ort to keep moving the process of reimaging law enforcement forward, the Ithaca Common Council agreed to a contract with Tompkins County to jointly fund a Community Justice Center (CJC), at its July 27 meeting.

The CJC is intended to determine implementation priorities, develop budget impacts for the plan, manage and analyze data, and provide reports to the City and County about the progress of the plan. e City and County are contracting to each contribute about $138,000 for the rst year and agree to the contract auto renewing for a second year a er a review.

Alderperson Cynthia Brock of Ithaca’s First Ward proposed changing the contract so that it would fully fund the CJC for two years before requiring a review, suggesting this would more fully convey the City’s commitment to the mission of reimagining law enforcement.

While the other members of the Council stressed the City’s commitment to the reimagining law enforcement process, they resisted the call to amend the contract, citing the need for quick action. Tompkins County Administrator Lisa Holmes, who was present at the meeting, noted that hiring people to sta the CJC was contingent on the County and City having a signed contract, and that substantive changes to the proposed contract would require going back to the County Legislature, delaying the process further. e need for speed carried the day and the Council voted 7-1 to approve the contract with only a minimal language change.

Tompkins County Administrator Lisa Holmes explained that hiring for the CJC was contingent on having a signed contract. (Photo: Provided via Zoom)

VOL. XLII / NO. 50 / August 3, 2022 Serving 47,125 readers weekly

ON THE COVER:

Imaginary City Manager’s O ce (Cover photo: Ash Bailot, Editing: Julia Nagel)

NEWSLINE ....................................3 SPORTS ..........................................9 PERSONAL HEALTH ..................11 REORGANIZING CITY HALL ...12

How Council’s proposal would change government

STAGE ..........................................15 FILM ............................................16 DINING .......................................16 MUSIC ..........................................17 ART ..............................................18 TIMES TABLE .............................20 CLASSIFIEDS ..............................22

Council Approves Incentive To Recruit Police Officers

Ithaca’s Common Council unanimously approved the extension of $20,000 incentives to be paid to o cers joining the Ithaca Police Department (IPD) from other law enforcement agencies without receiving a promotion in the process. e incentive is payable in two stages: $10,000 a er the o cer’s rst pay period, and another $10,000 when the o cer completes their rst year on the job.

To be eligible, o cers must already have at least two years of police experience and agree to work for the IPD for two years. ere is a “clawback” provision in the agreement if the o cer leaves before the promised two years.

In response to questions regarding the payment schedule, Schelley Michell-Nunn, the City’s Director of Human Resources, noted that incentive plans typically pay the total amount up front, so this schedule provides the City with more than they usual protection. Michell-Nunn added that the previous incentive policy of a $15,000 “signing bonus” spread out over a number of payments in order to tie the payments more closely to the recipient’s continued employment, was seen as ine ective. Acting IPD Chief John Joly said that the incentives are vital, explaining that the department recently lost out on a potential lateral transfer to the Tompkins County Sheri ’s O ce, and that the department is competing with every department in the state to attract these individuals. He added that there are two “laterals” who are currently in the process who the department is hoping to hire.

IPD Acting Chief John Joly said the lateral transfer incentives are vital in recruiting new officers. (Photo: Provided via Zoom)

T A K E N O T E

 Rejoice The Vote — The Dorothy Cotton Institute is joining Rejoice the Vote to celebrate and remember the signing of the Voters Rights Act on August 6th, 1965. Both organizations note that they celebrate the anniversary because the passage of this act was meant to ensure that no federal, state, or local government could in any way impede people from voting because of their race or ethnicity. They also say they’re called to remember the occasion because of the incredible struggle and loss of life that so many people endured to ensure this basic right. Noting their belief that the 2013 Shelby Supreme Court took away many of those rights, they will be on the Ithaca Commons on Saturday August 6th because the democracy struggle still looms. They encourage people to stop by if they have a moment, noting that they will have cookies honoring John Lewis and posters available that honor our voting heroes and heroines. They will also have information about their VOTINGEST CITY contest. Information regarding Rejoice the Vote and its VOTINGEST CITY CONTEST can be found at www.rejoicethevote.org.  June Unemployment Rates Released — The New York State Department of Labor released preliminary local area unemployment rates for June 2022. Ithaca’s rate for June 2022 was 2.8%, down from a rate of 4.4% in June 2021. This is the lowest rate of any of the 15 metro areas the department looks at. Rates are calculated using methods prescribed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The State’s area unemployment rates rely in part on the results of the Current Population Survey, which contacts approximately 3,100 households in New York State each month. New York State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held at 4.4% from May to June 2022.

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G AZETTE : TOM N EWTON

IN UIRING PHOTOGR PHERQ A

By Josh Bardo

WHAT’S THE BEST DAY TRIP TO TAKE FROM ITHACA?

“The Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge” – Deb W.

“The swimming holes in Hector” – Emily H.

“The Seneca Wine Trail” – Andy R.

“Taughannock Falls and the lake” – Olivia R.

“The Chittennango and Harpursville zoos” – Barbie M.

Park & Ride OK’d For Steamboat Landing

Ithaca’s Common Council has approved lease changes that would allow the Ithaca Farmers Market to rent out about 50 spaces in the parking lot at Steamboat Landing for use as a park and ride location.

Speci c spots will not be assigned for the commuters, and this use will only be allowed on weekdays when the Farmers Market is not in operation. e change required a multistep process due to the manner in which the location is administered. e City owns Steamboat Landing and leases the location to the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA), which in turn leases it to the Ithaca Farmers Market.

Nels Bohn, director of the IURA, eased mild concerns raised by Council members regarding potential City liabilities regarding this use, noting that the agreements require that the Ithaca Farmers Market and any potential operator of a park and ride operation carry insurance coverage that will provide protection for the City.

Council members voiced support for the plan, acknowledging that this was a currently underused parking location that could now be used to help reduce auto use in the City.

The Steamboat Landing parking lot may soon be a bit more crowded during the week once a park and ride operation moves in. (Photo: File) Masks will likely be a less common sight during the Fall semester with Cornell rolling back many of its COVID-19 requirements. (Photo: Julia Nagel)

Cornell Gears Up for a Relatively “Normal” Fall Semester

PCR Testing Sites To Be Discontinued

By Julia Nagel

In preparation for the upcoming Fall 2022 semester, Cornell announced changes to some of its COVID-19 policies, rolling back most of its remaining restrictions but encouraging good COVID-19 etiquette.

Masks will no longer be required in classroom settings, though they are “strongly encouraged,” according to the announcement.

“We ask that you consider and respect the vulnerabilities of others by wearing a mask in the classroom if requested by an instructor and/or fellow classmates,” wrote Provost Mike Kotliko and Vice President for Student and Campus Life Ryan Lombardi.

Masks are still required at campus healthcare facilities, on public transit and at test sites through Aug. 31.

Another major change will come from the University’s testing capabilities. A er Aug. 31 however, the University will discontinue its PCR test sites, though antigen tests will still be available “to all students, faculty and sta who may wish to test following travel, attendance at large gatherings, illness or potential exposure.” Symptomatic individuals can seek out PCR tests at Cornell Health. More information about antigen test availability past the Aug. 31 cuto will be available later this summer.

All campus community members are still required to provide proof of vaccination — including a primary vaccination series and all recommended boosters — or a medical or religious exemption. Students will also be asked to take an at-home antigen test before traveling to campus.

“ ese tests are widely available at most retail locations and should be taken as close to your departure date as possible,” the statement read.

According to the University’s COVID dashboard, 97 percent of students and 94 percent of faculty and sta are vaccinated. A slightly lower 92 percent of students and 89 percent of faculty and sta are boosted.

During the semester, students that test positive for COVID-19 will be granted a temporary Student Disability Services accommodation letter and asked to isolate themselves in their residence hall or apartment. Roommates of COVID-19 positive students can choose to stay with a friend or go to a hotel at their own expense if they feel uncomfortable staying in their current living facilities. e announcement also explained that students who feel sick shouldn’t attend class, work or social gatherings and should follow guidelines from the Center for Disease Control. e University cited the widespread availability of vaccines, boosters, antigen testing and high-quality masks as the reason for its COVID-19 policy changes.

“As the pandemic has evolved, it is clear that SARS-CoV-2 is becoming one of many viruses that surround us. Even though it is unrealistic to expect that we will be able to eradicate COVID-19 as a disease, given its ease of transmission, there are special precautions that should be taken,” said the announcement.

If necessary, the updates leave room for change as the COVID-19 situation evolves or if CDC, New York State or Tompkins County guidelines change.

Student and Campus Life will host a virtual community forum about plans for the Fall 2022 semester on Aug. 11 at 3:30 p.m.

Julia Nagel is a reporter from e Cornell Daily Sun working on e Sun’s summer fellowship at the Ithaca Times.

Move Over Baseball, The Future of Cornell is CIS

By Julia Nagel

Cornell’s Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science has experienced explosive growth over the past decade, with more than a six-fold increase in student enrollment. e three disciplines within the college—computer science (CS), information science (info sci) and statistics and data science—are growing faster than any others at Cornell, with more than 2,000 total undergraduate majors and counting. In 2021, more than half of all undergraduates took one or more courses in a CIS eld, according to the University. at number has since increased to more than 76 percent.

To re ect this growth and in anticipation of future demand, the University plans to build a state-of-the-art Computing and Information Sciences (CIS) building next year and complete it in 2025. It will replace Hoy baseball eld.

“Right now [CIS] faculty and sta are distributed in di erent buildings across campus. is new, uni ed complex will allow us to grow, and bring our three departments together as a coherent and collaborative whole which has a huge intellectual bene t and will help build a strong sense of community,” stated CIS Dean Kavita Bala in an email.

Construction is already underway for the new Hoy baseball eld, which will be moved a ways out from campus to the corner of Ellis Hollow and Game Farm road, near East Hill Plaza and the McGovern soccer elds. e new baseball diamond is scheduled for completion by the start of the 2023 season.

“Obviously, we're disappointed to move from Hoy because Hoy has so much tradition to it. But the school has done a great job of making sure we're in good shape when we make this move,” said Head Baseball Coach Dan Pepicelli. e new baseball complex will feature a synthetic turf eld, 500-seat stadium, clubhouse and 80-car parking lot. ough the new eld will require a longer commute for players and fans, Pepicelli has high hopes for the upcoming season on the new eld with promising recruits and a couple of players coming back from injuries.

“Over the last 10 years now, we've been looking for that thing that can make us a little more competitive in the Ivy League,” Pepicelli said. “I think the new facility is really going to provide us with the development opportunities that we need to move forward.”

According to Fred Schneider ’75, former chair of the CS department and current CS professor, the new building will enable the University to hire 20 to 30 new CS faculty members “as fast as we can get there.”

“ e faculty are ecstatic… both because we need this space, and because it sends a signal to the rest of the world that Cornell is really serious about investing in CIS,” Schneider said.

When he was an undergraduate student at Cornell, CS didn’t exist as an undergraduate major. In the years since, he’s seen rsthand how the major has developed and evolved, eventually into the Bowers College of Computing and Information Science.

“If you wanted to take computer science, you ended up sitting in classes that were populated primarily by PhD students,” Schneider said. “Cornell was a pioneer in setting up the CIS structure. A number of other institutions have followed.”

Re ecting on the forthcoming CIS building, Schneider described it as a watershed moment that will allow CIS to grow unencumbered.

According to Schneider, the additional faculty will increase the college’s strength in more specialized areas such as drones, robotics and systems building. He also hopes that the growth will allow non-majors to take higher level CS courses, which is currently not the case due to limited course seats.

“It's more than a building—the building is designed in a way so there can be a third building, which given our expectations about growth, we expect to need that in about 10 years,” said Schneider.

Watch out Barton Hall.

Gates Hall will no longer need to fear foul balls once Hoy Field is relocated. (Photo: Josh Bardo) Julia Nagel is a reporter from e Cornell Daily Sun working on e Sun’s summer fellowship at e Ithaca Times.

UPS DOWNS &

Ups

The City’s teams were quick to respond to last week’s thunderstorm damage, taking down some large, stormdamaged trees downtown with alacrity.

Downs

Having to drive to Cortland to get a Fribble after Ithaca’s sole remaining Friendly’s closed is depressing, even if it’s good for our waistline.

HEARD SEEN &

Heard

We now know that Alderperson George McGonigal lost his appendix when he was 10 years old. While his aside was funny, we’re hoping Council meetings don’t start including regular reports on medical histories. They’re already long enough.

Seen

The morning lines at the Dunkin drive throughs are getting longer. Is this a result of people choosing to boycott Starbucks due to their Collegetown actions or the realization that Dunkin’s co ee drinks are surprisingly good?

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

What’s your favorite swimming setting?

27.8% The lake. Can’t get much better than Cayuga.

52.8% A pool. I hate the feeling of mud on my feet.

19.4% In a gorge. Legally, of course.

NEXT WEEK’S QUESTION: Marvel or DC?

Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.

Skip Parr, Department of Health: “We’re here to assist”

By Marjorie Olds

If you’ve taken your cat, dog or ferret to one of the local free rabies clinics, you’ve probably crossed paths with Skip Parr, Senior Environmental Health Specialist in the Division of Environmental Health in the Tompkins County Health Department.

Twenty years ago, Skip and his soon to be wife, Bernadette moved to Ithaca, so that Bernadette could begin work at Cornell. Over time, although Skip loved his former environmental science work in Syracuse, he joined Tompkins County, rst as a recycling specialist, and then on to the Department of Health. Living and working in Tompkins has been good for Skip and his family, and it surely has been good for all of us in this area.

Working with 19 other Environmental Health sta led by Director Liz Cameron and two other Senior Environmental Health Specialists, Kristee Morgan and Adriel Shea, plus Public Health Engineer Scott Freyburger, Skip and team cover a vast territory:

“ e Environmental Health Division is an educational and regulatory agency dedicated to protecting, preserving, and promoting the health of the residents of Tompkins County through management

(Photo: Bernadette Parr)

Continued on Page 7

Go Away?

By Stephen Burke

“How Can I Miss You When You Won’t Go Away?” is the musical question from Dan Hicks’ old would-be standard.

Even in jest, it’s been a pertinent question during the pandemic. For a while much of the world was in lockdown. ings have eased up a er two years, and while the ultra-careful note that virus cases still propagate widely, many of the vaccinated feel free to act normally as of old, with the understanding (or belief) that inoculation protects them, if not from the virus completely, at least from its worst e ects. us this summer is vacation season again, although now there is peril to one’s pocketbook, with what is considered by the cynical, or the aware, rampant price gouging among oil companies.

Recent air travelers I know in Ithaca report that while there are few bargains among the airlines, at least procedures are careful and considerate, and passengers cordial and cooperative. I’ve heard this about arrivals at Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (its o cial name now) from this country and from overseas, all of which involved connecting ights and multiple airports, as most Ithaca air travel does. at means plenty of potential hazards, or at least complications, but things seem to be functioning smoothly.

Car travel is simpler. Air travel once involved compensatory glamor, but those days are long gone. e car is a pleasant enough means of transit, except for the gas tank.

It used to be you could get to most places in New York from Ithaca, isolated as it is but also quite central, with a ll-up that gave change back from two twenties (in the vernacular of those who still occasionally use cash). Like airline allure, this is no more.

But when you gotta go, you gotta go, and like a lot of people this summer, I felt I hadda, not having had a vacation since 2019. A y-dollar tank of gas (even in a Corolla) was not a disincentive.

My destination was the Adirondacks. I’d never been there, though the region is mere hours away, in fact closer than New York City, where I generally journey every few months. I’ve been everywhere else in the state, from Niagara Falls to Montauk, and have long recognized that the omission of this beautiful, vast area, a natural wonder and entirely one- h of the state, is practically an infamy for a proud New Yorker. So, north I went.

On the topic of gas, I can report that it’s a good idea in the Adirondacks to top o your tank frequently, if you don’t mind stopping occasionally, lest you stop completely, on empty. It can be a long way between stations up there.

While stopping you can get to know the natives, who are also sparsely sighted (not many population centers), and get con rmation on directions, because road signs are also rarer than you might expect.

Travel broadens by revealing both similarities and di erences between oneself and others. Sometimes it’s hard to decide which is more surprising.

I stayed with friends in Saranac Lake. I’d been told it is “a little like Ithaca,” as one o en hears about various places: Boulder, Asheville, nearby Burlington. On Saturday mornings everyone goes to the Farmers Market.

It was a strange scene, as it indeed felt a little like Ithaca, but with a certain oddness. It took me a while to realize that below my threshold of consciousness, a ecting my mind without my being aware of it, I was subliminally preparing to greet myriad people hither and yon, as one must at continual intervals at the Farmers Market, as almost a physical re ex. But this was a di erent Farmers Market, with di erent people, despite surface appearances.

One obvious di erence which cleared the air irrevocably was the role of co ee at the two markets. In Ithaca there’s a long line for it, and you can get espresso drinks in a wide range of con gurations. In Saranac Lake, one vendor has it, o to the side: plain co ee, which you dispense yourself from an Igloo jug. ere was no line. I was their rst customer, and when I returned for a second cup, I was their second. When I went to hand them another three dollars they said oh, no, re lls are free. If this were the policy in Ithaca, people would never leave.

I stayed ten days, in Saranac Lake and on Lake Champlain. It was a lovely environment, although I think the Finger Lakes are just as scenic, unless you consider altitude.

Ten days is long enough to refresh one, and even change perception. When I got back my apartment seemed smaller, like one’s childhood home. Two years between vacations is possibly too long.

Repeal The Cashless Bail System

By Rich David

It was a bad end of the month as the crime wave across New York continues. In July, we tragically lost Rochester police o cer Anthony Mazurkiewicz.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, last week called an attack on a police o cer a “clear case” for rolling back NY bail reform a er the attacker was arrested for another violent crime days earlier, and released under the new system. e Southern Tier and Finger Lakes Region have also seen recent criminal activity as police investigated multiple commercial burglaries in Ithaca, Lansing and Dryden.

And in Homer, the Police Department is reminding residents to lock their vehicles a er a recent rash of break-ins.

We must repeal the cashless bail system that allows for the release of dangerous criminals and restore judicial discretion in bail determinations, especially for defendants that pose a threat to the public.

State agencies must be transparent about the e ects of public safety policies and enact policies that get dangerous criminals o our streets. I support more victim’s services and investing in proven mental health, addiction, and homeless programs.

Every person I talk to, regardless of politics, is concerned about crime and the safety of their family and neighbors.

My experience as Binghamton Mayor, President of the New York Conference of Mayors, and the only candidate directly responsible for overseeing a police department, provides me with the quali cations necessary to be the most e ective State Senator for our region.

No matter where we live, we must elect o cials who prioritize public safety. Our families and businesses deserve nothing less.

Rich David is running for New York’s 52nd Senate District. (Photo: Provided)

Rich David is the Republican candidate for the 52nd Senate 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.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

continued from page 6

of the natural and man-made environments.” e extent of what Skipp and his coworkers do is extraordinary: • Rabies Control: Prevent human rabies by exposure investigation, enforce pet vaccination requirements, and provide free vaccinations clinics for dogs, cats and ferrets. Respond to inquiries 24/7. • Food Program: Permit and inspect facilities; review and approve plans. Provide educational information (handouts, posters, stickers, etc.), seminars and training. • Water Systems: Monitor public water systems to ensure safe drinking water

quality and aid homeowners with water problems. • Sewage Systems: Ensure on-site systems are designed and constructed to protect neighborhoods and county water resources. • Child Lead Poisoning: Investigate the environments of children with elevated blood lead levels and make improvements through education and enforcement. • Temporary Residences (hotels/ motels),

Children’s Camps, Campgrounds, and

Swimming Pools and Beaches: Permit and inspect for adequate sta ng, re safety, drinking water quality, and swimming water quality. • Mobile Home Parks: Permit and inspect for safety, sanitation, and drinking water quality.

The Talk at

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

One Day, Two Elections

On Tuesday, August 23rd we face an unusual situation. ere will be a Special Election to ll the empty seat in Congressional district 23 vacated by Tom Reed. Candidates will be Max Della Pia (Democrat) and Joseph Sempolinski (Republican), chosen by their respective parties. Whoever wins will immediately become our Congressman until the term expires in January.

Regardless of party a liation or none, all registered voters living in the “old” district 23 can vote. It includes the counties of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tompkins and Yates, plus parts of Ontario and Tioga. Tell friends there and urge them to vote. e same day on a di erent ballot in Tompkins County there will be a Democratic Primary Election for candidates running in new district 52 (for State Senate) and 19 (for Congress). ere is no Republican Primary. Nominees run in the General Election in November; winners start their two-year terms in January.

For more information go to the League of Women Voters’ election website Vote 411 (https://vote411.org) or call Tompkins County Board of Elections (607-274-5522).

Election day is August 23rd. Don’t forget to vote! Kay Wagner, Co-president, League of Women Voters of Tompkins County

City of Ithaca DPW union workers deserve better

The City of Ithaca and the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) has been unable to reach a nal contract for the city Department of Public Works employees without the help of a mediator due to the city’s inability to put forth a fair contract o er for the dedicated public employees that keep Ithaca running. e City DPW employees have been working without a contract since December of 2020. ese are the hard-working people that keep roads and sidewalks clean, maintain sewer and water lines, clear the snow and ice, and provide countless other vital functions for the community. e City of Ithaca received approximately $17 million from the American Rescue Act—money that was intended to bolster public services impacted by the global pandemic—but are unwilling to o er its employees a contract deserving of the dedication they showed throughout COVID-19. CSEA also even agreed to a change in health insurance with a savings of $351K. e city’s current ve-year proposal wage increase averages out to 2.26% a year, and they don’t even want to pay employees retroactively in 2022, which would mean it would even be less since we are already almost eight months into 2022. ere is zero excuse for the City to not o er its DPW employees a fair contract now.

Kenny Greenleaf, CSEA Region 5 President

Endorsing Lea Webb

As current and former Planned Parenthood volunteers, supporters, and sta , we’ve dedicated ourselves to protecting access to and advocating for reproductive health services. We’ve spent countless hours making sure our local clinics meet the varied needs of our clients, including access to abortion. e overturning of Roe is a stark reminder that we must elect the best advocates who will continue to defend our reproductive rights and support our region’s health care needs in general.

We strongly believe Lea Webb is the State Senate candidate who will serve the women and children of our region and New York State the best. Among Lea’s many endorsements, we’re most impressed by the endorsement by Eleanor’s Legacy, which has been supporting prochoice Democratic women running for state and local o ce throughout New York State for more than 20 years. eir selection of Lea Webb in this primary speaks volumes about the Lea’s bona des as a erce and e ective advocate for reproductive justice for all.

Lea has always advocated for women and has secured real results for them. For example, in 2013-2015, she was the Southern Tier Coordinator for the Women’s Equality Coalition, organizing seven counties to help get the Women’s Equality Agenda passed in 2015. For years before that, she was a Citizen Action organizer for health care for all, working to ensure