SPORTS

Still Doing It For Chet

By Steve Lawrence

When it came across our Ithaca Times radar that GIAC would be reviving the Friday Night Fights program, and that the upcoming event (September 16, at 7 pm) would be recognizing the 50-year anniversary of the founding of the Chet Cashman Boxing Program, I knew who to call.

In 1972, when the late Chet Cashman moved his boxing program from the Southside Community Center to the newly-opened GIAC, one of the kids that tagged along was a skinny scrapper named Danny Akers. Danny and Patrick O'Connor have been my go-to guys for boxing stories for 30 years, and when asked to re ect back on that 1972 move, Danny told me, “I started boxing when I was 13, and I was 15 when Chet moved us over to GIAC. I learned everything I know from him, and I have been training ghters since 1983. I can't believe it has been 39 years.”

When visitors come to GIAC for the Friday Night Fights, they will notice a shiny new boxing ring. Asked how that came to be, Akers said, “I was doing some work for Brett and Mindy Oaks, and she said, 'You do so much for kids needing some guidance, what can we do for you?'” Knowing that Mindy knew her way around the grant-writing world, Akers threw it out there: “Well, GIAC could use a new ring!” Scratching his head, Danny told me, “I was being sarcastic... a new ring costs 4 or 5 thousand dollars. She made it happen, and I am very grateful.” Given the new ring was in place and ready to go just prior to the onset of the pandemic, Akers expressed how pleased he is to be able to get the program up and running again. “COVID knocked us out,” Danny stated, “but we're back.”

Much of the guidance Akers has provided to young ghters over the past four decades has been conducted alongside O'Connor, and the two have seen some success and recognition in that world. e duo trained “the two Willies”—Willie Monroe Sr. and Jr.—both Top 10 prospects. Both won some big ghts, got title shots, and Willie Jr. won the Empire State Games and the Golden Gloves.

As stated, I have known Akers and O'Connor for a long time, and although

Danny Akers putting Angel Ortiz through some rounds back in 2016. (Photo: Josh Brokaw) I have written about their high-pro le success, I am also aware that the vast majority of their time has been spent out of the spotlight, mentoring young people who will never see their name on a sports page. In Akers' words, “Yeah, the winning is nice, but those aren't what I call the best results.” Asked to elaborate, Danny o ered, “When you can guide a troubled kid—like myself—and help him (or her) to get on the right track, and develop some life values, that's what matters.” He added, “I have trained kids who have become doctors and lawyers, and most of them stay in touch. ey say they learned things they have taken into their lives, and that's even harder to do now, because in the 39 years I have been training people, I have learned that kids are very di erent today. In terms of their athleticism, their attention span.” His frustration evident, Akers relayed a story about a young man with a lot of potential and innate athleticism who came into the gym and was told that the training session would be a 3-round a air. In Akers' words, “He said he only wanted to go two rounds, so he le and never came back.” While some things have indeed changed over the years, some things have stayed the same. “I have been fortunate to train thousands of kids over the years,” Akers said, “and 11 years a er Chet's passing – and 50 years a er he straightened me out and put me on the right path - I am still doing it in his honor.” ● ● ● Friday Night Fights will take place at GIAC on Friday, September 16th at 7 p.m. Tickets will be $19.72 (in recognition of the year GIAC opened), while other tickets will be available for $10. Seating will be limited.

The Talk at

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Schumer: Push For Repeal Of Iraq Force Authorization

Twenty years ago, Congress authorized the use of force against Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq. Saddam is long gone, but the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iraq remains on the books and open for abuse. Last summer, Senator Chuck Schumer spoke passionately about his “strong and full support” for repealing the 2002 AUMF and stated it was his “intention as majority leader to bring this matter to a oor vote.” I urge Senator Schumer to make good on his promise by doing everything in his power to ensure a bipartisan proposal to repeal the 2002 AUMF is included in the annual National Defense Authorization Act. e e ort is supported by veterans’ groups, peace groups, and organizations across the political spectrum. Senator Schumer: keep your promise and show that peace is possible.

Carolyn Kenyon, Ithaca

Selling Price Of Foreclosed Property Was Obscene

Iwas shocked to read that the property at 417 South Aurora Street was sold against the will of the owner for $6,662 because of unpaid taxes. I don’t agree that local o cials had an obligation to nd someone who spoke the owner’s native language. I think the owner and resident of 40 years should have learned basic English words like “legal,” “important,” “urgent,” “foreclosure,” “eviction,” etc., or found a translator. But the fact that her home of 40 years was sold for $6,662 to an organization with net assets of $305,000,000 is obscene. Zillow estimates the value of her home at $186,000. It’s tragic that the owner may lose her home, but to steal well over $150,000 in equity from her on top of eviction seems needlessly evil. As a local small time real estate investor/owner, I know how quickly real estate sells in this area, and at premium prices. It would have been very easy to sell this property for close to the Z[illow] estimate. e local government could then have collected back taxes, nes, legal fees, etc. and returned the balance to the owner, which probably would have exceeded $150,000. is level of grand the should be illegal, and in my opinion, the people responsible for this obscenity should pay restitution to the owner (appraised value minus back taxes and fees), apologize, and consider nding a line of work that doesn’t require a moral conscience.

Henry Hansteen, Ithaca

TCAT Should Investigate Electric Bus Problems

Has TCAT looked into the numerous reports of issues with Proterra buses ranging from problems with them melting and catching re (Foothill Transit in California) to the weight of the batteries cracking the frames (Philadelphia) and causing brake issues on hills (Duluth, MN). Are these buses even that green given the tremendous amount of energy the lithium batteries require during manufacturing and recycling (assuming they are recycled)? Who will be paying for them to be properly disposed of at the end of their lives? Does the technology even exist yet to do so safely (some “recycling” requires the use of such dangerous chemicals that it can’t really be called green)? In order to choose the best technologies for the environment, we need to know ALL of the negatives as well as positives of the technologies in question. e companies selling these technologies and politicians making fortunes o of them are the last people we should be relying upon for this information. Posted on Ithaca.com by “BongRyun”

POLICE BOARD

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through lateral transfers, as well as the tests that will be given in the Fall. But 14 vacancies…that’s a huge task that we’re faced with regarding recruitment and hiring new people.”

“We’re not going to be able to hire fourteen o cers overnight, it’s going to take some time to build back up,” said Monticello. As a result, the department will be looking to expand technology such as stationary license plate readers and bodycams to assist investigations.

According to Monticello, “One of the things that we’re looking at is technology, not to replace o cers, but to assist us in some of the major investigations and ag safety.”