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VOL.XLII / NO. 28 / March 2, 2022 Serving 47,125 readers weekly

Flooding Flooding threatens the future of the Hangar Theatre

The future of the Hangar Theatre is up in the air as the city works to figure out how to handle the annual flooding of the building. The Hangar, and the land it sits on, is owned by the city. About a decade ago the theatre company fundraised a capital project to renovate the building into its current form, including raising the building 10 inches to try and avoid flooding. It hasn’t worked.

“We have done everything we can do to mitigate when it floods,” Adam Zonder, production manager at the Hangar, said. “We have flood barriers at all the doors, [during the renovations] floors were regraded and the floor was raised 10 inches. In the last four years we’ve had water in the building four times. This past October we had seven inches of water. If we hadn’t raised the floor it would have been 17 inches. It’s not a sustainable option to continue to operate like this and have to continuously worry every time it rains that water is going to come into the building and disrupt everything we do.”

Chief of Staff Faith Vavra said there have been ongoing discussions to work through the issue, and the group has landed on three options. The first is including the Hangar and its land in a study that is already slated for Cass Park. Vavra said she’s spoken to the engineering firm about including the Hangar to assess flood mitigation options and the firm told her it would cost about $30,000. The second option is flood insurance. Currently the flood insurance is paid for by the theatre and is expensive, so Vavra was curious if Common Council would consider authorizing the city to help with the cost. The third option is to support the Hangar in finding a new location.

“It isn’t the optimal option, they have put a lot of money into that building,” Vavra said.

She added that while the theatre company is responsible for everything inside the building, the city is responsible for everything outside. She said she’s met with Mike Thorne, the superintendent of public works, and they feel as though there isn’t really anything else the city can do to mitigate the flood risk.

Vavra was in front of the City Administration meeting on Feb. 23 to get a feel for what council members might be willing to do.

Cynthia Brock, an alderperson who has been working on this issue but is not a member of the City Administration Committee, said that as we continue to see the impacts of climate change this problem will only get worse.

“More severe weather events result in more rain, the lake levels are rising,” she said. “The fact is this land is basically at the water table. So when the lake goes up, the Hangar ends up under water. So yes, they made a lot of improvements, but as the water table rises, the water comes up through the floor.”

Brock said in the immediate term that the Hangar is looking for assistance with flood insurance, and then in the longer term they have to figure out next steps to solve the issue.

“Even if the theatre relocates, the building is still a city building at the gateway of the city,” Brock said. “We need to make decisions about the future of this building.”

Committee chair Robert Cantelmo asked how long it would take to get a proposal for the study in front of the committee, but Thorne said it was already ready.

“The scope looked comprehensive and it was a fair price,” he said. However, he added, paying for the study would ultimately lead to more costs.

“We have the $30,000 study. Depending on the complexity of the solution that’s picked, I imagine construction drawings will be between $50,000$100,000. And then construction, probably on the low end, will be a couple of hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Thorne said. “So what does the flood insurance cost? So what might be how you look at it.”

Committee member Jeffrey Barken pointed out that if they get flood insurance and they’re flooding on an annual basis, premiums will continue to rise on the policy. City Comptroller Steve Thayer agreed, but said it doesn’t solve the root of the problem.

“If it continues to flood and claims come in through that insurance, then the premiums would increase,” he said. “But the current cost or quote is something like $5,800 for the city to insure this. So it’s not a huge number, but again, that’s just insuring it. There’s an ongoing issue that we need to figure out at some point as well.”

Vavra noted that there are city employees looking for ways to get grants to help with the funding and said that making it a historical building could help with funding sources as well.

The committee wasn’t asked to make any decisions during this meeting, but did ask for more information at the next meeting to help further guide the process. -Tanner Harding

T a k e N o t e

▶ Anniversary - 2022 marks 25 years of service for Catholic Charities of Tompkins Tioga, and officials are planning to recognize the anniversary with an array of fundraising efforts and events to celebrate. This includes a special cornhole tournament coming to Nichols this May, which will provide community members a fun, family-friendly event that will also help Catholic Charities carry out its mission. “We are so thrilled to be celebrating 25 years of helping our neighbors in Tompkins and Tioga Counties,” sai Executive Director Renee Spear. “Serving our community is at the heart of everything we do at Catholic Charities, from providing struggling households with financial assistance, to offering homeless women a safe place to stay, to cooking nutritious meals for our neighbors, to helping immigrants navigate the complexities of life in the United States. We are in the business of providing hope, and we are so grateful that we’ve been able to do this work for the last 25 years.”

FEATURES

Spotlight�����������������������������������������8

9 black-owned businesses to watch for Personal Health ................................... 11 The life of Heather Dunbar��������������������������13

Sara Juran reflects on the life of her mother, a music and community organizer involved in Grassroots and Ithaca Festival. Newsline ..................................................3-5 Opinion ........................................................6 Letters ........................................................7 Sports.........................................................12

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

Arts ............................................................ 14 Stage ..........................................................15 Art .............................................................. 16 Film .............................................................17 Times Table ..............................................20

On the Cover: Olivia Carpenter owner of Via’s Cookies (Photo: Casey Martin)

ON THE WEB

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Tanner H arding , M anaging E ditor , x1224 E ditor @ i thacatim E s . com J aime Cone , E ditor , x1232 s outh r E port E r @ flcn . org C asey m ar T in , Staff P hotogra P h E r p hotograph E r @ i thacatim E s . com C H ris i ber T, C al E ndar E ditor , x1217 a rts @ i thacatim E s . com a ndrew s ullivan , S P ort S E ditor , x1227 s ports @ flcn . org sT eve l awren C e , S P ort S Colu M ni S t st E v E s ports d ud E @ gmail . com m ars H all H opkins , P rodu C tion d ir EC tor /d ES ign E r , x1216 p roduction @ i thacatim E s . com

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J im b ilinski , P ubli S h E r , x1210 jbilinski @ i thacatim E s . com l arry H o CH berger , a SS o C iat E P ubli S h E r , x1214 larry@ i thacatim E s . com F reelancers : Barbara Adams, Rick Blaisell, Steve Burke, Deirdre Cunningham, Jane Dieckmann, Amber Donofrio, Karen Gadiel, Charley Githler, Linda B. Glaser, Warren Greenwood, Ross Haarstad, Peggy Haine, Gay Huddle, Austin Lamb, Steve Lawrence, Marjorie Olds, Lori Sonken, Henry Stark, Bryan VanCampen, and Arthur Whitman THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE ITHACA TIMES ARE COPYRIGHT © 2022, BY NEWSKI INC. 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 607-277-1012, 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. F ounder G ood Times G aze TT e : Tom Newton

INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER

By Casey Martin

WHAT’S THE BEST CONCERT YOU’VE EVER BEEN TO?

“Neutral Milk Hotel. At The State Theatre. They were on hiatus, and came to Ithaca to play one of their first shows back!” -Matt H.

“Angel Olsen at Brooklyn Steel.” -Valerie M.

“Gregory Alan Isakoff at The State Theatre!” -Olivia T.

“Two Door Cinema Club – At The State Theatre!” -Abigale R.

“I saw The Who’s Quadrophenia tour when I was 12. It was pretty incredible!” -Olivia S

COVID Health Department ends mask advisory, state school mandate expires

The Tompkins County Health Department has suspended the local mask advisory effective Feb. 28 as the spread of COVID-19 and active COVID-19 hospital admissions have slowed. The advisory previously recommended that in Tompkins County all individuals wear a mask when in public indoor spaces regardless of vaccination status.

According to the new metrics recently released by the CDC regarding “community levels,” Tompkins County has fallen into the “low” category based on the following data: fewer than 200 new cases per 100,000 people over the past seven days, less than 10 new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 people at Cayuga Medical Center, and lower than 10% of staffed inpatient beds at the hospital occupied by COVID-19 patients.

In New York State, masks are still required in the following settings:

All health care settings regulated by the Department of Health and other related state agencies will continue to require masks. This includes Cayuga Medical Center and Cayuga Medical Associates practices.

Nursing homes

Adult care facilities

Correctional facilities

Detention centers

Homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters

Public transit and transportation hubs, as well as trains, planes and airports in accordance with federal regulations.

New York State is also ending its mask mandate in schools and childcare facilities on March 2, citing a decrease in positive cases and hospitalizations, an increase in vaccination rates, and a low rate of pediatric hospitalizations across the state. Self-tests have been distributed to families for students to use before returning from winter break. TCHD expects that the state Department of Health will release further recommendations for schools this week.

At any level of COVID-19 spread, people can choose to wear a mask based on personal preference informed by personal level of risk. Masks continue to be a highly effective tool in stopping the spread of COVID-19. Masks are recommended to be worn if you are around people who are ill, who may not be vaccinated against COVID-19, or with those who are at higher risk of severe illness. TCHD also recommends masks be worn by immunocompromised individuals and seniors who are at higher risk of severe illness from the virus.

Tompkins County Public Health Director Frank Kruppa stated, “We’re in a place where we are seeing very little spread and severe disease locally and around the state. While we are suspending our mask advisory and no longer requiring that masks be worn in schools, you may still choose to wear a mask to protect yourself or others – masks are one of the best tools to stop the disease from spreading.”

Kruppa continued, “Our local schools have been great partners throughout this pandemic, working diligently to stop the spread and keeping our students healthy and safe. While we’re moving forward with new guidance it’s important to continue to stay vigilant and we are encouraging everyone who is eligible to stay up-to-date on vaccination.”

Tompkins County is making high-quality KN95 masks freely available to the community. Visit the TCHD website or call 2-1-1 for information on where these masks are available.

Everyone eligible is encouraged to stay up to date on vaccinations and get tested if sick. For more information on COVID-19 vaccinations, refer to the TCHD website (www. tompkinscountyny.gov/health).

Business Should salaries have to be disclosed in job postings?

Alderperson Robert Cantelmo introduced legislation at the Feb. 23 City Administration Committee meeting that would require businesses in Ithaca to include a salary range in job postings. Similar legislation has been passed in New York City and for the entire state of Colorado.

“The underlying logic is that under the status quo workers are paid less,” Cantelmo said. “Mobility is hindered because people have asymmetric knowledge and bargaining power among workers is reduced. And it’s reduced more significantly for women and BIPOC workers.”

He added that pay transparency is not meant to be punitive, but to encourage an openness that “provides a little sunlight on the employment process.” He said it also helps job seekers from wasting time applying and interviewing for a job with a salary listed only as “competitive.”

“Only to find out the pay available is below what they’re willing to accept,” Cantelmo said. “People will often accept lower offers because of the time sunk in.”

The legislation would call for a good faith estimate from employers of the pay range for the position posted. He noted the city of Ithaca already does this, and major employers in the city like Cornell have a “pay banding” scale that is available to the public.

Cantelmo said the legislation would not hinder the ability to better pay good workers and that it would just require pay differences to be explained.

Committee member Jeffrey Barken asked if this should be done at the state level, as it had been in Colorado. However Cantelmo assured him cities have done it separately from states as well, and there was no preemption that would prevent Ithaca from passing this type of legislation.

Barken also questioned “the necessity and precedence of the government to regulate businesses’ hiring practices,” as well as the ability to enforce the legislation.

Cantelmo pointed out the government already regulates labor law, and this would go into an existing section of city code. It would also be enforceable through fines. Committee member Ducson Nguyen said enforcement would come through applicants who can report a job posting for not listing a salary range. He also added his support for the legislation.

“It’s flexible, it just gives people an idea, especially on the low end [of the salary]” Nguyen said. “It’s good to have an idea of what you can expect, especially when you’re newer to the workforce.”

Barken wasn’t quite sold, however, and said he’d like to see data on how often enforcement actions take place in jurisdictions where a similar law exists.

“This seems like a loophole to catch a lot of small businesses in the crosshairs, and that to me is what makes this problematic,” he said. “It’s inserting government into the private practices of businesses […] I’m wary…I don’t think the concept is necessarily wrong, but I think there’s a way to encourage this in a way without legislation.”

Cantelmo reassured Barken that there would be a proposed 90-day period between passing the legislation and it becoming effective, giving small businesses the opportunity to adjust.

“Nobody will get caught off guard,” he said.

The discussion is going to continue once more data is collected.

Cayuga City debates calling for removal of Cayuga Nation representative

Aresolution at the Feb. 23 City Administration Committee meeting sparked a lengthy discussion with the public and among the committee members about how to proceed. The resolution urges the Department of Interior and Bureau of Indian Affairs to remove Clint Halftown as the representative of the Gayogohó:nǫ’ or Cayuga Nation.

According to the resolution, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s Great Law of Peace states that the governing body of the Cayuga Nation is the Council of Chiefs, and Chiefs are chosen by Clanmothers. The Cayuga Council of Chiefs and Clanmothers have reportedly reminded the federal government that there is no role of “national representative” in their system of governance.

However, to help the U.S. government carry out its obligations to Indigenous Nations, the Nation’s governing body has previously designated such a representative to serve as a point of contact. That person was, at one point, Halftown, but he was removed from his representative position by his Clanmother and the Council of Chiefs. However, the Department of Interior and Bureau of Indian Affairs continue to recognize Halftown as the representative of Cayuga Nation.

In February 2020, a wrecking crew led by Halftown’s faction demolished more than a half-dozen structures in Seneca Falls, including a convenience store, gas station, schoolhouse and daycare.

Supporters urged the committee to approve the resolution in an effort to stop Halftown.

Sachem Sam George, a Gayogohó:nǫ’ chief, spoke directly to the committee, asking them to condemn Halftown’s actions.

“He’s threatening people, destroying houses,” George said. “He thinks he has the power to do that, and he has all the police backing him up, making sure the public is not involved in any way and beating on some of our people. It doesn’t make sense what they’re doing.”

Dylan Seneca, another member of the Cayuga Nation, said that if the resolution didn’t pass, it would be taking Halftown’s word over theirs.

Committee member Jorge Defendini was a strong supporter of the resolution and said that the federal government has explicitly taken Halftown’s side, “and that has violent consequences.”

“Halftown’s mercenary police force is currently terrorizing the citizens with the backing of the U.S. government,” Defendini said. “Characterizing it as an internal dispute is a very political statement. It is not an internal dispute among those who abide by the Great Law of Peace.”

He stressed the importance of building momentum from the bottom up to encourage the federal government to change its stance and cease recognizing Halftown as Cayuga Nation’s representative.

Committee member George McGonigal said that what’s happening within the Cayuga Nation is not unusual for the Haudenosaunee.

“In many other [Haudenosaunee] nations there’s a conflict between traditionalists and the factions looking to take advantage of modern capitalism and gambling,” McGonigal said. “That’s the case among the Onondaga.”

He also said he doesn’t believe the resolution would change any minds in Washington D.C., however he did condemn the violence perpetrated by Halftown and his faction, particularly the aforementioned Feb. 2020 incident.

“I would prefer if this resolution focused on our outrage at this violence and this thuggery,” McGonigal said. “But if we can’t do that, I’m going to support it anyway. Even though I don’t think it’s going to go anywhere, if we can make a statement that we don’t accept this type of violence I’m for that.”

McGonigal did add, however, that it might be interesting to hear from the Halftown group.

“I suspect they have a different view,” he said. “I’m not saying I agree with that view — I know what happened in Seneca Falls — but we haven’t heard from them.”

Committee member Jeffrey Barken agreed, and said he’d like to get more of a sense of how many people Halftown represents and how divided the nation is.

“I think that’s kind of important,” he said. “I totally agree we should condemn the violence, and I’m 100% for that. I just question the urgency if there’s a potential to get the other side of the story a little more fleshed out. I think it’s a matter of fairness.”

McGonigal suggested modifying the resolution to say the city condemns the violence and destruction from the Halftown group and their police force and that it urges the federal government to immediately reconsider recognizing Halftown as the representative of the nation.

Defendini did not think that language was strong enough.

“If our police chief bulldozed a school, I doubt the next day he’d have a job,” Defendini said. “The logical conclusion is if they’re doing condemnable stuff, they should be called to be removed.”

Ultimately, the committee voted 3-2 to table the resolution to make revisions, with Defendini and Nguyen voting against. -Tanner Harding

Photo: Protesters react to the destruction in Seneca Falls in 2020. Ups It’s March! On the 13th we “spring ahead” an hour and on the 20th spring is officially here. We’ve almost made it, folks! Downs Russia has invaded Ukraine, which has already led to a devastating loss of life, and things could likely get a lot worse before they get better.

HEARD&SEEN

Heard American Airlines will be dropping its flights to Charlotte from the Ithaca airport in favor of flights to Philadelphia. Seen Social media is abuzz with plans for a protest against the war in Ukraine at Cornell’s Ho Plaza on Wednesday, March 2.

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QUESTION OF THE WEEK On a scale from happy to environmental disaster, how do you feel about 55-degree weather in February?

66.7% Happy

22.2% Meh 11.1% Environmental Disaster

Next Week’s QuestioN: What will you give up for Lent?

Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.