COMMUNITYCONNECTIONS Contin u ed From Page 6
“But so many struggling parents were never willing or able to return a call, come for a conference, respond to a note…So each year my young students and I created a musical. We made up our own words to familiar tunes. I noted that this happy occasion, where all children shined, was sometimes the only time a parent came to school...This reaffirmed my worldview that helping kids meant reaching families in whatever healthy way we could. “I loved teaching reading and writing. I shared with children the power of communication: ‘You have an idea up here. [Denise points with a lively expression to her head.] And it travels from your brain, down your arm, and into your hand and fingers! When you write down what you are thinking, someone far away, who has never even met you, can understand [pointing to her head again], what you were thinking by reading your words! Writing clearly and legibly is magic!’” Denise still teaches reading to incoming tutors in Marty Kaminsky’s Golden Opportunities (GO) after-school tutoring program and continues in the role of tutor. “I’ve tutored the same boy for 10 years. Now he’s a young man on the cusp of high school graduation. We worked together through the school year, over holidays and summers, and soon he’s about to take flight.” Denise’s observations about the juggling act of work and family, including aging parents and young children, were empathetic, and colorful. “LongCOUNTY BUDGET Contin u ed From Page 4
stated that this would delay the increase in the tax levy to a future year, and could have a compounding effect. In opposition to the amendment, Lane stated that “it’s the job of elected bodies to keep tax increases reasonably low,” adding that this doesn’t give a break to everyone, as many residents of Tompkins County are renters who wouldn’t get a property tax break from this proposal. The amended proposal recommending a limit of $1 million was estimated to result in a 1% increase to the levy before the consideration of further member-filed amendments. An amendment for a local match for capital improvements and deferred maintenance at Tompkins Cortland Community College totaling $310,000 was brought forth by legislators Dawson, Schill, and Lane and approved by a vote of 12-1, with Granison opposed and McBeanClairborne excused. Legislators remarked that this is an investment in the college which is a property shared by Tompkins and Cortland Counties. An amendment brought forth by Legislator Dawson to fund the second and third years of TC3’s workforce and career development pilot program totaling $220,500 was approved
time partner, Charlie Wilson of Wilson Engineering, and I have a grown daughter with two children. I am out-of-body ecstatic to be with my grandchildren. During the busy years of parenting and working, I somehow took the miracle of child development too much for granted…After years of observing the challenges so many children face, it feels like a miracle to see a healthy baby turn over, learn to walk, go off to school. “When downtown business owners decry crime and drug use, I think of all those children passing through my life. I say ‘They were someone’s little child long ago. We have no idea what challenges they may have encountered.’” Denise Gelberg, author, teacher, researcher will speak again with us soon. For now, read what Dr. Nancy Hopkins (the Amgen, Inc. Professor of Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, member of the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences), featured in a Nova documentary “Picture a Scientist” about gender harassment in the sciences commented about Denise’s third novel: “‘Lucky Girl’ is the profoundly moving story of a woman who with brilliance, passion, and support from an extraordinary family overcomes common barriers that long kept most women out of high-powered science. I had to stop several times and remind myself that this is a novel, not the biography of a flesh and blood scientist. A brilliant book. I wept and cheered for the heroine.” https:// www.amazon.com/author/denisegelberg
unanimously. An amendment calling for $199,656 in funding to cover the first of three years of development of “Sunflower Houses” through Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Ultimate Reentry Opportunity, and Opportunities Alternatives and Resources was offered by legislators Robertson, Granison, Black, Schill, John, and Koreman. The funding will support capital improvements to affordable housing and programming expenses and operations to support those who are returning from incarceration. The amendment passed unanimously, 14-0. Several legislators discussed the impending “Recovery Fund,” with some stating that requests like this would be better served through that fund once details are codified. According to Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services Executive Director Johanna Anderson, the plan is for these housing units to be occupied starting December first of this year. Legislator Rich John, who chairs the Public Safety Committee, stated that New York State has a 65% failure rate for individuals on parole, indicating that this proposal would deliver value for those in need and reentering from incarceration. An amendment from Black to fund this now and leverage funds
THE TALK AT
hosted by the Downtown Ithaca Alliance Oct. 29-30. Learn more: https://www.downtownithaca.com/event/halloween2021/.
Re: Myrick presents $84 million city budget
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YOUR LETTERS In support of a vaccine mandate
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o prevent further spread of the coronavirus, we should require everyone to get fully vaccinated (including a possible third dose)--unless exempted by a sincerely held religious belief or medical condition. We should write to our legislators and executives at all levels of government. -Alvin Blake, Ithaca, NY
Halloween in Ithaca
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hen I was a kid growing up in Ithaca, “they” used to have a Halloween Parade. We were dressed in costumes, wearing (not COVID) masks. It was thrilling to be applauded as we walked by the crowds. It was more fun to go from door to door shouting, “Trick or treat.” I wonder if it’s done now. -Rev. Dr. Ronald S. Winchell, Ithaca, NY *Editor’s Note: There does appear to be trick-or-treating and other Halloween fun
from the to-be-determined local “Recovery Fund” that would be decreased by this proposal’s amount passed unanimously, with years two and three set to come from fund balance following an amendment moved by Granison and approved 13-1 (McBean-Clairborne dissenting). An amendment for $100,000 to run a county organization-wide compensation study was member-filed by legislators Dawson, McBean-Clairborne and Black. The amendment passed unanimously, 14-0. Legislators spoke to the fact that this has been planned for a few years but was delayed due to the pandemic. John brought forth an amendment in support of a Career Pathways collaborative effort to address employment for those most marginalized in Tompkins County. Several agencies work together in conjunction with Cornell Cooperative Extension to administer this program and support individuals. The amendment totals $85,000 and was passed 13-1 with Granison opposed. An amendment in support of a resource navigator program addressing health equity in conjunction with Cornell Cooperative Extension and other community partners was passed 10-2, with Granison and Dawson opposed (McBeanO c to b e r
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hat “slightly lower tax rate” is not helpful enough since we taxpayers are still paying more in terms of dollars since property assessments have increased a lot during the past 4 years. Here are some facts according to https://www. cityofithaca.org/427/City-Budget • 2019 tax levy: $23,613,758 • 2020 tax levy: $24,443,600 • 2021 tax levy: $26,384,571 • 2022 proposed tax levy: $26,366,541 The good news is that 2022 taxes levy will only be _as_ bad as 2021. The bad news is that the 2021 taxes were already way too high. Mark my words -- once the end comes to all this free pandemic related relief money that municipalities are receiving from State and Federal governments, then our local tax levy will have to go way up to make up the difference if we want to keep all these public programs in place. To make matters worse, since the money supply has been so rapidly expanded recently, there will more upward pressure wages and consequently tax levies, even while businesses may have lower profits due to their own rising labor and supply chain costs. Thus taxes collected on profits might even be lower in future years. Bottom line: Please cut spending since Ithaca Taxes Gorge Us... -Richard Ballantyne, via Ithaca.com
Clairborne and McKenna were excused). An amendment was proposed by Robertson, Granison and Koreman to initiate a study of county-wide code enforcement. The amendment passed 13-1, with Legislator Glenn Morey voting in opposition. Additional amendments were passed to increase the stipend for the County Historian, funding for advisory board priorities, support for local emergency responder subscription to a service called “ES Chat” that would allow first responders’ cell phones to act as radio communications, and support for the County’s Poet Laureate. A $70,000 amendment filed by Robertson restoring COVID-related funding to the Tompkins County Human Services Coalition was proposed and approved 13-0 with McBean-Clairborne excused. Executive Director of the Coalition Kathy Schlather joined to share the state of the organization and the increased demands on programs offered resulting in this ask for restored funding. Robertson and Dawson spoke highly of the work the Coalition does to serve Tompkins County residents. Read more at ithaca.com
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