Newsline
VOL.XLII / NO. 10 / October 27, 2021 Serving 47,125 readers week ly
F E AT URE S In the running Part II �������������������������������8 Get to know the candidates for the contested Common Council seats.
Meet Sparky the Unicorn ��������� 13 BEYOND Pop-Up gallery brings art to the Commons, anchored by a 12foot tall, rideable unicorn
Newsline ��������������������������������������������������3-5 Opinion �������������������������������������������������������� 6 Letters �������������������������������������������������������� 7
ART S &E N T E RTAINME N T Film ������������������������������������������������������������� 15 Stage ���������������������������������������������������������� 16 Books ��������������������������������������������������������� 19 Times Table ���������������������������������������������� 20 Classifieds ����������������������������������������������� 22
R AIL TR AIL
New portion of Dryden Rail Trail runs through Reynolds Game Farm
T
he newest section of the Dryden Rail Trail is officially open. The section, just short of a half-mile long, includes the railbed running through the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Reynolds Game Farm. Because the trail is on state land, deputy supervisor Dan Lamb worked for years to work out a deal with the DEC to negotiate an agreement to open up the corridor for the trail. “After years of trying to meet with the right staff at DEC, I was able to negotiate with the deputy commissioner and his staff, who helped expedite a 20-year agreement for the trail,” Lamb said. “We were able to convince supporters of the state’s last pheasant raise and release program at the Game Farm that the trail would support rather than threaten that operation. The trail will attract hundreds of weekly users and we will erect signage at the trailhead to ensure that trail users are
educated about DEC’s important work.” The path had been completely overgrown and hadn’t been touched since the railway closed in the early ‘70s, and work began to clear the path this past spring. “Our guys cleared their way to the two old railroad bridges,” Dryden Highway Superintendent Rick Young said. “They removed rotted sections, built new members, reinforced portions and gave the trestles a new life.”
Rail Trail Task Force chair said the DEC previously thought the town would need to demolish the old trestles and build new bridges. However, a town engineering report found that the bridges were in a good enough condition to be safely repaired for use by pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians. The restored timber-trestle bridges stretch over Cascadilla Creek, and the entire trail is covered with a stone dust surface, making it ADA accessible. As with many rail trails, the path is mostly a flat grade. This portion does have some gentle bends though, making it unique from the often straight paths of former railways. This portion of the trail was funded from a grant from the New York State Office of
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▶ Safety Tips - The Ithaca Fire Department put out some safety tips for kids ahead of Halloween on Sunday. They suggest planning costumes that are bright and reflective and making sure that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping. Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trickor-treat bags for greater visibility.
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Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation through the Environmental Protection Fund. The grant was awarded in 2017 and requires an equal match by the town. It’s focus is on rehabilitating 5.5 miles of the town’s abandoned rail corridor through trail clearing, developing parking lots and trailheads and repairing infrastructure. The Triad Foundation in Ithaca also provided $15,000 to purchase materials for the trestles. When completed, the Dryden Rail Trail will connect the village of Dryden to Freeville, Etna, Cornell and the city of Ithaca. -Ta n n e r H a r d i n g
N o t e
Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup as a safer alternative. When shopping for costumes and accessories, purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant. Have a flashlight with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts. Teach children how to call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency or become lost.
ON T HE WE B
Town Supervisor Jason Leifer, Council Members Dan Lamb and Leonardo Vargas Mendez and Highway Supervisor Rick Young
Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers, then parents can do the cutting. Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.
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