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VOL.XLII / NO. 10 / October 27, 2021 Serving 47,125 readers weekly

RAIL TRAIL New portion of Dryden Rail Trail runs through Reynolds Game Farm

The 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 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. -Tanner Harding

Town Supervisor Jason Leifer, Council Members Dan Lamb and Leonardo Vargas Mendez and Highway Supervisor Rick Young

T a k e N o t e

▶ 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. 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.

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.

FEATURES

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

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

Film .............................................................15 Stage .......................................................... 16 Books..........................................................19 Times Table ..............................................20 Classifieds ...............................................22

ON THE WEB

Visit our website at www.ithaca.com for more news, arts, sports and photos. Call us at 607-277-7000

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

s H aron d avis , d i S tribution front

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, Dave Sit, Bryan VanCampen, and Arthur Whitman THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE ITHACA TIMES ARE COPYRIGHT © 2021, 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 WAS YOUR ALL-TIME FAVORITE HALLOWEEN COSTUME GROWING UP?

“Luke Skywalker.” -Nick Z.

“I grew up in Brazil, so we didn’t celebrate Halloween…but I did love my Ballerina Costume for Carnival!” -Caroline M.

“Classic white-sheet-ghost, and a vampire!” - Chris. M. & Kyra S.

“Bo Diddley..Ok JAMES BROWN!” -Mr. Lovett

“Homemade Robot! JAKE FROM STATE FARM!” - Lilly T & Cole P.

CRIME Myrick responds to recent wave of crime with ‘all-of-the-above’ approach

Ithaca, Mayor Svante Myrick via Fackbook live

After a cluster of shooting incidents throughout the month of October in the city of Ithaca, Mayor Svante Myrick said the city and Ithaca Police Department are taking a comprehensive approach to quell the violence.

Myrick described the violence as “a couple of extremely irresponsible people engaged in a personal dispute” who are “intent on shooting each other.” Most recently, two parties exchanged gunfire at the Kwik Fill on S Meadow Street, though fortunately nobody was injured. Police have been investigating but as of now it’s unclear whether they have any suspects. Ithaca Times has reached out to Acting Chief John Joly for more information.

According to Myrick, the ease of access to guns, the fraying of social bonds and the stress of an unequal economy has led to a rise in gun violence across the country. To stifle that in Ithaca, the city will be taking a four-pronged approach.

The first part is “prevention through social investment.” Myrick said crimes are often the result of people being left without their basic economic and social needs being met. To combat this the city will be maintaining and increasing investments in GIAC (including My Brother’s Keeper), the Ithaca Youth Bureau, Southside Community Center, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Black Hands Universal, Unbroken Promise Initiative and REACH.

The second is “smart targeted enforcement.” Joly is directing available resources, as well as recruiting assistance from the state police, to assist in a “special gun violence suppression detail” in areas of the city. Ithaca Police Department put out a statement earlier in the week stating they would be increasing patrols in the West End, where much of the recent violence has been concentrated.

Longer term, the city is also working on launching the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program to expand law enforcement options. The program originated in 2017 but didn’t have funds to get past the concept stage until they received $900,000 in grant money last fall. And of course, the city’s working group continues to design the new Public Safety Department that is part of the Reimagining Public Safety initiative.

The third facet is “building a safer city through safer infrastructure.” This includes things like better lighting and more camera technology. Myrick said the city had recently purchased the city’s streetlights from NYSEG and are working on repairing broken lights and identifying dark spots that could benefit from improvement. The city is also reportedly working with private property owners to improve their lights, cameras and property management, specifically focusing on larger developments.

The last part is “combating misinformation.” The Ithaca Police Benevolent Association (PBA) has been putting out its own press releases about the shootings, in addition to the department’s official releases. The PBA has taken an aggressive approach in their public relations campaign, often targeting Myrick specifically. In their most recent press release on Oct. 20, the PBA accused the “anti-police rhetoric of activist” Myrick of making the city less safe. They’ve also accused Myrick of ignoring the PBA’s ideas for police reform, however it’s worth noting that three IPD officers, including PBA President Sgt. Tom Condzella, are working members of the Reimagining Public Safety task force.

Myrick hit back at the PBA’s campaign in the “combating misinformation” portion of the city’s plan.

“I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that nearly every day the police union’s PR firm issues a press release framed in the scariest possible language,” Myrick said. “And that is of course their intent — if they can use scare tactics to draw a correlation between police reform and crime, they can sway public opinion and convince the community to drop our planned reforms.” (To view Myrick’s Facebook Live, visit https:// www.facebook.com/419907/ videos/252394183519648/. To view the PBA’s page, visit https://www.facebook.com/ IthacaPBA/. ) -Tanner Harding

County Legislature Legislature passes tentative county budget, COVID hospitalizations stay low

The Tompkins County Legislature’s budget season is coming to the end as the tentative 2022 budget is passed in anticipation of next month’s public hearing.

Legislature Chair Leslyn McBean-Clairborne offered an amendment to the recommended 2022 county budget that would appropriate just over $605,000 from unassigned fund balance to achieve a 0% tax levy increase resulting in a tax rate decrease of 1.81% and a $1,250 County tax bill on a median priced home. This amendment had been previously discussed at Expanded Budget Committee meetings and followed a presentation on the unexpected significant increase in 2021 sales tax revenues. The amendment passed 10-4 with legislators Mike Lane, Leslie Schill, Deborah Dawson and Henry Granison opposed.

The tentative 2022 Tompkins County Budget as amended passed 13-1 with Granison opposed. The budget as approved in this meeting will go to a public hearing on Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. The budget may continue to be amended in the lead-up to the public hearing. Green Facilities

Director of Facilities Arel LeMaro, Chief Sustainability Officer Terry Carroll, and representatives from Johnson Controls gave a presentation on the county’s green facilities net zero carbon emission project. The presentation detailed greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, facilities, vehicles and equipment as well as measures to be taken in the future to improve facilities and reduce emissions. Presenters outlined the history of green facilities improvements, stating that facilities improvements have guaranteed financial savings to the county and looked forward to the work to come as part of the Green Facilities Initiative adopted in 2020 set to reduce net carbon emissions for facilities to zero by 2027

Later in the meeting bonding toward the first phase of

ELECTION Ballot questions aim to remove voting barriers, amend redistricting

In addition to electing officials like County Legislatures and Common Council members, voters in the Nov. 2 election will also have important ballot questions to decide. There are five statewide ballot proposals for consideration. Proposal 1: Amending the apportionment and redistricting process

This proposed constitutional amendment would freeze the number of state senators at 63, amend the process for the counting of the state’s population, delete certain provisions that violate the U.S. Constitution, repeal and amend certain requirements for the appointment of the co-executive directors of the redistricting commission and amend the manner of drawing district lines for congressional and state legislative offices.

This is a meaty proposal that would do a handful of things. Firstly, it would amend and repeal portions of the state constitutional amendment adopted by voters in 2014 that created a redistricting commission. It would allow the redistricting commission to appoint two co-executive directors by simple majority vote, without consideration of party affiliation. It would also eliminate the alternative process currently in place that allows for the appointment of co-executive directors and codeputy executive directors by the legislature in the case that the redistricting commission fails to appoint co-executive directors. It would also remove the requirement that the two co-executive directors be members of different political parties.

The amendment would also require that state assembly and senate district lines be based on the total population of the state, and require the state to count all residents, including non-citizens and Native Americans if the federal census fails to include them. This comes on the heels of the state losing a representative after coming up 89 people short to retain its 27 seats. In further changes to redistricting, it would count incarcerated people at their place of last residence, rather than at their place of incarceration. This practice is already established by state statute for Senate and Assembly districts.

As the state is currently in the midst of redistricting efforts, the next change of procedure would go into effect in 2022. The approval of a plan by the redistricting commission would require at least seven “yes” votes out of the 10 commissioners. A plan approved by at least seven commissioners must be approved by a majority of each house of the legislature to be approved. In the case that seven-vote threshold is not reached, the commission would have to send the legislature the redistricting plan that garnered the most votes. The legislature could then adopt the plan with 60% majority.

Importantly, this amendment would also require the redistricting commission to submit its redistricting plan and implementing legislation to the legislature two months earlier than currently called for in an effort to speed the process up. For the redistricting due to proceed in 2022, the time frame would be condensed to meet election-related deadlines.

This is by far the most complex amendment. For the full text, visit elections. ny.gov/2021BallotProposals. html. Proposal 2: Right to clean air, clean water and a healthful environment

add an amendment to article I of the constitution in relation to the right to clean air and water, and a healthful environment. Proposal 3: Eliminating 10-day advance voter registration requirement

The proposed amendment would delete the current requirement by the state that a citizen be registered to vote at least 10 days before an election. It would also allow the legislature to enact laws permitting a citizen to register to vote less than 10 days before the election. Proposal 4: Authorizing noexcuse absentee ballot voting

Currently, there’s a provision on absentee ballots that requires the voter to be unable to appear at the polls by reason of absence from the county, illness, or physical disability. This proposal would delete that provision, allowing people to choose to vote via absentee ballot for any reason. Proposal 5: Increasing the jurisdiction of the New York City Civil Court

Perhaps of less personal interest to voters in Tompkins County, this proposal would allow the New York City Civil Court to hear and decide claims for $50,000 or less, rather than the current limit of $25,000 or less. -Tanner Harding

Ups The new Ulta between Old Navy and Trader Joe’s opens this week after taking over the space

this summer.

Downs Say your goodbyes to the sunshine. November and the end of daylight savings is creeping up on us and the weather has been steadily getting more and more dreary.

HEARD&SEEN

Heard Starting last Sunday, residents must dial 607 in front of local phone numbers, in case there are any people left who don’t already do that.

Seen The framing is up for the new KFC going in on Elmira Road, so fried chicken lovers get your wet wipes ready.

IF YOU CARE TO RESPOND to something in this column, or suggest your own grievances or praise, write news@ithacatimes.com, with a subject head “U&D.”

QUESTION OF THE WEEK What Halloween candy should we cancel?

3.7% Vegan Candy Corn

57.9% Anything with Raisins

7.9% Apples 10.5% Chocolate NECCO wafers

Next Week’s QuestioN: Are you registered to vote in Ithaca yet?

Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.