ITHACA CONSIDERS BIRD SAFE BUILDING ORDINANCE PAGE 6
DEMOCRACY FEST RETURNS TO SOUTHSIDE PAGE 11
HAMMERSTONE WOMEN’S CARPENTRY SCHOOL OPENS IN ITHACA PAGE 13
We salute the 350 women who have trained and fundraised valiantly for the 21st annual Women Swimmin’ for Hospicare.
Their efforts will help make expert, compassionate care and support for patients and families possible.
Women Swimmin’ for
For more information about the event, visit: womenswimmin.org.
Barbara Abbey, Suzanne Aigen, Paula Aiken, Melissa Alario, Beatriz Almeida, Lisa Amato, Whitney Antczak, Leslie Appel, Judith Appleton, Susan Arnsten-Russell, Susan Austern, Kristine Averill, Jillian Bain, Barbara Baird Holowka, Mary Ball, Elizabeth Ballantyne, Maryjoy Ballantyne, Danielle Banfield, Kerry Barnes, Susan Barnett, Amanda Batchelder, Retta Beardslee, Heidi Becken, Jamie Becken, Kaitlyn Bedford, Sara Bernal, Helen Bigsby, Anna Bishop, Laura Bishop, Lauryn Blake, Hallie Bond, Amber Boyd, Sarah Brainard, Eliza Brown, Sarah Brown, Bonita Bryson, Karli Buday, Gwen Bullock, Eileen Bunce, Emily Butler, Kate Canino, Maddie Carlisle, Sara Carpenter, Kelli Cartmill, Tracy Cary, Rachel Casano, Mary Catt, Dawna Cerney, Kelly Chapman, Jackie Cito, Krystina Clary, Laurie Clink, Carol Clune, Maura Cody, Paula Cohen, Constance Colbert, Virginia Cole, Ayree Coletti, Skylar Collé, Nancy Compese, Nancy Connelly, Kim Conrad, Isabelle Corgel, Nancy Corwin Malina, Olivia Cosden, Ann Costello, Rebecca Costello, Denise Costich, Teresa Craugh, Sarah Cummings, Joann Curtis, Christie Czebiniak, Ami Daichman, Monica Daniel, Kelly Delp, Kerry Demarest, Tess Demont, Beth Donish, Lindsay Dozoretz, Sue Dozoretz, Kathryn Drake, Deborah Durbin, Heather Edginton, Amy Eliason, Kathy Eliason, Cathy Emilian, Sally Ezra, Michele Farwell, Zuzana Fernandes, Hana Feulner, Quinn Fireside, Claudia Fischbach, Gretchen Fitzgerald, Kate Foster, Laura Fowler, Zsofia Franck, Jill Freidmutter, Amy Fuhr, Nancy Fuhr, Deborah Fyler, Jennifer Garcia, Mariette Geldenhuys, Julia Gnad, Kristin Goble, Emily Goodlife, Louisa Goodsell, Sarah Gould, Jenny Graap, Jeanne Grace, Vickie Greenhouse, Deborah Griffen, Veronica Guiry, Mary Lisa Gustafson, Roz Guterman, Amara Hahn, Erin Hammes, Sheri Hammond, Annemiek Haralson, Caitlin Hart, Sydney Hasenjager, Laura Hayduchok, Grace Haynes, Sadie Hays, Farrell Helbling, Susan Henninger, Kristin Herman, Kathy Herrera, Heather Hocking, Elizabeth Honis, Audrey Hopkins, Virginia Hovendon, Beth Howland, Sharon Howrey, Janet Huie, Stacia Humby, Kimberly Hunt, Flannery Hysjulien, Christine Ibert, Lauren Jacobsen, Lucia Jander, Ingrid Jensen, Diane Jerdan, Melissa Johnson, Kimberly Jones, Samantha Kager, Sarah Kager, Rayna Kalas, Mary Kaminski, Tamis Kaplan, Callie Kaplan-Wright, Jennifer Karchmer, Jennifer Karr, Juliana Karr, Anna Kelles, Jeanine Kennedy, Kimberly Kenyon, Chris Kimball, Rebecca King, Kelly King-O’brien, Lynn Klankowski, Elizabeth Klohmann, Nicole Klohmann, Tori Knapp, Nicole Koschmann, Debbi Kruszewski-Warner, Yan-Ning Kuo, Maggie Lachance, Allegra Lambert, Tamar Law, Gundy Lee, Heidi Lee, Bonnie Lefkowitz-White, Stacey Lehman, Lisa Levey, Kaitlin Lilienthal, Barbara Logan, Nathalie Louge, Kelly Lyboldt, Theresa Lyons, Laurie M Johnston, Susanne M Quagliata, Emily Madan, Emily Mahr, Carrie Makela, Sabine Mann, Sue Mann, Laurie Mante, Bethany Markovich, Isabella Marshall, Claudia Martinez, Vanessa Martinez, Avery Marzulla, Grit Matthias Phelps, Annemarie Mattison, Dina Maxwell, Jessica Mcart, Deborah Mccardell, Angeline Mccomb, Omani Mcdaniels, Jessica Mcgee, Katherine Mckane, Teresa Mckane, Kate Mckee, Mary Mckellar, Kjersten Mckinniss, Jennifer Mclafferty, Christina Mcmahon, Bridget Meeds, Susan Mehringer, Kirsten Miller, Allison Milverton, Vivian Molina, Susan Monagan, Jillian Morales, Erin Morris, Jaymi Morris, Gail Mott, Stephanie Mulinos, Kimberly Muse, Julianne Muto, Alicia Rebecca Myers, Rachel Myers, Rachel Nascimento, Kaysee Nedrow, Cara Nichols, Kate Nicholson, Marissa Nolan, Staci Nugent, Amy O’brien, Stacey O’brien, Deirdre O’regan, Kristen Olson, Melinda Oltz, Suzanne Organ, Beth Paris, Bethany Parisi, Elizabeth Parr, Amanda Parsons, Hannah Patterson, Suzanne Patterson, Melissa Pavlus, Susanna Pearce, Angie Pendergrass, Grace Petrisin, Casey Phifer, Della Pierson, Toby Pinn-Woodcock, Jessica Pirozzolo, Elizabeth Plocharczyk, Carol Podlaski, Cynthia Porter, Hannah Potts, Jane Powers, Katrina Presutti, Denise Price, Alison Pritz, Molly Pritz, Brigitta Putnam, Lauren Putnam Davenport, Kelly Quinn, Lisa Rabin, Jill Raines, Katie Ramsey, Caroline Rasmussen, Rita Ratner, Char Revette, Tara Riley, Shawna Robertson, Emily Rodekohr, Kathy Rodgers, Anna Rosenblatt, Margaret Royall, Sarah Rubenstein-Gillis, Meghan Sabaini, Audrey Saccio, Julie Sadler, Paulette Salmon, Alice Saltonstall, Lauren Salzman, Beverly Sawyers, Rebecca Schillenback, Leah Schinasi, Nichole Schultz, Sarah Schupp, Heather Scott, Kate Seaman, Amy Seldin, Lisa Sepesy, Catherine Shane, Ariana Shapiro, Rachael Shapiro, Cayla Sharp, Elaina Sheiman, Kathryn Sheldon, Joan Shikowitz, Christina Siau, Amanda Sidle, Ruth Siegel, Whitney Simone, Anne Sine, Kristen Slater, Christina Slattery, Hannah Slattery, Alison Smith, Gabrielle Sorresso, Margaret Soulstein, Nancy Spero, Kathleen Spooner, Katie Sprague, Shari Sprole, Christina Stark, Erica Steinhagen, Aoise Stratford, Debralee Street, Fran Struve-Entelis, Jeanette Stump, Maureen Tagliavento, Dalya Tamir, Meghan Teeter, Elizabeth Tennant, Judy Tennant, Juliana Torres, Gail Tremblay, Tyler Vance, Billie Jo Vanorman, Griselda Velado, Emma Venturini, Andrea Volckmar, Laura Ward, Lydia Waterman, Kelly Weaver Lutz, Laura Weeldreyer, Nicolette Wells, Tanya West, Jacinta Whitcome, Karen White, Meg Whiteford, Robin Wilburn, Heather Wilcox, Kaitlin Wilcox, Jennifer Wilkins, Kim Wilkinson, Jennifer Wills, Sara Worden, Anna Wunsch, Lori Yelensky, Leah Yonker, Qi Zhang, Lin Zhou, Hannah Zimar
The public is invited to cheer them on as they swim 1.2 miles from Bolton Point to the Ithaca Yacht Club on the morning of Saturday, August 10.
Ithaca Celebrates Opening of New Stewart Park Splash Pad
By Matt Dougherty
Assemblymember Anna Kelles joined local leaders and community members on July 3 to celebrate the grand opening of the newly expanded and accessible splash pad at Stewart Park. Kelles secured $500,000 in capital funds for the upgraded splash pad and an addition to the park’s Large Pavilion.
The celebration marked the culmination of efforts by the City of Ithaca, Friends of Stewart Park, and the Wharton Studio Museum to enhance the park’s amenities. Over the past decade, these organizations have spearheaded comprehensive renovations to improve access, environmental sustainability, and overall enjoyment of the park.
The new splash pad, significantly larger and more accessible than its predecessor, features dynamic spray elements and is flush with the ground. The upgrades include new bathrooms, a family room with a changing table for older disabled youth, and wide walkways connecting to the accessible playground.
Kelles highlighted the importance of the project for the community, noting, “Access to nature is incredibly important for both physical and mental health, and these new amenities ensure that truly everyone can enjoy the park. My own child-
hood memories are filled with countless hours in this park, and it was an absolute honor to help realize this gorgeous expansion to create many memories for all of our children for years to come.”
Kelles’s grant of $250,000 was matched by $500,000 from a New York State Park Development grant awarded in December 2021 and $100,000 from foundations and private donors. This funding enabled the construction of the splash pad, new bathrooms, and design development for
T ake n ote
the Wharton Studio Park Center. Rick Manning, Executive Director of Friends of Stewart Park, expressed his gratitude, stating, “Friends of Stewart Park is so thankful to Assemblymember Kelles and New York State Parks for their generous support for the Stewart Park accessible splash pad. It took years to bring this to fruition, but the joyful response from all the kids was beyond what we could have imagined.”
X Center for Community Transportation Hires Laura Vineyard as New Executive Director
The Center for Community Transportation (CCT), a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing transportation options in Ithaca, has announced the appointment of Laura Vineyard as its new Executive Director. Vineyard officially began her role on July 18, 2024.
The announcement was made on July 3, just over seven months after former Executive Director Jennifer Dotson stepped down from the position in December 2023 after serving in the role for 17 years.
Vineyard brings a wealth of experience in community organizing, nonprofit leadership, and entrepreneurship to CCT. For five years, she was the Executive Director of the Body Positive Fitness Alliance, an education and advocacy organization committed to making the fitness
industry more accessible and inclusive for all individuals.
In her new role at CCT, Vineyard is eager to leverage her background to further the organization's mission. "I’m very excited about the opportunity to work with the CCT to cultivate accessible transportation alternatives as an essential component of our community’s well-being," Vineyard said. "I’m looking forward to bringing that lens of accessibility to alternative transportation to support the whole health of all individuals in our community."
According to Vineyard, CCT envisions a community where shared and active transportation options are healthy, safe, affordable, and convenient for everyone. The
organization works across various sectors to fulfill its mission of improving transportation access while mitigating negative environmental and economic impacts.
CCT's services and programs include Ithaca Carshare, Bike Walk Tompkins, and Ithaca Bikeshare. These initiatives emphasize social equity and environmental sustainability, reflecting the organization's commitment to innovative transportation solutions in the face of emerging mobility trends.
As Vineyard steps into her new role, she aims to build on CCT’s strong foundation and advance initiatives that enhance the quality of life for all residents of Ithaca.
For more information about CCT and its programs, visit their official website.
WEB
F r EE lan CE rs : Barbara Adams, G. M Burns, Jane Dieckmann, Charley Githler, Ross Haarstad, Steve Lawrence, Marjorie Olds, Henry Stark, and Arthur Whitman
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 607277-1012,
Children play at the new $500,000 splash pad that was built in Stewart Park on the shores of Cayuga Lake. (Photo: Mark Syvertson)
By Mark Syvertson
QUESTION OF THE WEEK: WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CONCERT?
ICSD’s Head Budget Developer Takes Pay Cut in Move to Trumansburg School District
By Maddy Vogel
The Ithaca City School District’s (ICSD) Chief Operations Officer (COO) Amanda Verba, who is in charge of developing the budget each year and constructing the district’s long-term financial plans, will leave the district for a position as school business executive in the Trumansburg Central School District.
Verba started as the COO in 2013 and has worked in the district for over 10 years, previously working as a Coordinator of Youth Development for TST BOCES and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County for 16 years. Beyond budget development and financial planning, Verba oversees capital projects and audits at the district.
At the Trumansburg board of education meeting last week, the board unanimously voted to appoint Amanda Verba as a school business executive within the consent agenda, which usually contains routine business items and is voted on without discussion. New appointments typically occur as separate action items on the agenda, where they would be voted on individually. Verba is slated to begin her new position on Sept. 9, 2024.
Verba, a member of the formerly seven-person executive team at ICSD, is currently the district’s second-highest paid employee, right under Superintendent Luvelle Brown. According to See Through NY, a database that uses public data to provide the salaries of public officials in New York State, Verba made just over $210,000 in 2023 in her position at ICSD.
See Through NY’s earliest records of salaries at ICSD are from 2021. In 2021 and 2022, Verba was not the secondhighest paid employee at the district, she
ranked fifth, earning $163,258 in 2021 and $167,748 in 2022 before taking a 25.6% leap to $210,633 in 2023.
Shortly after this story was published, ICSD Board of Education President Sean Eversley Bradwell clarified that this number reported by SEE Through NY is incorrect, and shared that Verba’s salary in the 202324 school year was $182,402.
According to Trumansburg board documents, Verba’s new salary at the Trumansburg school district will be $146,286 for the 2024-2025 school year, representing a pay cut of over $36,000.
ICSD’s BoardDocs confirm that Verba’s salary increased from $164,443 in the 2021-22 school year to 168,966 in the 2022-23 school year and show a 2.75% annual salary increase each year since 2020.
In the 2023-24 school year’s budget presentation, the line-by-line analysis doesn’t break down individual employee’s salaries, unlike the previous presentations. Verba constructs the district's budget presentations to the board of education each year.
In the 2023-24 budget presentation, the line that represents the COO’s salary, referenced as “non-instructional salaries (COO and staff),” does show a $43,266 increase from the previous year, but doesn’t cite that it is specifically Verba’s salary that increased. The increase is attributed to “contractually obligated salary increase for 22-23 and 23-24.”
Bradwell provided the following breakdown of Verba’s annual salary increases from the 2020-21 school year to the 202324 school year.
“The increase you cite in the budget line is the result of recoding and moving services from TST BOCES back to ICSD,” Bradwell wrote in an email. “In short, ICSD decided
to move some payroll services back “inhouse.” Budget documents, as we stated every year, often catch up with multiple years prior as well as the inclusion of additional positions due to this recoding.”
This year, ICSD’s budget faced wide criticism and underwent many changes, even before ICSD became one of just 3% of New York State school districts that had their budget voted down by the public in May. Some criticized the district’s administrative salaries, and in the weeks following the public’s approval of a lowered budget, there have been several administrative changes at the district.
Former Deputy Superintendent Lily Talcott, who recently joined TST BOCES as their superintendent, said her position at ICSD would not be filled, reflecting a major portion of the 22% reduction to the district’s executive team that the final approved budget contained. There has been no information on whether the COO position at ICSD will be filled, but the position is critical for the district’s annual budget development.
Beyond the item in Trumansburg board of education’s consent agenda, Verba’s departure from the district has not been acknowledged publicly yet. Bradwell said the board has been notified of her resignation and will vote on it in an upcoming board meeting. Bradwell did not specify which meeting, but the board’s next voting meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 13 at 6 p.m.
Verba, Brown and the Trumansburg Board of Education did not respond to requests for comment on Verba’s transition from ICSD to Trumansburg.
“I went to a Weird Al Yankovich show when I was in 6th grade.”
Shawn
“I did sound for Janis Ian in New Jersey back in the 1970s.”
Andy from Ithaca Soap
“Bryan Adams on the ‘Reckless’ tour.”
Tom
“I think my first show was a bluegrass festival in Tburg.”
Eva
“My first concert was Billy Joel.”
Sam
Verba started as the COO in 2013 and has worked in the district for over 10 years. Her departure from the district has not been acknowledged publicly yet.
Chart showing Amanda Verba’s salary progression from FY21 to FY24, highlighting consistent annual increases of 2.75% in FY21 and FY22, followed by 3.90% in FY23 and FY24.
The Talk at
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
RE: A Call for the City to Delay Good Cause Implementation
“This version of the Common Council has a running roughshod over democracy. A small cabal of activist residents (who, by their own word have been planning and scheming their agenda for over four years — though they only took over CC last spring) is making laws that affect the rest of us. It’s shameful and ridiculous. Most of these members are still in their 20s with so little life experience that everything they’re passionate about can only be based on ideology and imagination. This is a travesty of tyranny. I’m to makes a joke of “community.” People need to wake up to what’s going on.” — Anita Graf
“The Common Council has made a mistake that will certainly have the opposite effect on tenants than what is intended. The members have been hoodwinked by the very interests they are trying to stand up against, namely large corporations, who sup-
port this legislation. Why do they support it? Because there is nothing in it that will protect tenants from rising rents or that adds security to tenancy. In fact, the legislation, because of its adjusted definition of “small landlord,” is even worse for tenants than the state legislation after which it is modeled. What is it about fraught issues that make people vote emotionally, and against their own best interests? I don’t honestly know, but we see it a lot in today’s politics. Why did this happen? Good intention without exploring the facts? Cult-like following? Consumerist gullibility? All of the above? I honestly don’t know, but I am certain this is a bad move that will destroy the character of my beloved city, encourage small housing providers to sell their properties to large developers, and spur the development of housing units that are exempt from this legislation (and too expensive for most tenants anyway). As a fact-driven, moderate progressive who has been very committed to affordable housing in the city for decades, I am asking that some actual research be done about this issue, and that the Common Council reverse its decision to harm tenants in this way.” — Joshua Adams
“Jim’s article is very well-reasoned and well-written. I spoke before the Council stating that they are violating the comprehensive plan, Plan Ithaca, by not undertaking a sustainability analysis and/ or an environmental analysis of the
then-proposed legislation. The rush to legislate was politically motivated by the Democratic Socialist leaning so-called Solidarity Slate. In the process, no consideration was given to the impact on the small to medium-sized rental providers from whom most of the ITU supporters rent. As Jim so deftly points out, Common Council just shot itself in the foot and opened itself to lawsuits that are sure to come forward soon.
Tom Shelley, Ithaca NY.” — Thomas Shelly
RE: Bird Safe Infrastructure
“Let’s say a wealthy Cornell alum has a couple of extra million lying around (there are many such people) and has heard about a housing shortage in Ithaca. With a bank loan, the moneybags alum could build a decent sized apartment building, help solve the housing shortage and make a profit: Win — win so to speak. But it is then learned that there are a multitude of local regulations, some quite obscure, to comply with and a panoply of regulators and local advocates chomping at the bit to inspect, permit, fail to inspect, fail to permit, permit on a delayed basis etc etc etc.. So money bags are built in Dallas or Raleigh instead. Or leaves the money in a mutual fund. This is the true win — for local leftists who get to continue bemoaning housing shortage.” — Steven Baginski
“On the surface this seems like an obviously good idea, and I was at the CC meeting where birders came out to speak publicly in favor of this. But we are living in delusion if we only ever look at benefits and never cost trade offs. And I did not at all get a clear idea of what regulatory and financial costs this regulation would entail. I can’t assume that it would go down as I imagine I would wish it to. And neither should you. We need a lot more info on this. And what other creative solutions might there be to discourage birds from flying into windows that might cost substantially less?” — Anita Graf
“How about phrasing the question in a different way. How about asking how much more a month in rent would you be willing to pay to make sure your building met this regulation?” — Jon Lucente
TCAT Hybrid Buses
“Ithaca economy is almost entirely dependent on Cornell which is conducting a zero carbon footprint PR farce. Cornell students travel to Ithaca from all over the world in the fall, then back and forth for Thanksgiving, then for Christmas, then for
spring break, then home in spring. Meanwhile sports teams travel all over the country eg basketball team to Florida over Christmas. Then entire families flock to Ithaca from four continents for graduation in spring. Similar for alumni for reunions during summer. Two buses are a rounding error compared to this massive carbon footprint.” — Steven Baginski
RE: ICSD’s Head Budget Developer Takes Pay Cut in Move to Trumansburg School District
“Lot of potential reasons for a move like that. ICSD undoubtedly wastes tons of money on a large number of “unproductive” activities. Can be exhausting for the person “budgeting” everyone’s wasteful pet projects. Life might be more enjoyable, even with lower salary, if the job is to budget within a more straightforward and less wasteful organization. But maybe that’s not it.” — Steven Baginski
RE: Responses to Biden Dropping Out & Endorsing Kamala Harris
“President Biden has served our country with courage, compassion, integrity and decency. I am honored to have served in the Senate during his administration, which achieved historic accomplishments related to gun safety, veterans’ health care, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, climate change, prescription drugs, and more. President Biden has improved the lives of millions of Americans and leaves behind a legacy that will echo for generations. On behalf of myself and every New Yorker: Thank you, Joe. I am proud to endorse my friend, Vice President Kamala Harris, for president. VP Harris is an unwavering champion for families, workers and justice. She is incredibly well-qualified, with experience as a prosecutor, as a lawmaker, and as a leader on the world stage. Now is the time to unite. VP Harris has the grit and toughness to beat Donald Trump and I’m eager to join her in this fight.” — U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
“The charade foisted on the country by irresponsible Democrats has come to an end. President Joe Biden should have stepped aside long ago, but he’s finally done the right thing and we applaud him for that. We wish him well in his future endeavors.
“This nation is ready for fundamental change from the chaotic Biden years, and President Donald Trump is fully prepared to restore us to greatness. There is no one in the Democratic Party that can stop the momentum of reform that Republicans are leading. Freedom is returning at long last.” — New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar
UPS DOWNS&
Ups
Senator Lea Webb announced the launch of the Summer Reading Program for school children from every corner of Senate District 52. This year’s program, themed “Adventure Begins at Your Library,” aims to inspire curiosity and a love for reading by encouraging young minds to engage with their local libraries and embark on literary adventures.
Downs
On July 16th, 2024, the Ithaca Police Department executed a search warrant at The Arthaus apartment on Cherry St, seizing an AR-15 style rifle, ballistic vest, high-capacity magazines, and ammunition. An individual was arrested and charged with multiple weapons offenses and unlawful purchase of body armor. He was arraigned in Ithaca City Court and remanded to Tompkins County Jail on significant bail amounts.
HEARD SEEN&
Heard
Please join us Friday, August 2nd on Ithaca’s Gallery Night, from 5-8 p.m. for the art opening of “In the Wake of Things That Tell” by artists Adrienne Wooster with special guest artist, Joy Adams at MIX Art Gallery at 156 “On the Commons” Ithaca, NY.
Seen
Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) has announced the release of three Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for substance use prevention and treatment services. Approximately $1.7 million in funding is available from the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS) to finance these services, which were previously provided by the Alcohol and Drug Council of Tompkins County.
IF YOU CARE TO RESPOND to something in this column, or suggest your own praise or blame, write news@ithacatimes. com, with a subject head “U&D.”
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Should the City of Ithaca pass a resolution to mandate Bird Safe Infrastructure in new construction?
78 . 9 % Yes.
19.9% No.
1.2 % I don’t care.
N ext W eek ’s Q uestio N :
Should Ithaca hire a part-time encampment response coordinator to manage and support the city's homeless community?
Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.
Ithaca is Birds: City Considers Bird-Friendly Construction Legislation
By Matt Dougherty
In an effort to protect its avian population, the City of Ithaca is considering a groundbreaking ordinance requiring bird-friendly design standards for new construction projects.
Discussion on the ordinance flew under the radar at Ithaca’s July 10 Common Council meeting, which was dominated by conversation about Good Cause Eviction. It was discussed again at the July 17 meeting in more detail.
This ordinance was introduced by Fourth Ward Alderperson Patrick Kuehl, and comes as part of a broader initiative to address the general decline in bird populations, with a specific focus on bird collisions with glass windows.
During the July 10 Common Council meeting, multiple speakers, including local ornithologists, conservationists, and community members, presented compelling arguments for the proposed legislation, emphasizing both the environmental and human benefits of bird conservation.
Bird collisions with glass buildings have led to the deaths of an estimated 365 million to one billion birds annually in the United States, according to the Smithsonian Institution. This alarming figure was highlighted by Dr. Christine Shepherd, Director of the American Bird Conservancy’s Glass Collisions Program, who testified before the council.
“Populations of threatened species like the American wood thrush have been reduced by 50%, and even common species such as the white-throated sparrow and common yellowthroat have seen declines of 30% since 1970,” Shepherd said. “Glass collisions are a significant contributing factor to these declines.”
Ithaca, located in a region frequented by migratory birds, experiences a significant number of bird collisions annually. According to estimates from the Lab of Ornithology, approximately 30,000 birds are killed in Ithaca each year due to collisions with glass.
The proposed ordinance aims to mitigate this by mandating bird-safe design standards for new buildings and substantial renovations. These standards are based on the U.S. Green Buildings Council's LEED rating system for the Reducing Bird Collisions Credit, ensuring that Ithaca’s infrastructure becomes less hazardous to avian populations.
“Millions of people have watched the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s live cam featuring the nests of the famous red-tailed hawk family, Big Red and her partner,” said Miyoko Chu, senior director of science communications at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. “One in every three fledglings from this family has struck windows and either died or suffered severe injuries.”
The proposed ordinance would require new buildings to incorporate bird-friendly designs, such as using specially treated glass or adding visual markers to windows to make them more visible to birds. These measures are designed to prevent collisions without compromising the aesthetic or functional benefits of glass.
“We can retain the advantages of glass, such as clarity and insulation, while significantly reducing the risk of collisions for birds,” Shepherd explained.
The legislation mirrors successful measures implemented in other cities and states. New York City’s bird-friendly building law, which took effect in 2020, applies to all new construction, from single-family homes to skyscrapers. Additionally, Cornell has already implemented a policy requiring all new development on campus to incorporate bird-safe glass and materials.
The push for bird-friendly construction has garnered broad support from various sectors of the community, including environmental groups, educational institutions, and local residents.
“Ecotourism is a significant driver of
local economies, and cities that are marketed as bird-friendly see increased tourism, especially during migration periods,” Shepherd said. “Real estate markets also respond positively to the presence of birds, with houses selling better in areas where bird songs are audible.”
While the benefits of the proposed ordinance are clear, implementing it will not be without challenges. Builders and developers will need to adapt their practices and materials to comply with the new standards that will have a financial impact on developers.
Addressing this, Alderperson Kuehl provided detailed cost estimates during the council meeting. For instance, implementing bird-safe glass in a ninestory, $8.1 million building would incur an additional cost of approximately $30,000, representing just 0.375% of the total development cost. This minor increase, Kuehl argued, is not prohibitive and is a worthwhile investment in environmental stewardship.
Proponents of the ordinance argue that these changes are relatively minor and can be incorporated into the design phase without significant additional costs.
“If considered at the beginning of the design phase, bird-friendly measures can be integrated seamlessly,” said another member of the Cornell Bird-Friendly Campus Initiative.
“Ithaca is already recognized as a leader
The proposed bird-safe infrastructure ordinance aims to protect Ithaca's avian population by requiring new construction projects to incorporate bird-friendly glass and materials, significantly reducing bird collisions and promoting environmental sustainability in the city. (Photo: Mark Syvertson)
Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins & Cortland Counties
By Marjorie Olds
After graduating from Cornell in 2005, Liz Warner began working at the Human Services Coalition, where she had interned during college. Her passion for affordable housing ultimately led Liz to a job with Better Housing for Tompkins County, and volunteer Committee and Board positions with Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins & Cortland Counties. Liz has been the Family Services Coordinator with Habitat since 2012.
With a small budget and staff, Liz and Executive Director Shannon McCarrick have helped over 15 families build or renovate and purchase their own housing all over the local map in rural and denser areas. Habitat for Humanity families have built homes from the ground up and they have “gutted” and lovingly restored existing houses to like-new.
Habitat’s approach is unique: not a hand-out, but instead a hand-up. Liz explains that all homebuyer families put in at least 350 hours of “Sweat Equity”, volunteering on and off the construction site, taking homeownership readiness classes, etc. prior to purchasing their house. Sweat Equity gives homebuyers
Pharmacy Middlemen are Undermining Patients Like Me
By Louise Meryman
valuable skills and pride in homeownership, as they invest in their own home, their own future, and in the stability and growth in their community.
Habitat makes it possible for “We’llnever-be-able-to-afford-our-own-home” families become, “We have a home forever!” families: Anyone seeking to build and buy an affordable home with Habitat for Humanity can call or text Liz at 607844-3529 or email liz@tchabitat.com. Liz will explain how a Habitat home purchase works and how to apply.
Once a family is approved for the Habitat Homeownership Program, they begin saving money for their closing costs, taking homeownership readiness classes, and earning other Sweat Equity hours on the construction site.
How does a working family, family with young children, or any other challenges to volunteering pull that off?
“There are loads of ways to earn Sweat Equity,” shares Liz. “In addition to time on the construction site, time volunteering at the office, Habitat events, and even with other organizations, all count. Friends and extended family can also help
Continued on Page 15
As a patient whose family relies on life-saving medications from my local pharmacy, losing access to these treatments could jeopardize my health and leave me scrambling for affordable alternatives in an already complex healthcare system. Unfortunately, the unchecked influence of pharmacy middlemen has increasingly threatened this access.
Called Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), these corporate players make getting a prescription even harder—and more expensive. The grip PBMs have over my healthcare, and that of millions of other patients, must be reined in by federal lawmakers.
PBMs—intermediaries between insurers, pharmaceutical companies, and pharmacies—are virtually unknown to most who walk into a drugstore. While they were originally created to negotiate drug prices to help reduce costs for patients like me, PBMs have expanded to dominate the pharmaceutical supply chain, influencing what drugs are available—and what I pay for them.
One major issue with this system is the lack of transparency. The prices negotiated between PBMs and drug manufacturers are a secret, leaving patients in the dark about why their prescription costs are so high. Each time I go and refill my prescriptions, my wallet gets pinched, and I have no way to challenge or verify the fairness of these costs.
I’m not alone. Expenditures on medicine in the U.S. have ballooned threefold since the year 2000. And over that time, just three PBMs have gobbled up roughly 80 percent of the prescription drug market.
If costs weren’t burdensome enough, trying to secure certain medications with PBMs in charge is like reaching into a magician’s hat—you never know what you’ll pull out.
The middlemen are empowered to exclude certain drugs from being covered by insurance providers, which directly affects my ability to access the medications prescribed by my doctor. Too many times I’ve experienced the
frustration of needing a specific drug, only to find it is no longer covered or its price has skyrocketed thanks to these backroom deals.
PBMs also jeopardize the close relationships that patients have built with their pharmacists. If my pharmacy were to close down, I would be forced to travel greater distances to fill prescriptions. And worse, I would lose a healthcare advocate who knows my medical history and provides personalized care, which is often absent in larger chain pharmacies.
Fortunately, some states—including New York—have acknowledged this growing problem and have enacted strict regulations to curb PBMs’ influence. But while it’s a step in the right direction for independent pharmacies in my state, neighboring areas like Pennsylvania continue to face record pharmacy closures. Further, even when states act to curb abusive PBM practices, they do not have the authority to address a federal program like Medicare. That is why it is imperative that Congress take action now.
While states should do everything in their power to keep drug costs low and pharmacies’ doors open, federal lawmakers must hold these shady middlemen accountable, too. Sen. Chuck Schumer— in his role as Senate Majority Leader— should make it a priority to push legislation that would curb the monopolistic practices of PBMs.
Doing so would ensure that the drug supply chain serves the health of patients rather than the profit margins of corporate middlemen.
Patients like me depend on accessible and affordable prescription drugs, and it’s time our policies reflect that necessity. I urge Sens. Schumer and Gillibrand to take decisive action and support current federal legislation that loosens the stranglehold Pharmacy Benefit Managers have on our healthcare system.
Louise Meryman is a resident of Pine Plains, New York.
Homebuyer Carrie Sawyer poses with fellow Habitat volunteer supervisors and volunteers from Tompkins Financial during Habitat’s Women Build Week 2024. (Photo: Shannon MacCarrick)
Open Doors English: Bridging Cultures and Building Futures
By Matt Dougherty
Alocal language program in Ithaca is making a profound impact on the lives of immigrants and refugees seeking community support to improve their English language skills.
Open Doors English, established in 2019, has become a vital resource for the community, providing comprehensive language education and support services to those in need. This grassroots organization not only addresses the immediate needs of its students but also fosters a welcoming environment that bridges cultural divides and builds brighter futures.
Open Doors English emerged from the collective vision and determination of eight ESL teachers and administrators who were previously part of the BOCES ESL program. During the 2018-2019 school year, the BOCES program underwent significant changes, leading to downsizing that left many students ineligible for classes. Faced with the prospect of losing their jobs and seeing their students left without essential services, these educators decided to take matters into their own hands.
“We saw a gap in services and felt compelled to fill it,” explained Liz Sussman, a founding member and spokesperson for Open Doors English. “Our mission was clear: to provide accessible English language education to all, regardless of financial means or background.”
Initially, the group of eight worked for free, creating a volunteer ESL program to support students excluded from BOCES. However, they quickly realized the need for a more permanent and sustainable solution.
Tragedy struck when one of their colleagues, Julie Coulombe, passed away from breast cancer. Her family’s GoFundMe campaign, in her memory, provided the crucial seed money needed to rent classroom space and officially launch Open Doors English. By the fall of 2019, the organization had secured classroom space at the First
Presbyterian Church
in Ithaca, and Open Doors English began its journey as a dedicated language school.
language learning, including speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, and pronunciation. The program is designed to be inclusive, serving students from diverse backgrounds and proficiency levels.
“We saw a gap in services and felt compelled to fill it. Our mission was clear: to provide accessible English language education to all, regardless of financial means or background.”
— Liz Sussman
The cornerstone of Open Doors English is its comprehensive English language classes. These classes cover all aspects of
“Our classes are open to anyone who wants to improve their English fluency,” says Sussman. “We cover all modalities of English to ensure our students can fully participate in their communities and pursue their goals.”
In addition to the core language classes, Open Doors English offers a range of support services tailored to the needs of
its students. A dedicated Student Services Coordinator works closely with individuals to help them achieve various personal and professional goals. These services include:
• Employment Assistance: The organization helps students connect with local resources, such as Catholic Charities, to find job opportunities and navigate the employment process.
• Citizenship and Immigration Support: Students seeking citizenship or other immigration-related services are referred to appropriate community organizations for specialized assistance.
• Case Management: The staff assists with practical tasks like making doctor’s appointments, finding volunteer opportu-
Open Doors English offers a wide range of services, including English language classes, employment assistance, citizenship support, and personal development resources, empowering individuals to fully engage and succeed in their community.
nities, and accessing community resources.
Sussman emphasizes the holistic approach of Open Doors English, “We strive to address the diverse needs of our students beyond language education. Our goal is to empower individuals to thrive in all aspects of their lives.”
NAVIGATING CHALLENGES
Like many grassroots organizations, Open Doors English has faced its share of challenges. The initial impetus for its creation was the restructuring of the BOCES ESL program, which significantly reduced funding and imposed strict eligibility criteria. This left many students, including stay-at-home parents and temporary residents, without access to essential language education.
“The changing landscape of ESL funding posed a significant threat to our program’s sustainability,” recalls Sussman. “We had to navigate restrictive criteria and funding limitations, all while striving to maintain the quality and accessibility of our services.”
the organization successfully transitioned to Zoom-based classes and expanded its tutoring services.
“We conducted classes completely on Zoom and kind of learned as we went,” Sussman explains. “We started with a basic rotation of classes and gradually expanded until we were offering the equivalent of our in-person schedule online.”
To address the digital divide, Open Doors English established a lending library of technology, including laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots, to ensure all students had access to online learning resources.
“Our students demonstrate the power of human resilience every day and come together to give and receive kindness and support.” — Liz Sussman
One of the most remarkable aspects of Open Doors English is its ability to serve a highly diverse student body. Over the past five years, the organization has welcomed individuals from over 40 countries, representing a wide array of languages, cultures, and backgrounds.
as well as Haiti and Cuba. This diversity reflects global trends and local needs, with many students arriving in Ithaca through connections with friends, family, or community organizations.
“Our student body always reflects what’s going on in the world,” Sussman notes. “We’ve seen an increase in low-income immigrants and those fleeing violence or upheaval. We’re here to provide a supportive and inclusive environment for everyone who walks through our doors.”
Despite the challenges, Open Doors English remains a place of joy, resilience, and hope. The organization’s impact extends beyond language education, fostering a sense of community and belonging among its students.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 presented another formidable challenge. With the sudden closure of in-person classes, Open Doors English had to pivot quickly to an online learning model. Despite the steep learning curve,
“Our classrooms are truly melting pots of cultures and experiences,” says Sussman. “We’ve had students from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Peru, Ecuador, Cuba, and many other countries. Each student brings their unique perspective and enriches our community.”
The influx of refugees and asylum seekers, particularly from Ukraine and Afghanistan, has been significant in recent years. Open Doors English has also seen a rise in students from Central and South America,
“Open Doors English is more than just a language school; it’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit,” Sussman said. “Our students demonstrate the power of human resilience every day and come together to give and receive kindness and support.” She said the students’ diverse backgrounds and shared experiences create a unique and vibrant learning environment.
As the organization celebrates its fifth anniversary, it looks to continue providing the community with essential support services for years to come.
Open Doors English continues to rely on the generosity of donors and local grant funding to sustain its operations. Their commitment to providing free or affordable classes ensures that financial barriers do not prevent anyone from accessing essential language education.
The founders of Open Doors English said they launched the organization in response to the downsizing of the BOCES ESL program, and aimed to continue providing essential language services to the community.
(Photo: Mark Syvertson)
“We’re feeling a lot of gratitude for the support that the community has shown,” Sussman said. “Our program is predominantly funded by the generosity of our donors. This support enables us to continue our work and make a difference in the lives of so many.”
From its beginnings as a volunteerdriven initiative, Open Doors English has grown into a vital resource for the Ithaca community, empowering individuals through language education and support services.
“Every student who comes through our doors comes away changed,” Sussman said. “The investments made here impact lives directly and profoundly for the better.”
Students from diverse backgrounds, including places as varied as Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Ecuador, share experiences and learn together in an Open Doors English class, highlighting the organization ’ s role in serving a globally diverse population. (Photo: Mark Syvertson)
Open Doors English operates through the crucial support of community donations, local grants, and modest student fees, which collectively help meet its annual operating costs and ensure continued service for hundreds of learners each year. (Photo: Mark Syvertson)
The Olympic Spirit Olympics Rekindle Memories for
Ithaca Retired Marathoner
By Steve Lawrence
For most people, watching the spectacle of the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, and then tuning into the games themselves, evokes memories of watching the games with different people over the years. For one Ithaca resident, the Olympics — and Paralympics — are recalled from a much more personal perspective.
In 1985, Rick Holborow was an undergrad at Cornell when he met an athletic staffer who took notice of how fearlessly the totally blind student navigated the athletic facilities, the campus, the town and the world. The staffer asked Rick if he’d like to go for a run, and after a few outings — with each runner holding a strap between them — Rick said, “The U.S. Association for Blind Athletes features running as one
of its events. Maybe I could qualify to compete in next summer’s Nationals, in California, and run the 10K.”
A few weeks later, Rick ran in the Ithaca 5 & 10, a sanctioned road race that enabled him to qualify. A few months later, he and his Guide Runner made the trip to Long Beach, where Rick would win the first of his four national 10K titles. He had been bitten by the running bug, and after graduating from Cornell and taking a job as a policy analyst in Washington, D.C., he soon hooked up with a group of runners and, with his sights set on running a marathon, he began piling up the miles. “There were a lot of runners that met up and ran in Rock Creek Park, and along the canal by the Potomac,” Rick recalled, “but the faster I got the more difficult it became to find guide runners.” On Sundays, a group of serious
What do residents say about us?
runners would meet up at a store known as “Fleet Feet,” and those long Sunday runs prepared Rick to complete his first marathon, running the Marine Corps Marathon in 1987. He hit the tape in 3 hours, 24 minutes, which would qualify him to represent Team USA in the Paralympic Marathon in Seoul, Korea the following year. It was determined that the tall task of guide running would be split between three runners — including the Cornell staffer that helped to launch the effort — and the fund raising effort began. In Rick’s words, “People donated services — like hotel stays and limo rides — some donated shoes, we held raffles, people were very gracious.”
Of the Opening Ceremonies, Holborow said, “It was intense, the music, the Korean drumming, the pageantry, the fireworks...
One of my coaches was so overwhelmed trying to describe it all.” He laughed and added, “When the Air Force did a low flyover, it was almost paralyzing in its effect.” Rick’s months of training paid off, and when the marathon finally got underway — on the last day, just prior to the Closing Ceremonies — the weather was “perfect,” given it was 55 degrees with a light rain. The streets of Seoul were packed with spectators, the roads were closed off, and when Rick entered the packed Olympic stadium and circled the track in front of 75,000 screaming fans, he knew he would remember it for the rest of his life. He finished in 3:03:48, the first American finisher, fifth in the world, and 21 minutes
Rick Holborow in Seoul at the conclusion of the Paralympic Marathon. (Photo: Provided)
Rick Holborow breaks out the Team USA jacket from the 1988 Seoul Paralympics. (Photo: Provided)
By Grace “Gray” Reed
Democracy Fest will return to Ithaca for a second year in a row on Aug. 6 to commemorate the 59th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The event — created by local organization Rejoice the Vote and co-sponsored by Your Voice + Your Vote, The Dorothy Cotton Institute, and the Southside Community Center — will feature entertainment and guest speakers with the goal of encouraging civic engagement.
Participants plan to march from the Martin Luther King, Jr. sculpture found on the Commons to the Southside Community Center, where festivities will continue for the rest of the event’s duration. Entertainment is free and includes performances by Aloja Airewele, SingTrece, the Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers, and the Calvary Baptist Choir. Individuals will also have the opportunity to register to vote and receive free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
Rejoice the Vote was founded by Jeff Furman as a way to encourage civic engagement through the celebration of democracy. The goal is to portray democracy as an exciting, community-oriented process.
“It’s just to not make it a big, heavy thing about education, but make it a celebration,” Furman said. “It’s bringing people together around music, around dancing, around celebrating some of the things that have happened so that the lives of people in our community are better.”
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 served to enforce the Fifteenth Amendment and outlaw voting practices utilized by many southern states that were deemed to be discriminatory. Democracy Fest celebrates this act as a way to encourage engagement with, and the constant improvement of, democracy.
Arts & Entertainment Democracy Fest Returns to Encourage Local Civic Engagement
Rejoice the Vote also hosts the Votingest County Challenge: a statewide competition aimed at increasing voter turnout. Each of New York’s 62 counties are eligible and can compete to have the highest percentage of registered voters who participate in the upcoming national election. There will be winners from one large county and one smaller county.
While current conversation is focused on the upcoming national election, Furman hopes to place a heavier emphasis on participation in elections at the local level. He believes engaging with local school systems is crucial to show students the importance of participating in the democratic process.
“I’m not talking about civic education, I’m talking about civic engagement,” Furman said.
“Because I’m not looking for something that’s going to be on an exam or something — what are the differences between the Senate or the House and all that intellectual stuff — it’s really engaging in the process.”
Working alongside young people has impacted how Rejoice the Vote approaches its mission. Furman explained how he feels it is important to highlight young voices as they are the “big difference makers.”
“They run different organizations and they work in communities. It’s not just democracy and voting, but work in their
communities in many wonderful ways,” Furman said.
One of the guest speakers at this year’s Democracy Fest will be a local high school student. Furman said this is is not only to provide representation from younger generations, but to also highlight the importance of engaging with and working alongside them.
Democracy Fest will be held primarily at the Southside Community Center beginning on Aug. 6 at 6 p.m. Those wishing to participate in the march to the community center will gather at 5 p.m. For accessibility concerns, Andrea Champlin can be contacted at Andrea@FLIConline.org.
Grace “Gray” Reed is a student journalist from the The Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University working as an intern for The Ithaca Times.
Jeff Furman (right) is the founder of Rejoice the Vote, one of the main organizations behind Democracy Fest
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Hammerstone Women’s Carpentry School Opens Second Location in Ithaca
By Kira Walter
On Monday, July 15th, severe thunderstorms weren’t the only electric event lighting up Downtown Ithaca. At 720 West Green Street, loyal patrons of the Hammerstone Carpentry School gathered to celebrate the opening of a second location with ribbon cutting and words of gratitude. Since its farmhouse founding, the business has operated with the mission of empowering female students in skilled trades work, a field notoriously dominated by men. As supporters helped themselves to Case Sera cheese boards, owner Maria Klemperer-Johnson welcomed Hammerstone’s future with a walk down memory lane and a surprise announcement.
Festivities at this new space mark the impromptu 10-year anniversary of Hammerstone’s founding. Klemperer-Johnson began the school after Trumansburg resident Liz Coakley approached her about constructing a tiny house. After coming to Cornell to pursue a PhD in geology, the owner transitioned from her course of study to enter the carpentry industry.
She envisioned a learning environment for women to advance in male-dominated trades, so when Coakley presented demand, she was ecstatic. The pair hung flyers at Greenstar and Gimme Coffee, pleasantly surprised when advertised classes filled within the first two weeks. At 3285 Jacksonville Road, the school became official in 2013.
Although the rustic Trumansburg barn attracts students from as far as Florida, the addition of a new space in downtown Ithaca is crucial to Hammerstone’s expansion. The Hammerstone team particularly looks forward to having a winterized space, as the barn lacks insulation to fight the winter climate. Ending the annual struggle to host classes in the cold season will allow teachers to expand programs throughout the entire year.
“This larger winterized space allows us to get more tools, more table saws, more chop saws set up and usable,” Klemperer-Johnson told the Times. “So we can expand a lot of our woodworking classes.”
Another aspect of the new location described by Social Media Maven Kimberly Wiman is a shorter commute for students.
“We want to make our classes more accessible to people who aren’t able to drive to a rural area,” Wiman said. “We’re hoping that this location accessible to transit will open that up.”
Accessibility is one of Hammerstone’s central goals as a business that caters to gender minorities. One way the carpentry school achieves this goal is by partnering with other organizations that serve the Ithaca community.
During the opening ceremony, Klemperer-Johnson was happy to express appreciation for Girl Scouts, the Youth Farm Project and the Lehman Alternative Community School. Although introducing carpentry to children is no easy feat, both organizations have worked with Hammerstone to make the trades more accessible to young women.
The owner also thanked Open Doors English for collaborating with Hammerstone since 2016. The language school has worked with Klemperer-Johnson and associates to run a free course for immigrants in the Ithaca area. As increasing female employment in the trades is a core attribute of Hammerstone’s mission, this program is a subject of immense pride for its coordinators.
Cost feasibility is another focus of Hammerstone professionals, which is why tuition is always adjusted to meet the needs of clientele.
“We offer sliding scale tuition,” Wiman remarked. “People who have lower disposable incomes can afford classes and
people with more disposable incomes can contribute.”
The school’s beloved 2-day Basic Skills courses are priced at $270 to $570, depending on customer budget. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on two consecutive days, this class introduces learners to carpentry fundamentals and allows them to build a pair of sawhorses. From Tiny House to Woodworking classes, the sliding scale makes it possible to offer opportunities across different wage demographics.
Hammerstone has a history of accommodating women despite any barriers that challenge their learning. Klemperer-Johnson’s big news thus rattled a lot of listeners.
After years of contemplation, Hammerstone leaders and board members have taken the steps to become a 501C(3) NonProfit. Between this change in the business model and a new space, the carpentry school is more accessible than ever.
Ann Ellsworth, a long-time board member, has advocated for Hammerstone to make this transition for years. Nonprofit status allows the school to accept donations and apply for increased funding.
“Hammerstone is going to provide access to women and gender minorities to enter the trades with confidence,” Ellsworth said.
Cultivating this space for female and non-binary learning contributes largely to the business’s success as many feel more comfortable without a male pres-
ence. TA and former student Kelly Cobb spoke specifically to how Hammerstone provokes gender minorities to have more of a voice.
“I’ve definitely seen students be more open and willing to ask questions that they may otherwise pretend to know the answer to,” she said. “It’s a very welcoming and cohesive environment when the class is focused on female participation.”
Discussing the conflicts women face in the trades is certainly easier when conversationalists can relate to the issue personally. Still, it takes a lot of courage for many Hammerstone learners to approach these topics. The school contradicts the societally enforced idea of carpentry being handled by men. Though classes are a form of recreation, participants rise above stereotypes by discovering how to build. In words of gratitude, Klemperer-Johnson credited students for their courage.
“Thank you for being brave enough to learn something that we might’ve been told we can’t do, is dangerous for us to do, that we shouldn’t do,” she said. “Whether we’re hearing those voices out loud or have internalized them, it takes some bravery to go and learn these skills that haven’t traditionally been for us to participate in.”
Kira Walter is a reporter from The Cornell Daily Sun working on The Sun’s summer fellowship at The Ithaca Times.
Hammerstone Instructor Em Moss stands behind a variety of merch at the grand opening of the school’s location at 720 West Green Street. (Photo: Kira Walter)
Sink or Swim
Hangar’s Todd vs. The Titanic Helps Actor Stay
By Barbara Adams
“And the band played on” — that’s one of the cherished memories of the RMS Titanic sinking some 112 years ago. To calm and comfort the passengers, the seven-man band, led by Wallace Hartley, valiantly continued playing to the very end.
The Titanic
Joe Kinosian
Hangar Theatre 801 Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca, nightly through Saturday, Aug. 3 at 7:30 p.m., also a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Aug. 3. Tickets online at boxoffice@hangartheatre.org or call (607) 273-2787.
Afloat
Aptly, keeping up one’s spirits in the face of cataclysmic disaster and destruction is a central theme of “Todd vs The Titanic,” The Hangar Theatre’s final summer production of its 50th anniversary season. Todd, the only apparent survivor of an unnamed apocalyptic event, is sheltering in a theatre in Schenectady, of all places — where he’d been rehearsing for his small part in a musical about the Titanic’s band.
And to give himself meaning in what seems to be end times, he’s decided to stage the entire production, acting all the parts himself. To no audience, except, of course, us.
This preposterous premise invites a bit of backstory: In 2010, Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair collaborated on the successful and zany comedy, “Murder for Two.” For this Titanic piece, Kinosian has written the music, Blair the lyrics, and Scott Rothman the book. Oh — and Kinosian also plays
Todd, the sole character. The show premiered this summer at the long-standing Adirondack Theatre Festival up in Glen Falls and happily comes to us with its original director, Meredith McDonough, and scenic designer, Andrew Mannion.
The story’s basic idea may sound absurd, but just give it a chance. (If you’ve seen the wacky “Murder for Two,” you’ll already be a believer.) But 90 minutes with only one actor? Just in case you have any lingering bias against one-person shows, now’s the time for you to ditch that perception.
Kinosian represents not only Todd, but also the bandleader, all the band members (three men and a woman, the singer), the ship’s captain, rich American passengers, and the persistent Todd himself. His lover, Peter, now lost, had written the play and was in the middle of directing rehearsals. The theater, miraculously, still has electricity (intermittently), and Todd’s laptop has recorded some earlier conversations with Peter, both fond and argumentative.
Despite hearing his lover’s voice, Todd tries hard to keep moving forward with the show, improvising continuously (and inventively). Stage machinery fails (like the huge iceberg flat, which gets stuck), so Todd, covering a table with sheets, deftly creates a new one. Todd sketches his characters with visual shorthand — the gay Frenchman waving his cigarette, the singer sashaying with her arms akimbo, the twin musicians differentiated by eyeglasses and a handkerchief for allergies. (Lots of injokes about theatrical sleight-of-hand are especially amusing.)
Kinosian, tall and lean, flips roles at lightning speed. He’s nimble and dazzlingly comic — we barely begin laughing at one character’s gesture when the next one rushes in. An extended exchange between the Frenchman and one twin is a conversational tour de farce.
Kinosian sings handsomely, mockdances enthusiastically, and articulates
beautifully (audibility is no issue here). But even Todd’s energy and determination can succumb to discouragement and gloom; this appears to be last days, after all. The richness of Rothman’s script and Kinosian’s performance is how fluidly hope and despair mix in the midst of desolation. The horrors of the world outside the theatre hall are heard (as threatening rumbles) and seen (ceiling plaster cascading down; a window revealing a city entirely afire). Effective set design by Mannion, with sound by Jamie Davis and lighting by Tyler M. Perry, inspired by the original.
Todd admits that performing is a bid for sanity, to stave off despair. In the opening scene, just in case we were wondering why he decided to take on this crazy project, he explains his inspiration. It’s a quote by artist Louise Bourgeois: “Art is a guaranty of sanity.” Todd’s creativity — and Kinosian’s — absolutely fills the void.
Barbara Adams is a regional theatre and arts journalist and retired professor of writing, Ithaca College.
Todd Konosian is the sole performer of many parts in Todd vs. the Titanic which closes the 50th anniversary of the Hangar Theatre. (Photo by Rachel Philipson)
ITHACA CELEBRATES OPENING
continued from page 3
The event also recognized the planned expansion of the park’s Large Pavilion, supported by an additional $250,000 grant from Kelles last year. The pavilion will include a large wash area and storage
for summer camp equipment, enhancing safety and convenience for camp staff and children.
Greg Mezey, Tompkins County legislator, praised the efforts of the organizations involved, saying, “I feel strongly that the Friends of Stewart Park and the Wharton Studio Museum have put in a lot of work and long-range planning
You can ask them to also credit your contribution to a family you know who is buying a home through Habitat.
Interested in hands-on volunteering?
to protect an incredible tourism and community asset. Their efforts are to be applauded.”
Diana Riesman, Friends of Stewart Park Board President and Executive Director of the Wharton Studio Museum, echoed this sentiment. “Stewart Park is a muchbeloved destination for residents and visitors to Ithaca and the region. We are so
ITHACA IS BIRDS
continued from page 6
homebuyers earn their hours. For example, a neighbor who babysits the homebuyers’ children, so both mom and dad can volunteer on site earns family and friend hours, while both parents earn construction hours simultaneously. You might accrue 12 hours total in a 4-hour period.”
Habitat homebuyers may take any of the classes offered by Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (Homebuyer U, Seasonal Home Maintenance, Wills & Estates, and more!) at no charge. They will also take a series of classes about financial topics, and all of these educational hours count toward the Sweat Equity requirement.
As Liz heads off to meet with a possible new Habitat family who want to live in Ithaca, she tells me she has an immediate opening for a newly constructed house in downtown Ithaca, on South Plain Street. Habitat is accepting applications until July 15th for a 3 bedroom, 1 ½ bathroom, two-story house. Construction is estimated to begin this fall, and be completed in Summer 2025.
Interested families are urged to contact Liz as soon as possible to learn more and get started with the application process!
If you already love where you are living, will you help some other family know that wonderful sense of comfort and security, by sending Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties a tax-deductible contribution?
(Learn more at tchabitat.com/support/)
THE OLYMPIC SPIRIT
continued from page 10
faster than his previous personal best. In his words, “It was a real challenge, waiting for the race. It wasn’t until noon on the last day, and I just tried not to overthink it. It was a very Zen moment, I did run my race, and in the middle, I stayed on my pace and picked off a lot of runners who had gone out ahead of me.” He added, “After putting so much of myself into the Paralympic Marathon, returning to ‘nor-
Please get in touch with Liz or see more information at tchabitat.com/getinvolved/volunteer-sign-up/
Volunteers, specifically those skilled in construction, are needed.
Do you own land that you might be interested in donating, or partially donating as a tax-deductible donation? Habitat is looking for their next building lots! Please reach out to Shannon MacCarrrick at shannon@tchabitat.com or 607-844-3529.
Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins & Cortland Counties is looking for homebuyer applicants!
“The best part? These homes promise an AFFORDABLE mortgage!
Habitat for Humanity partners with households at or below 60% Area Median Income (i e , $59,520/year for a household of 3) to build or renovate, and then purchase, a home of their very own at a price they can afford.
We’re seeking applicants for a 3-bedroom, 1 ½-bathroom, two-story house in downtown Ithaca (South Plain Street). We plan to begin construction this fall and complete next summer. Habitat homebuyers learn valuable homeownership skills by participating on the construction site and taking classes.
Ready to start on your path to homeownership? Call, text, or email today to talk to us! 607-844-3529 or liz@tchabitat.com.”
APPLICATION DEADLINE: JULY 15th, 2024 �
mal life’ was a big letdown. I couldn’t even watch the ’92 Games, but I have come to really appreciate all that goes into it.”
After living and working in D.C. and in New York City for many years, Rick has settled back into life here in Ithaca. As for the Guide Runner that brought him into the stadium in Seoul all those years ago, he started writing the sports column for the Ithaca Times in 1992, and he’s still at it. As for running these days, both men’s hearts say “yes,” but their knees say “no thanks.”
in energy sustainability,” said Shepherd. “Adopting bird-friendly practices aligns with the city’s values and enhances its reputation as a green, forward-thinking community.”
Additional concerns about the ordinance related to its potential to delay the development of housing projects that have already been approved as a result of additional regulations.
“I would not want this to be prioritized above any of the important housing supply work that we are currently drafting,” Fifth Ward Alderperson Margaret Fabrizio said. “I'm open to supporting this, but I would want to ensure that it is done in a way that is not going to jeopardize the existing housing relief work that our planning
grateful to be able to work on this historic park’s revitalization, and we thank those who helped support all the projects,” Riesman said.
The new splash pad and pavilion expansion are part of a broader vision to enhance Stewart Park’s role as a central, inclusive, and sustainable community space for generations to come.
department is engaged in.”
During the July 17 meeting, the Ithaca Common Council voted to circulate the proposed bird-safe infrastructure ordinance for staff comment with eight members in favor and one against.
The only dissenting vote came from Alderperson Brown, who expressed concerns about the council prioritizing environmental measures above social justice issues such as reparations and reimagining public safety.
In response to Brown’s opposition, Fourth Ward Alderlerson Tiffany Kumar said, “I understand your frustration but I am still going to be voting for this… Ultimately, I think these are both issues we should be working towards.”
The next steps include staff review and public engagement to refine the ordinance before any final decisions are made.
