October 18, 2023 by Ithaca Times

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Online @ ITH ACA .COM

MOU Approved City, Cornell Reach 15-Year Agreement to increase the university’s contribution to Ithaca PAGES 8-9

CITY IMPLEMENTING NEW PUBLIC SAFETY MODEL

AIRPORT RECEIVES GRANT

DPW SAYS NO SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL

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MARY CHAPLIN CARPENTER & SHAWN COLVIN PLAY THE STATE

NEW CAYUGA PARK FACILITY OPENS

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BusinessTimes

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Newsline

VOL. XLIII / NO. 60 / October 18, 2023 Serving 47,125 readers week ly

ON THE COVER:

Former Cornell Police Chief Appointed to Oversee Implementation of New Public Safety Model

NEWSLINE ��3-5 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR �� 6 GUEST OPINION �� 7 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT �� 11

By M at t D ough e rt y

our whole community. We look forward to taking the next step in implementing the plans outlined in the Council’s report and n October 13, the Mayor’s Office providing better service for all who live, released a statement announcing that Mayor Laura Lewis appointed work in, and visit the City.” The statement continued, saying that former Cornell University Police Chief Kathy Zoner as a consultant to oversee the Zoner’s work will include the collaborative development of job descriptions, policies implementation of the City’s Unarmed and procedures, training resources, and any Response Unit and design of the new role agreements necessary for the work to be of Deputy City Manager for Public Safety. done effectively to benefit our community. The statement read, “Zoner’s backFollowing her appointment Zoner said, ground as a successful law enforcement “A well-trained unarmed response unit is officer and advocate of public safety for an integral part of the delivery of balanced, all will help the city further advance the mission of a holistic public safety response fair, and impartial safety services. I look forward to working approach and begin with those invested to implement the in the successful recommendations implementation of of the Special Comthis project which mittee on Public will both compleSafety that the ment and expand the Common Council public safety services adopted in April.” already in place.” In this posiThe Unarmed tion, Zoner will Response Unit and work closely with — Former Cornell Chief the Deputy City the Ithaca Police of Police Kathy Zoner Manager position Department, the are part of the crisis Police Benevolent co-response team that the city is developing Association, and the Community Jusas part of the Reimagining Public Safety tice Center “to identify the work of the work plan. The entire 14-page work plan unarmed response team and implement can be found on the City of Ithaca’s website. strategies to build relationships between The unarmed unit will co-respond with officers and community organizations.” law enforcement as appropriate, connect In her announcement, Mayor Lewis people with appropriate services, and work said, “I am thrilled that Kathy will be with the City’s Law Enforcement Assisted working with the city in this capacity.” Diversion (LEAD) team. Lewis continued, saying, “Her expertise, The work plan describes the co-response coupled with her local network, will allow unit as a “team of peer support specialists us to design a new public safety model for

The City of Ithaca and Cornell Univeristy have officially approved a new 15-year memorandum of understanding (MOU).

“A well-trained unarmed response unit is an integral part of the delivery of balanced, fair, and impartial safety services.”

T a k e

BUSINESS TIMES �� 15-18 Former Cornell Chief of Police Kathy Zoner.

who can co-respond with law enforcement as appropriate to non-violent calls for assistance, but not be under the purview of law enforcement.” It continues by saying that the unit “would not only provide a trusted and stabilizing energy to the immediate situation but also enable those in crisis to receive follow-up support or connect [people] with needed community services.” The implementation of the co-response unit will be overseen by the Deputy City Manager for Public Safety — a position that the city is actively working to fill along with the position of City Manager. The Deputy City Manager will serve at the discretion of the City Manager and oversee the Ithaca Police Department (IPD), as well as the LEAD team. According to the work plan, “With the authority designated to them by the City manager, the Deputy City Manager would be charged in overseeing the implementation of a holistic crisis response approach.” It continues by saying that relying on the police to act as the “catch-all responder to the majority of emergency calls” has resulted in the over-policing of communities of color and that the position will be charged with “shifting the City’s response Contin u ed on Page 13

N o t e

X Town of Ithaca Budget Could Bring Lower Taxes The Town of Ithaca is developing its budget for fiscal year 2024, and unlike their counterparts in the City, Town officials have said that their budget is expected to lower taxes compared to last year. The 2024 town budget totals $29,678,346 — a decrease of 1.44% over the previous

DINING �� 12-14

year's budget that was just over $30 million. The property tax bill for a typical property in the Town of Ithaca will decrease to $1,872.30 in 2024 from $1,906.15 in 2023, a decrease of $33.97 or 1.78%. The typical property in the Town of Ithaca is a single-family residence with an assessed value of $300,000.

Town 2024 Property Tax revenue totals $8,712,984, an increase of $30,496 or .3% over the prior year total of $8,682,488. The total 2024 Property Tax Levy, including the Water and Sewer Benefit Assessment Fee, will be $10,966,469 — an increase of $135,618 or 1.3% over the prior year total of $10,830,851. This increase does not comply with the property tax cap limit for 2024.

SPORTS �� 19 TIMES TABLE �� 20-21 CLASSIFIED �� 22-23

ON T HE WE B Visit our website at www.ithaca.com for more news, arts, sports and photos. Call us at 607-277-7000 M a t t D o u g h e r t y , M a n a g i n g E d i t o r , x 1217 E d i t o r @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m Ch r i s I b e r t, C a l en da r Ed i to r , A r t s @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m A n d r e w S u l l i v a n , S p o r t s E d i t o r , x 1227 Sports@flcn.org M a t t D o u g h e r t y , N e w s R e p o r t e r , x 1225 R e p o r t e r @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m Michelle L aMorte, Photographer Ste ve L awrence, Spo rts Co lumn ist St e v e S p o r t sD u d e @ g m a i l .co m L u c y A l l e n , F r o n t D es k F r o n t @ I t h a c a T i mes . c o m J i m B i l i n s k i , P u b l i s h e r , x 1210 j b i l i n s k i @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m L a r r y H o c h b e r g e r , A ss o c i a t e P u b l i s h e r , x 1214 l a r r y@ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m F r ee l a n ce r s : Barbara Adams, Stephen Burke, G. M Burns, Alyssa Denger, Jane Dieckmann, Charley Githler, Ross Haarstad, Steve Lawrence, Marjorie Olds, Henry Stark, Bryan VanCampen, and Arthur Whitman THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE ITHACA TIMES ARE C O P Y R I G H T © 2 02 3, B Y N E W S K I I N C . 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, 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. Founder Good Times Gazette: Tom Newton

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INQUIRING Flights to D.C. Coming to Ithaca’s Airport PHOTOGRAPHER I

N e w s l i n e

By Miche l l e L a Mor te WHAT’S YOUR

FAVORITE CANDY?

“Butter Fingers.” – Max B.

“Red Licorice twisters.” – Buddy S.

“Peanut butter cups.” – Diggory R.

“Sun Med any Time Peach CBD gummies.” – Emma M.

“Raisinets, I don’t feel guilty because raisins have fiber.” – Marianne J.

By Sta ff R e p ort

visitors in Tompkins County and throughout the Southern Tier each thaca Tompkins International Airport year and it is vital that (ITH) is excited to announce the receipt of the Small Community Air Ser- there is direct access to the nation’s capital,” said vice Development (SCASDP) Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for Senator Gillibrand. “This the fiscal year 2022. This prestigious grant, funding will help bolster economic development totaling $750,000, serves as an endorseand ensure that the transment of ITH’s commitment to expanding portation needs of area air service options and bolstering connecA federal grant will help the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport recover from the pandemic while adding a direct flight to the residents and industries tivity for the community. Dulles International Airport in Washington D.C. (Photo: File) are met. I am excited to The primary objective of the grant is to announce this funding encourage an airline to introduce a new shifts over the past three years. I appreciate and will continue fighting to support airdirect flight connecting Ithaca with Washthe dedication of our Airport staff and Air ports across New York ington, D.C., creating Service Board leadership, together our goal State.” greater accessibility for is to increase flights in and out of Tompkins Congressman travelers in the region. County. This funding will help us attract a Molinaro shared, “As This grant underscores new route to serve our residents and visia member of the ITH’s relentless dedicators, I speak for the whole Legislature when House Transportation to meeting the I thank the U.S. Department of Transportation & Infrastructure evolving travel needs tion for this investment.” Committee, I’ve been of our residents and “The convenience of local air service fighting for our local visitors alike. is indispensable for both leisure and airports to create jobs Roxan Noble, business travelers alike. It contributes to and economic opporAirport Director, tunities in our commu- the community’s vitality and provides an expressed her enthusiindispensable asset for businesses and nities. This $750,000 asm, “We are excited to residents alike,” said Heather McDaniel, federal grant is part receive this grant from President of Ithaca Area Economic Develof that effort and will the U.S. Department of — Congressman Molinaro opment. “The SCASD funding will prohelp establish a new Transportation. It is a direct flight connecting vide the fuel for ITH to increase service testament to the hard and grow its role as an economic driver for Ithaca Tompkins International Airport to work and collective effort that our commuDulles International Airport. Adding a new Ithaca and Tompkins County.” nity has invested in improving air service “Cornell University congratulates Ithaca route allows Ithaca and the surrounding at ITH. This funding will undoubtedly faTompkins International Airport on wincilitate our mission to enhance connectivity region to grow.” Lisa Holmes, Tompkins County Admin- ning this grant to help restore direct air and make air travel even more convenient istrator, emphasized, “The Ithaca Tompkins service to Washington, D.C., a vital desfor the people we serve.” tination and gateway for our faculty, staff, The SCASDP Grant reflects a collabora- International Airport is continuing to find students, and commucreative and strategic tive endeavor between ITH and several nity members,” said Joel ways to draw investment key community partners. Their steadfast M. Malina, Cornell’s vice support has been instrumental in securing and improve air service president for university for the flying public. this funding and advancing the airport’s relations. “We greatly Kudos to our Airport strategic goals. appreciate the Depart“I am proud to have secured this federal staff and the community ment of Transportation’s partners working hard investment for Ithaca Tompkins Internainvestment in the future to support increased air tional Airport to help attract new direct growth of our region.” service. I am delighted flight services from Ithaca to our nation’s Ithaca Tompkins that we are diligently capital,” said Senator Schumer. “Access to International Airport working toward increasair travel is critical to the success of the expresses its gratitude ing the number of hubs Upstate economy. It’s why I have fought to the U.S. Department that can be accessed from relentlessly to deliver resources for this of Transportation for Tompkins County.” world-class facility to help our regional — Heather McDaniel recognizing our dedicaShawna Black, Chaireconomy takeoff and I will continue to tion to serving our comwoman of the Tompkins right to bolster air service in Tompkins munity’s air travel needs. The SCASDP County Legislator, noted, “This federal County to help the Southern Tier reach Grant is a vital step forward in our journey funding is a welcome and timely investnew heights.” toward fostering greater connectivity and ment in our Airport. Air service is still “The Ithaca Tompkins International convenience for all. recovering from so many drastic industry Airport serves thousands of residents and

“This $750,000 federal grant is part of that effort and will help establish a new direct flight connecting Ithaca Tompkins International Airport to Dulles International Airport.”

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“The SCASD funding will provide the fuel for ITH to increase service and grow its role as an economic driver for Ithaca and Tompkins County.”

UPS&DOWNS

N e w s l i n e

DPW Can’t Implement Sidewalk Snow Removal Program By M at t D ough e rt y

Ups

Last weekend the Ithaca Bombers football team defeated the previously undefeated Union Dutchmen by a score of 17-9. The Bombers now have a season record of 5-1.

pedestrian snow-clearing policies for years. According to Lynch, “For people with disabilities and seniors, this issue poses a he annual requests for the city govserious safety concern…Following a snow ernment to do more to ensure that event, many people with disabilities or moIthaca remains walkable during the bility challenges are essentially housebound.” long winter months have begun again. Department of Public Works Superintendent Mike Thorne says that the DPW doesn’t have the staff Lynch says that prohibiting the movement During a recent City Administration or funding required to implement a municipal of those with disabilities by not ensuring meeting, the public spoke to the comsidewalk snow removal program. (Photo: File) that sidewalks and crosswalks remain walkmittee about problems they’ve had with able and accessible from traversing city sidewalks Thorne added that other problems that snow during the winter and crosswalks during make it difficult for the DPW to allocate months violates the the winter and solutions its finite resources to a sidewalk snow Americans with Disabilithey want to see the removal program involve the possibility of ties Act (ADA). city address the issue. it not snowing, leaving workers on payroll “This violates the However, Department with nothing to do. According to Thorne, Americans with Disof Public Works (DPW) “It seems easy enough just to remove snow abilities Act,” Lynch Superintendent Mike from sidewalks, but the difficulty comes said. She continued, “In Thorne has said that from the unpredictability involved with Ithaca, property owners the DPW doesn’t have when snow is coming, how much is comare responsible for clearenough staff or funding ing, how wet it is, and how cold it is the ing sidewalks, including to carry out such a task. week before and after.” curb cuts. Regardless of Executive Director of Thorne says that so many variables go intent, the reality is that the Finger Lakes Indeinto planning a program this complex. “It’s after a bad storm, many pendence Center (FLIC), — Executive Director hundreds of properties in just multiple variables, so it’s hard to nail Jan Lynch, addressed the Jan Lynch Ithaca remain out of com- down an actual scope of the work that can committee during public be implemented,” Thorne said. Accordpliance and impassable.” comment, saying, “We ing to Thorne, “It’s hard even to determine like to think of Ithaca as a walkable city, but As a result, Lynch told the committee, “Our what the proper pay items would be, and coalition believes that it’s time for the city of this becomes a fallacy after snow events.” managing a contract like that where there’s Ithaca to ensure that every Ithaca resident She continued, “Pedestrians, bicyclists, unknown quantities can safely navigate our and other transportation users must fight and unknown schedcity in the winter.” through layers of snow and ice that build ule means full-time Following comup. Lynch added that crosswalk blockages project management.” ments from the public, can last for days following a snowstorm, Thorne said the City of Superintendent Thorne long after the streets have been cleared. Syracuse had to hire a said that the DPW has The Finger Lakes Independence Center project manager to run been looking into the is part of the Coalition for Snow-Free their program. possibility of creating a Sidewalks and Crosswalks. Along with Thorne added that program to ensure that Bike Walk Tompkins, the Tompkins funding is another issue County Office of the Aging, and a growing sidewalks and crossinvolved with creating walks remain walkable number of Ithaca residents, the Coalition — Superintendent the program. Thorne in the winter with help for Snow-Free Sidewalks and Crosswalks Mike Thorne asked the committee, from the Mobility Achas been urging the city to improve its “How will this be paid cessibility Transportafor? Is it the general fund or sidewalk fund? If tion Commission (MATCOM). there’s a pilot, does the whole city pay for the “Over the past four years, we’ve looked pilot or just the sidewalk improvement disat it extensively,” Thorne said. He continued saying that the DPW has had multiple trict where the work is being done?” Thorne says, “This brings up all sorts of equity issues.” conversations with officials in Syracuse Coalition for Snow-Free Sidewalks and Rochester, which Thorne said are the only two cities in New York State that have and Crosswalks Eric Lerner has said that Ithaca should implement the programs municipal programs to clear snow and ice in other upstate cities like Syracuse and from sidewalks and crosswalks. However, Snow piling up at the end of curbs on city streets after a Rochester. Lerner says, “The City of Thorne told the committee, “Can we do snowstorm makes many sidewalks in Ithaca impassable this in-house? The answer is no. We don’t for mobility challenged residents. (Photo: File) have the staff.” Contin u ed on Page 19

“This violates the Americans with Disabilities Act…it’s time for the City of Ithaca to ensure that every Ithaca resident can safely navigate our city in the winter.”

“It’s highly uncommon for cities to do sidewalk snow removal, and they cite complexity and the cost.”

Downs

The Ithaca Police Department is conducting an investigation into a shooting homicide that took place in the area of N. Plain St. and W. Seneca St. at around 3:45am on October 12. The victim has been identified as 45 yearold Ithaca resident Ernest Lankford.

HEARD&SEEN Heard

An Ithaca man was convicted during a federal non-jury trial this week on five charges related to fraudulent use of Payroll Protection Program loans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Seen

Flu season is back, and history consistently shows it worsens throughout the winter. Last year in Central New York, there were only 64 cases at this point last year before the number ballooned to 6,809 before Christmas. Compounded with COVID-19 and RSV, New Yorkers must focus on how to stay healthy in the coming months.

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

Do you approve of the City’s new 15-year MOU with Cornell? 56.1% Yes . 33.3% No . 10.5% I don’t care .

N ext Week ’s Q uestion :

Do you think the City will be able to hire a City Manager before January 1, 2024? Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.

O c to b e r 1 8 – 2 4 , 2 0 2 3 / T h e I t h a c a T i m e s

GUEST OPINION

My Two Cents: Cornell & the City By R ay S ch l at h e r

ere is a thought: There is understandable dismay at Cornell’s refusal to pay its fair share to maintain our community. After all, as everyone knows, Cornell owns about 46% of the total value of all property in the City; however styled, Cornell’s municipal payments are in no way proportional to that level of property ownership. But, rather than engage in the losing battle of hand-wringing and public shaming, we City taxpayers should focus on realistic solutions that can force Cornell to pay under the law. We already have done so, and can do more. In rough numbers, of the City’s $90 million budget, $19 million is collected from all property owners in the City, including all tax-exempt properties such as Cornell. These revenues are derived primarily from water and sewer charges, but also include the more recently created sidewalk improvement fees and stormwater drainage system fees. Indeed, the stormwater drainage system fee mechanism was initiated

by the forward-thinking staff of the Department of Public Works in the early aughts, with the strong support of an active Board of Public Works under the leadership of Mayor Carolyn Peterson; it finally was enacted into law in 2014 by Mayor Svante Myrick. Since tax-exempt property — including Cornell’s share — accounts for almost 60% of all property in the City, the practical effect of spreading these charges across all property owners was to reduce the burden on the non-tax-exempt property owners for such services by roughly that same 60%. The City can do the same thing for its streets, roads and bridges. Currently, the City spends over $7 million each year constructing, replacing and maintaining its roads and bridges. We should be spending more — probably double that by some estimates. Indeed, the Department of Public Works has long argued persuasively that a fixed percentage of our total inventory of roads and bridges, tied to the life expectancy of that infrastructure, should be replaced Contin u ed on Page 7

The Talk at

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Responses to “Mike Sigler Announces Republican Bid for State Senate”

“

Leah Webb has done more for this community than Mike Sigler ever did in his life. When he was a legislator years ago, he couldn’t even show up for meetings. When Pat Pryor beat him by 11 votes, he might have finally realized that this community deserved better, a lot better. Four years later he beat Pat over gun control. Now he wishes he might be a Senator. This would be a terrible mistake. Leah Webb is a GREAT Senator. She’s visible and engaged in helping this community. She CARES about her constituents. I hope people will vote her into office at the time of the next election.” — Elisabeth Hegarty

“

As a lifelong democrat turned independent I can get behind and support Mike’s candidacy. The dems have made a mess of things at the state level. Mike has been a dedicated public servant in Ithaca for a long time. Even when I don’t agree with Mr. Sigler I have always respected his voice in representing a minority in a chorus of liberals and progressives.” — Leonard O’Mally

Thank You Cynthia Brock

“

Cynthia Brock is the real thing, and Ithacans are lucky to have her as their elected representative. She is an independent thinker and governs by principle. Recently she was the lone vote against accepting the Cornell MOU. People may not realize how difficult it is to be the lone vote. It takes bravery to stand alone on principle. Homelessness issues in Ithaca are something that Cynthia had been working on for years before homelessness captured the public’s attention. She was a key architect of the TIDES proposal to address the tragedy of the encampments. That proposal may not have been perfect, but no one else had proposed anything at all at the time. Democrats, Republicans, Indepen-

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dents, Cynthia Brock deserves your vote.” — Dan Klein, Tompkins County Legislature

Response to “Council Approves New 15-Year City, Cornell MOU”

“

Interesting, perhaps Cornell anticipated a struggle with the City of Ithaca and purposely went out to 21 years to get to this end position. The amendment to the gag clause seems a similar fig leaf as eliminating tax exemption for all colleges and universities in NY is unlikely to go anywhere, The Brock amendment that did not pass though was a real poison pill requiring CU to sign on to giving up its right to oppose losing its tax exemption which would have stood no chance of Cornell acceptance.” — Henry Kramer

“

Not complicated. City should just budget assuming that they receive $0 from Cornell each year. Then next year, the City should just REDUCE the tax levy by whatever amount Cornell happened to have paid them the previous year, be it $4 million, $1 million, or $1 billion (which is roughly what they would owe if they weren’t tax exempt and based on the total value of all their properties and land). I personally don’t think they should be fully tax exempt. Cornell has bought up all this land, and then they pay no taxes on it while they hold onto it forever, preventing it from being developed, and causing housing prices to be higher in Ithaca. Then they have the gall to restrict what the public can do on their land that they pay no taxes on; no fishing, no canoeing, no swimming, no diving, no climbing trees, no dogs, no bikes, no camping, no drones, no sunbathing on the gorge rocks, no whatever. What activities will they start banning next? Hiking? Loud talking? Whatever happened to use the land at your own risk? I just can’t believe Cornell gets to keep their prized tax exempt status while having policies that are unjust, unfair, unmeritocratic, discriminatory, and frankly immoral.” —Richard Ballantyne

“

Cornell IS tax exempt by state law. That’s a fact and if people want it changed they need to go to the state and have the law changed. Good luck with that. Cornell has made it clear that if there is no new agreement, the payment next year is zero. That is hardball but, like it or not, they have the power to have their way. Contin u ed on Page 17

GUEST OPINION

SURROUNDED BY REALITY

Ulysses Resident Against Krums Corners Rec Center

DeWitt Park – Ithaca’s Oldest Park

By M ich a e l C oh e n

By C h a r l ey G i t h l e r

call on Ulysses taxpayers and voters to get to the polling station or tender an absentee ballot and vote NO on December 6. That’s the day of the referendum on the Town buying a 30-acres cornfield on Krums Corners Road to develop playing fields and other recreation facilities. One of my reasons to oppose this, and why I think that many voters might agree with me, is that the town has no plans in place for developing the property, including no realistic source of funding to cover the huge cost of turning this land into public playing fields. The Town Board says it will look to Trumansburg Community Recreation (TCR) to raise funding. This is unrealistic. It’s a worry I’ve heard from many people. I’ll make a wild guess of at least $5 million to do the absolute basics. That’s $1 million more the entire annual budget for our Town. We have seen no estimates. Has the Town Board sought any? Probably not, because we are told that consideration and discussion of cost and budgets is premature. After all, the Town says that they have made no plans for developing this property; nothing has been decided yet; and there will be plenty of time later for important environmental and "technical" issues like the impact of increased traffic and damage to the water-table, impacts that may require costly mitigation. It is as if they don’t know why they are

buying this land, so future expenses are neither foreseeable nor relevant. I beg to differ on both counts. If the land is intended for new playing fields, such as for youth soccer or baseball, some costs are inevitable, unavoidable, and 100% foreseeable. Let’s look at just two costs: gravel and grading necessary to transform a cornfield into the barest beginnings of a park with playing fields. There will be a substantial expense for buying, trucking, and spreading gravel. The property the Town Board wants to purchase is a so-called flag-lot, shaped like a flag on a flagpole. This flagpole translates into building a 600-feet, twolane driveway before any possibility for a playing field or nearby parking lot. There’s one big expense. The acres that will be used for ballfields will require grading. The average slope is 3 to 6%, with one or two creeks and gullies. I’ve heard some jaw-dropping estimates for the required grading. No way can the Town afford even these two fundamental costs without raising property taxes. Not unless TCR raises a huge amount of funds. That’s not planning, it’s betting. The Town has failed to do basic planning, including determining the costs of developing the Krums Corners Road flag lot and the impact on taxpayers. Such planning should be a prerequisite. We need to take a pause. I urge you to vote no on December 6.

MY TWO CENTS

tax exempt owners, is to reduce the tax burden on the rest of us for such services by roughly that same 60%. In other words, right now, the City could shift an additional $7 million or more of its annual budget to all property owners, including Cornell. New York State’s Real Property Tax Law §490, and related provisions of law, authorize such an assessment. The end result is lower taxes, and better roads and bridges, with Cornell paying a bit more — albeit, still not its fair share.

contin u ed from page 6

annually, in addition to routine maintenance. By establishing a City-wide special assessment district for the on-going replacement and repair of all City roads and bridges, the City can spread that total annual cost to all City property owners, including Cornell and the other tax-exempt property owners. Again, the practical effect of spreading these costs to all property owners, including the 60%

or almost fifty years, the Commons has laid claim to being the city’s town square and premier public space. Just a block away, though, DeWitt Park has a pedigree as Ithaca’s public gathering place dating back over two hundred years. Bounded by the First Presbyterian Church and the Court House on the north, the First Baptist Church and the Boardman House on the east, East Buffalo Street on the south and North Cayuga Street on the west, it has been a park since Ithaca’s earliest days. Simeon DeWitt, New York State’s second surveyor-general, has been called the “Founder of Ithaca”, and it’s for him that the park is named. In the 1790s, DeWitt acquired the land at the south end of Cayuga Lake that would eventually become the City of Ithaca. In the first decade of the 19th century, he surveyed and began to sell and lease lots, in the process laying out the grid of downtown streets that survives today. The park that now bears his name was first designated as a “publick Square” when he laid out that grid. At the time, Ithaca was almost a theoretical entity, with just a handful of houses. In 1810, he sold half the park to the Presbyterian Church, and the church soon acquired the rest in an exchange with Dewitt. The Village of Ithaca agreed in 1856 to maintain the park, allowing the church to retain ownership, an arrangement still in place today. In order to get the lands at the head of Cayuga Lake to where a grid of roads, much less houses, could be put in place there were natural (and, sadly, cultural) features that had to be obliterated and smoothed out. The landscape was a cattail-covered patchwork of wetland and hillocks. In 1815, the public was asked to help in leveling the park ground and to bring “teams, shovels, spades, hoes, etc.” Refreshments were provided. The Ithaca at the time, though growing, was a small village of 400 residents, and cows grazed in the park. The deed stipulated that the land was to “be at all times kept as a public walk and promenade, and that no houses or other buildings, except ornamen-

tal improvements, be erected or made thereon.” It also directed that no “dead bodies be interred therein,” as it was common at the time to establish a graveyard next to a church. It was called the “Public Square” or the “Public Walk and Promenade” until 1869, when the Village Trustees officially named it “DeWitt Park”. As Ithaca has developed, the park has became a sort of boundary, symbolically separating the commercial and residential districts. It’s also largely surrounded by churches and public buildings, particularly places of education and government. While the Commons is essentially commercial in nature, DeWitt Park is a sanctuary in the heart of downtown. In 1911, the Ithaca Conservatory of Music bought the Boardman House, which lies on the northeast corner of the park. It became the heart of the school’s presence downtown. Over time, as the school grew and morphed into Ithaca College, there were additions and new buildings, including a concert hall and administrative annex built adjacent to the Boardman House. (Since demolished.) Though the college’s buildings and dormitories were scattered throughout the neighboring blocks, DeWitt Park was the de facto campus quad until the college relocated to its current East Hill campus in the 1960s. For over a century, DeWitt Park has also been a place of remembrance, the location of Tompkins County’s war memorials and the site of Veterans Day observances. What lends the park its particular Ithaca cachet is the history that has happened over the course of two centuries on this single acre of public property. Historic figures, patriotic displays, groundswell movements, celebrations — every chapter of Ithaca’s story has manifested itself in DeWitt Park. The walls of the surrounding buildings have witnessed remarkable events. In 1843, Frederick Douglass, early in his career as a public figure and finding all the venues in Ithaca closed to him, gave an anti-slavery lecture “in the open air” in the Public Square. He was attacked Contin u ed on Page 13

O c to b e r 1 8 – 2 4 , 2 0 2 3 / T h e I t h a c a T i m e s

MOU Approved City, Cornell Reach 15-Year Agreement to increase the university’s contribution to Ithaca By M att Dougherty

he Cornell University Board of 9-1, with First Ward Alderperson Cynof Trustees officially approved thia Brock representing the lone opposing the new Memorandum of Un- vote. Following the official approval of the derstanding (MOU) between the City of Ithaca and Cornell MOU, Cornell University President Maron October 13 after the Ithaca Common tha E. Pollack said, “The city and the uniCouncil voted to approve the MOU during versity are interconnected partners who collaborate frequently for the benefit of a special meeting on October 11. our shared community. The MOU will see We look forward to conCornell provide a $4 tinuing that collaboramillion voluntary contion.” tribution to the City for During the October a revised time frame of 11 meeting, Fifth Ward 15 years, adjusted annuAlderperson and Mayally to inflation. That’s oral Candidate Roban increase of $2.4 milert Cantelmo suggested lion compared to the last — Attorney Emily Turner amending the agreeMOU negotiated in 2003. ment to reduce the time In addition, 80% of the funds will be unrestricted, meaning that frame to 10 years, but Mayor Laura Lewis Ithaca residents along with Cornell Students and Faculty r ally at Ho Plaza on the Cornell campus calling City officials will have “broad discretion responded, saying that the Cornell negoon the u niversity to contribute more than $4 million over how to invest the funds,” while the re- tiating team would not accept a deal that to the City. (Photo: Dove Williams, Ithaca DSA) maining 20% will be allocated to “priority lasts less than 15 years. In addition to renegotiating the time projects of mutual interest.” The resolution to approve the MOU frame, the Common Council discussed “gag order” in Clause Six of the deal. Local es to Clause Six that would allow the City of passed the Common Council by a margin how to amend the agreement to change the Attorney Emily Turner has said that Clause Ithaca to work with New York State to pass Six prohibits the City from “pursuing ju- legislation to change Cornell’s tax-exempt dicial, legislative, or ‘other means’ to chal- status, leaving in place the prohibition on judicial action. lenge the tax status of Cornell.” Both Cantelmo’s During the first amendments passed special meeting conby a margin of 9-1, cerning the MOU on with Brock in oppoSeptember 20, Corsition. nell’s Vice President Regarding Canof University Relatelmo’s amendment, tions, Joel Malina, Turner said that “the said that the univerproblems with consity would be willing tracting away judicial to remove the clause challenges cannot be around legislative acoverstated.” Accordtion but that it’s “iming to Turner, “Things portant to [Cornell] change too quickly to that the clause around — Cynthia Brock agree not to sue Corjudicial action renell for [15] years.” mains.” Malina continued, “[Cornell] does not think it is appro- Local Attorney Raymond Schlather agreed priate for us to be in this relationship only to with Turner, saying, “As a matter of pubFifth Ward Alderperson and Mayor al candidate Robert have the city turn around and sue us for our lic policy alone, a municipality should not Cantelmo said that if the Common Cou ncil did not approve the constrain the political rights of its citizentax-exempt status.” agreement, the City would have to face a 10% to 13% property As a result, Alderperson Cantelmo pro- ry — in this case, the political right to have tax increase or significant layoffs. (Photo: Stella Fr ank) posed another amendment to make chang- their local government take a stand with

“Things change too quickly to agree not to sue Cornell for [15] years.”

“That $4 million deal is a wonderful deal in year one, but immediately declines in its significance to our community and budget for every following year after that.”

8 T h e I t h a c a T i m e s / O c to b e r 1 8 – 2 4 , 2 0 2 3

respect to a matter of local public concern.” fiscal damage you’re proposing by jeoparSchlather added, “Such a clause is offensive dizing a deal,” Cantelmo said. He continto democratic principles of participatory ued, “Failure to reach an acceptable deal before we finalize this budget will result in government.” Brock said that agreeing to a term of 15 either a 10% to 13% property tax increase years at the inflation rate was “not a good or significant layoffs.” Cantelmo added, “By deal” because the City’s costs are not tied proposing something that we know Corto inflation. According to Brock, “that $4 nell will reject, you are willing to gamble million deal is a wonderful deal in year one, the jobs of city staff or taxpayers' pocketbut immediately declines in its significance books.” Cantelmo told Brock, “If you want to do to our community and budget for every following year after that.” She continued right by the city, you can stand up for taxpayers and workers ahead saying that by the end of of the fiscal cliff and then the term, Cornell’s conresolve to keep fighting tribution will “have a milike I'm going to do.” nor role in our budgets, Fourth Ward Alderfurther tying our hands person Jorge DeFendini in the city in terms of told Brock that the City our ability to support the doesn’t have the levercommunity.” age to make that offer to Brock then suggestCornell. “We don’t have ed amending the deal to the ability right now as shorten the time frame to a city to take on Cornell seven years while chang— Cynthia Brock University with their taxing the funding levels exempt status with their from increasing with inflation to rising at a 2% inflation rate. army of lawyers,” DeFendini said. AccordBrock’s amendment also called for Clause ing to DeFendini, the idea that the city is “going to keep pushing and fighting on to Six to be eliminated from the deal. Brock said that the City is in a situation the end when the reality is that doing that where Cornell has a “foot on our neck and will mean that people will be priced out of knows we are in a compromised position their homes and we won’t have the money with our backs up against the wall” and that to follow through on the historic labor con“for some strange reason, I am the one per- tracts that we’ve approved just recently” is son at this table who sees the power when a fiction being sold by Brock that is is “very disingenuous and hurtful.” people rise and say no more.” DeFendini said he was unhappy with the Cantelmo dismissed Brock’s amendment, saying she was gambling tax increas- deal of 15 years but would ultimately supes and layoffs by not taking Cornell’s deal. port it. In addition, Second Ward Alder“No one should know better than you the person Phoebe Brown said that she came

“For some strange reason, I am the one person at this table who sees the power when people rise and say no more.”

After leading the charge to advocate for a one-year stop-gap agreement with Cornell, Fourth Ward Alderperson Jorge DeFendini said that he couldn’t support Brock’s amendment because the City doesn’t have the lever age to take on Cornell. (Photo: File)

First Ward Alderperson Cynthia Brock has said that agreeing to a ter m of 15 years at the r ate of inflation is not a good deal and that the City should have taken advantage of public support calling on Cornell to do more. (Photo: File) to the meeting to vote no but that hearing age the threat of a 2024 budget deficit by arguments about how not taking the deal accepting Cornell’s narrative that the uniwould result in higher taxes and increased versity did not have to contribute to the housing costs for renters changed her mind. City in 2024 under the old MOU. According to Turner, “The [old] MOU Fifth Ward Alderperson Kris Haines-Sharp also said she would support the deal at 15 was ambiguous regarding the 2024 payyears because she doesn’t “feel able to risk ment.” She continued saying that the time jobs or taxes because those with the least in frame in the old MOU referenced a 202324 payment, but it went on to state that the the community will be hurt the most.” payments should be First Ward Aldermade “each calendar person George Mcyear,” — meaning that Gonigal said he would the old MOU should support the agreement have remained in efbecause the $4 milfect for 2024. “There lion contribution is is no language in the more than double the [old] MOU that says a previous deal, and the payment is NOT due City negotiating team in 2024,” Turner said. reached an agreement Following the vote, with a 15-year time Cornell’s Vice Presiframe instead of a 20dent for University year time frame. Relations, Joel Malina, Ultimately, concerns — Mayoral candidate said, “Cornell greatly over budget shortfalls Robert Cantelmo appreciates tonight’s causing layoffs and tax vote by the Common increases resulted in Brock’s amendment failing by a margin of Council approving an amended MOU 2-8, with Brown and Brock voting yes. Fol- agreement. The amended agreement will lowing Brock’s failed amendment, the reso- now be considered by the Executive Comlution to approve the new MOU agreement mittee of the Cornell Board of Trustees, with Cornell University passed by a margin and I will notify Mayor Lewis once that has occurred.” of 9-1. On October 13, the Board of Trustees Now that the Common Council has accepted the deal, the City can avoid a $1.6 officially approved the agreement. After million budget deficit and follow through the MOU was formally approved, Maliwith the Mayor’s proposed $101 million na said, “This hard work and dedication budget that was crafted assuming the deal strengthens the relationship between the city and Cornell, and these growing rewith Cornell would be approved. However, it remains unclear why the sources will benefit Ithaca residents for City allowed Cornell to successfully lever- years to come.”

“If you want to do right by the city, you can stand up for taxpayers and workers ahead of the fiscal cliff and then resolve to keep fighting like I'm going to do.”

O c to b e r 1 8 – 2 4 , 2 0 2 3 / T h e I t h a c a T i m e s

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Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin Play the State

By G.M. Burns

usician Mary Chapin Carpenter’s musical and lyrical artistry is a style all of its own with a substance that has shown a great deal of feeling and thought. The mood and images of her songs reflect an honesty that share personal stories and also connects with very human needs and wishes. This past August, the Academy of Country Music (ACM) chose musician Mary Chapin Carpenter as the 2023 recipient of their Poet’s Award “presented to a country music songwriter for outstanding and longstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their career, with special consideration given to a song or songs’ impact on the culture of country music.” Since 1987 she has released 16 studio albums, and two live records, sold over 16 million records, earned five Grammy Awards, and worked with many artists such as Rosanne Cash, Randy Scruggs, Vince Gill and Shawn Colvin. The artists she has worked and toured with also have verve and honesty in their music, and this October 21st, Carpenter and three-time Grammy Award winner Shawn Colvin will perform at the State Theatre. Ithaca Times: Can you remember the moment when you decided that to write and sing in music is what you wanted to do for a living? Mary Chapin Carpenter: Oh my gosh. No, I can’t. I didn’t have one light bulb moment, but rather it was just — you know when I finished college and in the summers between college years I was just playing in little bars and clubs in the Washington D.C. area — just to make some money over the summer. So, when I finally graduated, I just sort of continued doing that while I was picking up temp jobs, and trying to figure out what I was really going to do with my life. That came a thing that I just kept doing, and it wasn’t planned out in any way, and as I said that wasn’t one moment of reckoning that made me feel, ‘oh this is what I want to do.’ It was a small process.

And you know I wake up some days and I can’t believe that I get to do this, and be grateful for this creative life, it means everything. IT: What was your writing process like for your current record? Such as the song “The Dirt and the Stars.” Do you still walk about for your lyric editing and has that changed any for you? MCC: Oh no. I write the same way like I’ve been writing, for a million-years — which is I like to sit at the kitchen table and I like to have a legal pad and a pencil and eraser. And honestly the only thing that is different is the device that I use to reYou may find Mary Chapin Carpenter taking a leaf walk when she comes to town. cord keeps getting smaller and smaller. When I am trying to get a breather or move past some ideas or lyrics, I find walkShawn Colvin, we check into the venue, we ing, being in nature, it’s not so much the cure do sound check in the afternoon, our crew is as the bridge to the next idea. So, I call it ‘song amazing, and then we have a light dinner and walking.’ I find it can be very fruitful. then we both just get ready. I can’t speak for Shawn’s preparation, but for myself it’s really IT: How do you think you have improved good to have some quiet time before a show, your song writing over time? Can you say and be rested, and it’s really pretty straight what makes your writing different for you forward that way. now? MCC: I don’t know technically what makes IT: Would you like to say anything about it any different from 30-years-ago, but maybe your upcoming performance with fellow artit’s the time you put in that helps you become ist Shawn Colvin at the State Theatre? better at what you do. And it’s taken me all MCC: Well, I love her dearly — we’ve been these years to reach a point to where I feel I friends for over 36-years. And we have travhave begun to master, and that what I say I do. eled a lot of miles together, and to me she is It’s very freeing and liberating — you have a one of the greatest writers and singers on the self-knowledge of what it is. It’s very powerful planet. So, to sing songs with her, sing harreally. mony, play guitar, and to just listen when she is playing a solo song, it gives me goose bumps IT: There is a vast amount of music comand it still makes me emotional. I’m a huge fan ing out every week and one can hear virtuit’s really a beautiful experience to be on tour ally everything on the Web. Talk about your with her. current musical influences. And what music As far as coming to Ithaca, I’ve had a great is special for you now or do you have differtime when I been up there. I remember one ent artists you are listening to? year, it was during the fall and I took a long, MCC: Well, you know, influences, I always long walk,. I grew up on the East coast and go back to the people I care and inevitably there is nothing to me quite like autumn and there are the Beatles. Which was on pop music being in nature in the autumn. And I have a radio at the time. When I grew up you could feeling it’s going to be pretty beautiful when hear anything. Motown, R & B, rock ‘n’ roll, I’m up there. that’s sort of what I grew up on. And now, interestingly. the music I listen to now in my house is pretty much classical or choral music. I think I got that from my mom. IT: Can you share how you get ready for a show? MCC: Every day is not very different than with a band tour, what we are doing now with

Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin State Theatre of Ithaca 107 W State St., Ithaca, Sat. Oct. 21, 8 p.m.

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O c to b e r 1 8 – 2 4 , 2 0 2 3 / T h e I t h a c a T i m e s

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ast month, Village Taqueria, a Latino restaurant in Dryden, moved to a larger building within the town. Andrew Sutton, the owner of the restaurant, first established Village Taqueria in early 2020. He came to the area from southern California in 2018 to work for Ithaca College as an executive chef, and his wife is from Central America, they were disappointed in the lack of authentic Latino cuisine in the area, noting that much of the food in the area was instead of the “Tex-Mex” variety. Sutton has 20 years of experience in food service in various locations. He noted that different restaurants’ kitchens teach cooks different things, and cooks will often change jobs every few years to broaden their perspectives and learn new things. “Cooking has always been what I really enjoy, and that’s why I took it as profession,” Sutton said. Sutton, who also has management experience, observed that culinary skill is not enough to run a restaurant. According to him, 90% of restaurants close in their first year, and he said this is because people who open those restaurants do not know what they need to do to run a business. According to Sutton, the original location, was rather small, with only five tables for dining in. When the COVID-19 pandemic began shortly after Village Taqueria opened, Sutton had to adhere to Health Department guidelines regarding sanitation, mask use and social distancing, and put seats outdoors, but since most of his business was takeout at the time, he did not have to change much. “It was really just trying to figure out what is our volume,” Sutton said. When people started coming back to restaurants, social distancing limited the seating. Sutton noted that as people realized they would have to go out anyway, they gradually started going back to restaurants. “Everyone just got scared with the pandemic and stayed inside as much as possible for a couple weeks,” Sutton said, “until everyone figured out that this wasn’t going away, and that you would still have to go out and brave supermarkets to go buy food to cook at home.”

Andrew Sutton and his wife are the owners of Village Taqueria, which has just opened in a new location in Dryden. (Photo: Michelle LaMorte)

Village Taqueria not only features a variety of Mexican foods, such as tacos, burritos and enciladas, but also features sandwiches and burgers or diners who may not be interested in Mexican food. Sutton takes pride in not only making authentic Latino cuisine, but also using fresh ingredients. For example, the sauces the restaurant uses are made in-house, which Sutton finds is “few and far between” among area restaurants. “People appreciate a place in which it’s not just enchiladas out of a can, cheese sauce out of a bag,” Sutton said. “We actually take time and effot to make a better product.” Sutton noted that since most of Village Taqueria’s dishes are best eaten at the location while they are still fresh and hot, switching to a larger location allows more people to sit inside, making it more attractive to people visiting from out of town. He said that at the original location, Village Taqueria sometimes ran out of space during busy periods. “We felt that we didn’t have the space to continue doing everything that we’re doing for peope, at least without them getting disappointed that they couldn’t eat,” Sutton said. The new building also allows for a larger kitchen, as well as the ability to cater for larger parties. Village Taqueria’s move to a new building has involved some adjustment. Most of the front of house staff are new to the restaurant, having come on after the switch to the new building. Sutton also hopes the cooks can expand their repertoire, so they can cover for one another if a cook needs to take time off. “They’re all from our scratch, and that’s our focus, to offer actual freshmade food,” Sutton said.

Village Taqueria 151 North St., Dryden 11:30-8:30, Tues.-Sat.

DEWITT PARK contin u ed from page 7

by a hostile mob and barely escaped bodily injury. A decade later, when he gave a now-celebrated speech at Ithaca’s St. James AME Zion Church, his profile was considerably higher and abolitionism had taken root in Ithaca, though no mention of that visit is found in any Tompkins county newspaper from that time. After the Civil War and sporadically, from the 1870s into the 20th century, DeWitt Park was the site of Freedom’s Jubilee celebrations. Typically staged on a day in the first week of August, it was an occasion for the African American community to memorialize and rejoice in the end of slavery in the United States. There were innumerable band concerts, with bandstands in the park from the 1860s to the 1920s. Also, every year in the decades straddling the turn of the twentieth century, the ceremonial lighting of the municipal Christmas tree with a community carol sing-a-long drew hundreds and sometimes thousands of participants. Sunday evenings in the summer months, there were open air church services. The park was the natural location for events political and patriotic. Democratic candidate William Jennings Bryan drew 5000 people to Dewitt Park on October 19, 1900 in a campaign stop in his presidential campaign, just 18 days before the election. There was apparently a healthy proportion of Republican-leaning Cornell students in the crowd and when some girls on the second floor of the high school across Buffalo Street from the park unfurled a large poster of Bryan’s opponent William McKinley during his speech, the crowd erupted in cheers. The incident made national news, though Bryan reportedly weathered the impertinence in good humor. On February 25, 1918, hundreds turned up to take part in a parade from the park to the Lehigh Valley train station (now a Chemung Canal Bank branch) to accompany 94 drafted Tompkins County men traveling to Camp Upton on Long Island for training and embarkation to France in World War I. FORMER CORNELL POLICE CHIEF contin u ed from page 3

model to ensure that [it] provides appropriate and equitable support and services to those in crisis.” The work plan says the ideal candidate for this position would be “an excellent

V-J Day was celebrated in DeWitt Park on September 4, 1945, marking the end of World War II. Later that fall, Ithaca High School staged a massive football pep rally there. Late in the afternoon on Monday, September 28, 1964, Robert F. Kennedy was greeted by a crowd of 2000 at the park as he made a stop in his campaign to become a U. S. Senator representing New York State. The high school across the street had just released classes. According to the Ithaca Journal, the atmosphere was “near delirium”, with screaming “as bad as the Beatles”. At one point, a child had to be handed up to Kennedy on the platform to avoid being crushed by the crowd. Of course, it was also the setting for protests of every variety over the years. In April, 1966, anti-Vietnam War protesters marched from Cornell’s campus to the park, where they were confronted by angry pro-war demonstrators. There was mutual heckling, and some eggs were thrown, but the Ithaca Police Department was there in force and basic order was maintained. In fact, protests in the park from the Convention of the New York State Woman Suffrage Association at the Baptist Church in November, 1911, to the Occupy Wall Street encampment a hundred years later in November, 2011, to decrying the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year, are too numerous to list here. Indeed, to catalogue every important event or use of DeWitt Park to and including the weekly Farmers Market in 2023 would require many pages. The point is that if the Commons wishes to claim status as Ithaca’s premier public space, it has a lot of catching up to do. The office worker eating a sandwich on a bench, the dog walker, the pedestrian taking a short cut through the park — it’s all taking place in Ithaca’s oldest and most important public space. The echoes of the past reverberate, but it’s very much a vibrant and active place. No less a local luminary than Robert H. Treman described it as “an intimate enclosure, not private and forbidding but thoroughly hospitable — the living heart of the town.” communicator and liaison with the public, especially the Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ communities.” It adds that the individual should collaborate well with the Community Justice Center (CJC), IPD, and other community organizations like GIAC and Southside. Additionally, an ideal candidate would be “an excellent recruiter of new police officers and community responders.”

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Dining

Aw Shucks

Oysters, Cajun and More Make Maxie’s Special By He nr y Stark

think many readers will agree that we sometimes frequent a restaurant with good food that unfortunately offers a relatively uninteresting atmosphere and, for one reason or another, we sometimes choose a restaurant with a pleasant atmosphere but with barely palatable food. Fortunately, in Ithaca, there are many restaurants that offer both a friendly atmosphere and beautifully cooked, and attractively presented food. Maxie’s Supper Club and Oyster Bar is one of the latter. And yet, the interior of

the restaurant is nothing special…. a few adjacent rooms with tables and chairs and some large picture windows overlooking nearby streets and a parking lot. I would call it “functional”. So, where does the friendly spirit come from? I think it’s mostly the staff who seem to really enjoy working there and are genuinely dedicated to helping customers. I’d also give a nod to the cuisine and menu. I’m not aware of any other restaurant in our area that offers lighthearted food such as “Jambalaya Meoh-my-a”, “Soul-Servin’ Classics”, or beverages listed as “Festive Liquids”. Maxie’s has been serving meals to Ithacans for 24 years and is deservedly popular. There’s a definite slant to Cajun cuisine throughout the menu and the food I’ve tried there has always been tasty and well prepared. That same evening my entrée was Cajun-seared Ahi Tuna ($36). When it arrived, it looked like a Filet Mignon: a large round piece of tuna layered atop some

sauteed spinach and a horseradish potato cake. The tuna had a slightly spicy, crispy crust and a tender rare interior with a hint of maple flavoring. Yum! Each evening there are blackboard specials labeled “Mini Plate” and “Maxie Plate” (Get it?) The smaller plates cost about $20 and the larger are usually in the mid-$30’s. Other main course favorites are Blackened Catfish ($18) and Fried Oysters ($19). Among the soups is a Crab and Corn Chowder, offered in two sizes ($8/$11) and a hearty, robust “Maxie’s MightyGumbo” which is offered in three sizes and features andouille sausage and chicken over rice. The largest portion ($14) could Chef Eliot Thomas at the bar is part of the friendly atmosphere at Maxi. suffice as a meal for some. Now a word about those “Festive Liquids”. There are more than a dozen interesting $30, $40. Now they’re by color and type: looking “Signature Drinks”, mostly in the white, red, rosé, and sparkling. You’ll have $10-$12 range, and lots of draft beer as well no trouble finding a bottle under $40, and as an interesting selection in bottles and cans. management deserves a lot of credit for The format of the wine menu has listing grape variety, e.g., Riesling, Cabernet changed since I reviewed it five years ago Sauvignon; country of origin; and vintage. when wines were grouped by price: $20, The assortment of roughly a dozen wines is excellent although, in this area I might have offered a Finger Lakes Dry Riesling to replace the Riesling blend from Argentina. Maxie’s is still serving consistently wellMaxie’s is usually quite noisy due to low ceilings and an prepared, savory, quality niche food after exuberant staff and customers. more than two decades. Their gravel parking lot is not paved and can be quite sloppy after it rains.

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BusinessTimes

Cayuga Park Facility Opens Business Briefs

New Cayuga Park Facility Opens to Public By Mat t D oug he r t y

he new 65,000-square-foot Cayuga Park Medical Building is in the process of opening its doors to the public. The facility towers five stories above Ithaca’s waterfront and cost $32 million to construct. The Cayuga Park complex is behind the GreenStar Co-Op grocery store off Route 13. Construction on the facility began in 2020, and the pandemic caused significant delays due to staffing shortages and supply chain issues. Cayuga Health’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Melissa Tourtellotte, said the facility’s Women’s Health office opened on Monday, October 9. The Women’s Health office was formerly located on Craft Road. Tourtellotte continued saying that additional practices, such as “immediate care, primary care, and former Cayuga Renaissance Gynecologist,” will open at the facility in the coming weeks. She added, “Additional specialties to come include Oncology, as well as Lab and Imaging.” Regarding the challenge of staffing shortages that have been a nationwide plague on the healthcare industry, Tourtellotte said, “Cayuga Health continues to work diligently to fill positions impacted by the worker shortage; however, the majority of Cayuga Park positions are staffed by existing staff working for the practices relocating into this new space.” According to Tourtellotte, the facility will be able to provide improved care because “Cayuga Park design utilizes an onstage offstage model.” Tourtellotte said this model allows “Patients [to] access their exam rooms through a hallway instead of walking through the central area that contains nurses station and clinical care team activity.” Tourtellotte told the Ithaca Times, “Research shows that built environments can impact care delivery and patient outcomes.” She referenced an NIH study that “onstage/offstage module significantly improved staff workflow, reduced

travel distances, increased communication in private areas, and significantly reduced patient throughput and wait times.” Tourtellotte added, “We have used this model in other new office construction, like Community Corners. We expect it will improve the patient and staff experiences at Cayuga Park as well.” Regarding how the facility was designed to improve the experience of workers, Tourtellotte said, “The building was designed to deliver on core concepts of a well-building standard that drives design to support the health of people working in the The new Cayuga Park facility located behind Greenstar off Route 13 is open to the pubic. space.” She continued decision to open a location downtown tary services together to support patients’ saying that Cayuga Park is a “comfortable was made because “At the time, the greathealthcare journeys. We do this at several workspace with natural light, accessible est need was identified in the downtown drinking water, encouragement of physical locations, including Cayuga Park, Cayuga area.” He continued, “Many people who Health in Lansing (at the Shops at Ithaca), activity for wellbeing” and that “staff areas reside in that area do not have access Cayuga Health at Tompkins Street in Corare located to encourage collaboration as to transportation, which is a barrier to tland, and Schuyler Hospital in Montour well as enjoyment of the beautiful lake high-level and timely healthcare services. Falls. Each location is intended to provide views from the building.” The onstage/ Cayuga Park’s location will help to adoffstage design is also expected to alleviate a streamlined continuum of care to those dress this.” we serve.” pressure on workers by providing them Tourtellotte said the location was “purStallone states, “In this challenging with increased privacy. posefully chosen to improve access to care employment environment, this consolidaPresident and CEO of Cayuga Health, for those who reside in the City of Ithaca.” tion of many practice locations into fewer, Dr. Martin Stallone, said that the deciShe added, “The facility is on a public bus more integrated locations will produce sion to open a new location in downtown route and has plenty of parking.” operational efficiencies, which will only Ithaca was “based on several factors.” Stallone says that the new facilbenefit our patients through the responAccording to Stallone, “It is important to ity on Ithaca’s waterfront will improve sible use of our resources.” Tourtellotte continually improve the accessibility of the health care of Ithaca’s residents by agreed, saying, “The consolidation of healthcare for the residents of downtown providing them with “more convenient services to a convenient central location Ithaca.” Stallone said that Cayuga Health access to streamlined and integrated helps make it easier for patients to receive has been “investing in the most current healthcare services in a convenient locatheir care” and that “the building allows technologies and facility design to ensure tion. For some specialties, this location room for additional clinicians to provide Cayuga Health provides our communities will bring key services together under the care our community needs.” with the best care possible.” one roof to make the patient experience Cayuga Medical Associates Chief He continued, “This is also part of a Operating Officer Jeffery Penoyer said the more seamless.” broader initiative to bring complimenO c to b e r 1 8 – 2 4 , 2 0 2 3 / T h e I t h a c a T i m e s

Business Briefs

B usiness T imes

Brandmint President Louie Maier Named to the Rochester Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 List

Susan Marker joins Security Mutual Insurance as Systems Analyst

ouie Maier, President of Brandmint, an award-winning integrated marketing and creative solutions provider, has been named to the Rochester Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 list for 2023. The list recognizes Rochester’s leaders who are 39 years of age or younger for their professional accomplishments, community service, and commitment to inspiring change. Maier, responsible for managing a workforce of over fifty employees across his various business endeavors, expressed his excitement and appreciation by stating, “I am truly humbled to be recognized among such an accomplished group of individuals. Thank you to the Rochester Business Journal for this incredible honor.” As President of Brandmint, Maier and his marketing and creative team have worked with over 100 businesses in the northeast region. Brandmint delivers an array of comprehensive solutions that contribute to its client’s revenue growth goals by fostering meaningful connections. Maier shared his appreciation for the team stating, “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire workforce, and I am grateful for their support. Without them, none of this would be possible.” The Forty Under 40 winners were selected by a panel of judges consisting of former honorees from different profes-

Louie Maier

sions. “Louie Maier, along with this year’s winners, are the future leaders of the Greater Rochester area, and we are proud to celebrate their accomplishments,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, Managing Director of BridgeTower Media/Rochester Business Journal. The Forty Under 40 honorees will be celebrated at an awards ceremony on November 28th at The Strong Museum of Play. For the complete list of the 2023 Forty Under 40 honorees, visit: rbj. net/2023/09/15/2023-forty-under-40-honorees-announced/

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ecurity Mutual, an insurance-providing company that is represented by a network of more than 400 independent agents throughout New York State, is pleased to announce the appointment of Susan Marker as the newest addition to its team. With over 16 years of experience in the field, Susan brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role as Systems Analyst. Prior to joining Security Mutual Insurance, Marker worked at Next Level Solutions, where she honed her skills in gathering information and inputting requirements into insurance processing suites. Her dedication and commitment to excellence have made her a valuable asset in the industry. Marker has excelled in her field, continuously seeking professional development opportunities such as completing the Associate in Insurance (AINS) 101 and 102 certifications, further enhancing her skills and knowledge. Outside of work, she enjoys various hobbies, including board gaming, reading, and crocheting. She is also a movie

Susan Marker

enthusiast and always eager to explore new cinematic experiences. “We are thrilled to welcome Susan to our team,” said Ron Wilder, President of Security Mutual Insurance. “Her extensive experience and dedication to excellence make her a valuable addition to our organization. We look forward to the contributions she will make in her role as Systems Analyst.” For more information about Security Mutual Insurance and its services, please visit securitymutual.com.

Cayuga Health Opening Cayuga Urology This Month

ayuga Urology is now open at Cayuga Medical Center at 201 Dates Drive, Ithaca. Urologist Dr. Jason Cohen joined Cayuga Medical Associates (CMA), a member of Cayuga Health, from Northwestern Medicine. He offers advanced urologic care, including medical and surgical options. Dr. Cohen’s safe, effective treatments use the most advanced technology, with roboticassisted procedures, holmium laser treatments and incisionless techniques. His goal is to minimize pain, shorten recovery times, and improve quality of life for patients. “We are excited to welcome Urology as one of our Cayuga Health services,” said Jeff Penoyer, Vice President of Ambulatory Services at Cayuga Health. “While other communities lack urologists, we are fortunate to offer this much-needed care right here in our community to benefit our patients.” Dr. Cohen’s practice focus areas include: BPH treatments, elevated PSA,

Dr. Jason Cohen

hematuria, incontinence, kidney stones. erectile dysfunction, prostate and kidney cancers, vasectomy, bladder cancer, and robotic prostatectomy. Dr. Melanie McNally will join Cayuga Urology in February 2024. To make an appointment, call (607) 319-5747, or go to https://cayugahealth.org/urology.

Business Briefs Cayuga Health Appoints Elizabeth Veliz First Chief Human Resources Officer: Transformational leader will redesign human resources functions across health system

ayuga Health (CHS) is pleased to announce that Ms. Elizabeth Veliz has been appointed as its first Chief Human Resources Officer. Ms. Veliz will be responsible for the creation of an entirely new structure for the CHS Human Resources Department, composed of shared services, centers of excellence, and business partners to provide the highest level of service to Cayuga Health System’s over 3,000 person and growing workforce. “I am pleased to join Cayuga Health and lead a transformation of human resources which is critical to recruiting, retaining, and serving our most important resource- the skilled clinicians and staff who care for our community,” said Ms. Veliz. “Improving systems and practices, while building high performing teams, is my passion and I look forward to collaborating with the Cayuga Health team to achieve our shared vision for best-in-class human resources services to the entire health system.” Ms. Veliz’s first day is Monday, August 14. She reports directly to Dr. Martin Stallone, President and CEO of Cayuga Health. “As Cayuga Health has increased in size, our need for a sophisticated approach to human resources management has emerged,” stated Stallone. “Elizabeth’s expertise and drive will lead CHS through a period of needed critical growth. Under her leadership we will improve systems, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR contin u ed from page 6

It is time for the City to take the generous offer from Cornell and to not make this a test of power or wills. Someone who donates money they don;t have to pay makes a gift. You can’t tell your rich uncle that the check he sent you isn’t enough. As for the CU faculty who want CU to pay more, how many of those live in the city and how many have considered that if CU pays more to the city it

B usiness T imes

Ithaca Plastic Surgery Joins Cayuga Medical Associates

arlier this month, Ithaca Plastic Surgery joined Cayuga Medical Associates (CMA), a member of Cayuga Health. The practice has been renamed to Cayuga Plastic Surgery and brings a new specialty into the CMA family of practices. “Medical practice in the U.S. has evolved away from independent private medical practices toward an employed model,” stated David Monacelli, MD. “The advantages of this system include economies of scale, better access to health information, easier assessment of quality measures, and smoother coElizabeth Veliz ordination of care.” Monacelli opened build stronger connections, and integrate Ithaca Plastic Surgery on February 13, human resources functions across Cayuga 1995. Health.” “Cayuga Health is very pleased to Stallone continued, “Elizabeth brings have this practice join CMA and to experience in executing best in class support these important services to our strategies to Cayuga Health. Her passion patients,” stated Jeff Penoyer, Chief Opfor problem-solving paired with her ability erating Officer for CMA, “We are addto collaborate will reenergize our approach to supporting our people at all stages of their career development.” Ms. Veliz joins Cayuga Health with over 15-years of experience executing human resource strategies that solve business problems, improve team engagement, and build meaningful relationships. Her previous experience includes AVP, Talent Management/Organizational Development at VCU Health (Richmond, Va.) and Vice President, Human Resources at Faneuil, Inc. (Hampton, Va.). She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers University (Newark, N.J.) and an MBA from University of Phoenix in Human Resources Management.

David Monacelli, MD

ing patient services such as a patient portal, as well.” Cayuga Plastic Surgery will remain at its current location, 22 Brentwood Drive, Suite B and maintain its current telephone number (607) 266-0483.

could take it out of the faculty salary pool?” — Henry Kramer

“

I wasn’t sure which jurisdiction granted Cornell its tax exempt status. Thanks for clearing this up Henry. If it isn’t the City, then the City has no leverage against Cornell. Thus this fight needs to be taken to the State and Federal level. Cornell can then become the embarrassing greedy poster boy for why institutions of higher education shouldn’t be 100% tax exempt.” — Richard Ballantyne O c to b e r 1 8 – 2 4 , 2 0 2 3 / T h e I t h a c a T i m e s

14850) 215-217 Center $285,000 Street (Ithaca, 14850) B usinessHeadline: T imes Ithaca Property Transfers 155 Whitetail Drive (Ithaca, 14850) Address Price

Ithaca Property Transfers Headline: Ithaca Property Transfers Address

Price

Date

Seller

Buyer

717 N. Tioga Street (Ithaca, 14850)

$360,000

Sept. 21, 2023

Behuria, Sanjay

Lampman, Brian

12 Marcy Court (Ithaca, 14850)

$622,000

481 Floral Ave (Ithaca, 14850)

Sept. 21, 2023

Linn (f.k.a. Lindstrom), Laurie A

Chang, Elizabeth

Sept. 21, 2023

Lower, Patricia

Lower, Jeffrey

86 Penny Lane (Ithaca, 14850)

$285,000

Sept. 19, 2023

Feng, Hoglin

Faonkar, Nelima

48 Woodcrest Ave (Ithaca, 14850)

$684,000

Sept. 19, 2023

Gutman, Sanford

Kim, Michael Pumshin

140 Westhaven Road (Ithaca, 14850)

$395,000

Sept. 18, 2023

Lambert, Keith

Mato, Anthony

208 Kline Road (Ithaca, 14850)

$1,100,000

Sept. 18, 2023

Herring, Ronald

Grossfeld, Gary

317 Linn St. (Ithaca, 14850)

$299,000

Sept. 15, 2023

Arthur, Catherine Marie

Maltzan, Brian

103 York Street E. (Ithaca, 14850)

$350,000

Sept. 14, 2023

Hansteen, Henry

Liyuwork, Ayalew

215-217 Center Street (Ithaca, 14850)

$285,000

155 Whitetail Drive (Ithaca, 14850) 207 Cascadilla Ave (Ithaca, 14850)

Sept. 13, 2023

Sept. 12, 2023

$350,000

Sept. 11, 2023

Koltz, Cynthia

Armstrong, Robert

Rothenberg, Howard Ira

Rothenberg & Couper, Living Trust

Schwartz, Deena

Regenspan, Barbara

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18 T h e I t h a c a T i m e s / O c to b e r 1 8 – 2 4 , 2 0 2 3

Sept. 13, 2023

Koltz, Cynthia

Armstrong, Robert

Sept. 12, 2023

Rothenberg, Howard Ira Seller

Rothenberg & Couper, Living Trust Buyer

Date

207 717 Cascadilla N. Tioga Ave (Ithaca, Street (Ithaca, 14850)

$350,000 $360,000

Sept. 11, 21, 2023

Schwartz, Behuria, Sanjay Deena

Regenspan, Lampman, Brian Barbara

301 Dryden 12 Marcy Court Road (Ithaca, (Ithaca, 14850) 0 Campbell Ave 14850) (Ithaca, 14850) 0 Campbell Ave 481 Floral Ave 217 Park14850) Place (Ithaca, (Ithaca, 14850) 86 Penny Lane 217 Park Place 210 Madison St. (Ithaca, 14850) (Ithaca, 14850) 48 Woodcrest 210 Madison St. 21 Lane AvePenny (Ithaca, (Ithaca, 14850) (Ithaca, 14850) 14850) 21 Penny Lane 109 Westhaven Lake St. 140 (Ithaca, 14850) (Ithaca, 14850) Road (Ithaca,

$622,000

Sept. 8, 21,2023 2023

$145,000

Sept. 8, 2023

Steel, Anna Linn (f.k.a. Katharina Lindstrom), Gray, Matthew Laurie A

301 Dryden Chang, Road LLC Elizabeth Bowes, Luke

$145,000

Sept. 8, 21,2023 2023 Sept. 7, 2023

$285,000

19,2023 2023 Sept. 7, Sept. 7, 2023

Gray, Lower,Matthew Patricia Abrams, Samantha Feng, Hoglin Abrams, Kidd, Martha Samantha

Bowes, Luke Lower, Jeffrey 217 Park Place LLC Faonkar, 217 Park Nelima Place Kidd, Martha LLC

$684,000 $215,000

19,2023 2023 Sept. 7, Sept. 6, 2023

Gutman, Kidd, Martha Acay, Cosku Sanford

Kim, Michael Kidd, Martha ArtibalJacoby, Pumshin Hallie

$215,000 $427,500 $395,000

Sept. 6, 2023 Sept. 18, 6, 2023 Sept. 2023

Acay, Cosku Quinn, Gaye Lambert, Keith

109 Lake St. 14850) (Ithaca, 14850) 112 Road 208 Poole Kline Road (Ithaca, (Ithaca, 14850) 14850) 112 Poole Road 317 Linn14850) St. (Ithaca, (Ithaca, 14850)

$427,500

Sept. 6, 2023

Quinn, Gaye

ArtibalJacoby, Douglas Green, Mato, Anthony Hallie as Trustee, of the Douglas H.S Douglas Green,

$205,000 $1,100,000

Sept. Sept. 5, 18,2023 2023

King, Nancy Herring, Ronald

$205,000 $299,000

Sept. 5, 2023 Sept. 15, 2023

King, Nancy Arthur, Catherine Marie

White, Andrew Maltzan, Brian

103 Street 115 York Burleigh E. (Ithaca, Drive (Ithaca, 14850) 115 Burleigh Drive (Ithaca, 215-217 Center 1172 Danby 14850) Street (Ithaca, Road (Ithaca,

$350,000 $356,000

Sept. 14, 2023 5, 2023

Hansteen, Henry EComm Link Ltd

Liyuwork, He, Hao Ayalew

$356,000

Sept. 5, 2023

EComm Link Ltd

He, Hao

$285,000 $605,000

Sept. 13, 2023 5, 2023

Koltz, Cynthia R. Keith Gerrard, Revocable Trust

$605,000

Sept. 5, 2023

R. Keith Gerrard, Revocable Trust Rothenberg, Howard Ira Vanderlinde, Estate of Peter J

Armstrong, Namgyal Robert Monastery, Institute of Namgyal Buddhist Monastery, Rothenberg & Institute of Couper, Living Vanderlinde, Buddhist Trust Kristen

14850) 1172 Danby Road (Ithaca, 155 Whitetail 14850) Drive (Ithaca, 402 Columbia 14850) Street (Ithaca, 14850) 402 207 Columbia Cascadilla Street (Ithaca, Ave (Ithaca, 820 N Cayuga 14850) 14850) St (Ithaca, 14850) 820 Cayuga 301 N Dryden St (Ithaca, Road (Ithaca, 608 East Buffalo 14850) 14850) Street (Ithaca, 14850) 608 East Buffalo Street (Ithaca, 769 Aurora St. S 14850) (Ithaca, 14850)

Sept. 12, 2023 Aug. 31, 2023

as Trustee, of White, Andrew Grossfeld, Gary the Douglas H.S

$350,000 $60,000

Aug. Sept.31, 11,2023 2023 Aug. 30, 2023

Vanderlinde, Schwartz, Estate of Peter J DeenaAudrey Moss,

Vanderlinde, Regenspan, Kristen Barbara Moss, Emily

$60,000

Aug. 2023 Sept.30, 8, 2023 Aug. 30, 2023

Moss, Audrey Steel, Anna Katharina Beer Properties, Partnership

Moss, Emily 301 Dryden Road LLC Beer Properties LLC

$215,000

Aug. 30, 2023 Aug. 18, 2023

Beer Properties, Partnership CB 769 LLC

Beer Properties LLC Wang, Hui

769 AuroraLn St. S 24 Chase (Ithaca, (Ithaca, 14850) None)

$215,000 $421, 995

Aug. Aug. 18, 18, 2023 2023

CB 769 LLC H Bruce Richard

Wang, Bruce, Hui Jennifer M

24 Ln 38 Chase Woodcrest (Ithaca, (Ithaca, None) None)

$421, 995 $473,500

Aug. Aug. 18, 16, 2023 2023

Bruce Richard H Behuria, Sanjay

Bruce, Wang, Jennifer Meng M

38 Woodcrest 110-12 Heights (Ithaca, None) Court (Ithaca, None)

$473,500 $1,350,000

Aug. Aug. 16, 15, 2023 2023

Behuria, Sanjay Sarkus, Peter J

Wang, Meng 1123 Danby Road, LLC

132 Compton Rd (Ithaca, None)

$82,000

Aug.15, 2023

Estate of Glenn S. Goodman

Marosi, Tibor G

145 Linn St. (Ithaca, None)

$290,000

Aug. 15, 2023

Nguyen, Hanh P

Siemon, Katherine Alexis

106 Lewis Street E. (Ithaca, None)

$290,000

Aug. 14, 2023

Walters, Jean M. (Aka, Jean R.)

SHEFA 541, LLC

326 Fall Creek Drive (Ithaca, None)

$825,000

Aug. 14, 2023

Mrazek, Robert J.

Kapengut, Dina

166 Whitetail Dr. (Ithaca, None)

$454,000

Aug. 14, 2023

Lingquist, Gregory S.

Capiro, Natalie L.

973 State Street E. (Ithaca, None)

$488,000

Aug. 14, 2023

Engle, Michael

Musharoff, Shaila Ahsan

212 Hudson Street (Ithaca, None)

$349,000

Aug. 14, 2023

Munir, Thouyezen H, Bordelon, Jill

Ali, Abdul Aziz

201 Stewart Ave (Ithaca, None)

Aug. 14, 2023

Behuria, Sanjay

The Behuria Family Trust

526 Seneca St. W (Ithaca, None)

Aug. 14, 2023

Behuria, Sanjay

The Behuria Family Trust

108 Utica Street (Ithaca, None)

$432,500

Aug. 11, 2023

Schmitt, Carol

Nevels, Stephanie

110 Washington Street (Ithaca, None)

$397,500

Aug. 11, 2023

DiGiacinto, Robert

Cain, Nancy

Sports

ber one sport.” He added, “It’s a matter of learning how to manage the game, and not give away strokes. While waiting for Rowan to come back, some of our kids stepped up and really broke through for us.” As an example, he pointed to Sam Harris, a sophomore, who “stepped up to play at number one after being thrown to the wolves.” Harris, his coach said, “shot an 81 at Mark Twain, and finished tied for 9th in the section.” The top ten — out of 68 golfers, Miller offered — qualify as medalists and he said “Sam worked really hard to make it come together.” By Ste ve L aw re nc e Miller said that in high school golf, there is a “double motivation” in that here are many measuring sticks in the world of competitive sports, and athletes get to shoot for individual accolades in addition to helping the team the Ithaca High golf team utilized score. He also shared how pleased he several this season. is with the effort Hinrichsen put in to According to coach Dan Miller, “Ours come back from his wrist injury, saying is a young team, and we dealt with some injuries. Ronan Hinrichsen — out number “Rowan came back really strong, qualifying for the Sectionals. A top nine finish one man — broke his wrist on Labor Day will enable him to represent Section IV weekend, and as a result missed a lot of at the States.” matches.” Dan loved sharing sophomore Ruby Miller has been coaching the Little Red Shaw’s story. He laughed when he said, since 1999, and he was reminded of his “Ruby moved here from Texas, and there longevity when a student recently apwere a few times when she got a little proached him and said, “You taught my chilly.” The coach was proud to convey mom!” Of this year’s team, Dan said, “We that he “got an email from her family, always have strong athletes, and for some saying “she doesn’t know a soul here,” but of them, golf is not necessarily their num-

Fit to a Tee

Newcomer Ruby Shaw Finds a Place In Little Red Golf

provide support to organize volunteer groups [to ensure sidewalks remain free contin u ed from page 5 of snow and ice.] That seems to be the trend.” He continued by saying that “cities that have strict enforcement policies tend Rochester does citywide sidewalk snow to do much better than cities that have clearing after 4-inch snowfalls. [The city lax enforcement policies” when it comes uses] short-term contractors to provide additional labor and equipment as needed. to getting residents to clear snow and ice from sidewalks in front of their properties. Ithaca could do the same thing”. He conAccording to Thorne, DPW officials tinued, “The City of Syracuse clears sidehave discussed implementing a $50 walk snow on priority pedestrian routes, fine for first-time noncompliance, with and Ithaca could do that as well.” penalties escalating to more than $100 for Ultimately, Thorne said that Rochester repeated violations. is an anomaly because they’ve had their The City requires property owners to program in place for roughly 100 years, and funding “is already baked into their budget.” clear snow from sidewalks in front of their property. However, many property ownIn addition, Syracuse has allocated more ers are unwilling or unable to do so, and funding to their program than Ithaca can. vacant properties or owned by absentee Thone continued by saying that several cities that experience harsh winters are look- landlords are routinely left with mountains of snow piling up around them. ing into the prospect of creating municipal Coalition for Snow-Free Sidewalks and programs to clear snow and ice from sideCrosswalks leader Eric Lerner has said, walks and crosswalks during winter months “After storms, there are hundreds, if not but are finding the process is “complex and thousands, of properties not in compliance. expensive.” As a result, he said that most When one property on a block is unplowed, cities don’t do it. “It’s highly uncommon for cities to do sidewalk snow removal, and they the entire block may be impassable.” He continued, “There are about 5,500 properties cite complexity and the cost,” Thorne said. in Ithaca, so if just 10% are uncleared after a To fill the gap, Thorne says, “A number of cities are starting to encourage and even storm, that would be about 550 violations.” RESIDENTS MAKE ANNUAL REQUEST

she, in Miller’s words, “found an instant group of friends.” He added that “There is no girls’ team, so she played by the same set of standards and regulations as did the boys. There was no playing from the shorter tees.She crushed it, with a 44 (nine hole) average score, and she played at number 3 or 4, and helped us win matches.” Ruby had an added set of challenges, Dan said, in that “She had to learn all the courses — our home course at Cornell, En-Joie (in Endicott), The Links (Owego), Mark Twain (Elmira) — everything was brand new to her.” The near future looks bright, Miller says, in that “If Ruby shoots a 55 average in the spring, she could qualify as a Top ninerepresentative in the girls’ state tournament.” He said that he really like the maturity she showed, staying Ruby Shaw tees off for the Ithaca High golf team. (Photo by Kaitlyn Hart) within her limits and staying true to her game. In Dan’s words, “She doesn’t try to bomb it 250 or 300 yards, she just hits it Local football teams had another 175 or 200, right down the middle, and she “Meatloaf ” weekend, as “Two Out of Three doesn’t get in trouble.” Putting a finer point Ain’t Bad.” Ithaca College stepped up at on how proud he is of his team, Miller said, home, taking down previously unbeaten “Ruby’s teammates made her feel welcome Union by a 17-9 score in a crucial Liberty on the golf course, in school, and that kind League contest, and the Little Red of Ithaof treatment lowered a lot of anxiety a new ca High ran their record to an impressive student might experience. Friendship, good 4-2 with a 36-22 win over Dryden. Ithaca competition — everything team sports are came back from a 14-point halftime deficit supposed to be about.” to run its win streak to four games.

Vital for Life

by Betsy Schermerhorn Director, Marketing and Admissions

ASPECTS OF DEMENTIA CARE Effective dementia care is multifaceted and prioritizes the well-being and quality of life of individuals affected by this complex condition. It involves providing a safe and supportive environment that promotes independence, dignity, and comfort. Dementia care includes personalized plans tailored to each individual’s unique needs, focusing on maintaining cognitive function, managing behavioral changes, and addressing physical and emotional wellbeing. Caregivers employ various strategies, such as mental stimulation exercises, reminiscence therapy, and engaging activities, to enhance cognitive abilities and promote social interaction. Compassionate communication, active listening, and empathy form the foundation of effective dementia care, fostering a sense of trust and

understanding. Moreover, a comprehensive support network is essential for individuals with dementia, their caregivers, and other family members. Providing care for someone with dementia is physically and emotionally demanding. If you're a caregiver for someone with dementia, learn about the disease and participate in caregiver education programs. Find out about supportive services in your community, such as respite care or adult care. If you have a loved one who requires nursing care, call the marketing team at (607) 266-5300 to schedule a tour to see our facilities and learn more about lifecare at Kendal at Ithaca. Find us on the web at http://kai.kendal.org/ 2230 N. Triphammer Road Ithaca, NY 14850-6513

Website: www.kai.kendal.org Email: admissions@kai.kendal.org

(607) 266-5300 Toll Free: (800) 253-6325

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