NEWSLINE

By Matt Dougherty

The Ithaca Police Department has applied for a grant to fund three crisis intervention specialists that will work closely with IPD, according to the City of Ithaca’s acting Chief of Police, John Joly.

During the most recent meeting of the Common Council's Reimagining Public Safety special committee, Joly described the funding request and other steps being taken by the Police Department to meet the goals established in the reimagining public safety plan.

Joly said that the number one recommendation the city has made to IPD is to “evaluate discrete alternatives to law enforcement response for crisis intervention in wraparound health and human service delivery.”

According to Joly, the idea behind bringing three crisis intervention specialists on board is that it will decrease the workload for armed o cers that don’t necessarily need to respond to a mental health crisis and allow them to be better trained when they do have to deal with a mental health situation.

Joly told the committee, “We are of cers dispatched to a call, and if it turns out it’s really not criminal, but maybe a mental health situation, a crisis intervention specialist would be better trained.” He continued saying, “then we could relieve the o cers from that call and they can go on to other criminal complaints.”

IPD should nd out whether or not they will receive any of the funding that they applied for by January.

Joly noted that Tompkins County is working on adding three crisis intervention specialists to the Health Department. ese specialists will be paired directly with law enforcement — two will be assigned to the County and there will be two Sheri ’s deputies that work directly with those crisis intervention specialists — and one will be assigned to the City to work directly with IPD.

According to Joly, “due to our sta ing and the constraints in our collective bargaining agreement, we can't assign a single o cer to work directly with that crisis manager specialist.” However, he continued saying that IPD has a plan to put together “a group of four or so o cers that are trained in crisis intervention, critical incident negotiation, or something similar and we'll pair those four with that crisis management specialist.”

Based on IPD’s availability, one of that group will work closely with this crisis manager specialist. “ ere's still more work to be done. But that is what's in process right now,” said Joly.

Joly told the Reimagining Committee that the IPD currently has 52 o cers on sta , though several are on light duty due to injuries and medical restrictions. ere is a retirement anticipated and a new hire that will be graduating the Police Academy in October. e Acting Chief then o ered updates on the Department’s work on the list of recommendations that were part of the City’s Reimagining Plan. Joly noted that more than 1,000 hours were spent last year on cultural competency training, including de-escalation, anti-bias, ethics, addressing the homeless population, and community policing. He said that the IPD and Community Justice Center have been working together on coordinating meetings throughout the community between o cers and citizens. A consultant has been

Acting Chief Joly reported grant funding could pay for four crisis interventions specialists to work with the IPD in the future. (Photo: Provided) DA Van Houten said a reimagining goals is to increase the confidence marginalized parts of the community have in the justice system. (Photo: Provided)

Continued on Page 19

T A K E N O T E

 Dragon Day Gets Noticed — Cornell’s Dragon Day, in which architecture students battle engineering students, ostensibly by proxy, using giant dragon and phoenix sculptures was named the most unusual U.S. college tradition by InterestingFacts.com. The website tells the tale of how it began in 1901 and eventually evolved into a scu e after which the dragon was burned to a crisp. Scu e is a very polite word for what used to transpire on the Arts Quad.  Help Clean City Cemetery — Historic Ithaca is looking for volunteers to help collect trash, pick up branches, clean gravestones, and generally tidy up Ithaca City Cemetery on Saturday, September 24. If you’re interested register at http://events.constantcontact.com/ register/event?llr=einaptcab&oeidk=a07ejd4e7ts922cddd1. You’ll need closed toe shoes, gloves, a water bottle, hat, sunscreen, and insect repellant.

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G AZETTE : TOM N EWTON

By Josh Baldo

“Enjoy it.” – Brian L.

“Study hard, take your time, think about your future.” – Matt H.

“These are the good old days.” – Sadie H.

“Trust yourself. You have all you need to thrive.” – Katie H.

“Know nothing.” – Outback

By Sydney Keller

Recounting the obstacles she faced when a student, Ithaca College’s new president, La Jerne Terry Cornish, advised students and the IC community of the importance of persistence. “Losing my mother on the rst day of nals freshman year was something that knocked me down,” President Cornish said. “My GPA su ered. As a result of that, I had to work really hard to get back up. I’ve encountered hard things, yet and still I persisted. What I want my students to know is you’re going to experience ups and downs, but you have to keep going.”

Cornish was speaking at a September 14 webinar which began what is being called her Ithaca Together Inaugural Tour during which she will discuss her commitments to the IC community including her goals to connect with Ithaca alumni and friends across the country. Cornish said that the tour is a way to provide Ithaca alumni and friends with a way to connect with each other in their own communities. “So it’s perhaps tting that this rst tour engagement takes place in a virtual setting,” she added; “one that enables us to connect in solidarity wherever we are in the world.”

“I want to hear your stories,” Cornish said. “I want to develop relationships. I want to know what Ithaca College did for you. I want to know how the experience you had on this campus changed your life and changed the life of someone else.”

Cornish emphasized her excitement for this fall semester because it is the rst semester since the COVID-19 pandemic where all classes o ered are completely inperson. “ is one truly feels like a new beginning,” she said. According to Cornish, more than 1,400 new students have been enrolled in IC this fall. She noted that IC has launched a successful graduate physician assistant program aimed for students to enhance skills that are in a high demand and provide expertise.

Noting the continuing specter of COVID-19, Cornish acknowledged that the campus on South Hill is still not completely back to normal. She admitted it will take years to restore the campus’ position as “a world-class comprehensive college.” “ ree to ve to restore, three to ve to soar, and I’m betting that we’re going to soar in six or before,” she added.

Cornish assured the IC community that she is dedicated to the institution for the long-game, but she can only do this if everyone in the IC community comes together. “Our ability to move forward as a college is directly bound to our ability to move forward as a community,” she explained. Cornish asked the IC community to share campus news on their social media and wear IC apparel in their local communities to help raise IC’s pro le. She also urged alumni to increase their engagement by acting as mentors, providing internship opportunities, Zooming into classrooms, visiting the campus, and helping with recruitment of new students. at recruitment e ort won’t stop at the border. Cornish discussed plans to collaborate with Cornell University and other New York State colleges and universities to recruit international students. Ithaca College, Cornell University, Colgate University and Hamilton College will be working together to travel and recruit students from the UK and throughout Europe, she announced, noting that the IC London Center will help by hosting a gathering in the future.

Cornish also shared her pride for IC’s annual Cortaca Jug football game taking place November 12 in New York City’s Yankee Stadium. She said she is a big sports fan and that one of her fondest memories at IC thus far has been being able to watch a football game and have a view of Cayuga Lake in the background.

As president, Cornish said she will always believe in her students, but that they also need to have faith in themselves. “I need you to believe in you,” President Cornish said. “We can believe in you, but it doesn’t mean a thing if you don’t believe in you.”

Timothy Downs, Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial O cer, weighed in on the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for the college. He said challenges are driven by low enrollments in the fall 2020 and fall 2021 classes, adding that the next couple of years will be an operating budget challenge. He agreed with Cornish that it will take three to ve years to return to normal enrollment which will allow the IC community to soar yet again.

Vice President for Marketing and Enrollment Strategy Laurie Koehler spoke on concerns relating to the value of an education at Ithaca College. “We built on a bunch of di erent strategies to create what we call the Ithaca commitment,” Koehler said. is commitment includes simplifying the aid application process, revamping the nancial aid package and creating a 4-year nancial forecast which will bene t the class that just began at IC. e 4-year forecast breaks down the student's maximum investment in IC when they are admitted to the college, which is rare as it is a common practice for college costs to rise each year, Koehler said.

Provost Melanie Stein explained that bringing the theater, music and dance programs under one roof was for students’ own academic and career achievement. “ e world is not separated into departments that we in academia like to separate our curriculum into,” Stein explained. “Our students who are going out there to be artists, they’re going to be multidisciplinary out there in the world. In bringing all of these artistic departments together under one roof, we are really putting our students in the strongest position to prepare them for careers in this ever-changing world.”

IC President Cornish said it will take three to five years to restore the college from the ravages of the pandemic. (Photo: Provided)

By Matt Dougherty

The Tompkins County Legislature announced the launch of the Tompkins Community Recovery Fund (TCRF), which will provide more than $6.5 million in grant funding to eligible organizations, government entities, and small businesses in the County.

According to Tompkins County Administrator Lisa Holmes, the program leverages funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to invest directly in the parts of the community that have been most impacted by the pandemic. e program will grant $6.5 million to local organizations and businesses to undertake projects that address and aid in the recovery from the impacts of the pandemic. e TCRF also aims to support local not-for-pro t organizations and small businesses impacted by COVID-19 shutdowns. and build long-term capacity and resilience by addressing critical gaps in services such as child care, job training, and a ordable housing.

Organizations that qualify to receive recovery grant funding include nonpro ts, small businesses, small educational institutions, healthcare providers, and government entities that have been impacted by the pandemic. ese organizations will be able to apply for grants of $10,000 or more to support projects and provide services that will aid in the recovery from the pandemic and improve community resilience moving forward.

Projects and services covered by the grant include but are not limited to childcare resources, small business and nonpro t relief, education, healthcare, social justice, broadband internet, critical infrastructure, and housing. In order to qualify for the grant, eligible organizations will need to submit evidence such as nancial records that would prove that the organization has been impacted by the pandemic. Additionally, most projects funded by the grant will have to be completed by 2026.

Shawna Black, Chairwoman of the Tompkins County Legislature, said “ is is a transformative investment in our community. We’re looking forward to seeing applications from local organizations recovering from the pandemic or investing in critical projects moving forward.” She continued saying, “ e Legislature has heard loud and clear that the pandemic’s impacts on our local economy and organizations have been serious and ongoing for a few years now. is is our opportunity to support a more resilient and sustainable recovery for Tompkins County.” Legislator Dan Klein, who chairs the committee of the Legislature overseeing the fund said, “I want to thank local businesses and organizations for your patience as we’ve worked to get this fund set up and running. We have a real opportunity to make lasting change, and for the County to help in key areas of community recovery.” Klein continued saying, “I hope all of the local businesses, nonpro ts, small governments, and healthcare providers consider applying to this fund—and I’m glad that we’re on track to announce awards around the end of this year.” e program guidelines, application, and other relevant documents and information are available on the program web page at https://www. tompkinscountyny.gov/communityrecoveryfund. e TCRF splits funding into three di erent categories. Organizations can qualify for a grant ranging from $10,000 to $25,000; $25,001 to $250,000, and $250,001 or more. ere is not a clear maximum amount regarding how much grant funding an organization can receive. roughout the process of cra ing the TCRF, the County Legislature has worked alongside MRB Group and WCP Consultants to assist with administering the recovery fund grant program. Members of the consulting team will be available to provide technical assistance and guidance to potential applicants during upcoming public information sessions. e Tompkins County Human Services Coalition already hosted one webinar focused on non-pro t applicants. Additionally, the Tompkins County Chamber, Ithaca Area Economic Development, and Downtown Ithaca Alliance will co-host a meeting focused on small business applicants — and one general session meeting will be held in person at the Tompkins County Public Library on September 23. Tracy Verrier, project manager at MRG Group, will provide an overview including program priorities, eligibility criteria, application guidelines and project timelines. According to Verrier, it is anticipated that applications will be accepted beginning later this month. e deadline for applications is October 31.

Dan Klein believes the Legislature is on track to announce awards by the end of the year. (Photo: Provided) Shawna Black sees these grants as transformative investments in the community. (Photo: Provided)

To the expanding appreciation of the local cider scene. The Finger Lakes have been called the Napa Valley of cider. And Tompkins County is seen as the epicenter of the cider world. Has anyone thought of creating a cider trail?

To our excessive self-criticism. We’re far from perfect, but others sometimes have a better perspective on our hometown. TravelTrivia.com recently named Ithaca the 8th most beautiful college town in America. Another glowing review to add to our list.

Paul Glover, best known locally for being the founder of Ithaca Hours, has been in failing health for some time. He’s currently in a nursing home outside Philadelphia. Sporadic updates from visitors, including some from Ithaca, can be found on his Facebook page.

There’s no longer just one “Jungle.” There are now four distinct homeless encampments, each with its own unique character, according to those who work with the residents. One is said to be particularly problematic. This issue may fade in winter, but it’s not going away.

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 With COVID receding will you shop locally and in-person more?

24.2% Yes. I’ve missed browsing and searching and want to buy local. 48.5% A bit. But there are some things that are just cheaper online. 27.3% No. Amazon, InstaCart and DoorDash are just too convenient.

NEXT WEEK’S QUESTION: How do you feel about another dock-less bike sharing program?

Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.

By Charley Githler

It’s been quite a two weeks since the last column. For one thing, the Queen of England died, which apparently came as a shock to a lot of people. e words “died unexpectedly” don’t o en gure into the obituaries of people who pass away at age 96, but whatever. Some of my more democratic-minded friends have ruminated on the fact that she was a world gure only because of the family into which she was born. She won (I guess) the accidentof-birth lottery. All of which is true, but she handled it well and carried o being a gurehead with aplomb and seemliness for a really long time. I can’t manage aplomb for more than a couple hours, and she did it from when Harry Truman was president until last week.

Also since the last column, I was jolted out of my everyday reverie by a television commercial for a product called the Ballsy B2 Ball Trimmer. It’s what it sounds like, and it’s a real commercial on real television. “Here at Ballsy, we know how hard it is to trim your balls.” I’m afraid that is a direct quote. e spokesperson holds nothing back as she carries on about the product’s many features in details that would make Dirk Diggler blush and signs o by declaring that “here at Ballsy, we know balls.” I’ve long since surrendered to the reality that advertising copywriters are trying to kill us, but are there literally no lines le ? Is there nothing that is beyond the bounds of good taste? I’m really not an excessively modest person. I just want to live in a world where the condition of one’s testicles remains the exclusive province of one’s self, one’s partner, and Dr. Vohra.

My point is that as long as Queen Elizabeth II was alive, I knew that there was at least one other person who would also be staring in trans xed horror at the TV if she were sitting in my living room. King Charles III, even as big a sti as he is, is not that person. It wasn’t that long ago (1989, to be exact) that we were all treated to a recording of a telephone conversation in which His Majesty the King expressed a fervent desire to be one of Her Majesty the Queen Consort Camilla’s tampons. ere’s no forgetting that, Sire. And we need not go into sordid detail about his brother Prince Andrew, now Keeper of the Royal Corgis.

Sure, the monarchy is an antiquated institution, thoroughly steeped in a history

Continued on Page 7 Becoming at dancer at age 40 has been renewing for Lucia Sciore. (Photo: Provided)

By Marjorie Olds

Lucia Sciore loved music all her life and in 1990 she became a dancer at age 40. Here’s her story in her own words: “Enjoying the Ithaca Festival, I watched Maurice Haltom’s African Dance group performing. I was drawn by the music, the rhythm, the drumming and I signed up for dance classes right away.

“Two or three times a week I attended Maurice’s classes. First, we met in the “Taj” on State Street, moving next to the City Health Club. I loved the way Maurice taught the classes. In addition to African Dance, I took Qi Gong classes whenever I could. Over time, I also studied and danced at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY.

“As time went on the heavy pounding beat and steps of African Dance were causing knee pain.

“When I watched Katharyn Machal Howd’s Mirage belly dance group perform, I was ready to broaden my horizons. I took Zajal’s (Katharyn’s dance persona) Egyptian style belly dance classes at Community School of Music and Art, as well as Tessa’s tribal style belly dancing in the Fingerlakes Health Club. Alicia, another belly dancer, along with Tessa, hosted Dance Events at the old Lot 10. Now I go once a week to Mirage sessions at the Foundation of Light.

“Over the years I’ve performed with belly dancers in many Ithaca Festival Parades and performances, also at the Library, at Longview, and at nursing homes in the area. is June we performed at the delightful, rural, laid-back Faerie Festival, east of Binghamton. I enjoyed all the classes, festival and performances and I learned something from everyone I encountered.

“Good dance teachers push us to work harder. Even non-dancers can be taught to listen to the music and learn the rhythms for dance. In 2015 I toured Cuba with a Cornell travel group and danced with a Cuban dance partner. We visited the famous Bueno Vista Social Club and watched the only living member of the original Club perform. Dance is truly a universal language.

“Dancing and walking and exercising are part of my routine. When I was surviving the loss of my husband, I realized how crucial having a routine is. In retirement, I work three days a week at a job I love at the ReUse Center. e other four days of the week I meet friends for a walk or weightli ing or I walk alone.

“Dance and exercise can be anything you want to do. Walking can be a kind of dance. Movement of all types is renewing,” “When I look back and think about my family, my career, my life in Ithaca, I am very grateful to be able to enjoy this time in my life. I feel blessed a er lots of struggles to have these opportunities. I’m glad to still be dancing and savoring my life now, just as it is.”