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Ithaca Fest

After postponement, 2020 Ithaca Festival canceled due to coronavirus

fter originally being rescheduled to later in summer, the Ithaca Festival has been officially canceled for 2020 as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Festival leaders do currently plan on having the festival in 2021. The annual event, one of the biggest in the county each year, is usually held in late May but in early April organizers announced that it had been postponed until August. The festival's new leader, Selena Hodom, said in an interview that if organizers continued to plan the event, but were unable to actually put on the festival in August due to public health restrictions, it would be perilous for Ithaca Festival's long-term survival. The festival has already struggled with its financial well-being over the last several years. "With the health guidelines that are still in place we would have been attempting an August event with the hope that it could happen," Hodom said. "The financial impacts if we ultimately would not be able to produce the event could be dire to the festival. We

thought it best to use this year to re-group and strengthen the festival for the future." Leaders had considered pushing the festival back a few more months into autumn, but that presented riskier weather possibilities and potentially infringing on the Apple Harvest Festival that's held in late September. Hodom additionally said that it felt inappropriate to be asking for support for the festival from local sponsors when businesses are struggling so much because of the effects of COVID-19. "There is a concern about asking for community support in this troubling time for a lot of our businesses," she said.

"With a lot of businesses closing or still trying to come out of this pandemic, they simply do not have the capacity to sponsor, advertise or participate in the Ithaca Festival this year. We want to be sure what we are doing puts our community above all else." The 2020 cancellation means that the festival will have to layoff staff members in order to "cut all expenses to ensure the future," and enter "survival mode," according to Hodom. The time between now and the next festival will be dedicated to fundraising to ensure the event's stability. While the cancellation is a shame for locals, it's also a detrimental blow for downtown businesses and the local art community, both of which benefit greatly from the festival. The draw of the festival brings thousands of people to spend money downtown during the lean summer months

T a k e

Scenes from last year’s Ithaca Fest. The event will attempt to return in 2021. (Photo by Casey Martin)

when students are away, and there really isn't a more prominent local public arts celebration than Ithaca Festival. Festival organizers might be setting up a virtual art gallery and online live art classes over the summer. "Currently, the focus will be on fundraising and supporting art and the artists within the community as much as we can this year without a full on festival," Hodom said. "The approach for the 2021 festival will remain the same. If there are health and safety issues that need to be addressed, we have time to formulate something that will be in the best interest of the health and safety of the community." M att Butler

N o t e

▶ Go vote - Check out page 8

County District Attorney, Ithaca

or head to the Tompkins County

and 9 in this issue for locations

City Judge and New York State

Board of Elections site. There you

and hours for early voting, which

Assembly 125th District. Village

can find full candidate profiles,

can help for people who are

elections have been postponed

campaign introductions and

nervous to be in public during the

until the fall.

coverage of debates, forums and

coronavirus outbreak. Elections

ON T HE WE B

For more information, go

being held on and leading up

check out our coverage at https://

to June 23 are for Tompkins

www.ithaca.com/news/election/

the ins and outs of the last several months.

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Visit our website at www.ithaca.com for more news, arts, sports and photos. Call us at 607-277-7000 M a t t B u t l e r , M a n a g i n g E d i t o r , x 224 E d i t o r @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m J a i m e C o n e , E d i t o r , x 232 SouthReporter@flcn.org C a s e y M a r t i n , S ta f f P h o t o g r a p h e r P h o t o g r a p h e r @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m C h r i s I b e r t , C a l e n d a r E d i t o r , x 217 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 227 Sports@flcn.org Steve L awrence, Spo rts Co lumnist St e v e S p o r t sD u d e @ g m a i l .co m M a r s h a l l H o p k i n s , P r o d u c t i o n D i r ec t o r / D es i g n e r , x 216 P r o d u c t i o n @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m E r i n S t e w a r t , A cc o u n t R ep r ese n ta t i v e , x 220 E r i n @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m L i s a B i n g a m a n , A cc o u n t R ep r ese n ta t i v e , x 218 l i s a @ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m I r e n e B r a d l e y , x 211 A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Chris Eaton, Distribution J i m B i l i n s k i , P u b l i s h e r , x 210 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 214 l a r r y@ I t h a c aTi m e s . c o m F r e e l a n c e r s : Barbara Adams, Rick Blaisell, Steve Burke, Deirdre Cunningham, Jane Dieckmann, Amber Donofrio, Karen Gadiel, Charley Githler, Linda B. Glaser, Warren Greenwood, Ross Haarstad, Peggy Haine, Gay Huddle, Austin Lamb, Steve Lawrence, Marjorie Olds, Lori Sonken, Henry Stark, Dave Sit, Bryan VanCampen, and Arthur Whitman

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INQUIRING

N e w s l i n e

PHOTOGRAPHER By C a se y Mar tin

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! WHAT MUSIC DID DAD INTRODUCE YOU TO?

Police R eform

“Radiohead. OK Computer.”

Local officials split on new personnel records access for law enforcement

-Doc E.

n Friday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo made history when he signed into law a batch of police reforms that had quickly moved through the State Assembly and Senate in the wake of nationwide protests against racist police violence. Repealing Civil Service Law 50a, a 1970s law which kept the personnel records of police officers, firefighters and corrections officers confidential, was the most aspirational of the reforms to be signed, as many of the others had already been implemented at smaller,

“Tom Petty” -Liv C.

“Immortal Technique”

more local levels. Additionally, it’s the reform that could have the most material impact on policing, barring any type of major funding scale-backs, as it introduces at least some level of the accountability and transparency that police have avoided for years. Local law enforcement officials are lukewarm on the repeal of the law that has shielded records, citing concerns that it would end up revealing too much about officers and violate their workplace privacy. “I would say that if there is a compelling rationale to request

Election 2020

-Steve Odd Jobs

Lifton endorses Jordan Lesser in State Assembly Democratic primary

“He doesn’t even know it, but Frank Sinatra” -Jil

“Blue Oyster Cult.”

Barbara Lifton endorses Lesser in Dewitt Mall (Photo Matt Butler)

-Shannon B.

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Governor Cuomo with Valerie Bell, the mother of Sean Bell; Gwen Carr, the mother of Eric Garner, signing a police reform executive order on July 12 in New York City. (Photo Provided)

a summary of an officer's record based upon just cause and legal standing, then I would support such in the spirit of transparency,” Ithaca Police Department Chief Dennis Nayor said. “If so, then all requests should first be reviewed through the Department Administration, City Attorney's office, and HR Department to verify the legitimacy of such requests. Due to the nature of our profession and the risks associated, limits should be placed upon what is releasable since various elements of personal information (addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, family information, etc.) must remain protected.”

ew York State Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton has endorsed Jordan Lesser in the highly competitive Democratic primary for her Assembly spot. Lifton's endorsement, which represents one of the most prominent and influential in the race, comes as somewhat of a surprise and fairly late in the game, as the primary election is less than two weeks away. Before the campaign began, Lesser worked for Lifton as her general counsel for 10 years. "The question I keep getting is 'Who can continue the kind of progressive leadership we want and need, and who really understands how things work in Albany?'" Lifton said at a press conference in downtown Ithaca on Thursday afternoon. "The person I think is most prepared and best qualified to continue this work is Jordan Lesser."

Theoretically, one would think police departments would be able to redact any information deemed too personally invasive to an officer while still releasing the bulk of the information contained in personnel files. Tompkins County Jail Supervisor Ray Bunce said that the law as it was previously written did allow for personnel records to be released if they were relevant to a criminal proceeding against the officer, but that the release of the records would deteriorate trust in law enforcement for irrelevant reasons. “Personnel files are for work related information, not criminal information,” Bunce said. “Personnel files are in place to keep a record of work related concerns and to show a history of how supervisors attempted to change any behaviors that did not meet the department standards. This information is not for public knowledge as it can undermine the public trust that a person should be able to have in a public servant who acts in accordance to the department’s policies and procedures.” Tompkins County Sheriff Derek Osborne said he was recently asked if he was already complying with the spirit of the repeal before it was actually carried out; Osborne said he wasn’t, because doing so would continued on page 7

Lesser's pitted against six other Democrats in the June 23 primary, including fundraising front-runners Anna Kelles, a Tompkins County legislator, and Seph Murtagh, another former Lifton staffer and an Ithaca Common Council member. No polling has been done on the race, which makes picking leaders and stragglers more difficult, but solely based on fundraising it's safe to say that Lesser was sitting in the middle of the race going into the home stretch. As of May 26, he was fourth in fundraising, behind Kelles, Murtagh and Cortland County Legislator Beau Harbin. "I'll work every day to combat climate change, eliminate structural inequalities, and fully fund our schools," Lesser said, thanking Lifton for her support and recounting their 10 years working together. continued on page 7

UPS&DOWNS

N e w s l i n e

The end of a harsh campaign for DA

Ed Kopko

M at t Va n H o u t e n

ven while playing out in the shadow of the larger State Assembly primary, the District Attorney’s race has been the far more fiery of the two contests—and in fairness, has crossed the line into rather ugly territory on more than one occasion. Perhaps that could have been predicted, as the 2016 competition between the two candidates, local attorney Ed Kopko and incumbent Matt Van Houten, ended with Kopko filing a lawsuit and calling the nomination process illegal after Van Houten was selected as the Democratic nominee. The race comes at a particularly significant time for the criminal justice system and law enforcement, both of which are under significant scrutiny as protests over police brutality against Black people have dominated the national conscience over the last month. Both Kopko and Van Houten have supported the Kopko has been consistent in his attacks on Van Houten: that his office isn’t diverse enough, that he hasn’t done enough to reform the criminal justice system locally during his four years in office, and that Kopko represents a more progressive alternative. He also hasn’t shied away from bashing Van Houten over specific low points in his tenure (a sentiment even Van Houten would partially agree to), namely the incumbent’s conduct during the prosecution of Rose DeGroat and Cadji Ferguson, two Black people roughly tackled and arrested by Ithaca police officers after an altercation with another group on the Commons in April. The

incident has become a primary point of contention in the campaign, intensified by the fact that Kopko was DeGroat’s defense attorney for the case. Van Houten’s pursuit of charges in the case drew scorn at the time and has continued to do so, even after Ferguson was found not guilty and DeGroat’s felony charges were dismissed. Van Houten has acknowledged “missteps” during the process and admitted to moving too quickly, but has maintained he presented options in the case that would have allowed the cases to be sealed after a restorative justice process. Van Houten has responded as most incumbents would, by defending his hiring policies and touting the progress that has been made, like the 2018 establishment of the Mental Health Court in Ithaca which he hopes to help expand and falling jail populations while he has supported Alternatives to Incarceration, while rebuking Kopko for selling a vision that isn’t realistic given some of the limitations of the office. One of the larger ideas Van Houten has pushed during the campaign has been the establishment of a stronger community police board which would be able to enforce more accountability on officers in Tompkins County and serve as a more powerful liaison between the community and law enforcement. Kopko has also taken advantage of the recent protests about racist police violence, delivering a speech in front of the gathered crowd on the Commons on June 14 and using the ongoing rallies to consistently re-air Van Houten’s

handling of the DeGroat and Ferguson cases. Both DeGroat and Ferguson have spoken at these rallies as well, with DeGroat specifically urging people to vote for Kopko. He’s excoriated Van Houten for not being tough enough on the police who were involved in those arrests, though Van Houten has said that their conduct was wrong but not to the extent of criminal charges. The candidates do agree on two primary topics: bail reform and the repeal of Civil Rights Law 50a. Both voiced support for the 50a repeal just before it was approved by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, ending over 40 years of police and corrections officers’ personnel records being sealed to the public. Both also endorse bail reform and the reduction of cash bail practices, though Van Houten did say he thought District Attorneys statewide should have been more involved in the initial statewide bail reforms package, which would have helped it maintain traction instead of being walked back by politicians earlier this year. But aside from their agreements, mud has continued to sling late in the race between the two candidates. On Thursday, June 11, Kopko posted a letter to his Facebook page alleging that Van Houten had sent an email to an attorney in Kopko’s divorce proceedings, which are ongoing. Presumably, Van Houten meant to send the email, which contained publicly available information on Kopko’s campaign funding, to Kopko’s wife’s attorney, but Van Houten actually sent it to the attorney representing Kopko. Kopko alleged that this represented a malicious ethics violation and that it happened on tax-payer time; while the email likely represents an unbecoming political tactic, its actual illegality is dubious since the information was already public. “It’s frustrating that Mr. Kopko continues to use the bully pulpit of social media to drag this race through the mud,” Van Houten’s statement said. “His language, accusations and obvious fabrications of DA’s role and it’s office is truly exhausting at this point. Publicly available documents are just that, available to the public. There are no ethical concerns therein. My personal

Coronavirus Round up - Here’s some other stories we covered this week that you can read more about online. You can see all of our coverage of the coronavirus outbreak at our special page ithaca.com/news/ coronavirus.

intention is to always advocate for women, and I will continue to do so.” As for Kopko, he’s faced questions about his conduct during a 2018 rape trial in which he filed a lawsuit on behalf of his client alleging the victim was defamed; his client, Matthew Pinney, later admitted to raping her while she was incapacitated. Kopko said he was simply trying to defend his client most effectively and didn’t know the rape had occurred when he filed the suit; Van Houten called the move “pure harassment” and said it “shocked the conscience.” Further, a document leaked to the Ithaca Times shows that Judge John C. Rowley admonished Kopko during a 2019 criminal trial, accusing him of deception for “cutting and pasting paragraphs from different documents made at different times and reordering the paragraphs without proper attribution” and declaring that Kopko would be hit with sanctions over the conduct. The document seems to lend some credence to Van Houten’s vague but pointed attacks late in the campaign that Kopko is an untrustworthy cornercutter. “Such unethical conduct by an officer of the court is deeply troubling,” Rowley wrote. “Sanctions will be imposed.” But in response, Kopko shared a letter with the Ithaca Times that he sent back to Rowley, and additionally claimed that sanctions had never actually been imposed because Rowley misunderstood the argument that led to the accusation. Kopko accused Rowley of partiality, “favoritism, anger, antagonism, revenge [and] disrespect” in the letter and asked to start a Judicial Conduct Review. Requests for comment from Rowley were not answered in time for print, and sanctions against attorneys are not made public unless the attorney is disbarred for them. The two men have vowed they will support whoever is the nominee and not run a third party campaign after the primary. The truthfulness of these statements bears watching.

County continues push for Census participation- Tompkins County continued its push this week to generate participation in the 2020 Census, which is ongoing and determines voting representation and many significant funding streams. “The outcome of the 2020 Census will have broad implications for issues such as local redistricting and funding for vital public services,” the county wrote in a statement. “One area directly impacting Tompkins County residents is public transportation, whether they drive, carpool, take the bus, bike, or walk to get to where they need to go.” Ithaca DMV opens - The Tompkins County DMV location in Ithaca resumed in-person interactions by appointment starting Monday, June 15. The DMV has been closed for the last several months since the coronavirus pandemic began and in-person interactions were widely restricted. Appointments can be made for the following transactions: Standard, REAL ID and Enhanced licenses or non-driver ID cards, first time applications for non-driver identification cards, application for CDL permits, conditional or restricted licenses, new registrations.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Should Ithaca and Tompkins County defund the police? 16.7% Yes, abolish both police departments 31.5% Yes, keep them but reduce budget by half 33.3% No, keep the budgets the same 18.5% No, give them more money

N ext Week ’s Q uestion :

M att Butler

Are you comfortable going to restaurants or bars yet? Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.

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GUEST OPININON

SURROUNDED BY REALITY

An Endorsement for Anna Kelles

Wait For The Signal F

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By C h a r l ey G i t h l e r or 75-year-old Eleanor Cornstarch, June 17 began like any other sociallydistanced Wednesday. A day of gardening and reading, feeding the cats, and basking in what promised to be glorious summery Ithaca weather. Staying on top of pruning her rose bushes and putting out the recycling counted as priorities on the agenda. She made a mental note to share that she had seen an Eastern Meadowlark at the next birdwatchers' zoom meeting. The idyll was shattered, however, at 8:38 AM when her medical alert necklace emitted a sequence of beeps that Eleanor recognized immediately. She was being activated. With an agility that would have astounded her grandchildren, Secret Antifa Agent Cornstarch dropped her rose clippers and cartwheeled from her garden to the back of her house. She quickly scanned the backyard before ducking through the kitchen door. At last! All the training, the decades in deep cover, keeping her true identity secret from her own family...it was all finally going to be worthwhile. Pawing through yesterday's mail, Eleanor found the AARP envelope with the membersonly life insurance quote on the outside. Carefully tearing open the top, she spilled the contents on the kitchen counter: a plane ticket From Ithaca, New York to Tulsa, Oklahoma, a debit card, and what appeared to be a blank sheet of paper. Her flight would leave at 10:47 that morning, giving her 25 minutes before what would look like an Uber driver appeared in front of the house. This is when the training pays off. She closed the blinds and took the sheet to her stove. Holding it precisely 8 centimeters over the gas flame on burner one set at level three, words began to appear. In large print. Mission: Priority Alpha. Attend Trump campaign rally at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 20:00 hours June 19. Imperative that provocateur status remains secret. Scan police communications to block out equipment. If confronted, fall harder than pushed. Agent Cornstarch read through the message until it was memorized, then stuffed the paper in her mouth, and began

to chew. While speed was of the essence, a cool head was of even more critical importance. She'd been through the protocol a thousand times in her head. This was a culture war, and there had already been casualties. Sloppiness was not an option. She walked four steps to the pantry. With the push of a button on top of the door jamb, one wall of shelves slid to the right with a hiss, revealing an equipment closet. Wasting no time, she selected a titanium walker with military-grade tennis balls on the legs, a sensible Kevlar cardigan, tactical Velcro orthotic Skechers,

and a color-coded weekly pill organizer. She also retrieved a small duffel bag that for years had been packed and ready to go for a day that might never come. But the day had come and it was here. She picked up her large-button phone and typed in a series of numbers that sent a pre-scripted message to her granddaughter, asking her to feed the cats and take in the mail. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. The likely scenarios at the rally had been gamed out in countless different ways, but all the meticulous calculations of a vast, secret organization depended on her, and she'd never felt more alive. She took a last look around the kitchen. A car horn beeped twice. It was destiny calling.

ILlustration By Marshall Hopkins

Je d A sh t on, B r et t B o s s a r d, Tr av is Bro ok s , Wi l l Bu r ba n k , D r . K e n n et h C l a r k e , D r . Robe rt Howa rt h, D r . A n t hon y I ngr a ffe a , Ti m Jo se ph, Joe M a r e a n e , Joh n-Pau l M e a d, Jack Ne l s on, Joe S a m mon s , Joey St e i n h age n, Joe Wetmor e e, the undersigned, are endorsing documents for ID purposes), Public Anna Kelles for State Assembly, Safety for All legislation (i.e. sanctuary 125th District. We represent county), and formation of the Tompkins medical, higher education, hospitality, busi- County Affordable Housing and Landlord ness, the arts, youth services Support Task Force. The communities, and private latter was a tangible effort citizens who are leaders in by Kelles to help address the our various fields and in the affordable housing crisis. community. We are registered As a scientist, activist Democrats and independent/ and dedicated public servant unaffiliated citizens who Legislator Kelles knows believe that this race is too how the current global important to not take a public crisis relates to medical stand in support of the ideal and social justice diseases. candidate to be our AssemHer visionary leadership, blyperson. willingness to make sure We have watched and constituents are informed appreciated Kelles’ leaderand her commitment to ship as a Tompkins County progressive change put her Anna Kelles Legislator on issues of head and shoulders above health care, environmental the other candidates in this protection, affordable housing, human race to tackle policies about this crisis rights and immigrant rights; specifically head on. Her intelligence, public service authoring and introducing legislation record and ability to bring people from all to support New York State’s Green Light walks of life together are unquestionably Law (allows immigrants, documented or undocumented to use foreign-issued continued on page 7

ANNA KELLES Contin u ed From Page 6

solid. Anna works relentlessly to move the needle of change. At this time of national unrest and economic uncertainty, a time when the continued austerity coming from state government in light of the lack of federal funds to municipalities is frightening, we need an Assemblyperson who will work tirelessly for our needs. We need a candidate who understands budgeting, can balance it with keen knowledge of the issues, and knows how to navigate the systems and legacy practices in Albany, where often a privileged few make the decisions. We need Anna Kelles.

A position as fundamental as Assemblyperson is antithetical to a popularity contest. It is about proven work, common sense, integrity, conviction and ability to hit the ground running from day one. Kelles is the candidate who can do that. A diverse group of unions -- Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 267, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 3, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, Tompkins-Cortland Building and Construction Trades Council – have already cast their vote of confidence in Anna’s ability to do the job with their endorsements of her. And now we, a group of male community leaders are doing the same. We stand with Anna Kelles for New York State Assembly 125th District.

COP RECORDS Contin u ed From Page 4

have been a misdemeanor. Now, he said his concern is how far the law will go. “Although I understand why some are seeking to repeal, I have some concerns as to what is being asked for,” Osborne said. “If a supervisor writes someone up for being late to work is that something the public feels they need to know about? If so, I think that's a bit over the top. How is this legislation defining discipline? I don't think any of us knows. Anyhow, I'll leave legislation up to the legislators and will execute whatever comes my way.” Ithaca Police Benevolent Association President Eric Doane joined others in drawing lines between personal information and things like conduct reports. He would not comment further, though. “Our only concern is that no personal information should ever be released,” Doane said. “There are too many unanswered questions to comment further because we

just do not know what the details are and I do not want to speculate.” Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick voiced the strongest support for the move. “I do support repeal of 50a,” Myrick said, having brought it up in comments before protesters at a rally on the Commons on June 7. “Any time an officer violates a use of force policy we should know about it.” When asked about the repeal, Tompkins County District Attorney candidates Ed Kopko and Matt Van Houten, the incumbent, both said they support the repeal of the bill in the interest of law enforcement transparency. “There should be a nationwide registry of all rogue police officers, so that they can no longer work as rogue police officers,” Kopko said. “This law is a needless hindrance to good police work. Good police officers don’t have disciplinary records.”

LIFTON ENDORSEMENT Contin u ed From Page 4

Prominent local attorney Ray Schlather and current Lifton legislative aide Margaret Johnson also spoke in favor of Lesser in the race at the press conference. Lifton touted Lesser's commitment to progressive values such as 'women's rights, civil rights, worker's rights and human rights." "He'll be ready on day one," Lifton said of Lesser's ability to handle statewide environmental efforts. "Jordan Lesser is far and away, in my view, the most qualified person for this position. and I wholeheartedly endorse him for this very important Assembly seat." Lifton has remained largely silent on the race since she announced she was retiring and would not seek a 10th term during a press conference in January. When asked in late May who she would be endorsing, Lifton said she had not chosen a candidate yet but could before the end of the race. Clearly, her willingness to publicly back a candidate changed as the race

entered its final weeks. "My heart has been with Jordan all along because we've worked together so long and so closely," Lifton said of her decision to back a candidate instead of remaining neutral in a race that includes another of her former colleagues in Murtagh. "I thought it was important that he get out here, along with all the other candidates and get known, instead of me putting my thumb on the scale early. [...] I wanted to see, and I've seen it over the last few weeks, an increase in understanding from the community of who Jordan is." It's certainly the highest profile endorsement for Lesser, who also received a letter of endorsement from Ithaca Common Council member Cynthia Brock, breaking from her colleagues on council who all endorsed Murtagh, as well as some other current and former Lifton staffers. M att Butler

THE TALK AT

We Stand with Anna Kelles, the Right Candidate for the NYS Assembly 125th District

00 years ago, after decades of fighting for equality, white women won the right to vote with ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Unfortunately, it would be decades longer before all women, including Black, Latina, Asian, and Indigenous women, also won this right. To achieve suffrage, women had to appeal to the all white, male Congress and State Legislatures. New York women, however, have a history of taking matters into our own hands. In 1918, more than a year before Congress passed the 19th Amendment, two women ran for the NYS Assembly and were elected – Ida Sammis, an influential suffrage leader, and Mary Lilly, the first woman admitted to practice law in the State of NY. Sammis focused on labor legislation to protect women; within the first two weeks of being seated she sponsored a bill that became law. Lilly focused on protecting children’s rights, abolishing the death penalty for minors, and speaking up for incarcerated women. Their boldness and intelligence were a threat to others who worked to ensure their defeat at the next elections. What does this have to do with the June 23 primary election for the 125th District in the State Assembly? Simply put, women have had to fight for seats in the State Legislature and we’re not about to stop now. NY State prides itself in being a progressive state, yet only 32% of the Assembly seats are filled by women, and 30% in the Senate. We can and must do better. We believe Anna Kelles is the best candidate in this race. She has the skills, knowledge, relationships, and record to prove it. Especially in this historic moment of growth and change, we are proud to support a candidate who will help our state government become less exclusive and more welcoming to all. Anna’s boldness and intelligence on the issues and needs of the residents of the 125th Assembly district are exactly what we need in the Assembly. Her voice is strong – an asset that is required in order to get resources to our district and secure necessary protections for our most vulnerable citizens. She will push in Albany for universal health care, affordable childcare, new green jobs, affordable housing, and more. Anna’s relationships throughout our community run deep. For example, she helped organize the Emergency Food Task Force and Food Hub in response to COVID-19. As a Tompkins County J u ne

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Legislator, she authored immigrant rights protections that were adopted, and has fought for living wages, additional childcare funding, and stronger support for affordable housing. These are just a few examples of her deep thinking around policy, and her commitment to implementing it, to benefit the people. Where Anna sees a problem, she analyzes the problem and then jumps into action. We need her energetic, fact-based, proactive approach in Albany, working for all of us. We, the undersigned, ask you to visit https://www.kelles4ny.com/ to learn more, and then vote for the best person to represent us in the 125th District – Anna Kelles. Martha Robertson, Judith Ashton, Colleen Boland, Laurie Damiani, Zillah Eisenstein, Josephine Gibson, Belisa Gonzalez, Leni Hochman, Susan Lang, Enid Littman , Linda Mack , Sally McConnellGinet , Davi Mozie, Barbara Platek, Beth Prentice, Robin Rosoff , Deborah Streeter , Valerie Sykes, Maddy Walsh , Karen Yearwood, and Sharon Ziegler

Support for Seph Murtagh for 125th Assembly District Seph Murtagh has a number of important strengths that make him the best candidate for the 125th Assembly seat previously held by Barbara Lifton. His key issues of concern are those of many these days: addressing the economic fallout from Covid19, ensuring affordable healthcare for all, taking action against climate change, providing affordable housing and childcare for those in need, protecting our environment, and supporting a strong educational system are some among many. But what makes Seph stand out is the way he works. He is a team player, a consensus builder, an excellent listener, an incredibly hard worker, and he does his homework on each topic before making a decision. His experience is wide and deep, serving on Ithaca City’s Common Council since 2012, and as the Alternate Acting Mayor, as well as the Chair of the City’s Planning and Economic Development Committee. As a former staff member in Barbara Lifton’s office, Seph gained valuable knowledge of this district that encompasses both urban and rural communities. The primary on 6/23 will be important in this race. Please vote! My vote is for Seph. Elizabeth Thomas Former Town Supervisor, Town of Ulysses.

Write to us! Say something or respond to an article by writing editor@ithacatimes.com. Letters must be signed and include an address and phone number. We do not publish unsigned letters. Letters may be edited for length and readability. To the Editor, Ithaca Times, 109 N Cayuga St., Ithaca, NY 14850 2 0 2 0

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A n na K elles

B e au H a r b i n

Jason L eifer

Jor da n Lesser

S e p h M u r tag h

Lisa Hoeschele

S u j ata G i b s o n

Election Bonanza The race to replace Barbara Lifton is crowded and competitive, if a bit of an echo chamber

M AT T BU T L E R

hotly-contested liberal race that has largely centered on the environment, the path back from the coronavirus outbreak and the future of healthcare will gradually end over the next few weeks, the result of voting changes due to the coronavirus outbreak, and voters in New York State’s 125th Assembly District will know who is the presumptive replacement for longtime Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton. The Democratic primary serves, effectively, as the general election since the 125th District is a Democratic stronghold, mostly driven by the cities of Ithaca and Cortland. The full list of candidates Cortland County Legislator Beau Harbin, Family and Children’s Services CEO Lisa Hoeschele, Dryden Town Supervisor Jason Leifer, Tompkins County Legislator Anna Kelles, Ithaca attorney Sujata Gibson, Itha8 T

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ca Common Council member Seph Murtagh and Lifton’s general counsel Jordan Lesser, who received her endorsement last week. This election is obviously unique in that the pandemic has forced forums and campaign events online. But it will also result in a long-delayed process to determine the winner. Tompkins County Board of Elections Democratic Commissioner Steve DeWitt said the office has issued more than 11,000 absentee ballots so far, and expects more than double the amount of votes to come via absentee ballot instead of in-person vote. By law, they’re not allowed to begin processing those ballots until July 1, more than a week after voting day, and DeWitt expects the counting process to take several days after that. The race has become something of a battle around the margins, since many of the candidates share similar viewpoints. 17–23,

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All have voiced full-throated support for the New York Health Act, which would institute a universal healthcare system for all New Yorkers, as well as endorsing progress on the Green New Deal and education reform. They all extol the virtues of taking climate change seriously and acting now to develop sustainable infrastructure for the future. Several candidates have endorsed different forms of tax reform as well, mostly focusing on lessening the burden on citizens and increasing the amounts paid by the wealthy and large companies. Several candidates have called for the end of property taxes in New York in favor of a more progressive tax alternative, Murtagh loudest among them. In order to differentiate themselves from the pack, candidates have had to choose which issues to prioritize to appeal to voters. Leifer, for instance, has stuck with municipal broadband internet as a primary campaign plank, with Harbin put-

marijuana farming should be prioritized to keep money made inside the state. Because of many of the candidates are closely aligned on the issues, they have focused on their credentials and backgrounds, and what those say about their aptitude for office. Kelles, who has collected a steady stream of impressive endorsements from statewide figures like Cynthia Nixon and NYC public advocate Jumaane Williams and dozens of prominent local women, has consistently made the case that her experience legislating in a county that serves both rural and urban populations would serve her well advocating for the 125th District. Lesser has said his experience in Albany allows him the werewithal to succeed there, and his former colleague Murtagh also said his closeness to the process has given him the background necessary to effectively pass legislation. Hoeschele has said her experience haggling with state lawmakers and advocat-

weeks. The others have been closer to the center, pushing reform and allocating more resources away from the police but not going quite as far as the defund or abolition movements have ventured. Hoeschele specifically pointed out that in her experience, the majority of interactions that social workers have are with women of color, thus if resources are taken from police and directed to social service departments then implicit bias training should be one of the new expenses, if it’s not already in use for those workers. Undeniably, the race has taken a more contentious turn over the last two weeks, compared to a fairly calm and cordial first several months. A large portion of that has been fueled by Gibson, who began calling out Murtagh and Kelles by name during debates over their record with development, insisting that both had been too lenient on developers during their terms and had not extracted enough value for city

ting a premium on it as well. Lesser, on the other hand, has emphasized education access and universal childcare throughout his campaign. Murtagh’s touted his work locally on development (for which he received the endorsement of Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick), mostly focusing on housing, and has been quicker than some other candidates to emphasize the state’s climate change goals. Similar to Lesser, Kelles has also championed access to early education and universal childcare, while also advocating for the dismantling of certain statewide systems that made the coronavirus impact worse while working our way back from the outbreak. Hoeschele has been one of the more vocal candidates on student loan forgiveness, and has advocated for potentially lowering the voting age to 16. Harbin has been the most staunch advocate of legalizing marijuana, going further to say that convictions involving the drug should be expunged and that local licensing for

ing through adversity for her organization would make her the best choice. Gibson, meanwhile, has embraced the outsider role, acknowledging that her political experience is light but that her career as an attorney gives her a readied arsenal of tactics to deploy and a knowledge of how to advocate for certain groups against the odds, especially unions (though Kelles has received the bulk of local union endorsements). Some topics have arisen during the campaign, forcing the candidates to develop policy positions mid-campaign on topics that don’t usually take much of the spotlight in the 125th District. One such example is policing, as the candidates only recently began fielding in-depth questions on this, fueled by the nationwide protests after George Floyd’s killing by Minneapolis police. The strongest position so far has been Gibson, who’s advocacy for radical change has included explicit support for the “defund” movement that has picked up momentum nationally and locally in recent

and county residents in exchange for hefty tax abatements given to new projects. She followed those statements with a measured but accusatory editorial in the Ithaca Voice, which then led to a weekend-long comment section showdown between Gibson, Kelles and their various supporters when Kelles responded to the editorial on Facebook. Coincidentally, Gibson’s op-ed in the Voice was followed by another one, this one condemning Gibson’s views on schoolchildren vaccinations requirements, signed by many doctors from the area. Gibson hasn’t explicitly challenged the science behind vaccinations, but frames her opposition as one driven by a desire to protect choice over one’s body. All the other candidates have supported the vaccination requirements, and the further step of adding the COVID-19 vaccination to the full requirement schedule if it is found to be safe, with Harbin and Leifer being the most critical of Gibson’s views among the candidates. J u ne

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Here is some information about how, when, and where you can vote this year as the pandemic’s influence seeps into our June election: POLLING PERIOD:

Voters can begin heading to the polls at two polling locations on June 13 thanks to the state’s early voting reforms. The two locations are the Town of Ithaca Town Hall at 215 North Tioga Street in downtown Ithaca, and the Crash Fire Rescue building at 72 Brown Road by the Tompkins County airport. Starting with this story’s publication date, early voting is available at those two locations on June 17 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 18 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., June 19 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and June 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Early voting is not available June 22, and the election is June 23. ABSENTEE VOTING:

The last date to postmark a ballot is June 22, and the ballot must be received no later

than June 30. You can apply in-person for an absentee ballot until June 22. The application is available through the Tompkins County Board of Elections website. POLLING PLACE CHANGES:

Some polling locations have changed as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. If normally you vote at Kendal of Ithaca, go to First Congregational Church at 309 Highland Road, Ithaca. Voters who normally go to St. Luke’s or Titus Towers should vote at the Town of Ithaca Town Hall at 215 N. Tioga Street in Ithaca. Those who vote at West Danby Fire Station normally should go to the Danby Fire Station at 1780 Danby Road. Ellis Hollow Apartments or College Circle Apartments voters should head to the South Hill Business Campus at 950 Danby Road in Ithaca. All other polling locations are operating normally.

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Black Town Hall

Local Black community members discuss next steps forward

rominent Black locals took to the airwaves on Monday night to discuss what’s on everyone’s mind: the logical steps that can be taken during the wave of recent protests against police violence, in a town hall-style broadcast on Ithaca radio station WRFI. The panel was led by Godfrey Simmons, a Cornell lecturer and the former director of the Civic Ensemble theatre troupe, and he was joined by Michelle Courtney Berry, a local health and wellness coach and a former Ithaca Common Council member, and Taili Mugambee, the Equity and Inclusion Programs Coordinator at Cornell Cooperative Extension. The night began with a discussion of priorities in the fight for racial justice, and Mugambee chose to emphasize education in schools. Mugambee spoke about the urgent need for honesty, which Simmons pressed him on. Mugambee responded that it is crucial to meet young people where they are at a young age, particularly considering how prominent a role young people have played in the recent wave of protests. “The education doesn’t speak to them, and by the time they reach middle school they aren’t engaged,” Mugambee said. “We are not speaking the language that the young people who are oppressed are experiencing.” The discussion, which was free-flowing though lightly guided by Simmons, then turned to the common trope of people trying to deflect from uncomfortable conversations around policing by bringing up other problems, such as crime rates,

without addressing the systems in place that perpetuate those. “They’re not taking any credit or responsibility by acknowledging how these situations were set up from the beginning,” Mugambee said, noting that when Blackon-Black crime is brought up during these times, it’s often in bad faith and done solely to distract from the issue of racist police violence. Berry was then brought in, further discussing the Black-on-Black crime point, making the point that law enforcement reaction to Black deaths is less swift than it is when people of other races are killed. “The narrative that we don’t care when our people die is not true,” Berry said. “Let’s be real, the message too is that nobody is looking for us. How many girls were killed in Atlanta and nobody was looking for them?” Simmons then moved on to the strategies that Black people can use locally and nationally to create some level of change. Mugambee advocated looking abroad for strong social policies like universal healthcare and childcare, dismissing the “race to be economically sound” that leaves vulnerable people behind. Berry had a more localized take on the next steps. “Where I appreciate Taili’s comments about the universal issues, “ Berry said. “We do have to put more pressure on our hometown to not just look at itself, but make changes. [...] These policies from most of these boards are shaping the lives of the most vulnerable people.” “Ithaca will not look at Ithaca,” Berry said. “We have to look at the local level.

The same groups of people informing discussions over and over again. [...] They’re well-meaning people, it’s not personal, but you can’t legislate us if you’re not us.” The show’s second half brought on Dr. Nia Nunn, an Ithaca College professor and the President of the Southside Community Center’s Board of Directors, and Dr. Jason Corwin, the executive director of the Seneca Media and Communications Center, while Simmons stayed on as host. They picked up where Berry and Mugambee left off, speaking about generational Black trauma and the ways to seize the moment; Simmons kept referring to it as the end of the second act of a third act play, with the third act being the change hopefully coming. “What is so critical is that we go so much deeper than this concept of being ‘woke,’” Nunn said, pleading that critical thought is put at the forefront of any further steps. “But this awakening, we have to pay attention. Pay attention to the most recent deaths, the Black trans women who were killed in Philly and Ohio, Dominique Rem'Mie Fells and Riah Milton [...] We have to pay attention to what is happening within and among these deaths.” In order for the moment to be able to generate any actual change, Nunn said, the momentum has to translate into continuing education and a true “shifted mentality.” One example, Nunn said, would be to correct people when they call people of color “minorities,” since they do in fact represent the global majority. The conversation returned to the importance of the youth voices that have evolved during the protests. “We all remember being teenagers and we were very passionate about the things we believed in,” Corwin said. “Young people are also incredibly organized and incredibly comfortable with technology at a level that us folks in our 40s and 50s, we have a familiarity but they were just born into it.”

He further mentioned that young people have seen so many protests over the last six years, since Michael Brown was killed by police in Ferguson, that it’s simply not a very new topic for the generation anymore. Simmons mentioned that the Civil Rights movement of the mid-1900s, was similarly fueled by young people and the at-times divergent viewpoints that existed in that movement, similar to the differing viewpoints that make up the Black Lives Matter movement today. “When you learn about the history and roots of policing, that it’s just inherently racist,” Nunn said. “What kind of people do we have to be, what kind of community, what kind of resources do we need to feel like we don’t ‘need’ police officers?” Nunn said she knows there are critiques of the “defund the police” sentiment, but that she appreciates its concrete nature instead of sticking with murky, vague terminology. Simmons followed up that he wondered who gets protected in a society with no police force, and whether the Black community would suffer under those circumstances too. Simmons concluded the show by extending the guests back for further shows in the next few weeks on WRFI. Mugambee announced that there will be another rally on the Commons this Friday, from 12-2:30 p.m., which will serve as another call to demilitarize the police in Tompkins County among other requests. M att Butler

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New Roots Charter School

Urban Farming Project cultivates social justice practices

New Roots Charter School students working on the Urban Farmer Project. (Photo provided)

By Arleigh Rodgers

avannah Gonzalez, a rising junior at New Roots Charter School, spends her time attending protests and tend-

ing to a small plot of land next to Immaculate Conception Church in Ithaca. Scattered hay bales sit beside square patches of dirt, where students like Gonzalez tend to vegetables like potatoes, swiss chard and

peppers. The Urban Farming Project, a clubstyle student engagement program at New Roots, began in March. Jhakeem Haltom, dean of students at New Roots Charter School, approached Father Augustine Chumo of Immaculate Conception Church to ask if the school could utilize the land for a farming project. The project joins students with their community and the land, a core value of New Roots’ education, Haltom said. Student and adult volunteers arrived on site May 1 donning multicolored masks and worked approximately six feet apart. Gonzalez said via email that it was important for her to continue working at the garden even in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Mike Moritz, who volunteers with the farming project, said the coronavirus offered students and volunteers an opportunity to connect with the things they valued most, including cultivating and connecting with the land. “I think that we're able to see a lot of positive outcomes from […] reclaiming our relationship with land,” Moritz said. “This farm and any farming that we get to do will be that much more ingrained in our curriculum.” Beyond allowing New Roots to use the land for a garden, Immaculate Conception partnered with New Roots to assist with the church’s weekly food pantry, which Chumo said provides families in need with approximately nine days worth of food. The food pantry draws from the vegetables

the students grow, donations and grocery stores like Wegmans or Tops. Haltom said the farming project will also try to link the New Roots’ lunch program with the food the students grow. Students have been vying for fries in their cafeteria, he said, and the potatoes they grow in the garden could be used for that. The farming project, which displays organic gardening on a small scale, could act as a pilot program for other people or their communities, Chumo said. “It gives young people a direct and intimate understanding of the relationship between people and the natural world that sustains us,” New Roots principal Tina Nilsen-Hodges said. “Personal health and wellbeing is connected to the food we eat, and growing food and making and sharing meals together builds community.” Gonzalez is the president of the Students of Color Unity Elective, a group of students that volunteers at the farming project while also starting a conversation about social justice and environmental racism. “We bring a fun and positive environment when gardening,” she said. “We also bring a deeper conversation about racism and gardening which are actually closely connected. […] This project brings a brighter and more positive aspect of life to a community who have seen a lot of racism and discrimination […] including being fed unhealthy food that doesn’t heal the mind nor body.”

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A pre-quarantine panel of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. The committee was designed to help instill racial equity in the IC athletics program. (Photo provided)

sports

They’re Listening

IC athletics’ pursuit of diversity By Ste ve L aw re nc e

GREEN IDEAS

ne of my earliest memories of an athlete being in the center of the national conversation about race and equality involves a young boxer named Cassius Clay, who was changing his name to Muhammad Ali and getting under the skin of some of my less-thantolerant relatives with his brash brand of

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political activism. As an eight year-old, I went along with those uncles and older cousins, and I said “Yeah, he should shut up and box.” A few years later, I saw the convergence of sports and politics move to the international stage when John Carlos and Tommie Smith made their iconic raised-

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fist statement on the Olympic podium. Again, I heard the “They should shut up and behave themselves” comments, but I was entering my junior high school years, and some people I respected very much made some very sensible statements about the validity of Smith and Carlos’ message, and I listened with a more open mind. Five decades later, when the news came across my radar that Ithaca College had formed the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee “for the purpose of a desire for more education from the coaching staff to better lead conversations about race and ethnic diversity within their teams,” I couldn’t wait to learn more. When I looked at the list of committee members and I saw that my friend Mike Blakely-Armitage was on it, I immediately called him. After all, Mike has helped me out with articles from his position as a Youth Bureau staffer, as the swimming coach at Ithaca High School, I knew that he has worked with a lot of young people from many different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. I also knew that he would have a fresh perspective as a (relatively) new coach at Ithaca College, his alma mater. The full committee is: Mike Blakely-Armitage (Assistant Men's Swimming), Beth Greene (Assistant Women's Rowing), Kayla Hogan (Assistant Women's Lacrosse), Mo Ordnung (Assistant Field Hockey) and Mary Wallenbeck (Assistant Track and Field). According to Blakely-Armitage, “We—coaches and administrators from I.C.’s Athletic Department—got the effort started during the spring semester, and

there was no student involvement at the time. The committee was created looking toward providing education and making policy changes.” The formation of the committee followed a compelling event Jan. 21 that was, according to I.C.’s website, “A forum during the Leadership Academy ‘Voices of Experience’ where student-athletes of color gave their narrative of being a studentathlete of color on Ithaca College's campus in front of over 650 of their student-athlete peers.” Describing that event, BlakelyArmitage said, “Most of the students in the audience were white, and when listening to the students of color they heard about some experiences that were good and some that were not so good. As an adult, watching these students hear these things for the first time was very eye-opening. Some of them have seen so little of what their fellow students were describing. As coaches, we are on the front lines and realizing that we have a very diverse student population, we are, as a department, really trying to spearhead change.” A book entitled “How To Be An Antiracist,” by Ibram X. Kendi, is at the center of this effort, and Mike is very optimistic looking forward, as he feels the I.C. community has a lot of traction. In his words, “Reading the book has given coaches a starting point on discussing race and culture.” He backed up and said, “It not just about race, it’s about trying to create equity for all. It’s about trying to get people to get past labels, to get them to view things through a different lens. We can’t just look at one layer of a person. It’s about cultivating empathy and common decency.” He added, “It’s hard to put into words why we’re doing this work, as it feels that so much of what we are trying to implement should already be in place.” Blakely-Armitage talked about some of the individuals involved, and he said, “We have RahK Lash, who is the Director for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Social Change, and Zaira Sylvain, representing the Office of the Provost. There are a lot of good people wanting to do well for the I.C. community and for the athletic programs. They’re listening.”

BusinessTimes

COVID Cutbacks come for the city. Business Index shows things are really bad.

Local physician opens up new practice in Freeville

By Andrew Sullivan

t has been nearly six months since Dr. Brad Yentzer opened up his new practice, Finger Lakes Dermatology, along Route 13 in Freeville, and despite the economic impact of COVID-19, business has been steady. “The pandemic has affected me like it’s affected every other medical business in the town,” Yentzer said. “We’ve been at one quarter to one tenth of our normal volume that I see. It’s just now starting to slowly pick up as New York has begun to open, but we’ve been here the whole time for people. During this time we’ve been doing both in-office visits as well as telemedicine visits.” Prior to founding Finger Lakes Dermatology, Yentzer worked in the Dermatology Department at Cayuga Medical Associates for three years and at The Corvallis Clinic in Corvallis, OR for four years. Prior to moving to Oregon, he got his start in the field as a Senior Clinical Research Fellow and Resident at Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston Salem, NC. (He is still associated with Cayuga Health Partners, Dr. Brad Yentzer’s new office in Freeville. (Photo provided) though he is his own entity now.) “I enjoy a certain level of control over the practice and am able to provide the best possible patient care,” Yentzer said of the reason why he chose to start his own practice. ogy services not ever happen. I just don’t have time for “If I want an eyewash station in my that. I want to get stuff done, and I want to such as building … I can get it done and get it diagnosing do whatever is right by my patients, and I done in a timely manner,” he said. “When and treatwant to do it right by patients now.” you’re a small business, it’s more easy to ing things Finger Lakes Dermatology offers the be adaptable and make changes on the fly like acne, typical services of Dermatology, though it that are necessary, compared to a large, psoriasis, eczema; really any skin disease, provides one that individuals will not be multispecialty business where if you want anything that has to do with skin, hair or able to find anywhere else in the area. something you have to go through several nails, including mystery itches,” he said. “We offer general medical dermatollayers of bureaucracy and it may or may

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“That’s a big one. We do our own surgeries here for cancer as well as benign lesions of the skin and different tumors. We also offer non-invasive cancer treatment with superficial radiation therapy. That is a new service line to this area. No one else in the area offers that.” “We also do a lot of allergy testing,” he added. “Which is a good service for people who have chronic eczema.” In addition, the newly constructed building that houses Yentzer’s practice is environmentally friendly. “We just built a net-zero energy building,” he said. “It’s a brand-new building with high-efficiency HVAC and solar on the roof and we have an electric vehicle charger out front, free for our patients to use.” Yentzer said folks should expect the practice to expand down the road once the economy recovers from the outbreak. “We’re still taking new patients,” he said. “I still see some of my old patients, and they’re welcome to keep coming to see me. Once we get to a certain point where we’re busier, we will be adding on an additional provider in the future. We certainly have plenty of space in this new building for additional providers. Just with COVID, there hasn’t been enough business to justify additional providers. … We’ll never be one of those practices that takes six months to get in to see. You’ll always get

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I t h a c a T i m e s 13

Coronavirus Cuts

City announces full list of service cuts due to outbreak

n further fallout from the coronavirus outbreak, the City of Ithaca announced a long list of service reductions over the next several months, a result of the steep deficit the city will face and the cuts to staffing it has already had to make. Some of the cuts had already been announced, but the city's announcement makes it sound like they wanted to have all of the cuts organized in one place. The city did note that some of the cuts or closings could be impacted as the state continues to reopen, but did not go much further into specifics. "We understand that these cuts will create hardships for many in our community,

but there is no way to accommodate revenue losses of this magnitude without additional aid from the federal government or by making substantial cuts," the announcement stated. "It is impossible to furlough 1 out of every 5 employees without a corresponding loss of services. City staff are working harder than ever to streamline, innovate, and find creative ways to continue to provide high quality service to the community, and we thank you for bearing with us as we adjust to these difficult economic times." In the interest of providing as much info as possible to the public, below is the list the city published in its entirety.

GIAC Program Reductions: • No Youth Program Activities • No after-school program (through end of June) – Jumpers, Navigators, STEAM, Computer Lab • No summer camp (July/August) • No 50-served meal program for youth/families • No volunteer placement of high school, college students or volunteers in GIAC programs. • No Summer Employment of Teens through YES, Learning Web, Workforce • No Pre-Teen and Teen Programs • No after-school Program through end of June • No Conservation Corp for high school teens during the school year and middle school teens in the summer • No Girls Empowerment Group for teen girls • No Bitty Box Screen Printing program • No Teen Catering Program • No Skateboard Program • No Urban Art Program • No Let’s Read reading support program to help children get up to and surpass grade level reading

• No commercial sexual exploitation of children intervention program • No Girls Firebirds AAU Basketball program • No Teen Summer Jobs Experience/CIT program • Severely minimized Adult 60+ Senior programs or outing trips • No host worksite for DSS Jobs Experience or Court Community Service • No Recreation Programs • No youth and adult boxing • No family trips • No summer Adult Basketball League • No Rashad Richardson Teen Summer Basketball League • No GIAC hosted community special events – Gus Macker and GIAC Festival of Nations • No general support of walk-in residents seeking general support with a myriad of needs Youth Bureau Program Reductions: • Summer Camps and programs are cancelled • Recreation Support Services youth and adult

programming cancelled (including camp inclusion, Iroquois program, teen club, etc.) • Outings summer programs and trips are cancelled • Youth Employment Services (including job placements through YES Connect, Job Training, Summer Youth Employment) are cancelled • Paul Schreurs Memorial Program: homework club and summer engagement program (including trip) are cancelled • College Discover Program: afterschool programs and summer academy and trips are cancelled • One-to-One Big Brothers Big Sisters: mentoring is suspended and there are no summer activities • Program staff are not available to support youth and families or connect them with resources or advocacy in different settings Facility Reductions: • GIAC Facility shutdown for public • No GIAC facility rentals • GIAC public bathroom access closed • GIAC Basketball courts currently closed (no rims) • Alex Haley Municipal Swimming Pool and Max’s Wading Pool closed for summer • Cass Park Pool – closed for the season • Ithaca Bike Rental is currently closed • No pavilion rentals at Stewart Park or Cass Park • Park Restrooms are currently closed, and once open, may be temporarily closed on short notice • Park Playgrounds/Fitness Equip will open later in the season • No Carousel at Stewart Park • Basketball courts and skate park are currently closed • Kayak rental in Stewart Park delayed opening, may not open at all this season Parks, Vegetation, and Street Trees • The Children’s Garden at the Youth Bureau is not being regularly mowed; gardens are not being maintained. The Children’s Garden is not owned by the City of Ithaca, as it may have been indicated in the online version of the story. • Roadside and trailside mowing has been reduced. First mowing will be put off until mid to late June when tall vegetation is becoming a visual and physical obstruction. • Citizen pruner volunteer program has delayed start. Will start mid-June but will meet once per week instead of twice weekly. Response to requests for low tree pruning (ie sidewalk obstructions) will be delayed. • No mowing or sporadic mowing, and no trash pickup, at the following locations:

• Floral Ave park and trail along flood control channel • Flood control channel (Cherry St side) • Flood Control Levee • Brindley Park (behind island fitness and in front of Pete’s gas station) • Columbia Park • Hillview Park • Maple Grove Park • McDaniels Park • Mulholland Wildflower preserve entrance • Strawberry Fields Park • Ithaca City Cemetery • Titus trail (trail on the bank along N and S Titus Avenues) • Reduced trash pick-up/garbage can emptying, and mowing at all other parks Other City Service Reductions: • Very little capacity to respond to engineering requests and complaints, to conduct pedestrian/bike/ traffic/parking/safety studies, or to produce work orders. • Slower to deal with transportation related issues • Cannot accommodate traffic calming requests that require site visits at this time • Slower response to problems in the parking garages • Delayed response to requests and inquiries from properties in historic districts • Reduced ability to respond to speeding and other traffic violation complaints • No distracted driving course through the Ithaca Police Department • Exterior Property Maintenance complaints cannot be followed up on at this time • Unable to retrieve stray shopping carts left around the community • Green New Deal work has been paused • Greenhouse Gas Inventory has been paused • Public Art Projects are on pause • Ability to respond to special requests like events and street closures is extremely limited • Notary Public Services for members of the public have been eliminated M att Butler

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Department of Economics

employment, is also included in the labor force. Retail sales in Ithaca cratered 32.9 percent in April, coming in at $92.6 million. That amount is 42.5 percent less than April 2019. The last time retail sales were around April 2020 these levels was 2002. The retail sector lost 1,800 jobs bringing the total number of The Ithaca Business Index reflected the brunt of the Covid-19 shut down, sinking 14.8 percent in April to aAn leveleconomic of 142.96 from afall revised more mark of 167.80 in April.than All six components of the index jobs in retailing to 3,100. abrupt ever before fell with employment and retail sales being especially hard hit. Compared to April 2019, the index The average work week in Ithaca ticked By19.3 Elipercent. a K a c ap y r was down back to 32.5 hours from 32.8 hours in March. This figure is indeed an average regard to seathat includes both full and part-time emsonal factors. ployees in the private sector. Compared to Ithaca’s unem- April 2019, the average work week was six ployment rate, minutes longer. which was Home sales in Ithaca sagged 2.7 percent 3.6 percent in April. This is a negligible change for this in March, is volatile indicator. Compared to April 2019 expected to home sales were down 21.6 percent. The come in at median home’s price increased significant14.3 percent ly over the course of the year to $240,000 in April. Com- from $218,361. parable unHelp wanted advertising retreated 22.7 employment percent in April. Compared to April 2019, rates for New help-wanted advertising was down 69.9 Georgia@ithacatimes.com 607-277-7000 x220 York State percent. These are unusually large changes, and the naNewspaper: even for this volatile indicator. Declines tion are 14.5 in help wanted advertising may signal bad percent and news ahead for the job market. 14.7 percent, The job destruction in Ithaca in April respectively. was focused on three industries. The edunumber of jobsmetropolitan in the Ithacaarea plummeted The sizebyof9,000 Ithaca’s is estiThe number ofhe jobs in the Ithaca to alabor level force of cation and health sector lost 3,300 jobs, plummeted matedadjusted to have so decreased 54,500 in April.metropolitan All the figuresarea in this report are seasonally that any by 300 persons to about 10 percent of its total. Retail trade month can be by compared any of other without to seasonal factors. Ithaca’s 9,000 towith a level 54,500 in regard a level of 48,577. Anyone residing in Ithaca lost 1,800 jobs, 36.7 percent of its total. unemployment rate, whichin was percent is expected to come in at 14.3job is in the April. All the figures this3.6 report arein March,with a part-time or full-time And leisure and hospitality lost 2,600 jobs. percent in April.adjusted Comparable unemployment New force. York State and the anyone residing in That amounts to a whopping 51.0 percent seasonally so that any month rates forlabor In addition, nation percentwith and any 14.7other percent, respectively. canare be14.5 compared without Ithaca without a job, but actively seeking of the jobs in that industry. B u Business siness T imes Ithaca Index

Ithaca Business Index

The figures for May will be enlightening. Even a leveling off at this point would be welcome. Some believe that the start of a rebound is in order. One thing we should all agree on: health, not money, is the most precious form of wealth. In January 1985 the Ithaca Business Index stood at 100.00. In April 2020 the Index reads 142.96. This means that the Tompkins County economy has grown 42.96 percent in those 424 months. From 1985 until 1988, the Ithaca metro region grew at a rapid clip. The average annual growth rate was 6.0 percent. The Ithaca Business Index reached a peak of 129.25 in April 1989. A recession brought the Index down to a level of 111.32 in February 1992. This 34-month slide was much longer and more severe than the national recession which lasted only 8 months. Since then, the County economy has recovered, but annual growth rates of 1.5 percent are more typical these days. There was a less severe version of the Great Recession here in Ithaca that started in April 2008 and ended in July 2009. The most recent recession began in April 2014 Client: and ended in March 2015. There was no national recession during this time, but economic activity in Ithaca stalled in the latter half of 2014 and fell 1.5 percent in 2015. The Ithaca economy had been expanding since the summer of 2015. The Ithaca economy grew 3.7 percent in 2017, 0.6 percent in 2018, and 1.8 percent in 2019. The all-time high for the Ithaca Business Index is 177.18, its reading in April 2019.

Ithaca Times/Fingerlakes News

The size of Ithaca’s labor force is estimated to have decreased by 300 persons to a level of 48,577. Anyone residing in Ithaca with a part-time or full-time job is in the labor force. In addition, anyone residing in Ithaca without a job, but actively seeking employment, is also included in the labor force.

To our traveling public The Ithaca Tompkins International Airport’s leadership team is closely monitoring the developments related to COVID-19 regionally and globally. Our team is doing everything possible to ensure the safety of our passengers and employees. At this time, Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (ITH) is operating under normal conditions. If you choose to fly, please know that we are working hard to keep the terminal clean, safe and disinfected. We will continue to provide updates as they become available. We thank you for all you are doing to stay safe during this time. —Mike Hall, Airport Director

This is a rapidly evolving situation, for the latest updates please go to flyithaca.com

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Vital for Life

by Betsy Schermerhorn

The Ithaca Business Index is a public service of Ithaca College Department of Economics • (607) 274-3200 • Kacapyr@ithaca.edu

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SUMMER CAMP It is no longer just children who can enjoy summer camp: now adults can, too. Camp is a great way to learn new skills or just be outdoors. There are unique programs for all types of different personalities, age groups, and interests. For example, if singing with others under the stars appeals to you, there are camps for that. Perhaps campfire cooking or cooking with antique implements is something you have always had an interest in, and now you can go to camp for that. Revisiting a pleasurable experience from your youth with archery, marksmanship, or horseback riding is entirely possible. There are wonderful opportunities for meditation, writing poetry, and everything in between.

A positive experience at summer camp starts with careful planning. Seniors should talk to their doctors first to ensure they are medically able to participate in summer camp activities. Once cleared for camp, seniors should consider whether they want to spend their time only with older adults or an all-ages group. 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/

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I t h a c a T i m e s 15

Biz Briefs

nesses and organizations stepping up during the pandemic. “It’s no secret that people are going through tough times,” says Tim Strong, Community Development Manager for Visions. “Amidst that, though, people are really stepping up and doing their part to help those in our communities. Whether it’s free meals or donating supplies, all of these are bright spots. We want to shine a light on their good work.”

Longtime Trumansburg blacksmith closing studio

Visions Federal Credit Union worked in partnership with Ithaca College to deliver PPE to Longview, an Ithacare Community. On Wednesday, May 20, Aisha Jasper and Samantha Ridgeway from Visions Federal Credit Union along with Jeff Golden from Ithaca College delivered the

PPE masks and shields to Kathleen Burke, Director of Development & Community Relations and Danielle Overpeck, RN, Director of Resident Services at Longview. This community partnership allows the senior living community to have enough access to much-needed safety equipment during these unprecedented times. This was all made possible due to the Visions Federal Credit Union’s Heart of a Hero campaign that honors local busi-

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Well-known artist-blacksmith Durand Van Doren announces the closing of his studio/workDurand Van Doren (Photo: Glynis Hart) shop in Mecklenburg and will sell the accumulated ironwork and assorted iron pieces and elements made and collected On offer at the sale, at very good over the course of 40 years as a metal prices, will be more than two dozen of worker in and around Tompkins County his finest pieces, as well as excellent work and central New York. The sale will be at even better prices from the scrap pile. For many years, Durand was a prominent open 11am to 5pm, Thursday thru Satmember of the Greater Ithaca Art Trail. urday, July 2, 3 and 4, at Durand’s Forge, 6340 Carman Road, Trumansburg, New York 14886.

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A timely virtual event replaces popular national effort

By G.M. Burns

ou may have heard of The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival which was founded in May 2017 by Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, president of Repairers of the Breach, and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights and Social Justice and since then has gathered widespread support and participation from Ithacans, who can virtually attend the event June 20. The focus of the campaign has been to be engaged in lifting up the voices of poor and low-income people, who numbered 140 million – or 43 percent of the nation. And that was before COVID-19. Some 700 people

died each day from poverty, also before the pandemic. Whether protesting the current efforts against public health needs which could have addressed early on the COVID-19 pandemic and prevented the deaths that stemmed from it or voter suppression, the Poor People’s Campaign is laboring for people’s lives and the hope of bringing equality in a time of need. In this interview. Rev. Theoharis talks about the growing inequality and injustice facing people of color, and the upcoming virtual protest march planned that will bring at least 45 different religious groups and a diverse audience from across the country, available at www.june20.org. Ithaca Times: Talk about the disparate impact of COVID-19 affecting many people of color and the wealth gap in America? As the co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign how are you working to reverse and end this inequality? Reverend Liz Theoharis: Early in the pandemic there was a sense that because COVID-19 is a novel virus it is indiscriminate

in its reach. Yet we are now seeing that from the earliest days it has proliferated through the racial, economic, and social fissures that were already ravaging our society. We now know that people of color are dying from the virus at three times the rate of white people and that poor people are bearing the brunt of exposure and risk. In New York City, where I live, the five zip codes with the most coronavirus cases have an average income of under $27,000, while the five zip codes with the least have an average income of $118,000. This nation's long and brutal history of systemic racism, poverty, militarism, and climate change is inseparable from the story of this pandemic. This is true both in the effect on our communities and the response from our government. Prisons have become breeding grounds, native nations have some of the highest rates of exposure, and poor communities of color that have been hit hardest by the climate crisis and pollution are far more likely to suffer from the virus. Meanwhile, the continued on page 20

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Arts&Entertainment

Poor People’s Campaign goes virtual

I t h a c a T i m e s 17

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Art on the Move

Window galleries have stepped up during quarantine By Ar thur W hitm an

side of local art into the gallery with unexpected verve, and MaryAnn Bowman’s playful ceramic and mixed-media figurines. A portrait sketch by Diane Newton is quicker yet just as engaging—still, there’s not enough here to ward off a sense of stagnation. Unlike the SOAG, Corners Gallery is a one-woman show. Owner Ariel Bullion Ecklund, who also runs a successful framing business on-site, curates nearly everything.

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State of the Art Gallery’s “Emergence” display, another adaptation to quarantine. (Photo by Casey Martin)

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lthough some place their faith in online galleries, window-front exhibits remain the best way to see ambitious new local art. It’s worth looking at two relatively substantial “group shows” currently on-view: “Emergence” at the State of the Art Gallery downtown and “DRIVE THRU” at Corners Gallery in Cayuga Heights. Both corral regular gallery artists. I found the displays—particularly in comparison—to be emblematic of each organization’s place in the local cultural ecology. The state of local painting comes into focus through reduction. Not a significant part of mainstream visual culture, painting nonetheless appeals to Ithacans. And yet there’s a widespread lack of knowledge: of its techniques, its styles, its history. Even the educated, middle class people who— for better or for worse—dominate Ithaca’s formal gallery scene sometimes seem to have sizable knowledge gaps. While the commercial prominence of photography and digital imagery gives gallery artists something to respond to, painters are often unmoored. Too many seem to lack a sense of where they are: both in regards to tradition and to contemporary work. And while “craft” mediums like ceramics and fabric may provide techniques—to be mastered or rejected—painting just seems like something that anybody can pick up as a means of “self-expression.” “Emergence” was originally scheduled 17–23 ,

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to fill the SOAG’s main gallery through May with the work of eight cooperative members. The now abbreviated show, extended to the end of June, has been reworked since last month. Although various media are represented, painting is the crux. Don Ellis, known for his overscaled outdoor mobiles, is an inventive but sometimes awkward artist in two dimensions. Here a luminescent acrylic mountainscape shows unexpected reserves while explorations of folk art and classic poetry trod more familiar ground. While both Patty Porter and Diana Ozolins have had their moments, it’s impossible to see their canvases here as anything besides hobbyist work. And while hobbyism is honorable, it raises the question of what sort of space the SOAG is. Does the gallery represent local art at its strongest or is it a club for its members? It’s hard not to feel that you’re face-toface with these artists’ limitations. Nancy Ridenour’s digital photo-manipulations, printed as “giclée” canvases, have a technical polish that work to their advantage here. Artists’ books are a poor fit for the “don’t touch” ethos of the formal gallery but all the more so behind glass. A saffronhued accordion fold by Patricia Hunsinger pays homage to the recently deceased artist installation sculptor Christo (19352020). Relative strengths include the patternfixated digital illustrations of Daniel McPheeters, which bring the psychedelic

Making use of greater window footage, Ecklund has created exhibits dedicated to local gallery mainstays Suzanne Onodera, Barbara Page, and Stan Taft. The effect of these displays, to be rotated out in upcoming weeks, is to entice the viewer in. (The shop is currently open by appointment for framing.) In distinct contrast to the SOAG show, I was struck by a sense of collective ambition as well as the distinctive accomplishments of each painter. Working in oil, Onodera’s smoky distillations of landscape complement Page’s brasher acrylic and assemblage approach. Taft, a Cornell professor, engages oil painting as a kind of perceptual psychology: methodically investigating how colors and patterns compose the visible everyday. While he elsewhere engages European architecture and narrative scenes, the focus here is quieter: familiar regional landscape. I’ve never been one to use “bourgeois” as an epithet. There’s just too much selfmarginalizing art being made by the neoneo-avant-garde. (I don’t believe that a pile of garbage on a gallery floor is inherently more serious or relevant than a painting of a flower.) And I’ll take good art—and useful artistic values—wherever I can find them. That said, the SOAG can give off an aura of complacency, while Corners is taking its cultural privilege—and hard work—over more compelling horizons.

Films

Ithaca Celebrity Quarantine Film Festival #3: David Moreland

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Don Knotts, a popular quarantine figure (Photo online)

ith the world on lockdown, what are we all watching? This week, I spoke to David Moreland, actor, magician and co-founder and host of Cinemapolis’ Family Film Classics Series. At the time of the interview, I had just finished watching six Don Knotts movies, so that’s where the conversation starts… DM: What did you think was the best of the lot? IT: It might be a tie between “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken” (1966, Don spends the night in a haunted house) and “The Love God?” (1969, Don gets set up as a Hugh Hefner type). DM: You know, I’m a big proponent of “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken,” I think it’s a super-underrated comedy. IT: I really only knew Don Knotts from the comedies he made with Tim Conway, like “The Apple Dumpling Gang” (1975), and just on that movie alone, I always thought they were one of the great comedy teams. One thing you see a lot of in those old Universal Don Knotts movies is the “Back to the Future” town square, which I just saw again in the first episode of “The Twilight Zone.” It’s also Kingston Falls in “Gremlins.” DM: Isn’t that funny when you learn

what the [Hollywood] back lots look like, you can pick ‘em out so easily. IT: The formula is Don as a smalltown schnook who hits the big time, so they always shoot the bucolic small-town stuff on that square. And the plot of “How to Frame a Figg” (1971) centers around that courthouse. It would be nice if there were plaques on sound stages to let people know what was made there. DM: I think they do that. There are plaques on the exteriors of sound stages that tell you what’s been filmed there, which is righting a great wrong. I always wanted to know that when I was working on a sound stage. IT: And of course, the Don Knotts movies are treasure troves of amazing character actors. I saw Bruno Kirby, Bob Hastings, Ellen Corby. A lot of the writers, directors and cast came right from “The Andy Griffith Show.” So, what have you been watching? DM: You know, it’s really amazing, the streaming catalogs that are being opened now, and I’ve watched some of the “National Theatre Live” stuff that previously you would have to go to Cinemapolis and pay to see. And they ran James Corden in “One Man, Two Governors” a few weeks

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FILM Contin u ed From Page 19

ago, and now it’s Benedict Cumberbatch in “Frankenstein.” So that’s like an amazing resource, and it’s all free. You know, I’m in a particular mindset right now where I’m preparing to move to New York City, and I want to know what shows are being filmed in New York. So a lot of my personal watching is on TV shows that are shot in New York. I’ve gone through about a half dozen or eight of them, and the ones that really stick out to me are “City on a Hill,” which is actually shot in Boston but cast in New York. That’s with Kevin Bacon. And then “Billions” with Paul Giamatti and a show called “Manifest.” That’s about a passenger airliner that takes off one day and mysteriously disappears for five years. And then it lands. For the people on board, time has not passed, but the rest of the world has moved on with their lives. The people on the jetliner have to cope

with all this strangeness, as do their loved ones. And the passengers have developed, what would you call it, paranormal skills. They get messages from the world about what needs to be done. I don’t have cable so everything I’m describing, I’ve been able to see on Amazon or Netflix or Hulu. I took on a one-month trial of CBS Prime, and between all of those things, I’ve been able to watch these shows. I also finished up “Veep” on Amazon Prime, Julia LouisDreyfus’s comedy. It’s very funny. And my girls and I have been watching a German series called “Dark.” It’s sort of like a “Twin Peaks” or a German “Stranger Things.” IT: Hmm. DM: In terms of movies, the only movie I’ve watched is “The Big Sick” with Kumail Nanjiani. Just loved it. Just loved it. I mean, especially as a parent, it’s a great romantic comedy. It’s very fresh, and Ray Romano and Holly Hunter are in it. You can stream that on Amazon Prime.

POOR PEOPLE CAMPAIGN Contin u ed From Page 17

government has passed a suite of stimulus deals that have funneled trillions of dollars into Wall Street, while doing very little to secure the permanent needs of millions of people, from housing and healthcare to clean water and wages. Poor people and people of color have been celebrated as essential workers over the last three months, but have largely been treated as expendable. When we see police outfitted with state-of-the-art riot gear but doctors wearing garbage bags, we must look deeper to understand how we got here. That is why the Poor People's Campaign has been organizing over the last couple of years to build what we call a moral fusion movement. We believe that transformative social change only happens when people at the bottom come together across lines of division and begin to take action together. We are seeing the possibility of such a movement right now in the protests breaking out all across the country, which were sparked by another wave of police brutality and racist murder, and which are tapping into the deep outrage and dissatisfaction that many feel with a society riven by ineqaulity and poverty. That is why we are organizing the Mass Poor People's Assembly and Moral March on Washington on June 20 and why we will continue to do our part to help build a movement in this country. IT: There will be a Poor People’s Campaign march online – talk about this major virtual event scheduled for June 20th, and who will be joining it? What is the aim of the march? RLT: When we launched the Poor People's Campaign, we knew that we needed to fundamentally shift the moral narrative in the nation, which for so long has been monopolized by a politics that blames poor and dispossessed people for their suffering, rather than the systems that impoverish and brutalize our people. For us, the first step to changing the narrative is changing the narrator. If we are going 20 T

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to broaden the country's imagination on what is possible and necessary, we must lift up the stories, struggles, and solutions of those most impacted by injustice. That is why we have been organizing for June 20 long before COVID-19. For us, June 20 is about building a national stage that centers the lives and leadership of our communities and offers a vision for how to reconstruct society to ensure that everyone has a right to live and thrive. June 20 will be a powerful day of digital action, with a program that will be streamed across the internet, radio, and tv, for millions to experience together. IT: As a person of spirit what is the most challenging aspect of the work you are doing now? And what keeps you moving forward? RLT: All around us are people suffering and dying before their time. Rev. Barber, who I co-chair the Poor People's Campaign with, often says that we as a nation have become far too comfortable with the deaths of others. There is so much pain in those words and in the desecration of life that has somehow become mundane and normal for so many of us. It is even more painful when we come to see that this reality is of our own making - that poverty and inequality are not inevitable and preordained by a higher power, but are the consequence of politics and policy. For me, that is also where the hope lies. I have been doing grassroots organizing for the last 25 years and I have seen the power of poor people to be agents of change, not just subjects of a cruel history. I am also a biblical scholar and I've written and taught for years about what Jesus and the bible actually tells us about the imperative to challenge poverty and all forms of injustice. I am heartened and encouraged by the heroic action that people are taking all across the country, from the street protests to rent and wildcat strikes. For me, it is in the struggle for freedom where God resides.

Virtual Music Bars/Bands/Clubs

6/22 Monday Waxahatchee performs Out in the Storm | 9:00 PM, | $15 Concerts/Recitals

A Discussion with Shulamit Ran | 7:00 PM, 6/17 Wednesday | Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Shulamit Ran joins participants via Zoom to discuss her compositions, String Quartet No. 2, ìLyre of Orpheus,î and ìSoliloquy.î Links to recordings and program notes will be available on the GMF website one week prior to the event, along with the Zoom invitation. Participants can then ask Ran questions about her music and life.†Visit†GenevaMusicFestival.com for streaming info.

performed in many of the worldís great concert halls and has soloed with nearly every major orchestra in the United States. Visit genevamusicfestival.com. Concert in a Car! | 6:00 PM, 6/27 Saturday | Dwyer Memorial Park, 6799 Little York Lake Road, Preble | Featuring live music from Charley Orlando, Los Blancos, and Digger Jones. | $40/vehicle

Stage Flame Night Fever: a virtual drag & burlesque show | 8:00 PM, 6/18 Thursday | Celebrate PRIDE fever! The hosts and DJ will be donating all of their tips and pay to organizations working towards anti-racism. Streaming here -> www.twitch.tv/ flamenightfever. Followed by a live dance party DJ’d by The Dutchess of Spirit Posse on Zoom! Your hosts:Tilia Cordata & Kitschy Scofflaw. | Suggested Donation $1 - $20

A Living Room Recital with Clive Greensmith, cello | 7:00 PM, 6/20 Saturday | †Join renowned cellist Clive Greensmith for an evening of solo cello music, including works by Bach and Cassado. Greensmith, former cellist of the Tokyo String Quartet and faculty member at the Colburn School of Music, is widely acclaimed as one of the great cellists of our time. Audience members will have the opportunity to take part in a Q&A throughout the performance. Visit†GenevaMusicFestival.com for streaming info.

Uncommon Excerpts and Others: The Wendy Chronicles | 7:30 PM, 6/20 Saturday | Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca | Scenes and excerpts from the life and work of Tony and Pulitzer- Award winning Wendy Wasserstein, ranging from her well-known comedies (The Heidi Chronicles, Sister Rosensweig) to her insightful lesser-known essays. Compiled by the Hangar Artistic Director, Michael Barakiva, who worked for Wendy for the last five years of her life. Visit Hangar’s Facebook page for tickets and stream info. | $20

Geneva Music Festival Virtual Season - Michelle Cann and Geoffrey Herd on composer Florence Price | 7:00 PM, 6/24 Wednesday | Pianist Michelle Cann and violinist Geoffrey Herd discuss Florence Priceís amalgamation of German romanticism and African American traditional music and dance in creating the unique musical idioms in her Piano Concerto and Five Folk Songs in Counterpoint. Visit genevamusicfestival.com.

Art

Ani Kavafian, A Life in Music | 7:00 PM, 6/26 Friday | GMF director Geoffrey Herd sits down with violinist Ani Kavafian to discuss her long and varied career. Kavafian is an artist with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and Professor at the Yale School of Music. She has

in her ìhostelî by housing a new generation of transgender sex workers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Queen of Lapa explores the day-to-day lives, rivalries, and quests for love of sex workers, as Munizís guides them in a city full of hostility towards its LGBTQ community. (73 mins NR) | 72 hour rental available for $12

a unique interweaving of historical images and the rhythm and energy of contemporary spoken word performances. CIVIL WARRIORS is a timely film that connects us to our shared history and its inescapable impact today. (75 mins NR)

thru June. The gallery is closed until further notice because of COVID-19 but you can see a window exhibition of the participating artists: Mary Ann Bowman, Patricia Brown, Don Ellis, Daniel McPheeters, Diane Newton, Diana Ozolins, Patty Porter, and Nancy Ridenour. Collective Consciousness | All Day 6/25 Thursday | Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts, Congress at McLallen St, Trumansburg | The first virtual art show experience produced by the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts and the Cayuga Arts Collective. The show runs through August 6. Curated by Marina Delaney and Domenica Brockman.

Movies Cinemapolis Virtual Cinema: Civil Warriors | All Day 6/19 Friday | Cinemapolis, 120 E Green St, Ithaca | They stood up to fight for freedoms they themselves barely had, stood up to be counted as men in a country that called them ëboys.í They fought and died, but their stories go largely untold. CIVIL WARRIORS tells the true story of 26 African-American men from one county in upstate New York who enlisted in the US Colored Troops and fought in the Civil War. Their compelling story unfolds through

Cinemapolis Virtual Cinema: Miss Juneteenth | All Day 6/19 Friday | Cinemapolis, 120 E Green St, Ithaca | Turquoise Jones is a single mom who holds down a household, a rebellious teenager, and pretty much everything that goes down at Waymanís BBQ & Lounge. Turquoise is also a bona fide beauty queenóshe was once crowned Miss Juneteenth, a title commemorating the day slaves in Texas were freed ñ two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Life didnít turn out as beautifully as the title promised, but Turquoise, determined to right her wrongs, is cultivating her daughter, Kai, to become Miss Juneteenth, even if Kai wants something else. (103 mins NR) | 48 hour rental available for $6.99

Cinemapolis Virtual Cinema: Tazzeka | All Day 6/19 Friday | Cinemapolis, 120 E Green St, Ithaca | Growing up in the Moroccan village of Tazzeka, Elias learned the secrets of traditional Moroccan cuisine from his grandmother who raised him. Years later, meeting a top Paris chef and a young woman named Salma inspires him to leave home. In Paris, Elias faces unstable work and financial hardship as an undocumented immigrant. But he also finds friendship with Souleymane, who helps revive his passion for cooking. (95 mins NR) | 48 hour rental available for $10

Special Events

Cinemapolis Virtual Cinema: One Day in the Life of Noah Piugattuk | All Day 6/19 Friday | Cinemapolis, 120 E Green St, Ithaca | Noah Piugattukís nomadic Inuit band live and hunt by dog team, just as his ancestors did. When the white man known as Boss arrives in camp, what appears as a chance meeting soon opens up the prospect of momentous change. (113 mins NR) | 72 hour rental available for $12

Nest Talk With NestWatch - Live Webinar | 12:00 PM, 6/18 Thursday | Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca | Visiit the†Sapsucker Woods Facebook page. This live webinar will focus on nesting birds. Robyn Bailey and Holly Faulkner from the Cornell Labís NestWatch citizen science project will explain how the project works, show off some of the nest boxes used in the Labís Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary, and answer viewer questions about nesting birds. Register now for this webinar and send along your questions, too. https://bit.ly/NestWatchWebinar.

Cinemapolis Virtual Cinema: Queen of Lapa | All Day 6/19 Friday | Cinemapolis, 120 E Green St, Ithaca | A proud transgender sex worker since the age of eleven, Luana Muniz, now fifty-nine, shapes a new reality

What if YOUR BANK

Directing for the Stage - Virtual Workshop | 7:00 PM, 6/18 Thursday | (for 10th Grade-Adult). Lead teacher: Hangar Theatre Associate Artistic Director Shirley Serotsky. An introduction to the rehearsal and production process from the directorís point of view. In 6 sessions, the class will provide an overview of the directorís process through text analysis, exercises, and discussion, and include topics like establishing point of view, communicating with designers, and working with actors. | $75 Wharton Studio Museumís 3rd Silents Roar! | 7:00 PM, 6/18 Thursday | Wharton Studios Facebook, | Film Festival for Youth in the Southern Tier goes virtual! Live Screening and Awards Ceremony† via Facebook Live on Wharton Studio Museumís Facebook Page. Directing for the Stage - Virtual Workshop | 7:00 PM, 6/25 Thursday | (for 10th Grade-Adult). Lead teacher: Hangar Theatre Associate Artistic Director Shirley Serotsky. An introduction to the rehearsal and production process from the directorís point of view. In 6 sessions, the class will provide an overview of the directorís process through text analysis, exercises, and discussion, and include topics like establishing point of view, communicating with designers, and working with actors. | $75

Kids Virtual Kiddstuff: The Emperor’s New Clothes | 10:30 AM, 6/20 Saturday | Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca | The Hangar Theatre Company has been producing plays and musicals for

We know. It sounds unlikely. But here’s the truth: Tompkins Trust Company has been giving back to the community for decades. Social responsibility has always been at the core of who we are.

was changing the community for the better?

The money you deposit with us works hard for you, and does good in your community. Your support enables us to support local nonprofits and to make loans to local businesses. Not to mention, our employees volunteer thousands of hours of their time each year.

EMERGENCE | All Day 6/17 Wednesday | State of the Art Gallery, 120 W Martin Luther King, Jr./State Street, Ithaca | Emergence, an exhibition by eight gallery members, will be online thru June. The gallery is closed until further notice because of COVID-19 but you can see a window exhibition of the participating artists: Mary Ann Bowman, Patricia Brown, Don Ellis, Daniel McPheeters, Diane Newton, Diana Ozolins, Patty Porter, and Nancy Ridenour.

We hope that makes you proud to work with us. But most of all, we hope it makes our community a little better.

EMERGENCE | All Day 6/24 Wednesday | State of the Art Gallery, 120 W Martin Luther King, Jr./State Street, Ithaca | Emergence, an exhibition by eight gallery members, will be online

TompkinsTrust.com 08/19

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Town & Country

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THE WILLIAM GEORGE AGENCY FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES IS CURRENTLY HIRING FOR: SENIOR ACCOUNTANT: Supervises the finance and accounting departments for The William George Agency and the George Junior Republic School District. This role is to provide information, primarily financial in nature, about all company activities that assist management, the Board and other users in making educated economic decisions about the company’s future.

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Septic Systems, Driveways, Drainage

MONDAYS 4:30-5:30 PM

cbrong@ithactimes.com

277-7000 p h o n e 277-1012 f a x

Centerline Fitness, 335 Elmira Road 400 Auburn Rd. Lansing, NY

50% Off

Bet The Farm Winery

State Safety Inspection with

Free Friday Delivery

6075337866

Order by noon

Community Cash Coupon Monro

4204 Krums Corners Rd

Auto Service and Tire Center

607 387-6548

Buy, Sell & Consign Previously-enjoyed

www.cayugadogrescue.org

FURNITURE & DECOR MIMI’S ATTIC

ALL ABOUT MACS Macintosh Consulting

430 W. State St. (607)882-9038 Open Every Day!

http://www.allaboutmacs.com

CLEANING SERVICES

(607) 280-4729

www.facebook.com/CayugaDogRescue

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

Agway True Value

EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS

213 Fulton St. or

Open and Delivering!

2309 N.Triphammer Rd. 2300 N. Triphammer Rd. 607 391-2227

Alley Cat Cafe Curbside Pickup and Delivery 11-3, Wed/Fri/ Sat

Hector, NY

607 319-5006

pickup

Sat-Sun 2-6pm www.hectorwinecompany.com

Check out our Yes! We’re Open guide on PAGE 2 and online @ ithaca.com /M arketplace /YesW ereO pen Ithac a T imes

/June

17–23 ,

2 0 2 0

607 256-9355

Sumo Japanese Steakhouse

John Serferlis - Tailor

Hibachi * Sushi

102 The Commons

Delivery & Pickup

273-3192

2309 N. Triphammer Rd (607) 257-7777 (607) 257-5555

4 tire rotation & brake check with Community

M-F 3-6pm

Order by phone, online for delivery and curbside

821 Cliff Street

John’s Tailor Shop

Includes oil & filter

607 387-1045

alleycatcafe.square.site

Sanitizing and Social Distancing

$19.99

Curbside Pickup available 5610 State Rte. 414

(Across from McDonalds)

for over 20 years

Oil Change

Full Market Open

Ithaca, NY

363 Elmira Rd

Ithaca, NY 14850

Hector Wine Company

312 E. Seneca St.

New Location

FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC

Same Day Service Available

607-227-3025 / 607-697-3294

Save $1.00 to $5.00

Now open at our

Men’s and Women’s Alterations

Fur & Leather repair, zipper repair.

INDEPENDENCE CLEANERS CORP

Community CashCoupon

Bishops Carpet One

SEA CHANGE

JANITORIAL* FLOOR * CARPET

h e

Up to $1000 off

Adopt! Foster! Volunteer! Donate for vet care!

AAM

24 T

Save Big, Shop Small

Order by Phone or Online

Check out Cayuga Dog Rescue!

betthefarmny.com

Cortland 756-4918

607-272-0114

kirkswayfarm.com

Love dogs?

Phone, Delivery, & Curbside Pickup

Lansing 266-6443

admin@peacefulspiritacupuncture.com

on select floors

Trumansburg, NY

Ithaca 273-8600

Anthony Fazio, L.Ac., D.A.O.M. (c)

Cash Coupon

ithacasumo.com Ten Percent Off Any Repair

Ithaca Auto Service

Diane’s Downtown Automotive

607-220-9183

607-272-AUTO (2886)

Many of Ithaca’s businesses are open for curbside pick-up or home delivery. Save this page for an up-to-date guide to our city’s listings during this health crisis.