NEWSLINE
VOL. XLII / NO. 50 / August 3, 2022 Serving 47,125 readers week ly
ON THE COVER:
City And County Agree To Joint Funding Of Community Justice Center
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n an effort to keep moving the process of reimaging law enforcement forward, the Ithaca Common Council agreed to a contract with Tompkins County to jointly fund a Community Justice Center (CJC), at its July 27 meeting. The CJC is intended to determine implementation priorities, develop budget impacts for the plan, manage and analyze data, and provide reports to the City and County about the progress of the plan. The City and County are contracting to each contribute about $138,000 for the first year and agree to the contract auto renewing for a second year after a review.
Council Approves Incentive To Recruit Police Officers
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thaca’s Common Council unanimously approved the extension of $20,000 incentives to be paid to officers joining the Ithaca Police Department (IPD) from other law enforcement agencies without receiving a promotion in the process. The incentive is payable in two stages: $10,000 after the officer’s first pay period, and another $10,000 when the officer completes their first year on the job. To be eligible, officers must already have at least two years of police experience and agree to work for the IPD for two years. There is a “clawback” provision in the agreement if the officer leaves
citing the need for quick action. Tompkins County Administrator Lisa Holmes, who was present at the meeting, noted that hiring Alderperson Cynthia people to staff the CJC Brock of Ithaca’s First was contingent on the Ward proposed changCounty and City having the contract so that ing a signed contract, it would fully fund the and that substantive CJC for two years before changes to the prorequiring a review, sugposed contract would gesting this would more Tompkins County Administrator Lisa Holmes explained that hiring for the require going back to fully convey the City’s CJC was contingent on having a signed the County Legislature, commitment to the miscontract. (Photo: Provided via Zoom) delaying the process sion of reimagining law further. enforcement. The need for speed carried the day While the other members of the Counand the Council voted 7-1 to approve the cil stressed the City’s commitment to the reimagining law enforcement process, they contract with only a minimal language change. resisted the call to amend the contract, a number of payments in order to tie the payments more closely to the recipient’s continued employment, was seen as ineffective. Acting IPD Chief before the promised John Joly said that the two years. incentives are vital, In response to quesexplaining that the tions regarding the paydepartment recently lost ment schedule, Schelley out on a potential lateral Michell-Nunn, the transfer to the TompCity’s Director of Hukins County Sheriff ’s man Resources, noted IPD Acting Chief John Joly said the lateral transfer incentives are vital in recruiting Office, and that the dethat incentive plans new officers. (Photo: Provided via Zoom) partment is competing typically pay the total with every department amount up front, so in the state to attract these individuals. He this schedule provides the City with more added that there are two “laterals” who are than they usual protection. Michell-Nunn added that the previous incentive policy of currently in the process who the department is hoping to hire. a $15,000 “signing bonus” spread out over
T A K E Rejoice The Vote — The Dorothy Cotton Institute is joining Rejoice the Vote to celebrate and remember the signing of the Voters Rights Act on August 6th, 1965. Both organizations note that they celebrate the anniversary because the passage of this act was meant to ensure that no federal, state, or local government could in any way impede people from voting because of their race or ethnicity. They also say they’re called to remember the occasion because of the incredible struggle and loss of life that so many people endured to ensure this basic right. Noting their belief that the 2013 Shelby Supreme Court took away many of those rights, they will be on the Ithaca Commons on Saturday August 6th because the democracy struggle still looms. They encourage people to stop by if they have a moment, noting that they will have cookies honoring John Lewis and posters available that honor our
N O T E voting heroes and heroines. They will also have information about their VOTINGEST CITY contest. Information regarding Rejoice the Vote and its VOTINGEST CITY CONTEST can be found at www.rejoicethevote.org. June Unemployment Rates Released — The New York State Department of Labor released preliminary local area unemployment rates for June 2022. Ithaca’s rate for June 2022 was 2.8%, down from a rate of 4.4% in June 2021. This is the lowest rate of any of the 15 metro areas the department looks at. Rates are calculated using methods prescribed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The State’s area unemployment rates rely in part on the results of the Current Population Survey, which contacts approximately 3,100 households in New York State each month. New York State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held at 4.4% from May to June 2022.
Imaginary City Manager’s Office (Cover photo: Ash Bailot, Editing: Julia Nagel)
NEWSLINE ....................................3 SPORTS ..........................................9 PERSONAL HEALTH ..................11 REORGANIZING CITY HALL ...12
How Council’s proposal would change government
STAGE ..........................................15 FILM ............................................16 DINING .......................................16 MUSIC ..........................................17 ART ..............................................18 TIMES TABLE .............................20 CLASSIFIEDS ..............................22
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