Oct. 15, 2025

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NEW OWNERSHIP AT TRIPHAMMER MARKETPLACE PAGE 3

ITHACA TEACHERS ‘HOPEFUL’ AS CONTRACT TALKS RESUME

NEW ROOTS WELCOMES FIRST MIDDLE SCHOOL COHORT

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REVIVING YOUTH BASKETBALL IN ITHACA

“GOOD BOY” TELLS A GHOST STORY FROM A DOG’S POV

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Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Until ONE in 8 is NONE in 8

Until breast cancer can be prevented, we can empower women by promoting early detection and treatment.

What you can do: • Learn and Educate: Understanding the signs, symptoms, and risk factors • Get Screened: Women 40 and over should get a yearly mammogram • Spread the Word: Share this life-saving information with others in your life Join us this Breast Cancer Awareness Month as we encourage more women to get screened.

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Newsline

VOL. LIV / NO. 6 / October 15, 2025 Serving 47,125 readers week ly

ON THE COVER:

Triphammer Marketplace Finds New Owners in Local Couple

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The Tompkins County Legislature voted 9-4 on Oct. 7 to accept a state grant for a third year, which funds law enforcement initiatives to reduce violent crimes. The majority of funds go to operating Flock Safety license plate readers and gunshot detection devices. (Design by Kaiden Chandler/ Ithaca Times Intern)

By L or i e n Ty n e

riphammer Marketplace, with its iconic red and yellow signs and indoor walkway, has been an important retail space in the Ithaca community for the past 60 years. A few weeks ago, the marketplace was sold to Spencer and Kristen Ferguson Kopko, who are already making strides on their plans to refresh the space and support its businesses.

Together, the Kopkos created Triphammer Partners LLC and bought the marketplace on Sept. 19 for $11.98 million. The previous owners, Triphammer Development Co. Inc. is the business entity of the Thaler family, who began developing the property in 1963.

Initially, the plaza was called the Triphammer Mall and was just two stores. After 43 years and many more vendors, the Thalers decided to rebrand it as the Triphammer Marketplace to better portray the community spirit of the plaza and its mission to provide a unique shopping experience.

The Kopkos said the Thaler family was diligent about making sure the next stewards of the marketplace were up to the task. Through a mutual connection, the Kopkos were introduced to Katrina and Jeff Thaler, and within a year, the closing deal was made.

“They built a foundation of stability and community that we have such a deep respect for,” Kristen said. “The previous ownership really cared deeply about finding buyers who would continue to invest in the property’s future, in the way that

NEWSLINE ������������������������������������ 3-7 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ������������ 8 OPINION ������������������������������������� 9-10 SPORTS ������������������������������������������� 12 NEWS ����������������������������������������� 14-15 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ���������� 17 SPECIAL EVENT ���������������������������� 18 THROUGH THE TIMES ����������������� 19 FILM ����������������������������������������������� 20 ???? �������������������������������������������������� 21 TIMES TABLE ��������������������������� 22-23 CLASSIFIED ������������������������������ 24-25

Triphammer Marketplace has been owned by the same local family since it opened in 1963. Last month, the plaza was sold to a husband and wife team with roots in Ithaca. (Photo: Mark Syvertson/Ithaca Times)

supports the local economy and community. And so it was clear that we shared a similar vision for what the space could be.”

Like the Thalers, the Kopkos have deep roots in the Ithaca community. Spencer moved to Ithaca with his family when he was 3 years old. He eventually enrolled at Cornell University where he met Kristen, who grew up in Southern Virginia. After graduating, the couple moved to New York City where they now split their time between Ithaca.

While the Kopkos are the sole investors in the property, they are not without help.

Chris Cook, the on-site facilities superintendent, worked closely with the Thalers and is staying on.

“It’s clear he knows the property inside

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and out, and he has such a dedication to the history of the marketplace and the future of the marketplace, and has been invaluable as we plan improvements and new initiatives,” Kristen said.

First on their to-do list are small-scale projects, such as cleaning the atrium windows and refreshing the paint and signage.

“We want to revamp the entire property to bring it into modern day a little bit,” Kristen said. “And so what that means is making slow improvements over time to modernize it while keeping the charm that makes it so special.”

For the Kopkos, Triphammer Marketplace is a new business venture but it is

Visit our website at www.ithaca.com for more news, arts, sports and photos. Call us at 607-277-7000 Maddy Vogel, Managing Editor E d i to r @ i t h ac at i m e s .co m Mat t D o u g h er t y, Asso ciate Ed ito r E d i to r @ i t h ac at i m e s .co m Ch r is Ibert, C alen dar Ed ito r A r t s @ i t h ac at i m e s .co m Austin L am b, Co py Edito r L o r i e n Ty n e , N e w s R e p o r t e r R e p o r t e r @ i t h ac at i m e s .co m Philip O'Dell, Reporter P h i l i p @ i t h ac at i m e s .co m Mark Sy vertson, Photographer Ste ve L awrence, Spo rts Co lumn ist St e v e S p o r t sD u d e @ g m a i l .co m J i m B i l i n s k i , P u b l i s h e r E me r i t u s j b i l i n s k i @ i t h ac at i m e s .co m Scot t Ma n so n , Asso ciate Pu b l ish er F r ee l a n c e r s : Barbara Adams, G. M Burns, Charley Githler, Stephen Burke, Bill Chaisson, Ross Haarstad, Steve Lawrence, Marjorie Olds, Henry Stark, Peter Rothbart, Austin Lamb, Clement Obropta, and Jake Sexton

Contin u ed on Page 9

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X Ithaca Rotary Club Invites Community Volunteers for Route 13 Cleanup

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THACA, N.Y. — The Ithaca Rotary Club is inviting improving the community’s appearance and community members to join its semiannual protecting the local environment.

Participants will meet at 8:50 a.m. in the Route 13 highway cleanup on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 9 to 11 a.m. The long-running effort parking lot of Tops Friendly Markets, 2300 aims to remove litter and debris along a two- N. Triphammer Road, where they will receive mile stretch of the busy roadway between a safet y brief ing before heading out in the Triphammer Road and Stewart Park exits. small teams to clean designated sections Rotary volunteers have been maintaining of the highway. All safety gear and supplies this section of Route 13 for the past 15 years — including hard hats, vests, gloves, trash as part of the New York State Department of grabbers and bags — will be provided.

Following the cleanup, volunteers are Transportation’s Adopt-A-Highway program.

The club welcomes anyone interested in invited to gather for light refreshments and

conversation. Organizers say the event offers a chance to make a tangible impact on the community while meeting other serviceminded residents.

Anyone interested in volunteering or learning more about the event can contact Rotary Club member and cleanup coordinator Bob Gravani at bobgravani@gmail.com.

The Ithaca Rotar y Club conduc ts the cleanup twice a year as part of its mission to support community service, environmental stewardship and civic engagement.

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INQUIRING Angelhearts Moves, Rebrands from Diner to Donuts PHOTOGRAPHER T N e w s l i n e

By Mark Sy ve r t son

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

“HALLOWEEN IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. WHAT WILL YOUR COSTUME BE FOR TRICK-OR-TREATING”?

NOTE: If readers wish to participate in the Ithaca Times’ Inquiring Photographer column, contact Mark Syvertson at marksyvertsonphotography@gmail.com

“A butterfly.”

– Sol

“I'm going as a sorceress.”

– Toby

“I'm dressing up as Princess Peach and my brother is going as Luigi.”

– Eden

“Rumi from K-Pop Demon Hunter.”

– Skylar

“A mama bear and a baby bear.”

– Aubryn & Sebastian

By Va s a n t A l e x L a pl a m

he donuts, once an afterthought, have taken top billing. But even though Angelhearts Diner is moving locations and rebranding as Angelhearts Donuts, vegans of Ithaca need not fear. “The menu is not changing drastically,” chef Christian Engelhart promised in a recent interview.

When Angelhearts Diner had its soft opening weekend in September 2019, the goal was to have friends and co-workers come and taste the vegan comfort food Engelhart and his co-owner (and mother) Kim Engelhart would be serving. When he realized how many people would be in the store waiting for food, Christian decided to offer a simple glazed donut — vegan of course — as “a Hail Mary…to try and hold people over until they got their food.”

After that, the requests for donuts just kept coming in. And Angelhearts obliged with more flavors including chocolate glazed, cinnamon sugar, cookies and cream, espresso and strawberry sprinkles. Christian says it has been a “precarious balance” between satisfying customers just there for the donuts and providing the local vegan community with plant-based diner food.

The Engelharts’s vegan journey started when Christian developed a severe dairy allergy as a child. As Kim started to create dairy-free food for her son she started researching veganism and switched her diet. Then, as she traveled across states for another son’s hockey meets, she encountered vegan restaurants that inspired her to start Ithaca’s only fully vegan eatery.

“We just wanted a food style that invited everyone in,” Kim said. “You don’t have to be vegan. You just want good food.”

It appears the Engelharts succeeded. In a 2024 restaurant review for the Ithaca Times, restaurant critic Henry Stark said “had I not known I had ventured into a vegan establishment I might not have known where I was.” The online menu includes “converted” diner staples such as “Chick’n & Waffles” and a vegan Philly cheesesteak.

Angelhearts has been located in the Gateway Commons since it opened six years ago.

But a series of challenges with the landlord, Travis Hyde Properties, have forced the restaurant to find a new home down the road in Press Bay Alley on West Green Street. The old location closed its doors on Sunday, Sept. 14.

A series of facebook and instagram posts

by Angelhearts tell the story of parking lot woes, an unexpected six-month building

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Angelhearts Donuts owners Kim and Christian Engelhart stand outside the restaurant’s new location in Press Bay Alley. (Photo: Vasant Alex Laplam/Ithaca Times)

The opening date is still up in the air. closure and ultimately no lease for the year 2025. Travis Hyde did not respond to multiple “We got a smoke test, health department walkthrough and fire department walkrequests for comment from the Ithaca Times. through,” Christian said.

Just 1% of Americans consider themIf all goes well, the newly christened selves vegan, according to a 2023 Gallup Poll.

Angelhearts Donuts will open the week of So as Angelhearts prepares to open in Press Oct. 13. Customers can expect a return to Bay, the new name is intended to invite in non-vegan tourists who might just be look- normal hours: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ing for a donut, Christian said. Longtime Saturday and Sunday.

Ithaca residents will remember that Press “I personally wanna apologize for what Bay Alley used to be home to One Ring Doa rough ride it's been and thank all of our nuts, which was open from 2018 to 2022. customers for sticking by us,” Christian The location switch has allowed him to said. Kim focused her thanks on a niche invest in a new proofing cabinet, which group: “the diehards that have been with will increase donut production from a us since the beginning. Because we've had baseline 120 per batch — which only last many ups and downs with [the old] locaa couple of hours. More donuts per batch tion, so we look forward to having smooth also means more varieties, including filled sailing from now forward.” flavors like vegan Boston Cream.

UPS&DOWNS

N e w s l i n e

Ithaca Citizens-Led Committee to Review Elected Officials’ Compensation

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Ups

Cayuga Health and Foodnet Meals on Wheels have partnered to launch a new Community Dining site for older adults at The Shops at Ithaca Mall, with weekly lunches beginning Oct. 23. The initiative aims to expand access to nutritious meals and social connection in Tompkins County while advancing health equity for the aging population.

By P h i l i p O’ D e l l

he City of Ithaca has established the Elected Official Compensation Review Advisory Committee, a citizen-led group to review and recommend appropriate earnings for the mayor and Common Council alderpersons. Mayor Robert Cantelmo made the announcement earlier this month.

The committee’s five members will send a detailed report of findings and suggestions to Cantelmo and Common Council.

Members will review current compensation for elected officials, comparing it to their roles, responsibilities, and living wage benchmarks. They will also compare salary practices in other New York state municipalities, consider expected workload and integrate community values through public input to inform final recommendations.

Members include Alderperson Patrick Kuehl (chair, ex-officio, non-voting), Alderperson Pierre Saint-Perez (ex-officio, non-voting), Kate de la Garza (Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services), Adam Hart (Tompkins County Workers Center), and Megan Vidler (Downtown Ithaca Alli-

Downs

Ithaca police arrested an individual early Sunday after he allegedly assaulted a person on the Ithaca Commons and resisted officers during his arrest. The individual is accused of spitting and urinating inside the police department and was charged with multiple counts including harassment, resisting arrest, and aggravated harassment of an employee. The individual has been remanded to Tompkins County Jail without bail.

The City of Ithaca announced the establishment of a citizen-led committee to review the salaries for elected officials, including the mayor and Common Council alderpersons. (Photo: Nathan Ellison/Ithaca Times File)

ance). The committee was created through Section 4-1(C) of the Ithaca City Code.

“Decisions about elected official compensation should never be made behind closed doors or based solely on selfinterest,” Cantelmo said. “By bringing in a

N

Heard

The Gorge Trail at Buttermilk Falls State Park will be closed, weekdays (MondayFriday) beginning Tuesday October 14.

This closure will allow for the installation of several stone staircases and the repair of numerous stone walls, steps and other features of the trail.

diverse, community-driven committee to study this issue, we can build public trust, align with best practices, and ensure fair, transparent outcomes.”

Seen

The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades of America and Canada, AFL-CIO-CLC, District Council #4, has endorsed Tompkins County Legislator Mike Sigler for re-election in District 8, which covers most of the Town of Lansing.

Contin u ed on Page 6

Ithaca Teachers ‘Hopeful’ After Contract Talks Resume with District Administration

IF YOU CARE TO RESPOND to something in this column, or suggest your own praise or blame, write editor@ithacatimes. com, with a subject head “U&D.”

By P h i l i p O’ D e l l a n d M a ddy Vo ge l

egotiations between the Ithaca Teachers Association (ITA) and Ithaca City School District’s (ICSD) executive team resumed at Ithaca High School on Oct. 9. Both parties returned to the table after negotiations stalled on June 12.

The ITA represents over 500 educators across the district. Their last contract expired on June 30 after having been in negotiations since January. The Oct. 9 bargaining session, the first of the fall, focused on 11 newly revised proposals presented by the teachers union. It began with a request to honor over 20 tentative agreements reached between January and June.

According to ITA, ICSD Superintendent Dr. Luvelle Brown and Chief Investigation Officer Robert Van Keuren listened

HEARD&SEEN

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Should the Public Service Commission approve NYSEG’s request to increase delivery rates for customers in upstate New York?

5.8% Yes. 93.2% No. 1.0% I don’t care.

The Ithaca Teacher Association resumed contract negotiations on Oct. 9.

(Photo: Nathan Ellison/Ithaca Times File)

and sought clarification on union proposals. They stated their intent to return next week with a comprehensive counter-offer aimed at reaching an agreement, electing

N ext Week ’s Q uestion :

Should the salaries of Ithaca's elected officials be increased or decreased?

not to present new proposals or counteroffers during the Oct. 9 session.

Visit ithaca.com to submit your response.

Contin u ed on Page 6

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N e w s l i n e

New Roots Chart School Welcomes First Cohort of Middle School Program

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By L or i e n Ty n e

thaca’s New Roots Charter School recently announced the first cohort of its 6th through 8th grade middle school program. Up until this academic year, the tuition-free public charter school was solely a high school program.

In 2009, the New Roots school was established inside the historic Clinton House on Cayuga Street and has since been open to any students eligible to attend grades 6-12 in New York state.

The first middle school cohort was announced in a Sept. 29 press release, stating that 50 students are enrolled for this academic year. The program was first publicized in February when the State University of New York awarded New Roots Charter School a charter renewal for a fifth term, including authorization to expand programming for middle school students.

The press release included a quote from Sue and Mitch, parents of 7th grade student Owen, who began at New Roots.

“Owen has been so much happier going to and coming home from school,” they said. “We are excited about the differentiated learning opportunities. We appreciate the thorough communication about all the things from New Roots. We are so grateful to have found this program.”

In addition to new students, the anITHACA CITIZENS-LED COMMITTEE contin u ed from page 5

Cantelmo said compensation for elected officials transcends mere salary, arguing it allows accountability, accessibility, and participation from diverse residents in public service.

There will be at least one public hearing hosted by the committee before submitting its report, allowing residents to share their direct input.

The committee was established a year after the Common Council endorsed a measure to boost Cantelmo’s salary by 50%, despite his opposition. That amendment sought to stop a pay reduction for the mayor, which the council enacted in 2023 during Ithaca’s shift to a councilmanager form of government. The shift in governmental structure was approved by 73% of voters in a 2022 referendum.

In January 2024, the governmental

nouncement mentioned there are some new teachers for the program, but did not specify how many were hired. The website lists 30 staff and faculty who work at the charter school.

Also noted in the press release was the dedication of David Streib, who has taught science at New Roots for over a decade and is now the academic dean for the high school. Streib is a New York State Master Teacher, Knowles Science Teaching Fellow, and recipient of a Fulbright Teacher for Global Classrooms award.

“David’s quiet leadership as a faculty member has been a driving force in our success as a school for fifteen years. I am thrilled that he has stepped into this role of providing teachers with inspiration, support and leadership in the areas of curriculum and instruction as New Roots grows!” Tina Nilsen-Hodges, founding principal and superintendent, said in the press release.

New Roots is a member of the Green Schools National Network, which works with educational institutions to create curriculum, culture, and campuses that are environmentally focused. The network offers resources, coaching and partnership opportunities to assist in implementing best practices in leadership, curriculum and instruction, culture and climate, and facilities and operations. structure was changed and 75% of the mayor's executive duties were transferred to the city manager, who earns $170,000 annually, replacing the chief of staff position that had a $120,000 annual salary.

Despite the reduced responsibilities, some alderpersons said Cantelmo maintains a full-time workload and deserves appropriate payment. The amendment would have lifted his annual pay from $30,000 to $62,500. Although initially defeated by a 5-4 vote, the proposal was swiftly moved for reconsideration to facilitate public participation in future salary discussions.

Cantelmo abstained from the Council’s initial debate and released a statement praising the amendment’s intention but called for an open public process to determine elected officials’ salaries. He reiterated his long-held support for forming a citizen-led commission—mirroring the Tompkins County Legislature's model—to periodically examine and establish compensation levels.

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The New Roots Charter School has been a high school since it was founded in 2009. This academic year, the charter school welcomes 50 students into its new middle school program. (Photo: Mark Syvertson/Ithaca Times)

In acknowledgement of New Roots’ commitment to environment and sustainability, In 2021, the U.S. and New York Departments of Education selected it as one of the recipients for the Green Ribbon Schools award. New Roots has received four other awards since 2012 pertaining to environmental practices.

“Our college and life preparatory program engages students in learning actively, ITHACA TEACHERS ‘HOPEFUL’

thinking critically, and solving problems creatively and collaboratively, developing the knowledge and skills to be 21st century solutionaries for a sustainable future,” the press release said.

The Ithaca Times contacted The New Roots Chart School for comment and additional information about its new program but did not receive a response prior to publication.

The ITA also hopes to maintain highquality health insurance for its members and families by asking the district for contin u ed from page 5 improved coverage plans, and extend The union held several rallies and dem- family leave time. The union hopes its next onstrations calling for community support contract will include language to protect teachers from AI outsourcing, the possible since returning to school on an expired expansion of ICSD enrollment for teachers’ contract. Because the bargaining parties own children, and guarantees for full-time, were unable to reach an agreement in the certified librarians at all ICSD schools. spring, teachers returned to work earning “Last night went as well as we expected it the same salary as last year without the to, and I am feeling cautiously hopeful totypical contractual annual raise. Teachers day,” ITA President Kathryn Cernera said have taken home less pay than they did in in a press release sent Friday. “Going into the previous school year due to increases last night’s session, we knew that we would to health insurance premiums. not be brokering a final agreement, but ITA wants ICSD to implement a stepthat ICSD wanted to get a sense of what and-lane salary schedule, which they believe will lead to a more equitable salary was still important to us. We’re pleased that they appear to be seriously considering structure across the board and improve our needs and how to meet them. We keep the ICSD’s teacher retention rates. A stepand-lane structure, the union’s primary ask being told that they’ve done a lot of work this summer and plan to come back with during negotiations, would place teachers with equal years of experience and credits “something good” next week, so we’re eager to see what they will offer us.” at similar starting salaries.

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Assembly member Anna Kelles is right to raise the alarm. The suggestion that a The Talk at small modular nuclear reactor—a costly and largely untested technology—might solve our energy issues is troubling. Even more concerning is the unchecked expansion of data centers without proper oversight.

Kelles is advancing legislation requiring data centers to disclose their energy use, emissions, water impact, and labor pracNew York Can’t Afford to Let Data Centers tices. Her bill would also restrict secretive Run the Grid power purchase agreements between data centers and utilities that inevitably raise "Data Center Developer Secures prices for ordinary customers.

Long-Term Lease of Cayuga Power Governor Hochul must support this Plant"(10/5) highlights concerns about how New York will meet its energy needs as legislation to protect New Yorkers from data centers — high-consumption facilities — exploitative practices and ensure our compete with everyday community demands. energy future is clean, equitable, and susRising energy prices and increased emis- tainable.” — Christine Sheppard, Ithaca sions from these developments should concern all New Yorkers. At the federal level, A Democracy If We Can Keep It we cannot expect leadership from a Trump Administration that denies climate change At the close of the 1787 Constitutional and is actively rolling back renewable Convention, Benjamin Franklin, when energy projects in favor of dirty fossil fuels. asked, “Well, Doctor, what have we got, New York, however, has a roadmap: a republic or a monarchy?”, Franklin replied, the Climate Leadership and Community “A republic... if you can keep it”. His answer Protection Act (CLCPA), enacted in 2019 reflected the fragility of the new republic, to guide a transition to clean, affordable and that fragility remains today as the curenergy. Unfortunately, Governor Hochul rent administration blasts through norms has not championed this plan with the and laws that have been the glue that has consistency and urgency required. Her lack held America together for over 200 years. of leadership has slowed progress toward The current chief executive has ignored a clean energy grid that could lower utilthe rule of law as he and his advisers have ity costs and protect public health. ignored the checks and balances spelled out

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

“

“

in the Constitution of the executive, the legislative, and the judicial branches. The idea was that the co-equal branches of executive and legislative would keep each other in check and the judicial branch would decide on whether an action was constitutional.

In the past few months, we have seen blatant violations of the law by the president and his advisers. They’ve refused to honor the basic premises of the Constitution of Habeas Corpus( show me the proof), they’ve ignored the right to be free of unreasonable searches, they have arrested people without a warrant, and have not allowed detainees access to an attorney. These are all rights guaranteed in the Constitution.

The current president has set himself above the law and acts more like a king than a lawful executive. Democracy in America is over 200 years old, and there’s no guarantee that it will remain a democracy, as listening to the daily news shows.

American democracy is fragile today, and ongoing attention and action by its citizens are needed to ensure that it continues.

As America’s founders overthrew a KING, we will join on October 18 to proclaim that NO KING should be in control. There will be over 2100 NO KINGS rallies across America on that day, and you are invited to join one in your area. There will be a NO KINGS rally in the Tioga County Courthouse Square in Owego, NY, on Saturday, October 18, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Please join us in this peaceful and lawful expression of your right to free speech.” — Kevin Millar, Ithaca

Statement from Mayor Robert G. Cantelmo on the Second Anniversary of October 7

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wo years ago, an act of horrifying violence shattered lives and

Vo i c e s T h r o u g h t h e G o r g e s

“Anytime you see a turtle up on top of a fence post, you know he had some help.”

— Alex Haley, Author of Roots

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set in motion a cycle of suffering that has not ceased. Thousands of innocent people, both Israeli and Palestinian, were killed, wounded, or taken from their families. In the years since, the violence that began that day has consumed entire neighborhoods, displaced millions, and left children on both sides of a border growing up in fear instead of safety.

This anniversary is a moment for moral reckoning. Every civilian death is an indictment of the systems and choices that make human life expendable. Grief does not belong to one people alone, yet history does not weigh equally on all. The pain of today exists within a long pattern of dispossession, siege, and despair, and no person of conscience can ignore that reality.

To honor those who died, we must look honestly at the world we have allowed to emerge from their loss. We must reject the language and logic that divide humanity into worthy and unworthy victims. Justice begins when we insist that every life has equal worth. Peace begins when we act as if that truth is real.

Here in Ithaca, we see the echoes of this tragedy in our own community. Jewish, Muslim, Arab, Israeli, and Palestinian neighbors live with profound grief and fear. Our responsibility is to ensure that they are met not with suspicion but with compassion, not with hatred but with care.

There is no place for antisemitism, Islamophobia, or any form of bigotry in our city.

As we remember this day, may we be humbled by the scale of what has been lost and strengthened by the conviction that empathy, extended universally and acted upon locally, remains our most powerful form of resistance to despair.” — Ithaca Mayor Robert Camtelmo

WE THE PEOPLE: A CELEBRATION OF PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY

Integrating Legacy Businesses into Civic Leadership Efforts for Youth

By Roy A l l e n

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he United States is home to millions of small and legacy businesses, many of which form the economic backbone of communities across the nation. According to recent data, approximately 60% of these enterprises—equaling nearly 20 million businesses—lack a documented succession plan, leaving them vulnerable to closure upon the retirement or passing of their owners. This “succession crisis” is exacerbated by an aging demographic, with over half of small business owners aged 55 or older, signaling an impending wave of transitions. In the context of participatory democracy and the cultivation of young civic leaders, incorporating these legacy businesses into recruitment, training, and retention efforts could yield transformative outcomes.

By bridging the worlds of commerce and civics, such integration could address mentorship gaps, foster intergenerational collaboration, and enhance community resilience—directly challenging the false narrative that younger generations cannot step up as effectively as their predecessors.

One potential outcome is the creation of robust mentorship pipelines, reminiscent of ancient guild systems where masters imparted skills to apprentices.

Legacy business owners, often from the Baby Boomer generation, possess decades of practical knowledge in management, community relations, and ethical decision-making—skills that translate seamlessly to civic leadership. If these businesses participated in civic programs, owners could serve as mentors, guiding young people through hands-on experiences like managing local operations or engaging in community outreach. For instance, programs could pair youth with businesses facing succession challenges, allowing mentees to learn about sustainable practices while contributing to civic initiatives, such as organizing local events or advocating for economic policies. This approach counters the misconception of

HOMETOWN STORYTELLERS

Hadil Khodji Brings an Entrepreneurial Spirit to the Advertising Business

By Au st i n L a m b

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hen Hadil Khodji told her friends back home in Morocco that she works for a print youth disengagement by providing the newspaper, they were surprised. “They all structured guidance many lack; studies said ‘What? That still exists?’” she said. show that mentored individuals are twice “In developing countries, that’s far gone. as likely to sustain long-term involveLike, the paper is no longer a thing.” ment in leadership roles. The result? A Khodji grew up in Marrakesh, the new cadre of civic leaders equipped with fourth-largest city in Morocco. She entrepreneurial acumen, ready to build applied to 20 colleges, the maximum inclusive communities and able to inherit allowed on the Common App, eventuthe nation. ally deciding on Ithaca College. Coming Economically, involving legacy busifrom an entrepreneurial family, Khodji nesses in youth civic efforts could prevent majored in business at IC, with a focus in widespread closures and job losses, promarketing and a minor in entrepreneurmoting stability and innovation. Withship and innovation. After graduating last out succession plans, many businesses May, she joined the Ithaca Times as a cusshutter, leading to an estimated annual tomer success representative, coordinatloss of over 200,000 viable enterprises. By ing advertisements with local businesses. integrating these into civic training, young Although media is a new industry for leaders could be positioned as successors Khodji, she knows what a thriving local through models like employee ownership newspaper can do to uplift the comtransitions or youth-led buyouts. This not munity it serves, and how she can best only preserves local jobs but also infuses accommodate local business in proposing businesses with fresh, socially conscious ads and ad packages. strategies—such as adopting green prac“We’re going for that connection and tices or supporting underserved commufor people to know more about what’s nities—that align with civic goals. Imagine available in the community,” she said. a young civic trainee revitalizing a corner Having grown up in a big city such as store into a community hub for voter eduMarrakesh, Khodji said she appreciates cation or youth workshops; such hybrids the sense of common interests in a small could strengthen participatory democracy community. Coming to the Ithaca area as by embedding civic values into everyday an international student, she wants to reach commerce, reducing economic inequality Ithaca’s diversity of demographics and target and fostering a sense of shared ownership. markets businesses might not be aware of.

Socially and culturally, this integraLisa Ellin, a fellow customer success tion could heal generational divides representative, praised Khodji’s abilities. and enrich democratic participation.

“She is bright, motivated, and serious The boomer tendency to view younger about helping Ithaca Times’ clients meet cohorts as unprepared often stems from overlooked mentorship shortages, yet facts reveal that with proper support, TRIPHAMMER youth excel in leadership. By enlisting MARKETPLACE legacy businesses, older owners become NEW OWNERS active participants in disproving this contin u ed from page 3 narrative, collaborating on initiatives that blend business legacy with civic also a nostalgic place where they each innovation. Retention of young leadhave fond memories. Spencer said that ers would improve through meaningful something they enjoyed as patrons over pathways, such as fellowships offering the years was Doug’s Fish Fry food truck stipends tied to business apprenticeships, that used to frequent the parking lot of the plaza. The Kopkos brought the truck back on Oct. 1 and Katrina said they plan Contin u ed on Page 19 O c to b e r

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and exceed their marketing goals,” said Ellin.

Working at the Ithaca Times and getting to know local businesses, Khodji said, has pushed her to explore Ithaca and learn more about the area.

“In my four years as a student, I’ve never been out more than recently when I just started working here,” she said. “I’m like, “What was I doing in my four years of college? Why didn’t I discover this or that? I didn’t know we have this or we have that.”

Many of her friends from IC, Khodji said, have also stayed in Ithaca so they could further enjoy offerings such as Cayuga Lake and the local sunsets.

Khodji said her life right now feels like a “steady line of normal stuff” — “no crazy stories,” she said — but she hopes to grow a modest fashion business she started in college called Louhou. Khodji designs each piece of clothing herself, she said, having “somewhat” learned to draw in a class at IC. “I just want to find that community that has the same interests as me, which is really hard, especially in the United States,” she said. “But when you do, there’s a very cool and interesting way that they show themselves.”

Khodji’s background and education in business bring another dimension to the Ithaca Times’ marketing team, said Roy Allen, director of strategic partnerships.

“Her entrepreneurial spirit, accompanied by a solid collegiate experience at Ithaca College, serves her well in sharing the Ithaca Times print and digital marketing opportunities with businesses and organizations throughout Tompkins County,” he said. “We are happy to have her part of our team.” to continue hosting different food trucks, including Doug’s, on a more regular basis.

Patrons have other events to look forward to. Spencer said that in the coming weeks, they will be announcing dates when The Evergreen Social, a local vintage clothing store, will be hosting pop-up shops in the marketplace. Star Tree Studios is also preparing to host vendors for the Mushroom Marketplace in late October and a Contin u ed on Page 26

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GUEST OPINION

College Culture Should Grow Beyond Campus

By Chloe Asack, Opinion Inter n

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often interrogate my parents and other adults about what they possibly did with all of their time before cell phones. They tell me that during their childhoods they would watch television, or read or go outside, and while I know this is true because cell phones had yet to exist, it confounds me that all of the time my peers and I spend on our phones must have once gone toward something that I imagine was more valuable.

Maybe all of that time that we spend on our devices would have been better channeled into a hobby or a sport or even something as mundane as just getting out of our houses.

You could get apples shipped to you from the grocery store or you could spend a morning at Indian Creek Farm. You could turn your fan on during a heat wave or you could drive to Potters’ Falls with your roommates. You could get your shampoo from Amazon or you could go to the convenience store. I have many small yet cherished memories at Triphammer Target, like when a friend and I saw a shy kid blossom with confidence when he tried on a new backpack, or when my roommate and I were stranded there for hours due to TCAT mishaps.

The point is not that the Triphammer Target is the most exciting place on earth or that it feels great to have to run to the store during a busy week. The point is that we live in a world where it is easier than ever to streamline your life. When you give into the temptation of hyper-convenience, you can end up giving up all of the little interactions that make life worthwhile.

These antisocial trends are especially tragic for the Ithaca’s college students, who have a small window to immerse themselves in this town. The Ithaca College and Cornell University bubbles already geographically encourage students to confine themselves to their campuses, but broader cultural trends exacerbate the separation between the college and local communities. If you never venture beyond campus you’ll never find a favorite swimming spot, restaurant or winery.

While the importance of that isn’t immediately obvious, I mourn all of the valuable human connections that are surrendered when all acts of going outside are foregone.

The brief kindnesses we exchange with strangers build up our psyches, grounding

us to a greater community than just the small circles that we work to maintain. It’s the mechanic who removed duct tape residue off my car for free, or the barista who offered me half a dozen donuts because they had too many. Without these moments, all we have with strangers is trying to decide if you can pass that guy on the sidewalk, or getting flipped off because you were going too slow on the highway. These moments give us the knowledge that we are human even to the humans they don’t know us.

Young people now spend 70% less time partying now than they did in the early 2000s. I imagine that college students in the 1980s also found their first parties awkward, unsure of what to say, how to dance or how to drink, but pushing through the discomfort was worthwhile for most of those students.

Nowadays, a teenager who finds themselves awkward has no immediate incentive to push through their discomforts because there is plenty of stimulation at home. It is a big task to try to convince the youth to socialize because they probably won’t enjoy it much, not the first or second or even the third time. However, what they forgo in the short-term will have serious long-term effects, like true personal loneliness without the social skills to combat it.

One unexpected element of the artificial intelligence boom has been people developing personal connections with A.I. chatbots. It’s not that people don’t want to connect with others, but we are terrified of the vulnerabilities necessary to do it. We are terrified of rejection, of being the friend who isn’t fun enough at the bar, of feeling like no one at the dinner liked you at all.

In 2000, Joan Didion wrote that she sat down in front of her therapist and immediately began to cry because she “found it very difficult to sit down facing somebody and talk.” Just being aware that we exist to others feels incredibly vulnerable. I’m here. Do I matter to anyone? In our hyper-convenient, isolationist world, it is very easy to avoid these questions altogether. For our own sake, we must confront them and go outside.

Chloe Asack is a Fall 2025 opinion intern with the Ithaca Times. She is a senior studying Literatures in English at Cornell University.

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COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Olivia Receives the Kirby Edmonds ACTION Award for Social Justice

By M a rjor i e O l d s

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e know that Olivia Carpenter grew up in one of the only African American families in a small Ohio town. She made her way to Ithaca, New York as an Ithaca College Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Scholar. and during her college years she began marketing Via’s Cookies.

Olivia: “As my Via’s Cookies business grew, I was invited by Cornell, Ithaca College, New Roots, and many other schools and programs to be a part of activities with children, high schoolers, and of course, college students. As part of the Youth Entrepreneurship Market, I taught an afterschool class at New Roots Charter School in partnership with the Youth Entrepreneurship Market for kids k-12 who wanted to start their own businesses. I was selected to be a judge for their ongoing “business pitch” competition, “Fish Tank.”

“I also joined the City Federation of Women’s Organizations (CFWO) Board which awards grants to organizations that benefit women and girls in Ithaca.”

Olivia Carpenter, owner of Via’s Cookies, received the Kirby Edmonds ACTION Award for Social Justice for her contributions to the community. (Photo: Provided)

“I have been donating to and amplifying the voices of college students across the U.S. through my business and website, with an application students can fill out to receive financial aid from me. I have addressed young girls at a 1st Amendment-1st Vote’s Annual Leadership Action Summit this in April 2025 in Rochester, urging girls to believe in their power to make a difference in the world. And generally I get involved in things where I can make a difference in people’s lives. It feels good to be kind and to help others smile, whether that’s through cookies, lending my voice to conversations, or redistributing wealth.”

“All this led to beautiful friendships with many social activists in Ithaca, from Jeff Furman (The president of the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation) and Sara Hess (an outspoken and kind activist), to organizations like the Ithaca Pride Alliance.”

“One day Jeff called to make sure I’d be in Ithaca on January 13, 2024. It just so happened that I wouldn’t, so Jeff had to come clean and tell me why it was important that I be here—to receive the Kirby Edmonds ACTION Award for Social Justice. Needless to say, I made sure I was in town, and I was so overjoyed to receive the award for my work in the community. “ “The Kirby Edmonds ACTION Award for Social Justice recognizes the contributions of young Black, Latine, and Indigenous people living in Tompkins County whose work exemplifies the spirit of Kirby’s mission to change the world…Who was Kirby Edmonds? Kirby was an organizer, trainer and consultant, who loved working with young people, and after graduating from Cornell, he mentored at the Ithaca Youth Bureau, worked as drug and alcohol counselor. Kirby created multi-cultural retreats where teens could learn how inequity, power and privilege are perpetuated and baked into systems, and how to break down the barriers that keep people from having a society where we are all free.

He understood how systems of oppression intersect, reinforce each other, and stack up to exclude people based on our Contin u ed on Page 21

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Sports

Reviving Youth Basketball in Ithaca

By Ste ve L aw re nc e

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here is something to be said about seeing a void and trying to fill it. In the words of Will Abreu — the coowner of Ithaca Bball — “I grew up playing street ball in New York City, and that gifted me with some great opportunities and connections. When things got crazy in the City during Covid, I moved my family to Ithaca, and I saw that while the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) and the Ithaca Youth Bureau were doing a great job, I felt there were some black holes, so to speak, for some of the age groups.”

(It should be noted that Abreu learned a thing or two while playing “street ball,” as he made the roster of an Elmira-based semi-pro team.)

Will said he was “very surprised to

see how few kids were playing outside,” and he decided to create some opportunities to give kids more exposure to the game. He said, “I met a guy named Kevin O'Connor, who had built a basketball gym for his kids to use, and that was quite some time before I came to Ithaca. Kevin and I became friends, and my son and I would train at his gym, and I told him that if he ever wanted to turn it into an enterprise, I would be interested.”

Time passed, and Abreu recalled, “Kevin called me and told me that if I wanted to pay the rent on the gym, I could take it over. Since I was training the kids at the GIAC courts, I saw it as a great opportunity.” Since then, Coach Will has — in addition to maintaining his career

Will Abreu is the co-owner of Ithaca B-ball and coach of its basketball program for Ithaca’s youth.

as a coder and web developer — been operating Ithaca Bball out of the facility (on Hall Woods Road just outside Ithaca).

The organization — a for-profit enterprise — offers a wide array of opportunities for young players, and those opportunities can be accessed by kids as young as 4. Starting October 19th, a B-Ball Tots program will launch for kids from age 4

big-time —or— small-town technology values

through 7, and the 8-week program will (like all of IBB’s offerings) focus on “helping young players reach their basketball potential.” The promotional flier for the B-Ball Tots program says, “Help your child become more active and conquer their anxiety.”

Contin u ed on Page 27

choose both When you choose Tompkins, you get things that other banks think are impossible to combine— like the most forward-thinking technology and the kind of relationships that only happen in a tight-knit community.

Open an account at openanywhere.tompkinsbank.com

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County Accepts State Grant For Violent Crime Reduction, Including Continuation of Flock Cameras B y L o r i e n Ty n e

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ollowing lengthy debate, The Tompkins County Legislature voted 9-4 to accept the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) 2025-2026 grant, which primarily funds the county’s Flock Safety license plate readers and gunshot detection devices, among other programs.

At the Oct. 7 meeting, the legislature heard from concerned residents, a representative from Flock Safety and the county sheriff before the resolution was passed four hours into the meeting.

Legislators Deborah Dawson, Rich John, Anne Koreman, Greg Mezey, Lee Shurtleff, Mike Sigler, Travis Brooks, Randy Brown and Dan Klein voted to pass the resolution.

Legislators Amanda Champion, Mike Lane, Veronica Pillar and Shawna Black voted in opposition.

Flock Safety is a security company with surveillance products operating in more than 6,000 communities across the U.S. through its contracts with law enforcement agencies and private businesses, according to its website. Tompkins County uses Flock’s solar-powered license plate readers that temporarily store data to aid local law enforcement, as well as Flock’s gunshot detectors.

Since Flock cameras were implemented — first in the city of Ithaca then sporadically across the county — residents have grown concerned about potential misuse of the system’s data and surveillance capabilities.

For months, there have been calls for the city and county government to end the contract with Flock Safety, citing reports where other agencies have used camera data to track undocumented immigrants and people seeking abortion services.

While the legislature and Ithaca Common Council have acknowledged concerns, the continuation or elimination of Flock services in the county had not been discussed in a legislative capacity until the Oct. 7 legislature meeting. However, the grant awarded to the county’s agencies are given after the state approves the allocations, which means rejecting the Flock funds could impact the other pieces of the program.

The county legislature voted to authorize the renewal of the TCSO’s GIVE grant for the 2025-2026 cycle, receiving $220,650.

The IPD was awarded $150,485 and the

FLOCK SAFETY’S ROLE IN THE GIVE INITIATIVE

O n O ct. 7, t h e Tom pk i n s C ou n t y L e gisl at u r e vot e d t o a pprov e t h e Gu n I n volv e d Viol e nc e E l i m i nat ion i n i t i at i v e gr a n t for t h e t h i r d c on secu t i v e y e a r , w h ich h e l ps f u n d l o c a l l aw e n forc e m e n t i n i t i at i v e s .

(P hot o: Nat h a n E l l is on/It h ac a Ti m e s Fi l e) Tompkins County Probation Department was awarded $50,820, which has not been accepted yet.

WHAT IS THE GIVE INITIATIVE?

The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) launched the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative in July 2014 to address gun violence in counties outside New York City through specific policing strategies. Currently, GIVE grants provide funding to 28 police departments and district attorneys’ offices, probation departments and sheriffs’ offices in 21 counties, including Tompkins. The initiative provides state funding for local law enforcement agencies’ equipment, overtime and personnel, and provides training and technical assistance. Tompkins County agencies are Tier 2, which means the GIVE initiative in the region is focused on reducing violent crime, particularly firearm-related crime.

Since its establishment, the initiative has grown to include more agencies. The Tompkins County Sheriff ’s Office (TCSO) and the Ithaca Police Department (IPD) became GIVE agencies in July 2023, receiving $383,595 for the 2023-24 grant cycle. The legislature accepted the grant Aug. 1, 2023.

At that time, the implementation of Flock cameras began.

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According to the Tompkins County Sheriff ’s 2023 Annual Report, in reviewing state crime statistics, the DCJS found the City of Ithaca to be a jurisdiction needing support. The DCJS presented the city with an opportunity to apply, but the IPD declined due to staffing shortages. To support the IPD, Sheriff Derek Osborne worked with the DCJS to divert the grant to TCSO. Tompkins County agencies accepted the grant again for the 2024-2025 cycle, receiving the same amount as the year prior, at which time the IPD took the lead of the program. The IPD received $141,745, TCSO received $195,650 and the county probation department received $46,200.

The legislature passed the resolution on July 16, 2024 to accept the grant for the TCSO with no opposition and no discussion beyond a request from Pillar for data to be collected on gunshot detection and success of the program.

Regions that receive support from the GIVE initiative can also receive money for the Youth Employment Program. During the Oct. 8 legislature meeting, Legislator Greg Mezey said that over the past two years the county has been awarded almost $700,000 to provide year-round paid employment for youth that meet eligibility for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

To receive the GIVE grant, agencies submit an application for DCJS review that includes information regarding funding requests and proposed allocation. Once DCJS approves the application, the probation department and TCSO gain authorization from the legislature, and the IPD can accept its grant.

The IPD reports 22 cameras operating in the city and the TCSO reports another 22 cameras throughout the county, with plans to add more along state roadways.

It’s unclear how many are funded by GIVE. Some of the city’s devices are operated through a separate contract with Flock.

The Ithaca Times asked the IPD how many devices are operated on each contract but did not receive a response before publication. Cornell University, Cayuga Heights and the village of Trumansburg also hold independently operated Flock contracts.

For 2025-26, the GIVE grant allocates $195,650 for Flock devices (license readers and audio detection), according to the application. Other allocations include travel and training, alternative response and salaries for a crime analyst and probation officer. The majority goes to “hot-spot policing,” which includes Flock surveillance and overtime for police personnel.

Black asked if the legislature could accept partial funding from the GIVE grant, but the legislature is unable to receive partial funding.

“The GIVE grant requires collaboration between different law enforcement agencies, probation, and the district attorney,” Osborne said. “So, you can't leave one out.

It's a requirement of the grant.”

Aaron Cagwin, director of public information at DCJS, told the Ithaca Times that if one agency in a region chose not to participate in the initiative or the grant, other agencies could still receive funding. Cagwin also said jurisdictions can request to reallocate funds after the initial approval, but the funds must be reallocated within the agency.

“To initiate this process, the jurisdiction submits a reallocation request to our Office of Program Development and Funding (OPDF), which then reviews the request

After reports of such uses across the na- only thing that's changed is the GIVE proand seeks final approval from DCJS leadership,” Cagwin said. “Such requests are com- tion, the Flock website states it has audited gram. […] I hear people's concerns about all searches and found “not a single credible Flock, but I got a bunch of young people I mon and reviewed on a regular basis.” case of law enforcement using the system to need to keep safe. I have mothers who delocate vulnerable women seeking healthcare.” serve to have their children come home at HIGHLIGHTS FROM Flock Safety has added an optional filter night. […] And so I will live with some peoQ&A WITH FLOCK that prevents searches regarding immigra- ple being concerned about their data.”

REPRESENTATIVE tion and abortion enforcement. Dawson The TCSO has reported the GIVE task Trevor Chandler, director of public af- questioned the ability to prevent those uses force’s successes from the 2023-24 grant fairs for Flock Safety, attended the meeting since someone could search under a differ- year, including confiscation of 20 illegally possessed firearms, hundreds of grams of ilvia Zoom to answer the legislature’s ques- ent reason.

“Our transparency and accountability legal drugs and thousands of dollars in sustions before discussion of the resolution began. Tompkins County Sheriff Derek features make that not impossible to do but pected drug money.

Black said she does not trust the federOsborne also fielded questions about coun- very hard to do, so that if there is an officer that is violating your policy, they can be al government or Flock Safety as a compaty-specific policy. ny. She said that although the cameras may Every vehicle that passes by a Flock cam- held accountable for that,” Chandler said Other legislators asked about options be used appropriately in Tompkins Counera has its picture taken, which is stored temporarily. The default option is 30-day storage, but Chandler said that for a higher cost, agencies can lengthen or shorten data retention to a degree. Flock data can also be downloaded by any agency that has access to it for evidence in an investigation or court case. Chandler said agencies receive regular audit reports of internal and external use of its community’s Flock data, including searches and downloads.

Black asked if the sheriff ’s office would be required to provide the county’s Flock data if federal law enforcement requested it.

“There would have to be a legal process,” Osborne said. “We're not going to just share that data. That's completely unacceptable.

A m ajor i t y of t h e stat e f u n di ng prov i de d t o Tom pk i n s C ou n t y by t h e GI V E gr a n t g oe s t o ope r at i ng Fl o ck S a fet y And I think I've proven my inability to want l ic e n se pl at e r e a de r s a n d gu n shot au dio det ect ion to work with ICE, and I stand by that today.” dev ic e s . (P hot o: M a r k Sy v e rts on/It h ac a Ti m e s) In addition to the Flock footage only being shared with agencies in the state, Osborne said the county has limited it further for increased oversight and control over ty, Flock cameras willingly aid other states to exclude any agencies that have agree- searches. Brown asked if it was possible to in enforcing laws that go against Tompkins ments with U.S. Immigrations and Cus- have any search request notify the sheriff for County’s core values. For example, if agentoms Enforcement under Section 287(g) of prior approval before the search could be cies working with ICE use Flock data to asthe US Immigration and Nationality Act. run. Chandler said that an agency can select sist the investigation, they can.

“We've heard loud and clear from our These agreements permit local police agen- its authorized users who are allowed to run cies to enforce aspects of U.S. immigration searches but was not sure if there is an op- constituents that they wouldn't want our law normally carried out by federal agents, tion for case-by-case permission requests. money going towards an organization that supports these and makes it very easy such as “executing administrative warrants for law enforcement to do these types of on removable aliens in [local] jails,” accord- LEGISLATURE DEBATE ON things,” Black said. “I do understand there ing to ICE’s website.

FLOCK have been some good things that have come Chandler and Osborne gave examples of how Flock cameras have been used to aid inEvery legislator spoke at least once dur- from the cameras that we've had, but cervestigations of stolen cars, hit-and-runs, miss- ing the discussion of the resolution, ex- tainly the costs in my mind of criminalizing ing person cases, among others, but some cept Klein and Dan Nolan, who was absent. women [seeking abortions], of deporting legislators raised concerns of misuse. Chan- Whether or not they voted in favor of the hardworking people far outweighs any bendler said law enforcement can only search resolution, all legislators expressed trust in efit that we'd see here in Tompkins County.”

Mezey said that voting against the resoFlock data for cases such as abortion servic- local law enforcement under the helm of es if abortion is against state or city policy. Osborne and IPD Chief of Police Tom Kelly. lution because of concerns with Flock as a “We put in place robust filters to make Brooks spoke in detail of gun violence in company and potential misuse of data is not sure that community safety never has to Ithaca and resulting deaths. He said Flock worth losing the ability to provide services come at the expense of community values,” cameras and gunshot detection have made like YEP and the other benefits of the GIVE Chandler said. a significant difference in discouraging peo- program. He said that although his constitBlack said Flock Safety is helping to ple from carrying artillery and committing uents do not agree with him, the impact of rejecting the grant is more complex than recriminalize and “catch” women that might crime. have had abortions in states where it is ille“Those things happen in the community moving surveillance cameras.

“I've listened to probably all of us speak gal. Chandler said he “would disagree with that I serve,” Brooks said. “A lot less of that that assessment.” has happened over the last few years and the about horrible atrocities that have hapO c to b e r

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pened because of firearms,” Mezey said.

“And we have a tool that will help us eliminate those atrocities, but we're not willing to deploy it because of a few concerns. I think that we have to understand the full impact of our decision. And do we really want to turn down $350,000 a year to help youth, our neediest youth, most vulnerable to a cycle of violence, not get the funding that they need to be supported in the workforce?”

LOCAL GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENTS TO INCREASING OVERSIGHT

During the legislature’s debate, several legislators brought up stipulations to their vote in support of the grant such as regular auditing and review of Flock data use and increased legislature involvement.

Upon request from Legislator Koreman, Osborne committed to working with county representatives before the grant is up for renewal each year to get input from the legislature and the community. Koreman also asked for the sheriff ’s office to publish a transparency portal like the IPD does. The TCSO has always had the Flock portal on the Tompkins County Sheriff 's Office Transparency Hub, but Osborne said that he will soon add the public audit log function.

The day following the legislature’s vote, many community members attended the City of Ithaca’s Common Council meeting to further push for the end of Flock cameras.

In response, Mayor Robert Cantelmo said model legislation regarding Flock drafted by the American Civil Liberties Union has been sent to the city attorney’s office for review. He also said that after the city’s budget season, the administration will prepare an update on Flock cameras for council discussion. Some members supported a full audit of the city’s Flock data and expedited contract cancellation rather than waiting for the contract to expire.

Alderperson Pierre Saint-Perez mentioned the council’s reaffirmation of the city’s sanctuary status for immigrants, reproductive rights and gender-affirming healthcare. The sanctuary city ordinances prohibit use of city resources to aid in federal or out-of-state investigations that go against the city’s policies. This includes prohibition of assisting federal immigration enforcement or out-of-state agencies seeking to punish people who received reproductive health care.

“Limiting access to that [Flock] data, controlling it and most likely ending that contract is, I believe, something we've already committed to as part of our commitment to expanding our sanctuary city protections whenever possible,” Saint-Perez said.

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WWW.FLYITHACA.COM

ITH - IAD

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Deborah Fox, Artistic Director of NYS Baroque, brings Eastern and Western music together in the concert “Darpana: Mirroring Traditions of Raga & Harmony.” (Photo: Provided)

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By Peter Rothbart

hat do you get when you mix Renaissance and Baroque music from Europe with Carnatic and Hindustani music from the Indian subcontinent? You get NYS Baroque stepping out of their comfort zone to pair with a group of Indian classical musicians to present an innovative program entitled, “Darpana: Mirroring Traditions of Raga & Harmony.”

Darpana is an elegant Sanskrit term for mirror or reflection and is meant to highlight the commonalities between European classical music and the classical music from the Indian subcontinent.

If music is a universal language, European classical music and Indian classical music are simply speaking different dialects. Both forms of music share a reverence for improvisational skill, a similarity in the use of ornamentation, especially in vocal music, and they occasionally share the same melodic and harmonic modes. True, each music has its own syntax

“Darpana: Mirroring Traditions of Raga & Harmony” NYS Baroque, Saturday, October 18, 2025 First Congregational Church, 309 Highland Road, Ithaca, 7:30 PM. Pre-concert talk at 6:45 PM Tickets: https://nysbaroque.com/

Vocalist Vidita Kanniks helps connect two musical traditions in a unique collaboration.

or structural organization but there’s more in Cross cultural musical pollination is common than is commonly thought. hardly new. The Beatles incorporated an If you are looking for a gentle way to occasional sitar into their inimitable English engage with European Renaissance and Bapop music. John McLaughlin created a new roque music, or a way to access the spiritual jazz sound when he formed the Mahavishnu depth of India’s classical music, then this is Orchestra. But the closest comparison to the the concert you should not miss.

NYS Baroque’s endeavor may be when sitarist Expect to find harpsichordist Naomi Pandit Ravi Shankar paired up with violinist Gregory paired with tabla player Rohan Krish- Yehudi Menuhin in several historic recordnamurthy (who may be reading from an iPad). ings. Unlikely pairings can yield unforgetYou’ll find two vocalists listed in the program, table results.

Vidita Kanniks as an Indian classical singer, In a similar mashup, the second piece on and Andréa Walker as a soprano, reflecting the program has two 14th century songs by the dual presentation of the program. the Italian Renaissance master Guillaume de Kanniks is a university trained singer with Machaut paired with a 19th century Hinduan advanced degree in Voice and Historical stani secular art song by Sri Swati Tirunal Performance. She is also trained in Indian Rama Verma III. The poetic contents of the classical music, and is an accomplished singer songs mirror each other’s sentiments. Listen and arranger, making her the nexus-person for for the verses overlapping each other as a exploring the relationships between two difcultural counterpoint, two cultures expressferent types of music, hence the concert’s name. ing similar human yearnings.

She is also an accomplished arranger and Both Fox and Kanniks hope that boundwhen she connected with lute player Deborah ary breaking concerts such as this will attract Fox, who is also the Artistic Director for NYS new audiences for both types of music; East Baroque, they began to explore the collaboraand West audiences realizing the inherent tive possibilities of a concert. harmony of the human experience.

In a recent interview, Kanniks explained The world may be fragmenting as geothat both types of music share common political and economic globalism fades, but melodic structures called scales in Europe intercultural exchanges and explorations such and ragas in India. In addition, Baroque and as this can show that creative expression can Renaissance musical forms are fixed in length be a model for breaking barriers while honorand structure, while Indian music emphasizing cultural integrity. es improvisation over a modal-based skeletal structure not unlike early Christian church music, and similar to some forms of jazz and Peter Rothbart is a Professor Emeritus of Music even jam-rock. Western classical music relies at the Ithaca College School of Music, Theatre on written notation while Indian music relies and Dance where he taught electroacoustic on learning through aural repetition, intuand media music for 40 years. He remains ition, and unspoken communication. active as a classical, jazz, and pop musician.

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Special Event

Q&A: Tompkins County Public Library to Hold Voting Rights Discussion

By G.M . Bur n s

I

n the United States of America, it seems to some that voter suppression is not new and has been carried out for over two centuries. To shed light on the nature of voting, the Tompkins County Public Library will feature Cornell University Associate Professor David Bateman of the Government Department and Jeb Brooks School of Public Policy. He will speak on the history of voting in the United States on Oct. 16 in the BorgWarner room at 6 p.m. The Ithaca Times recently interviewed Associate Professor Bateman via email.

Ithaca Times: How has voting rights been curtailed since before the American Civil War? What methods were used to strip people of their right to vote?

David Bateman: The US has gone through several waves of expanding and constricting voting rights and access to the ballot. These have often happened at the same time. My first book (Disenfranchising Democracy), in fact, tried to explain why the removal of property ownership and taxpaying requirements for voting rights happened at the same time as — and was championed by the same people — as the imposition of an explicit requirement that only white men could vote.

There has been a bewildering diversity of ways in which voting rights have been

restricted, whether formally or in practice.

Much of these ways can be roughly characterized in terms of whether they were categorical exclusions of particular classes of people, or whether they were obstacles that raised the costs of voting (almost always in targeted ways) and so made it less likely. This roughly maps on to the difference between disenfranchisement — the removal of the “franchise,” ie., the right to vote — and voter suppression — efforts to reduce voting by particular segments of the population without formally excluding them.

Some examples of the category exclusions (overt disenfranchisements) would include the requirement that a voter be “white,” which barely existed at the founding of the country but which was ubiquitous by the time of the Civil War; the requirement that a voter be “male,” which at the time of the founding was true everywhere except New Jersey (which didn’t restrict voting to men until 1807), universal until the Civil War, and then started being removed in western states and eventually nationally with the 19th amendment; or the requirement that voters be 21 years of age, which was the near universal rule until the Voting Rights amendments of the 1970 and then, when struck down by the US Supreme Court, reaffirmed with the 26th Amendment in 1971 when it was replaced by the rule that all voters be 18 years of age or older. In most states, currently incarcerated persons

are disenfranchised — as are many people on parole. In a few states, citizens who at some point in their life were convicted of a felony are permanently disenfranchised, even after they have served their time.

Perhaps the most salient categorical exclusion today is that voters be a citizen of the United States. This hasn’t always been the case. In fact, it was very common in the 19th and early 20th century for states to allow non-citizens who had declared their intention to naturalize to vote. It is salient because many conservatives frequently lie and say that a huge number of non-citizens are voting in elections today (a tiny number of cities, school boards, or other local entities allow noncitizen residents to vote in elections to those jurisdictions — but that does not confer any right to vote elsewhere, and non-citizens cannot vote in any state or federal election).

I say they lie, because they know or could know that this is not true. The reason they advance this lie, however, is that it and the wider myth of voter fraud legitimizes states or the federal government imposing new requirements to “prove” that persons are legally entitled to vote.

David Bateman is an Associate Professor of Government at Cornell University.

E will give a voting rights talk at the Tompkins County Public Library on Oct. 16.

(Photo: Provided/Cornell University)

This is a common form of voter suppression. You make people do something to prove that they are entitled to vote, and that thing is costly or difficult. In short, you make it an even bigger pain in the ass for some people to register and vote. In the case of citizenship, you might require Contin u ed on Page 21

The Tompkins County Public Library will host a talk on the history of voting in the U.S. at 6 p.m. Oct.16 in the BorgWarner room.

(Photo: Nathan Elllison/Sun Fellow at the Ithaca Times)

18 T h e I t h a c a T i m e s / O c to b e r 1 5 – 2 1 , 2 0 2 5

Through the Times

Ithaca’s Long History of Fighting for LGBTQ+ Rights

By Jak e S e x ton

T

his week, as we sift through Issue No. 129 of the Ithaca Times, Ithaca’s Common Council found itself at the crucible of a both local and national debate that would prove historic in the decades to come. In mid-October, 1975, Cindy Coleman reported local council members were reviewing a proposed human rights bill, which would provide amendments to city ordinances that, for the first time, would prohibit discrimination on “affectional preference” — or, as we know today, sexual orientation.

The bill — championed by organizations like the Gay People’s Center, the Tompkins County Human Rights Commission and the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union — would have added Ithaca to a very small list of U.S. cities moving to legally protect LGBTQ+ residents in 1975. The bill provided protections against discrimination in housing, employment, education, credit and public accommodations, positing that all citizens were entitled to the same constitutional protections in the United States.

Lead sponsor of the bill, council member Ethel Nichols, explains that the bill was restructured to resemble an “omnibus human rights bill” as opposed to one that directly highlighted struggles within the LGBTQ+ community. The encompassing bill was designed to expand local protections for the aforementioned insecurities, all of which were already covered by the New York State Human Rights Law of 1968, in addition to marital status and age regardless of race, creed, color, sex and disability. Nichols goes on to express how a broader piece of human rights legislation would be more digestible to gain support from the Common Council.

“More people who are in favor of rights [for LGBTQ+ people],” said Nichols in 1975, “are in favor of rights for everybody.”

At the time of the article’s publication, community aspirations on the passing WE THE PEOPLE contin u ed from page 9

making civic roles more sustainable amid economic pressures. Data from succession studies highlight that internal transfers, preferred by 70% of owners, thrive on

officials would vote on the contested piece of of the bill remained quite high. The legislation. In Jennifer Sprague’s article, titled Common Council previously passed an “Local Gay Rights Bill Fails, But Supportaffirmative action bill in September 1974, ers Persevere,” council failed to pass the bill. which prohibited discrimination based Sprague reports the measure’s failure to pass on sex, race, color, religion, physical or both the city’s Common Council by a 4-6 mental handicaps, national origin, or vote, as well as the Charter and Ordinance sexual orientation in the workforce. These Committee by a vote of two to three. reforms were stimulated by federal affirSprague’s article still left many questions mative action legislation, such as the Equal unanswered about the future of LGBTQ+ Education Opportunities Act (EEOA) of rights and protections in not only Ithaca, 1973, or the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readbut the broader United States as a whole. justment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) of 1974, reflecting a cultural, progressive shift She cites the three main roadblocks for the bill all residing in legal explanations: the as the 20th century entered its final act. power of the municipality to enact human Conversely, other Ithaca city officials rights legislation, difficulties with enforceremained uneasy. City attorney Martin ment and potential conflicts with preShapiro feared the bill may see complicaexisting state legislation. While maintaining tions with the State of New York’s sodtheir support for the expansion of such civil omy laws, calling such relations “class B liberties to all Ithacans, city attorney Martin misdemeanor[s]” under the definition Shaprino and Mayor Edward J. Conley still of the law. He said that supporting a bill argued that human rights legislation should that extends protections to its LGBTQ+ belong to the state and federal levels of citizens may make the city appear to be government, with Charter and Ordinance condoning illegal behavior or, even worse, Committee Chairperson Donald Slattery be acting in direct defiance of state law. echoing similar sentiments.

As we learn from the article’s conIn hindsight, the failure of the bill ilclusion, the bill still had to go through lustrated both a setback and turning point. multiple rounds of approvals before it was With the bill being struck down, it was rein the hands of a freshly-elected council vealed how politically polarizing gay rights in January of 1975. We are left wondering remained in upstate New York. Despite after Coleman’s article — what came of this, it simultaneously galvanized a now this highly progressive piece of legislation even more determined local movement, from half a century ago? with Councilmember Nichols once again As we dig further through the archives, reaffirming her belief in the bill’s ability to we find little talk of the bill outside of pass from October, 1975, telling the Ithaca the incredibly infrequent opinion-piece Times, “I wanted it to pass and I think it and its official date to be brought forth in eventually will pass.”

City Hall: March 5, 1976. Short editoriIn 1980, Ithaca’s City Common Council als and synopses come and go as March 5 formally adopted the municipal ordinance approaches. Issue No. 145, from Feb. 22, Chapter 215: Human Rights Protection.

1976, details dwindling and a discomfortThe ordinance prohibited discrimination ing lack of support for the bill in a recent in housing, employment, and education city hall meeting. However, there would while explicitly including sexual orientabe no headline mention of the legislation tion. This would only be its first iteration, until Issue No. 147 of the Ithaca Times, with future amendments expanding to from March 14, 1976. cover gender identity and expression in On the night of March 3, 1976, Ithaca’s Common Council chambers were packed as years to come, making Ithaca one of the first cities in upstate New York to do so. the community gathered to see how elected

The foundations paved by those tense meetings and delegations from 1975 through 1976 in Ithaca’s Common Council eventually would echo across not only the state of New York, but the entire United States. The State Legislature would pass the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act, a bill which would provide a myriad of the liberties the city of Ithaca began providing in 1980, in the year 2002.

Almost two decades later, in 2019, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, followed. Just last year, New York voters approved a constitutional amendment, Prop 1 (a.K.a. NY Equal Rights Amendment), which would explicitly ban the discrimination of one person on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity/ or expression, further embedding the very protections fought for by Ithacan activists in the state’s highest levels.

On June 26, 2015, Obergefell v. Hodges, ruled that (at the federal level) same-sex couples are guaranteed the right of marriage and courtship under the Due Process Clause and Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, a groundbreaking moment in the long and storied history of civil rights movements in the United States.

With half a century in the rearview, that early fight still serves as a reminder for all Americans, especially Ithacans, that change does not begin solely in Albany or on Capital Hill. Rather, change begins brewing on the streets of our community which we walk every day, in the local stores we shop at, in our own city hall and in the local paper and amongst the conversations we have with our neighbors every day.

As a Tompkins county investigator, Ms. Anne Bodman, told Cindy Coleman and the Ithaca Times back in 1975, “it’s sad that each minority has to fight for its basic rights.” In Ithaca, that fight did not just begin fifty years ago with a failed vote — it begins every day, and its legacy makes itself known in due time, just as our old debates and legislation define the rights every New Yorker enjoys today.

mentorship and skill development—elements that civic programs could enhance.

Ultimately, communities might see revitalized main streets, increased youth voter turnout, and a surge in hybrid leaders who view business as a tool for public good, echoing the guild-like continuity of

the succession void but also reinforces “We the People” by ensuring democracy is intergenerational, inclusive, and resilient.

As challenges like economic disparity persist, such innovative fusions could transform potential crises into opportunities for collective flourishing.

knowledge transfer.

In essence, weaving legacy businesses into civic leadership efforts for young people could catalyze a virtuous cycle: preserving economic legacies while cultivating empowered, community-oriented leaders. This synergy not only addresses O c to b e r

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Film

Review: “Good Boy” Tells a Ghost Story from a Dog’s POV

By Cl e me nt O b ropta

I

n horror movies, the dog typically knows what’s going on before the humans do. Whether they’re barking into an empty corner of the room (where ghosts lurk) or chasing some phantasm in the dark woods, dogs in horror films have a talent for sniffing out evil. Finally, we have a haunted house film that’s told entirely from the dog’s perspective: Good Boy. First-time feature filmmaker Ben Leonberg shot Good Boy with his dog, Indy, a few hours a day for three years.

It’s a bog-standard horror plot, in which Indy and his owner, Todd (Shane Jensen),

“Good Boy” Rated PG-13 Directed by Ben Leonberg Currently playing at Regal Ithaca Mall 40 Catherwood Road, Ithaca

move into the spooky “cursed family home” in the woods. Todd’s Grandpa, played by the great character actor Larry Fessenden, died there. We learn, much to Indy’s dismay, that Grandpa had a ton of dogs that all ran away. Maybe the dogs knew something Grandpa didn’t.

Between the odd noises in the night, the creepy stuffed fox in the living room, and the locked cellar door, Indy immediately suspects something evil is lurking at Grandpa’s house.

The whole film is told from Indy’s perspective, so while the plot is identical to a thousand other horror films, Good Boy is in a league all its own. Leonberg, who necessarily serves as his own cinematographer, shoots the whole film in Dog Vision: The camera is almost always at dog level, and though we’re not seeing the dog’s exact POV, Leonberg mostly only shows us what Indy can see. He finds inventive shots within those limita-

Indy senses something amiss in the woods. (Photo: IMDB/Shudder)

tions, like a clever reflective shot through a window where Indy watches Todd get an MRI. But for the most part, Good Boy has great camera placement and canny use of depth of field to put us in Indy’s shoes — er, paws.

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It goes without saying that Indy is phenomenal. However little “acting” the dog actually did here — Leonberg told Dread Central, “He does not know that he’s in a

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AWARD FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE contin u ed from page 10

identities.”

“Kirby Edmonds devoted his life to resolving inter-group conflicts, promoting human rights, and dismantling discrimination and the exclusion of people on the basis of race, culture, class, sex, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.

An ACTION member, Kirby had incredible faith in the power of young people.”

“What’s ACTION? A group of activists came together back in 2006, to support a Black mother fighting the lack of protecTOMPKINS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY contin u ed from page 18

people prove that they are citizens when they come to register and when they go to vote. This is easy for some people, who might have a passport for example; but it will be very difficult for many working class people who don’t have a passport, for older people who don’t have a birth certificate.

This was similar to requirements that voters show the right form of photo identification. The goal was to make it

tion and responsiveness to her complaints when her daughter was targeted by racial bullying in school. After their third meeting, they named themselves ACTION (Activists Committed to Interrupting Oppression Now), and have been acting up for almost two decades since, advocating in the ICSD and wider community to end racism and all forms of oppression.

I joined in 2025 because, who wouldn’t want to be a part of this powerful group?!”

“The award I won was created by Laura Branca and the ACTION board after Kirby passed in 2020 (Read his Obituary Kirby Edmonds Obituary (1951–2020) — Ithaca, NY — Ithaca Journal). Laura Branca was

Kirby’s business partner, and they were go-to resources for groups that wanted to work equitably, communicate honestly and effectively across their differences, understand how discrimination and systemic exclusion operate, and get things done that benefit the community and get power for the people…Laura is still at it.”

“It is an honor to receive an award inspired by such a powerful and positive presence, and when I feel down about the corruption in the world, I think about people like Kirby Edmonds and folks on ACTION who have never backed down.”

“I used my award to upgrade my business with a 30 qt. dough mixer, which sig-

nificantly reduces my kitchen time, saving me money and streamlining my processes.

This allows me to turn more of a profit, affording me the opportunity to put more money aside to support students.”

“ACTION is fundraising for the awards, and any contribution helps. Recognizing young leaders like me will contribute directly to the change we want to see in the world. If you’d like to contribute, donate to the Kirby Edmonds ACTION Awards at http://www.villageatithaca.org, so we can keep supporting incredible young leaders. You can reach out to me at viascookies@gmail.com or Laura Branca at laurabranca@gmail.com.”

more costly for some segments of the population — students, the elderly, the poor — to vote, not because they were not allowed to vote but because they are less likely to have the specific document the state required.

Voter suppression, rather than outright disenfranchisement, is quite common, though it’s also becoming more so. Sometimes it is quite subtle: there is a reason why municipal and state elections are often held in a different year from federal or presidential ones. The locally dominant political party doesn’t want high turnout,

so has their election in an off-year or not in November.

But unless voter suppression amounts to an effective disenfranchisement (as happened after Reconstruction), then there is always the possibility that it won’t be enough for the people trying to suppress the vote. If voters are motivated enough, they can get the needed identification; they can wait longer in line; they can drive further to a distant voting location; they can turn out in May of an off-year. Voter suppression tends to make life easier for the party in power. But it isn’t a guarantee.

IT: Can you say how the Reconstruction period rolled back those restrictions and what happened just a generation later?

DB: After the Civil War, the 15th Amendment prohibited disenfranchising people on the basis of race. Ironically, the 15th Amendment largely targeted northern states, including New York, most of which either disenfranchised all Black men by requiring voters be “white” or allowed only a very small number of wealthy Black men the right to vote. This

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1/27/2025 4:29:42 PM

Music

Kathleen Edwards | 8 p.m. | Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock Blvd.

Bars/Bands/Clubs

10/16 Thursday

10/15 Wednesday Jon Dember & Friends | 4 p.m. | Trumansburg Farmers Market, Trumansburg | Free

10/16 Thursday Pierce Walsh & Friends | 6 p.m. | Ithaca Beer Taproom, 122 Ithaca Beer Drive | Free MSZM | 8 p.m. | The Downstairs, 121 W M.L.K. Jr. St.

10/17 Friday Maddy Walsh and the Blind Spots | 5:30 p.m. | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Road

10/18 Saturday Truth Decay with Second Spring | 7 p.m. | The Nocturnal Cafe, 103 S Geneva St. | $10.00

10/19 Sunday Dizgo w/ Metasequoia | 8 p.m. | Deep Dive Ithaca, 415 Old Taughannock Blvd.

10/20 Monday

Cayuga Vocal Ensemble: Ancient Texts | 4 p.m. | St Catherine of Siena, 309 Siena Drive

The Angela and William Haines Young Concert Artist Series | 7 p.m. | Ithaca College, | Free Experimental Sound Project 2025(3) (CU Music) | 7:30 p.m. | Barnes Hall, 129 Ho Plaza | Free Modest Mouse | 8 p.m. | State Theatre Ithaca, 107 West State Street | $90.38

10/17 Friday

Student Ensemble: Wind Ensemble | Ford Hall, Ithaca College | 7 p.m.

Ithaca Concert Band Fall Concert: “50” | 7 p.m. | Kulp Auditorium — Ithaca High School, 1401 N Cayuga St. | Free

10/18 Saturday

Guest Recital: Zachary Costello, saxophone | 7 p.m. | Hockett Family Recital Hall, Ithaca College

OSFL’s Halloween Concert: Phantoms & Fantasies | 7 p.m. | Corning Museum of Glass, 1 Museum Way

Guest Recital: United States Air Force Concert Band and Singing Sergeants | 7 p.m., 10/20 Monday | Ford Hall Guest Recital: United States Air Force Concert Band and Singing Sergeants | Free & Open to the Public

10/22 Wednesday

Stage

The Songs of the Shakers | 6:30 p.m. | Ithaca Friends Meeting House, 120 Third Street | Free

10/15 Wednesday

10/20 Monday

Midday Music for Organ: Anne Spink and Michael Guarneiri (CU Music) | 12:30 p.m. | Sage Chapel, Ho Plaza | Free

CCHK Salon: Balch & Brahms’ Cello Sonata in E Minor, Op. 38 (CU Music) | 5 p.m. | A. D. White House, 27 E Ave. | Free

Concerts/Recitals

THISWEEK

10/19 Sunday

Midday Music in Lincoln: Bach, Balch, and Brahms (CU Music) | 12:30 p.m. | Lincoln Hall, 256 Feeney Wy | Free

LINDA RONSTADT TRIBUTE featuring Gesenia and Ronstadt Revue | 7:30 p.m. | Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock Blvd. | $39.00 $49.00

Mondays with MAQ | 5:30 p.m. | South Hill Cider, 550 Sandbank Rd.

Cornell Jazz Ensemble Concert (CU Music) | 7:30 p.m. | Bailey Hall, 230 Garden Ave. | Free

Is a Hum a Warning? | 5:30 p.m., 10/15 Wednesday | Class of ‘56 Dance Studio Theatre, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, 430 College Ave. | A performance lecture by Choreographer Roya Carreras Fereshtehnejad that explores how rupture becomes reclamation and how sound and gesture can hold protest, pleasure, and futurity as part of her ongoing work as a Persian movement researcher. | Free Beloved Artistic Community Meet Up | 6:45 p.m., 10/15 Wednesday | Ithaca Community School of Music and Arts, 330 East State Street | Join us for a theatre workshop — intro to Rasaboxes: a playful approach to embodying emotions through the

use of breath, body, voice, and sensation. | Free King James | 7 p.m., 10/15 Wednesday | Kitchen Theatre Company, 417 W. State / W. MLK, Jr. Street | This fresh, thoughtful comedy asks what it means to be a friend, to be a fan, and whether any relationship can survive the ultimate betrayal: LeBron leaving Cleveland. | $10.00 - $55.00 The Weight of Ants | 7:30 p.m., 10/17 Friday | The Cherry Arts, 102 Cherry St | Two teenage outsiders take matters into their own hands.

The English-language premiere of an award-winning comedy from Québec | $15.00 - $65.00 Running to Places presents: ANNIE Jr| 12 p.m., 10/18 Saturday | Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughnock Blvd | Running to Places is excited to present: ANNIE jr (FREE Event!) | Free WonderFall 2025: Alice in Wonderland and Carnival of the Animals | 3 p.m., 10/19 Sunday | State Theatre of Ithaca, 107 West State St. | Alice in Wonderland and Carnival of the Animals Ballet to open the Ithaca Ballet 2025-2026 season on Oct. 19th at 3 pm at the State Theater | $12.00 - $24.00 A Harpist at the Threshold: Hospice Stories of Love & Grace | 7 p.m., 10/19 Sunday | Kitchen Theatre Company, 417 W. State / W. MLK, Jr. Street | Written and performed by Jayne Demakos, Sunday, October 19, 7 p.m. Kitchen Theatre, 417 W. State St., $20 | $20.00

Campus, 950 Danby Rd | Join us for the monthly Artist Alley’s Open Studio Night. | Free

Cornell Sprint Football vs Army West Point | 7 p.m., 10/17 Friday | Schoellkopf Field, 513 Campus Rd |

Beginner Procreate on the iPad | 6 p.m., 10/16 Thursday | The Art Room at SewGreen, 112 W Green Street, ST 2 | How to use Procreate—from creating a canvas, going through the brush, smudge, and eraser tool menus, simple selections, shape and line help, saving, exporting, and sharing your creations. | $90.00

Cornell Men’s Ice Hockey vs Czech University Selects — Scrimmage | 8 p.m., 10/17 Friday | Lynah Rink |

LCL Autumn Watercolor Workshop with Lee O’Connell | 10:30 a.m., 10/18 Saturday | Lansing Community Library, 27 Auburn Rd. | Autumn Watercolor Workshop with Lee O’Connell. Learn the basics of watercolor while painting a fall scene. No experience needed and all supplies provided. Saturday, October 18, 10:30 а.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Lansing Community Library. Register on the library’s website. | Free 27th annual Greater Ithaca Art Trail Open Studio Weekends! | 11 a.m., 10/18 Saturday | Multiple Locations (Artist Studios) , all across Tompkins County, NY | Visit over 30 artist studios on October 11, 12, 18, 19 on the Greater Ithaca Art Trail Open Studio Weekends! | Free

Film The Big Payback — film screening and panel | 6 p.m., 10/21 Tuesday | Cinemapolis, 120 E. Green Street. | The Redistributing White Wealth Campaign of Tompkins County Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) invites you to join us for a movie showing of The Big Payback, a documentary about a town who | Free

Sports Ithaca Field Hockey vs St. Lawrence University | 4 p.m., 10/17 Friday | Higgins Stadium |

IC Runs Purple 5k Run+ Walk at Kostrinsky Field | 8:30 a.m., 10/18 Saturday | Donation-based 5k with all funds raised to be donated to the Advocacy Center of Tompkins County!

Ithaca Men’s & Women’s Swimming & Diving vs Hartwick College and University of Scranton | 1 p.m., 10/18 Saturday | Kelsey Partridge Bird Natatorium | Cornell Football vs Bucknell University | 1 p.m., 10/18 Saturday | Schoellkopf Field, 513 Campus Rd. | Ithaca Women’s Soccer vs Union College | 2 p.m., 10/18 Saturday | Carp Wood Field | Ithaca Volleyball vs St. Lawrence University (Senior Day) | 2 p.m., 10/18 Saturday | Ben Light Gymnasium | Cornell Women’s Ice Hockey vs Boston College | 3 p.m., 10/18 Saturday | Lynah Rink | Cornell Women’s Polo vs Marlan Farm | 6 p.m., 10/18 Saturday | Oxley Equestrian Center | Cornell Big Red vs. Bucknell Bison | 10/18 Saturday | Schoellkopf Field, 513 Campus Rd. | $35.37 Ithaca Women’s Soccer vs RIT | 3:30 p.m., 10/21 Tuesday | Carp Wood Field | Cornell Men’s Soccer vs Syracuse University | 7 p.m., 10/21 Tuesday | Berman Field |

Special Events

Art

Cornell Women’s Ice Hockey vs Boston College | 4 p.m., 10/17 Friday | Lynah Rink |

Visions Sidewalk Showcase | 5 p.m., 10/17 Friday | Ithaca Commons, 171 E. State St./ Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | Featuring Spud Bugs and Professor Keys. | Free

Third Thursday Artist Alley Open Studio | 4 p.m., 10/16 Thursday | Artist Alley at South Hill Business

Cornell Men’s Polo vs Gardnertown Polo Club | 7 p.m., 10/17 Friday | Oxley Equestrian Center |

Fall Festival | 9 a.m., 10/18 Saturday | Newfield United Methodist Church, 227 Main Street | The Fall Festival at

KING JAMES

OPENS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17TH AT 7:00 PM. SHOW RUNS THROUGH NOVEMBER 2ND.

Kitchen Theatre Company, 412 W. State St., Ithaca | Follow diehard fans Shawn and Matt through a decade of life’s ups and downs, as they cheer on the meteoric rise of the greatest basketball player of all time. This fresh, thoughtful comedy explores what it means to be a friend and a fan, and asks whether any relationship can survive the ultimate betrayal: LeBron leaving Cleveland. (Photo: Facebook)

22 T h e I t h a c a T i m e s / O c to b e r 1 5 – 2 1 , 2 0 2 5

ITHACA CONCERT BAND

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17TH AT 7:00 PM

Kulp Auditorium, Ithaca High School | ICB is celebrating its 50th concert season with a celebration of “50”, where every piece has something to do with the number 50.

See if you can guess what 50 has to do with each of the numbers they perform. (Photo: Facebook)

work, The Formation of Vegetable Mould Through the Action of Worms, at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins | Free Comic Book Club Meeting “The 1980s Astro Boy — Part 2!” | 7 p.m., 10/21 Tuesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | The re-boot in 1980 of the animated series provides a wonderful glimpse into the evolution of anime styles, even as it fills in a lot of interesting details to the origin story.

The CBC will continue to check out the 1980s re-imagining of this pioneering, iconic character!

Newfield United Methodist Church features crafters, a bake sale, silent auction, and a luncheon. | Free Tompkins 4-H Fall Festival | 10 a.m., 10/18 Saturday | Tractor Supply Co. (378 Elmira Rd., NY), 378 Elmira Rd. | FALL FEST!!! Join us on October 18th, 2025 in the parking lot of Tractor Supply Co. in Ithaca, NY! 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. You can learn more about our different clubs and other 4-H programs.

Oktoberfest at Treleaven Wines | 12 p.m., 10/18 Saturday | Treleaven Wines, 658 Lake Road | 658 Lake Road | King Ferry, NY 13081 T: 315-364-5100 E: tastings@treleavenwines.com | Free IHGF Northeast Strongest Stone Lifter 2025 | 12:30 p.m., 10/18 Saturday | Hopshire Farm & Brewery, 1771 Dryden Rd. | Join us at Hopshire Farm & Brewery in Freeville, NY Saturday, October 18th 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. — enjoy some good food and beverages, and support our athletes as they compete for the title.

Indivisible Tompkins — No Kings rally and march | 1 p.m., 10/18 Saturday | Washington Park, 505 E Court St. | Join one of thousands of No Kings II events across the country as We The People stand up for democracy,

civil rights, and human rights. In the U.S.A., we don’t do kings. Speakers, music, kids activities, voter registration, and merchandise. | Free

Books LET’S READ + TALK ABOUT CLIMATE — CLIMATE LITERATURE DISCUSSION | 4:30 p.m., 10/15 Wednesday | Buffalo Street Books, 215 North Cayuga Street | Join us for community-led conversations about climate change, seen through fiction and non-fiction books.

The Writers’ Room | 6 p.m., 10/15 Wednesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Work on your writing project in the company of other writers. | Free Zalaznick Reading Series: Reading by Garth Greenwell | 5 p.m., 10/16 Thursday | Rhodes-Rawling Auditorium, Klarman Hall KG70, 232 East Ave. | The Fall 2025 Zalaznick Reading Series welcomes Garth Greenwell Thursday, October 16, 5pm Rhodes-Rawling Auditorium, Klarman Hall KG70 | Free Tales of Terror: A Writer’s Workshop Exploring Narrative Craft

in Horror Fiction | 5:30 p.m., 10/16 Thursday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | In this 3-session workshop, we will explore some basics of the Horror genre in fiction and review some pivotal works in that tradition.

Mundinger Lectureship 2025: Feathers Down Under with Mike Webster | 5:30 p.m., 10/16 Thursday | B25, Warren Hall, 137 Reservoir Ave. | Dr. Mike Webster, Robert G. Engle Professor of Ornithology and Director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Macaulay Library, will speak about how the bright plumage and complex songs of Australian fairywrens shape mating, behavior, and evolution in the Paul C. Mundinger Distinguished Lectureship. | Free Ghost’s Open Mic | 6:45 p.m., 10/20 Monday | Nocturnal Cafe , 103 S Geneva St. | This is a fun Spoken Word Poetry and Stand Up comedy Open Mic | Free World Earthworm Day Book Discussion | 5:30 p.m., 10/21 Tuesday | CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue | You are invited to a community book discussion of Charles Darwin’s last published

Senior Day & Student Night at the Book Sale | 10 a.m., 10/22 Wednesday | Regina Lennox Book Sale Bldg, 509 Esty St. | Senior Day & Student Night at the Friends of the Library Book Sale, 509 Esty St., Ithaca: On Wednesday, Oct 22, older adults (age 60+) and anyone with a disability may shop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students (age 16+ with school ID) are welcome 4-8 p.m. www.booksale.org | Free HOW WOMEN CHANGED THE LOCAL WORLD OF GIVING | 3 p.m., 10/22 Wednesday | Kendal Auditorium, 2230 N. Triphammer Rd., Ithaca, 2230 N. Triphammer Rd. | Historian and author, Carol Kammen, will explore the roles of several interesting women who stepped beyond social, religious and legal constraints to begin the creation of care in our community. | Free

Kids Math Fun with MathHappens! | 10 a.m., 10/18 Saturday | Sciencenter, 601 1st St. | Join us for playful, informal math learning with the MathHappens Foundation! Families and kids can explore hands-on activities that make math fun, creative, and connected to everyday life.

Scarecrow Jubilee | 1 p.m., 10/18 Saturday | Ithaca Childrens Garden, 121 Turtle Lane | Prepare for an afternoon of fall fun at the Scarecrow Jubilee, Ithaca Children’s Garden’s annual outdoor autumn festival! | Free

Trunk or Treat | 1 p.m., 10/18 Saturday | YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County, 50 Graham Road West | Bring the whole family for an afternoon of Halloween fun, costumes, and friendly faces at the Ithaca YMCA. Activities include a bounce house, activities run

by YMCA staff in the gymnasium, and trick or treating outside. | Free Pumpkin Paint & Sip for Families | 1 p.m., 10/18 Saturday | Ithaca Community School of Music and Arts, 330 East State Street | Get into the autumn spirit with a familyfriendly Pumpkin Paint & Sip, led by visual arts instructor Jessica Peery!

Bring your family and paint your very own pumpkin masterpiece while enjoying a complimentary drink. | $20.00 Autumn Art for Kids | 2 p.m., 10/18 Saturday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Let your imagination soar with local artist and teacher, Stiller Zusman. This is a drop-in program and well-suited for children ages 3-6 and their families.

Ballet and Books: Seeds (3 yrs-Kindergarten) and Sprouts (1st – 4th grade) | 2:30 p.m., 10/18 Saturday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Ballet & Books is a national, non-profit organization that provides children ages 3-9 with an opportunity to improve their literacy skills through a combination of dance instruction and LCL Fall Yoga For Youngsters & Their Families | 10:30 a.m., 10/21 Tuesday | Lansing Community Library, 27 Auburn Rd. | Fall Yoga for Youngsters & Families! Join us Tuesdays in October at 10:30 a.m. at Lansing Community Library for songs, stories, games & yoga fun. Register online at the library’s website! | Free

Notices Cover Crop Field Day at Cornell | 4 p.m., 10/15 Wednesday | Leland Laboratory, 121 Tuber Dr. | Cover Crop Field Day, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 4-6 p.m., at Cornell’s Leland Lab in Ithaca; view cover crop plantings, hear about

breeding & trials, dinner follows. Info: NewYorkSoilHealth.org | Free Doug’s Fish Fry and Bake Sale Fundraiser for 2026 Newfield Old Home Days | 11 a.m., 10/16 Thursday | Eddydale Farm Stand, 827 Elmira Road | Doug’s Fish Fry and Bake Sale Fundraiser for 2026 Newfield Old Home Days is on Thursday, October 16 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Eddydale Farm Stand, 827 Elmira Rd. (Route 13/34/96), Ithaca, NY. | Free The Constitution: Rights to Know | 6 p.m., 10/16 Thursday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | This program will discuss the history of Voting in the U.S., the Voting Rights Act, how it has changed over time (such as the 14th and 19th Amendments) and recent attacks on the right to vote.

Finger Lakes Crossword Competition | 1 p.m., 10/18 Saturday | Boynton Middle School, 1601 North Cayuga Street | The Finger Lakes Crossword Competition, in support of Tompkins Learning Partners, will beheld from 1-4 p.m., on Saturday, October 18th, in the Boynton Middle School Cafeteria. | $10.00 - $50.00 Costumes & Cocktails — Fundraiser for the Lansing Community Library | 8 p.m., 10/18 Saturday | Sciencecenter, 601 1st Street | Enjoy a complimentary drink, hors d’oeuvres, 50/50 raffle, silent auction, DJ, photo booth & costume contest. Tickets: $60 or $75 VIP. 21+ only. Proceeds benefit the Lansing Community Library. | $60.00 - $75.00 29th Annual World of Skills Job Fair | 9 a.m., 10/22 Wednesday | Hotel Ithaca, 222 S Cayuga St. | Job seekers are invited to join us for the 29th annual World of Skills job fair on October 22nd from 9 a.m. to noon. Over 30 employers will be available to discuss job and career opportunities. | Free Mood Elevating Creative Expression Workshop With Yael Saar | 5 p.m., 10/22 Wednesday | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street | Learn to use art to gently shift nervous system states from stress to creativity while fostering self-trust.

R2P PRESENTS ANNIE JR.

Boynton Middle School, 1601 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca | This competition is in support of Tompkins Learning Partners.

Compete with your friends, neighbors, and other crossword enthusiasts. Three levels of difficulty, with individual and team competitions. For more information and to register, go to http://crosswordcompetition.com/. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca | Participation for the kids performing and attendance for the audience is 100% FREE! This is only possible with the support of folks who can make a one-time donation when you register for tickets. Bring the kids for a great time and support local youth theater. (Photo: Facebook)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18TH AND SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19TH AT NOON AND 4PM

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tial tenants. Additionally, Spencer said they already have had multiple tenant renewals since taking over management, the names of which will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Kopkos also emphasized their desire to uplift local businesses and find ways to support existing and future tenants in their ventures. Spencer said the goal isn’t to fill a space as fast as possible, but to find the right tenants who add to the marketplace.

“We love that there’s a good mix of regional and small local businesses in there right now [and] we’d love to keep the same mix,” Spencer said. “We believe a mix of tenants with synergies is important.”

Kristen said they have enjoyed the transition process and are excited to develop their plans, adding that their partnership makes the collaboration even stronger.

“I have just been so excited to do this together with Spencer as a partnership,”

Kristen said. “Him and I have always been partners and best friends, but to do this together as a couple has been really enriching in our relationship, and I have only grown closer to him and value his partnership and respect every day. So, it’s just positive from all fronts, and so we’re really looking forward to the future.”

On social media @triphammer_marketplace the Kopkos will be posting announcements such as project updates, spaces for rent and upcoming events.

my glasses or take them off entirely. (For Goodnight Mommy, which I saw at Cinemapolis way back in 2014, my glasses were contin u ed from page 20 off for about 60 minutes of the 99-minute movie,” bless him — Indy’s performance is movie.) My spectacles were off for a good never anything short of totally convincing. five or six minutes of Good Boy. It’s not exactly a jump-scarefest, but Indy is truly the goodest boy in a horror film ever — even if his owner continuously from the very first scene, there’s a creeping sense of dread that pervades the whole ignores his warnings. picture. The spooky moments come early While Good Boy is a great horror movie for dog lovers — and it’s only rated PG-13 — and often — one scare, during a nightmare scene, caused my whole theater to don’t mistake this for family-friendly fare. jump — and they’re rendered even scarier I’m a horror aficionado but a terrible by the fact that Indy can’t leave the house. scaredy-cat, and I’m nearsighted, so He’s trapped there, a victim of Todd’s terI’ve pioneered a method to watch horrible decisions. ror movies in theaters: I wear my glasses Leonberg masterfully controls the to see anything scary, and when I think tension and the supernatural frights. The there’s a big scare coming, I simply lower

ghost of Grandpa’s house appears in the first 10 minutes, and if you look carefully, you can usually see it lingering in the background in each scene. It’s terribly clever. Even after we get a good glimpse of the thing at the 40-minute mark — it resembles a man who just climbed out of a full-body mud bath — it miraculously doesn’t deflate the tension, and old Mud Man gets a couple more scares out of you before the film is through.

Since the film premiered at South by Southwest earlier this year, some critics have complained that the dog perspective is a gimmick. I disagree — though, as the film is only 75 minutes long, I definitely felt that the concept, while strong, was not fully explored.

With Indy as our hero, Good Boy is a story about powerlessness. Indy can’t defeat the ghost, just as Indy cannot save Todd from his ongoing battle with lung disease. Even more tragically and poignantly, Indy might know that Todd is sick, but he doesn’t understand Todd’s illness, much less know how to heal him.

But ghost or no ghost, Indy is willing to do anything to protect his human. The real horror isn’t a Mud Man specter, but rather the truth that sometimes we’re helpless to save the people we love most — but doggone it if that’s going to keep Indy from trying.

TRIPHAMMER MARKETPLACE NEW OWNERS contin u ed from page 9

winter market in December.

Beyond updating the property and working with current tenants on promotion and events, the Kopkos are working to fill four available spaces. Spencer said over the last three weeks, they’ve had a number of inquiries and tours for potenREVIEW: “GOOD BOY”

26 T h e I t h a c a T i m e s / O c to b e r 1 5 – 2 1 , 2 0 2 5

Clement Obropta is a film columnist for the Ithaca Times.

REVIVING YOUTH BASKETBALL contin u ed from page 12

Will offered, “If a kid really wants to learn the game, and get better, we want to fill that hole. We have been able to work with some kids that were not good players at all, but they were able to make a team they had been trying out for.” As the players grow older and skill levels increase, there are offerings for a 3rd-5th TOMPKINS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY contin u ed from page 21

is because southern states had already been required by the federal Reconstruction Acts to give voting rights to Black men in their state constitution. But the 15th amendment also provided a backstop in case those state constitutions were ever amended.

For about a generation, Black men in the South voted and elected Black representatives. This declined considerably as Reconstruction wound down in the 1870s, but Black representatives were still being elected to local offices and Black men were still able to vote and often did

grade division for boys and girls, and also a 4th – 10th grade travel team option. The list of classes and clinics is extensive, and it detailed on the website.

Coach Abreau and his players are gearing up for a big event this weekend. He told me, “I want youth basketball to play a bigger part in the Ithaca community, so I have reached out and set up relationships with the local colleges. I connected with (Cornell assistant coach) Luke Colwell, and we are setting up an event to give

the kids access to the Big Red players. He told the hundreds of people on his email list, “On Sunday, Oct 19th, at 1:30 p.m., IthacaBBall is bringing you the Training League Championships, at which Cornell's own Big Red women and men will coach all games and participate in halftime competitions. Invite your friends and family! Food, music! Games start at 1:30 p.m., with the 3-6th girls division. Let’s end the Training league the right way and kick off the Big Red basketball season!”

Abreau clearly brings passion to running his business. He said, “At many levels, there are kids who didn’t make the team, and feel left out. Those kids still have needs — mental, emotional and social — and I like to think of the interactions with the players and parents that we serve as flowing water. I am honored to be able to guide where that water goes.”

For more information, visit www.

IthacaBball.com, send an email to info@ ithacabball.com, or call 646-417-4682.

so. The problem was that while they were legally able to vote, they might be targeted by their employers or by racist vigilantes (ie., their employers wearing masks and holding shotguns) for doing so. It required an enormous amount of bravery to do so, and while Black men continued to vote in many places in the South they weren’t going to unless there was a point, unless they thought they had a real chance to make a difference with their vote.

When the biracial Populist Party started making inroads in southern states in the 1890s, Black men increasingly had a reason to vote again. Sometimes the white power structure that dominated their counties would simply steal their vote — they would let Black men come

and vote however they wanted, and then they would throw out the ballots and just say they voted against the Populists.

Sometimes they would watch Black voters while they voted, warning them that if they voted the wrong way they might be killed. But even with this, there was a real danger to the white economic elite that the Populists and their allies might win enough Black votes that they could win their states.

The white economic elites of these southern states decided to impose new poll taxes, property, or literacy tests intended to make it all but impossible for Black men to register to vote. These worked not by explicitly saying Black men couldn’t vote (the people who passed these

laws were comfortable saying this aloud, they just didn’t write it into the legislation), but by making it much more difficult. If you paid the poll tax, well you might not be able to read the literacy requirement; and if you could read, well they would give Black men harder and harder “understanding” tests. The point was to disenfranchise Black men (and later women) while pretending they weren’t disenfranchising on the basis of race. The result was that almost all Black men in most southern states were unable to vote. While many poor whites also had their right to vote effectively taken away as a result, the white economic and political elite were largely fine with this since they had been more likely to vote for the Populists.

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