TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y. — Opinions were mixed on whether Tompkins County should raise the tobacco purchase and sale age to 21 at a public hearing Tuesday. Public comment was nearly evenly split between people in support of the proposed law, and against. But, whether people were for or against raising the age to 21, there was […]
Search results
Opinions: Why Ithaca should back $14Mil. Northside housing project
“Once you see homelessness through the eyes of a child you care about, the concerns voiced by the opposing petition begin to seem insignificant,” one guest columnist writes.
County Dems host first forum with Congressional candidates for new district
TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y.—The Tompkins County Democratic Committee (TCDC) hosted a panel discussion with the Congressional candidates of NY-19 earlier this week, the first to hold all three Democratic candidates in one event locally. Since the last forum, the redistricting process was completed, leaving Tompkins County in NY-19 instead of the previous NY-22, which had a […]
“Safety McSafe Face”: The rejected suggestions for naming Ithaca’s police force
ITHACA, N.Y.—The restructured Ithaca Police Department plan has come under quite a bit of scrutiny, from various angles, over the last several months, and Ithacans have expressed a wide range of opinions on the plan that would add five unarmed community solutions workers to a new department alongside the existing Ithaca Police Department and create […]
After review, Tompkins County will investigate allegations of ethics violations related to Myrick and RPS
TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y. — The Tompkins County Ethics Advisory Board is being charged with reviewing multiple allegations of ethics violations related to City of Ithaca personnel involved in the Reimagining Public Safety process, namely former Mayor Svante Myrick. Tompkins County Attorney Bill Troy issued the opinion on Monday that the Ethics Advisory Board should pursue […]
Op-Ed: We should do better
This is an op-ed about the Reimagining Public Safety plan, written by Ithaca Common Council member Cynthia Brock. It was not written by The Ithaca Voice. To submit op-eds, send them to Matt Butler at mbutler@ithacavoice.com. Followers of local politics are aware that City Council is considering a major restructuring of our Police Department. The proposal […]
Good cause eviction laws are on the back burner in Ithaca, but the debate is still simmering
In Ithaca and across New York State, the conversation around the rights of tenants has shifted from the one happening prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Firmly centered in Ithaca’s housing conversation is an effort to rebalance power from landlords to tenants, with the “Right to Renew Leases” or “Good Cause Eviction” written on the marquee. […]
Ithacans sound off on law enforcement reform plan in Town Hall event
ITHACA, N.Y.—The City of Ithaca’s Reimagining Public Safety plan to reform the Ithaca Police Department arrived earlier this month with a sprawling report on plans for IPD restructuring. That came after months of deliberation, feedback and planning, and was accordingly followed by a town hall-style forum held Tuesday evening, giving the public their first specific, […]
Draft in hand, Dryden seeks public comment on Comprehensive Plan update
DRYDEN, N.Y. — It’s been about three years since Dryden launched its effort to update the town’s 2005 Comprehensive Plan, a vision for the future the town has dubbed “Dryden 2045”. With the draft completed, the town is ready to take more of your comments as it works towards acceptance of Dryden 2045 as a guiding […]
Gallery: All the sights from the 2022 Chili Cook-Off
ITHACA, N.Y.—Though held a few weeks later than normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 Chili Cook-Off welcomed hundreds to downtown Ithaca this weekend to celebrate the cooking talents of over three dozen local eateries. The competition is always fierce, and winners will be announced by the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, the event’s organizer, this […]