by Alex Palombo
As many local fire departments struggle to find funding, the Ithaca Fire Department gets some of their money from an unexpected source: Cornell University.
According to John Gutenberger, the vice president of Governmenta nd Community Relations at Cornell University, the IFD received around $660,000 of a $1.1 million contribution last year from Cornell to the city of Ithaca. Gutenberger said the university has a long history of making contributions to the city for health and safety, going back to the protesting of the 1960s.
"A lot of student unrest was spilling out into the community, so that's how [the contribution] started," he said.
Now that there is less student unrest and public safety threats, the university continues to make a contribution to the city, as what Gutenberger calls a "memorandum of understanding," or a way to acknowledge the difficult job the IFD is taking on.
"It's more of a recognition of life and limb," he said.
Even though both the university and Ithaca College are tax exempt non-profits, they are still covered by the town and city of Ithaca for fire service. Acting Fire Chief Tom Dorman said that while the IFD could always use more funding, the department has an obligation to protect the city and town of Ithaca, whether they pay taxes or not.
"I would be lying if I said we wouldn't like more money from tax exempt places," he said. "But again, it's not a requirement. We have an obligation to protect the whole city, whether they pay taxes or not."
Dorman went on to say that the two colleges are not the only tax exempt places in the town that the IFD protects. The Red Cross, churches, and other nonprofits also pay no taxes but are covered by the department as well.
Carl Sgrecci, the vice president of Finance and Administration at Ithaca College, said the college does not make monetary contributions to the fire department because of the rules keeping the college from spending students' tuition on donations. However, the college has given to the IFD in other ways. In addition to some students volunteering as firefighters and providing some venues for training of firefighters in teh past, the college provided the IFD with land.
"We made the land available where the fire station is here on South Hill," Sgrecci said. We, in essence, gave that to the city to be able to build the fire department, with the proviso that if for any reason they should discontinue using it for the fire station, that it reverts back to us."
Ithaca College junior Rachel Corcoran said that she wishes the college gave back more to the IFD in exchange for their service.
"The fire department in Ithaca protects us from fires and also helps out with other emergencies," she said. "They deserve our support, whether it be through monetary contributions or more volunteer work."
Sgrecci said that the college often gets a bad reputation in the area for not giving back to the community. But he believes that in addition to being the second largest source of employment in the area, the college's contributions to Ithaca are often overlooked.
"I don't feel we need to be defensive about what we do," he said. "We're obviously a major employer, but we have a whole raft of ares where our students and employees are participating in organizations throughout the community."
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
With Budget Cuts, Ithaca Fire Department Will Not Hire New Fire Chief in 2010
By Jacquie Simone
The middle-aged men lounged in chairs, chatting and watching television on a Saturday afternoon. Suddenly, a series of loud beeps and sirens echoed throughout the common room of the Ithaca Fire Department’s central station. Lt. Rob Covert smiled as he and Chris Kourkoutis rushed to the gleaming red fire engine.
“Looks like we’re going for a ride,” Covert said.
Covert and Kourkoutis are two of the 65 members of the Ithaca Fire Department. Recent economic circumstances will bring several changes to the department in the upcoming year, as they submitted a zero percent to the Ithaca Common Council.
One of the most significant implications of the budget is that the fire chief position, which was vacated when Brian Wilbur retired in August after serving as fire chief for 16 years, will not be filled for 2010. Instead, Deputy Fire Chief J. Thomas Dorman will fulfill the fire chief duties until the budget allows for a new chief.
“It’s not going to be an easy year, but I believe we can live with this budget,” Dorman said. “I don’t think it’s going to affect us drastically. I’m much more concerned about 2011 if things don’t straighten out.”
Dorman said he is prepared to take over the fire chief’s responsibilities for the present time, pointing out that there are currently two deputy fire chiefs when there used to be only one.
The Ithaca Fire Department has four stations throughout the city. Under an optimal budget, the force is composed of firefighters, lieutenants, five assistant chiefs, two deputy chiefs and one fire chief. Dorman said that the decision to leave the fire chief position vacant will prevent the department from laying off firefighters, who are represented by the International Association of Fire Fighters union.
The budget was recently submitted to Mayor Carolyn Peterson and the Common Council. The proposed budget requests $9,845,870, with significant decreases in the amount requested for administrative salaries and programs.
Alderperson Deb Mohlenhoff, whose husband has been an Ithaca firefighter for 20 years, said the members of the Common Council appreciate the fire department’s willingness to limit their costs.
“I really admire the fire department for putting the budget together that they did,” Mohlenhoff said. “This year fiscally is going to be very challenging for all municipalities.”
The Ithaca Fire Department has recently tried to limit energy costs by installing high-efficiency lighting with motion sensors and purchasing a hybrid vehicle. However, the fire engines require large amounts of fuel and maintenance despite the department’s efforts to cut costs.
The proposed budget will decrease the amount of money allocated for training programs. In addition to fire calls, the department offers various services to the community, including responding to car and hazardous material accidents and performing rope and water rescue. Preparing for such diverse situations necessitates large expenditures.
“It takes time and money to train people to do these calls,” Mike O’Halloran, an Ithaca firefighter of 4 years, said.
Despite decreased budgets for training and a vacant fire chief position, most members of the department said they would rather accept these changes than risk firefighter layoffs. Assistant Chief Dave Burbank said the Ithaca Fire Department has shown resilience when previously operating under limited budgets. He said that while the 2010 budget will present challenges, the department will not sacrifice efficiency.
“We look at what resources we have available, and we make it work,” Burbank said.
The middle-aged men lounged in chairs, chatting and watching television on a Saturday afternoon. Suddenly, a series of loud beeps and sirens echoed throughout the common room of the Ithaca Fire Department’s central station. Lt. Rob Covert smiled as he and Chris Kourkoutis rushed to the gleaming red fire engine.
“Looks like we’re going for a ride,” Covert said.
Covert and Kourkoutis are two of the 65 members of the Ithaca Fire Department. Recent economic circumstances will bring several changes to the department in the upcoming year, as they submitted a zero percent to the Ithaca Common Council.
One of the most significant implications of the budget is that the fire chief position, which was vacated when Brian Wilbur retired in August after serving as fire chief for 16 years, will not be filled for 2010. Instead, Deputy Fire Chief J. Thomas Dorman will fulfill the fire chief duties until the budget allows for a new chief.
“It’s not going to be an easy year, but I believe we can live with this budget,” Dorman said. “I don’t think it’s going to affect us drastically. I’m much more concerned about 2011 if things don’t straighten out.”
Dorman said he is prepared to take over the fire chief’s responsibilities for the present time, pointing out that there are currently two deputy fire chiefs when there used to be only one.
The Ithaca Fire Department has four stations throughout the city. Under an optimal budget, the force is composed of firefighters, lieutenants, five assistant chiefs, two deputy chiefs and one fire chief. Dorman said that the decision to leave the fire chief position vacant will prevent the department from laying off firefighters, who are represented by the International Association of Fire Fighters union.
The budget was recently submitted to Mayor Carolyn Peterson and the Common Council. The proposed budget requests $9,845,870, with significant decreases in the amount requested for administrative salaries and programs.
Alderperson Deb Mohlenhoff, whose husband has been an Ithaca firefighter for 20 years, said the members of the Common Council appreciate the fire department’s willingness to limit their costs.
“I really admire the fire department for putting the budget together that they did,” Mohlenhoff said. “This year fiscally is going to be very challenging for all municipalities.”
The Ithaca Fire Department has recently tried to limit energy costs by installing high-efficiency lighting with motion sensors and purchasing a hybrid vehicle. However, the fire engines require large amounts of fuel and maintenance despite the department’s efforts to cut costs.
The proposed budget will decrease the amount of money allocated for training programs. In addition to fire calls, the department offers various services to the community, including responding to car and hazardous material accidents and performing rope and water rescue. Preparing for such diverse situations necessitates large expenditures.
“It takes time and money to train people to do these calls,” Mike O’Halloran, an Ithaca firefighter of 4 years, said.
Despite decreased budgets for training and a vacant fire chief position, most members of the department said they would rather accept these changes than risk firefighter layoffs. Assistant Chief Dave Burbank said the Ithaca Fire Department has shown resilience when previously operating under limited budgets. He said that while the 2010 budget will present challenges, the department will not sacrifice efficiency.
“We look at what resources we have available, and we make it work,” Burbank said.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Cornell Buds blossom despite challenges
By Samuel J. Fanburg
ITHACA, NY— As the wind blows across the Cornell sports practice fields, senior Dan Cho stands still. Watching the football team practice in their 26,000 person capacity stadium, Cho slowly packs up the back of his Jeep Grand Cherokee, with red jerseys, an assortment of Frisbees, and orange practice cones.
“I’ve been playing ultimate Frisbee for about six years now,” he says. “What originally drew me to the sport was the ability to be involved with such a team dynamic. I don’t think a lot of people know how much teamwork plays into Ultimate Frisbee. It really requires a team effort to get the disc from one side of the field to the other.”
Dan Cho is the captain of the Cornell Buds, Cornell’s premier Ultimate Frisbee team. Since 2004, the club has been continually competing at a collegiate level obtaining a certain level of notoriety. Last year the team finished with an impressive 33-5 record placing first place in the Regional final until falling to ninth place in the national tournament. Yet, with all their accolades, one thing that continually plagues their team’s popularity is Cornell’s unwillingness to give out as much as funding as it gives other sports.
“It’s frustrating sometimes,” said Senior Garrett Bernstein. “Many times I feel that the sport that I play is unappreciated by my University which sometimes makes me question why I choose to play, but in the end I think it’s the passion that people have for Frisbee that makes it have such a cult following.”
The under funded club has to deal with these issues in unconventional ways. By not having a coach, the team captain simply doubles as a coach instructing the team on how to best compete. In addition, to receive funding for materials the team turns to pass alumnus for assistance.
“We are lucky we have such a close knit alumni network,” said Cho. “By having them finance our activities the team aspect of our club is that much stronger.”
With three other tournaments this season, the team prepares by having practices everyday, but they are not insomuch a hassle as a time to hangout with friends as Senior Dan Cutler observed, “Because we are so marginalized I think that we are able to find solace in each other, translating into a stronger team dynamic.
ITHACA, NY— As the wind blows across the Cornell sports practice fields, senior Dan Cho stands still. Watching the football team practice in their 26,000 person capacity stadium, Cho slowly packs up the back of his Jeep Grand Cherokee, with red jerseys, an assortment of Frisbees, and orange practice cones.
“I’ve been playing ultimate Frisbee for about six years now,” he says. “What originally drew me to the sport was the ability to be involved with such a team dynamic. I don’t think a lot of people know how much teamwork plays into Ultimate Frisbee. It really requires a team effort to get the disc from one side of the field to the other.”
Dan Cho is the captain of the Cornell Buds, Cornell’s premier Ultimate Frisbee team. Since 2004, the club has been continually competing at a collegiate level obtaining a certain level of notoriety. Last year the team finished with an impressive 33-5 record placing first place in the Regional final until falling to ninth place in the national tournament. Yet, with all their accolades, one thing that continually plagues their team’s popularity is Cornell’s unwillingness to give out as much as funding as it gives other sports.
“It’s frustrating sometimes,” said Senior Garrett Bernstein. “Many times I feel that the sport that I play is unappreciated by my University which sometimes makes me question why I choose to play, but in the end I think it’s the passion that people have for Frisbee that makes it have such a cult following.”
The under funded club has to deal with these issues in unconventional ways. By not having a coach, the team captain simply doubles as a coach instructing the team on how to best compete. In addition, to receive funding for materials the team turns to pass alumnus for assistance.
“We are lucky we have such a close knit alumni network,” said Cho. “By having them finance our activities the team aspect of our club is that much stronger.”
With three other tournaments this season, the team prepares by having practices everyday, but they are not insomuch a hassle as a time to hangout with friends as Senior Dan Cutler observed, “Because we are so marginalized I think that we are able to find solace in each other, translating into a stronger team dynamic.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
From Ithaca To India: Students Find Home Through Cricket
By Alex Palombo(Photo and Video by Alex Palombo)
ITHACA, N.Y. - For Cornell students Kritarth Jain and Manan Suri, cricket is much more than just an extracurricular; it's a way of life.
"It's equivalent to a religion back home," Jain said. "Because cricket is so close to our hearts, it's so nice to play it here."
Both Jain and Suri are members of the Cornell Cricket Club, a sport founded at the college 10 years ago. According to the team's website, the club was founded by students to make the little-known cricket more popular at the college - not easy for a sport most commonly found in the former British Empire. For the club's advisor, professor Mukul Majumdar, the club has a secondary purpose: to introduce students of all different cultures.
"I thought it was important for students from all different cultures to play together," Majumdar said.
Jain and Suri are among the 395 students from India attending Cornell University, according to Director of International Students and Scholars Brendan O'Brien. He said that in addition to helping foreign students iwth immigration and financial issues, he also helps students to settle into life in another country. He said that the cricket club, and those like it, really help students meet others and feel more at home.
"I think those connections are really important," O'Brien said. "It makes this college a vibrant, lively place."
Jain and Suri said they heard about the club through their friends. Since both of them had been playing the game since their childhoods in India - Suri in New Delhi, Jain in Punjab - they decided to join. Today, both are officers of the club, with Jain serving as the team's president and Suri serving as the vice president. Their team is mainly comprised of students from India and Pakistan, with many from the West Indies and some from Britain, Australia, and South Africa. Although the team has no official practice field, they use other school buildings and the quad near Uris Library to play. They also play in more unorthodox places.
"We were playing in the engineering coprs one day," Suri said. "And people were asking us how to play, what we were doing, all of that."
Suri said that the team hoped to get other Ivy League schools interested in starting an Ivy League Tournament, with schools like Princeton, UPenn and Duke in the South League and Cornell, Dartmouth and Brown in the North League. But for North League schools, the weather gets cold quickly and makes it difficult to practice. Students also have to pay for their own equipment and receive little funding from the school due to its club sport status.
Jain agreed, adding that many of the schools in the North League weren't ready to play yet.
"Playing the North League was tough because most of the other schools don't have cricket teams," Jain said. "So the North League kind of stalled."
Beyond the deferred championship, Majumdar said that cricket is not only great exercise, but also a cultural touchstone.
"Some students get homesick, especially with everything going on in India and Pakistan," Majumdar said. "They can find home through cricket."
Both Suri and Jain said that cricket was a great break from taking MCATs and doing electrical and computer engineering work. But both also said the sport provided them a sense of home they couldn't get from another sport.
"When you're on the pitch, you just feel good," Jain said. "I wouldn't feel that way playing baseball, because it's not our thing."
The SufferJets Roll to Victory
By Jacquie Simone
During the day, 37-year-old Sue Dozoretz listens to ambient music as she gently massages customers at Finger Lakes School of Massage. But at night, she transforms into CamArrow and spends her time slamming into opponents as she skates around the rink, egged on by the cheering crowds and the thuds of flesh on the floor.
This is the world of roller derby. Dozoretz is a co-captain of the SufferJets, Ithaca’s all-female team. They finished their home season Saturday night with a 140-101 win against the Derby Debutantes from Greater Toronto. From May through October, the SufferJets won four of their home games and lost only one.
“[Roller derby] must have had some sort of pull,” Dozoretz said. “I think it was the physical nature of the sport and also the theatrical nature of it—the personal, creative expression that every skater is allowed to have.”
Roller derby has been played sporadically since the 1950s, but the most recent incarnation of the sport has a distinct punk aesthetic. Skaters choose often-humorous aliases and are encouraged to personalize their helmets. Roller derby has recently garnered mainstream attention, particularly from the Drew Barrymore film “Whip It,” which opened earlier this month. (Below: Members of the SufferJets, in gray, compete against the Derby Debutantes, in pink, during the Oct. 10 bout at Cass Park.)
At the start of each bout, or match, five players from each team skate onto the circuit track. The defense for each team is composed of three blockers and one pivot, who wears a striped helmet cover. The offense is one jammer per team, who wears a starred helmet cover. Once the referee blows a whistle, the defensive pack starts skating, with the pivots setting the pace. With a second whistle, the jammers start skating. The jammers score points each time they legally pass an opposing blocker or pivot in the pack. Opponents push skaters to prevent each other from passing. Teams have 2-minute “jams” during which they can score points. Bouts consist of 30-minute halves.
“There’s a lot of strategy,” Dozoretz said. “It’s not just rock’em, sock’em. It’s a great sport.”
Dozoretz joined the SufferJets in May 2008 after she read an article about the team in the newspaper. She used to roller skate and said she was interested in the physical and strategic aspects of the sport. After a tryout to make sure she had a basic skill level, she spent a few months practicing before her first bout in August 2008.
“I sat in the locker room and I almost walked out,” Dozortez said, remembering her first bout. “I almost took my skates off and ran out the door. I thought I was going to puke.”
Now, as a co-captain, she often leads the SufferJets’ practices. Her coworkers and 9-year-old son, Max, often come to bouts to cheer her on with the rest of the large fan base.
The SufferJets was created in 2007 when a group of women began commuting to practice with a roller derby team in Auburn. They soon decided to recruit other Ithaca women and start their own team. The SufferJets had their first home bout in May 2008. Since then, they have grown to a team of around 20 women between the ages of 20 and almost 50. They practice about three times a week at Cass Park.
SufferJets founder Kitty Gifford, known as “Charmain Meow” in the rink, said most teams have a grassroots organization.
“Every single person here is putting in their effort to make this happen,” Gifford said. “It’s a different sort of organization than if you just went out and played ball. We have to build the whole structure of it.”
As the SufferJets’ name suggests, roller derby has a strong feminist component because it is a very physical sport dominated by women.
“I think it’s hugely important for women to have an outlet and that kind of experience in their lives,” Dozoretz said. “It’s empowering.”
The team also maintains a commitment to local charities. They donate a portion of their ticket sales to non-profits in Ithaca. Gifford said this civic initiative has increased awareness of the team and helped the local community. Proceeds from Saturday night’s bout were given to Ithaca’s Big Brothers Big Sisters.
With the end of the home season, the SufferJets will move their practices to Beverly J. Martin Elementary School. Due to increased interest in the sport, they plan to create a new Ithaca team, called Bluestockings. Their fans said they are already looking forward to next year’s season.
“It’s fun to see women in a sport,” fan Melanie Prinzing said. “We love to see the girls doing something tough but also really cool.”
This video incorporates interviews with members of Ithaca's all-female roller derby team, the SufferJets, as well as footage from their practice on Oct. 6 and their Oct. 10 bout against the Greater Toronto Derby Debutantes. In the bout, the SufferJets are wearing gray and the Debutantes are wearing pink.
During the day, 37-year-old Sue Dozoretz listens to ambient music as she gently massages customers at Finger Lakes School of Massage. But at night, she transforms into CamArrow and spends her time slamming into opponents as she skates around the rink, egged on by the cheering crowds and the thuds of flesh on the floor.
This is the world of roller derby. Dozoretz is a co-captain of the SufferJets, Ithaca’s all-female team. They finished their home season Saturday night with a 140-101 win against the Derby Debutantes from Greater Toronto. From May through October, the SufferJets won four of their home games and lost only one.
“[Roller derby] must have had some sort of pull,” Dozoretz said. “I think it was the physical nature of the sport and also the theatrical nature of it—the personal, creative expression that every skater is allowed to have.”
Roller derby has been played sporadically since the 1950s, but the most recent incarnation of the sport has a distinct punk aesthetic. Skaters choose often-humorous aliases and are encouraged to personalize their helmets. Roller derby has recently garnered mainstream attention, particularly from the Drew Barrymore film “Whip It,” which opened earlier this month. (Below: Members of the SufferJets, in gray, compete against the Derby Debutantes, in pink, during the Oct. 10 bout at Cass Park.)
At the start of each bout, or match, five players from each team skate onto the circuit track. The defense for each team is composed of three blockers and one pivot, who wears a striped helmet cover. The offense is one jammer per team, who wears a starred helmet cover. Once the referee blows a whistle, the defensive pack starts skating, with the pivots setting the pace. With a second whistle, the jammers start skating. The jammers score points each time they legally pass an opposing blocker or pivot in the pack. Opponents push skaters to prevent each other from passing. Teams have 2-minute “jams” during which they can score points. Bouts consist of 30-minute halves.
“There’s a lot of strategy,” Dozoretz said. “It’s not just rock’em, sock’em. It’s a great sport.”
Dozoretz joined the SufferJets in May 2008 after she read an article about the team in the newspaper. She used to roller skate and said she was interested in the physical and strategic aspects of the sport. After a tryout to make sure she had a basic skill level, she spent a few months practicing before her first bout in August 2008.
“I sat in the locker room and I almost walked out,” Dozortez said, remembering her first bout. “I almost took my skates off and ran out the door. I thought I was going to puke.”
Now, as a co-captain, she often leads the SufferJets’ practices. Her coworkers and 9-year-old son, Max, often come to bouts to cheer her on with the rest of the large fan base.
The SufferJets was created in 2007 when a group of women began commuting to practice with a roller derby team in Auburn. They soon decided to recruit other Ithaca women and start their own team. The SufferJets had their first home bout in May 2008. Since then, they have grown to a team of around 20 women between the ages of 20 and almost 50. They practice about three times a week at Cass Park.SufferJets founder Kitty Gifford, known as “Charmain Meow” in the rink, said most teams have a grassroots organization.
“Every single person here is putting in their effort to make this happen,” Gifford said. “It’s a different sort of organization than if you just went out and played ball. We have to build the whole structure of it.”
As the SufferJets’ name suggests, roller derby has a strong feminist component because it is a very physical sport dominated by women.
“I think it’s hugely important for women to have an outlet and that kind of experience in their lives,” Dozoretz said. “It’s empowering.”
The team also maintains a commitment to local charities. They donate a portion of their ticket sales to non-profits in Ithaca. Gifford said this civic initiative has increased awareness of the team and helped the local community. Proceeds from Saturday night’s bout were given to Ithaca’s Big Brothers Big Sisters.
With the end of the home season, the SufferJets will move their practices to Beverly J. Martin Elementary School. Due to increased interest in the sport, they plan to create a new Ithaca team, called Bluestockings. Their fans said they are already looking forward to next year’s season.
“It’s fun to see women in a sport,” fan Melanie Prinzing said. “We love to see the girls doing something tough but also really cool.”
This video incorporates interviews with members of Ithaca's all-female roller derby team, the SufferJets, as well as footage from their practice on Oct. 6 and their Oct. 10 bout against the Greater Toronto Derby Debutantes. In the bout, the SufferJets are wearing gray and the Debutantes are wearing pink.
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