Posts by Felix Teitelbaum

Ithaca Public Employees Continue Pressure on City Hall According to the Ithaca Times at a meeting of the City Administration Committee, Ithaca public sector union leaders condemned what they called an “unproductive” and “disrespectful” relationship with City Hall. While they praised the decision to remove City Attorney Ari Levine from contract negotiations, they seemed to…

Police Chief’s Nomination Recinded After nominating Acting Police Chief John Joly for the Police chief last week, yesterday, Mayor-elect Laura Lewis rescinded the nomination. She said the decision was a difficult one but that her choice had little support among her colleagues on Common Council. Council’s support is needed to appoint a new chief. Joly…

A State Supreme Court Judge is questioning Ithaca school’s preparedness to handle potential school shootings. According to the Ithaca Voice, Superintendent Louvelle Brown is expected to be subpoenaed in proceedings against a student who allegedly made terroristic threats on a school bus in late October. Local police weren’t notified of the incident for more than…

Unions representing Ithaca city workers and City Attorney Ari Levine continue to trade blows. According to the Ithaca Voice, a new letter from union leaders representing city police, firefighters, and administrative workers claimed the city has an “anti-worker agenda,” and pointed to the many vacancies in city positions. The letter follows a tumultuous meeting last…

Last week, workers at Bangs Ambulance in Ithaca narrowly voted to unionize and form Bangs Ambulance Workers United. According to the Cornell Sun the election results will be certified by November 19 unless Bangs management mounts a challenge. Twenty two of Bang’s 42 employees voted to organize. They now face the tasks of engaging all…

After a close race for the 52nd State Senate seat, Democrat Lea Webb announced her victory midday Wednesday. Rich David, the Republican candidate and former Mayor of Binghamton, released a statement Wednesday afternoon congratulating Webb who took the race by about 1500 votes. Webb, a former Binghamton Councilwoman, says her campaign has been a people-powered…

Yesterday was election day and unofficial results are in. Voters in Ithaca have chosen Acting Mayor Laura Lewis to serve a one year term. The seat was left open when former Mayor Svante Myrick left the role early. Lewis appears to have won with about 68 percent of votes, Progressive Katie Sims won 23 percent.…

The Newfield Central School District has been awarded $200,000 in state funds for badly needed school bus radios and new Chromebooks for students. State Assembly member Anna Kelles was instrumental in delivering the funds to the district. She highlighted the need for communications technologies like the bus radios in rural areas that lack high quality…