This morning's Ithaca Journal has a long and detailed editorial on the District Attorney's race (in tiny print), but concludes that:
The decision before Tompkins County voters is an enormous one. The District Attorney's office is the people's representative at the heart of the most essential function of government. Putting aside the hollow distractions of the campaign trail, the decision hinges on the value every individual voter places on these essential and often competing criminal justice needs - and how each feels they can be addressed by two distinctly different candidates.
In the end, that is a complex and subtle calculus, and one we will not presume to make for you.
Also on the opinion page are two letters from Dryden Town Board candidates. Paul Lutwak writes:
Local elections matter. In my work on the Dryden Zoning Board of Appeals, I have seen how local decisions can have an immediate impact on how people live. State and federal decisions may take years to have a local impact. It all starts locally.
I have spent the greater part of my career obtaining, developing, and honing the many skills that make me a success at what I do. I am now at a time in my life where I would like to apply these skills in a capacity that will help my town. As the director of instructional and informational technology at Newfield Central Schools, I need to furnish the same services as large districts but with less staff and less money. To accomplish this, I've used skills such as data-driven decision-making, creating and adhering to a budget, doing more with less, inventiveness and compromise. These skills could easily benefit the Dryden Town Board.
I've lived in Dryden for more than 30 years and my children graduated from Dryden High School. I've been attending planning board and town board meetings for more than a year to learn more about Dryden issues. I have more than 10 years of experience as financial manager of two local not-for-profit organizations. I'm retired now, and I want to put my experience to work for the Town of Dryden.
Local government affects our lives in very real ways, from the pothole you curse on the way to work, to the view from your front window, to the response time of emergency services. I will work to make it easier for Dryden residents to be aware of decisions that will affect them and to voice their concerns. Please vote on Nov. 8 and support my effort to represent you.
County Legislator Mike Lane is quoted in an article on the Ithaca's schools withdrawal of its enthusiasm for downtown Ithaca tax abatements. Lane, chair of the IDA, says that:
Posted by simon at November 4, 2005 8:37 AM in Ithaca Journal , politics (local)"Based on this, I think we have to look at the policy in total... I, personally as one member of the IDA, will have a problem supporting a school tax abatement" in the aftermath.