November 09, 2005

Election day happenings

Today's Journal notices the November 8th election. The "Wilkinson wins DA race" across the top is hard to miss, as is the picture of County Legislator Martha Robertson congratulating Gwen Wilkinson, who defeated incumbent District Attorney George Dentes by a preliminary count of 10,947 to 9,099. They credit Robertson with a clear win over W. David Restey, but leave County...

Posted by simonstl at 11:47 AM

October 03, 2005

Dryden resident calls for Iraq disengagement

Dryden resident Nancy Suci writes that: We need to leave Iraq. Our time there diminishes our reputation in the world. Our actions in Iraq increase the anger and resentment that erupts in terrorist acts. And we are neglecting our own citizens, their health, their education, their general welfare. Where are the good ideas? In county news, there's an article comparing...

Posted by simonstl at 12:11 PM

September 26, 2005

Upset about the war, taxes

This morning's Ithaca Journal presents opinions from a few Dryden residents. The Journal's article about weekend war protests talks to Nancy Suci, who is identified as an Ithaca resident, but she lives on Turkey Hill Road here in Dryden. Suci attended protests against the Iraq war in Washington on Saturday: "There was a feeling that the people of Washington who...

Posted by simonstl at 08:43 AM

September 24, 2005

Little news, a few opinions

Today's Ithaca Journal is quiet on Dryden news, but there are two pieces on the opinion page with Dryden connections. One comes from Freeville resident Jennifer Semo, and only appears in the print edition. Semo writes, about the St.Patrick's Four: No one is questioning the right to stand up for your beliefs and the right of protestation. The matter at...

Posted by simonstl at 01:12 PM

September 23, 2005

Stabbing at TC3 dorms

A Tuesday stabbing at the TC3 dorms will put a Spencer man in Dryden court today, charged with second-degree felony assault, as well as fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Dryden firefighters took the victim to Cortland Hopital. In brighter news, math scores for elementary students throughout the county improved, while middle schools were mixed. In Dryden, elemenary math scores...

Posted by simonstl at 01:06 PM

September 22, 2005

One union settled, another uncertain

This morning's Ithaca Journal doesn't report much about Dryden, but there's news on two county labor fronts. The county and its white collar CSEA unit have come to terms, and the contract was approved 13-1 last night by the County Legislature. Meanwhile, negotiations with TCAT bus drivers continue, and Cornell is making contingency plans in case of a strike. On...

Posted by simonstl at 12:52 PM

August 03, 2005

Making municipal wireless impossible

Broadband Internet access has come up a few times at Town Board meetings in the last few months, largely because of Time-Warner's push to get a contract signed with the town. Town Councilman Marty Christofferson has been especially interested in making sure the town keeps its options open as network technology, particularly wireless technology, evolves. While the discussion's never gotten...

Posted by simonstl at 10:04 PM

July 27, 2005

Fire in Freeville

A four-apartment building at 12 Railroad Street in Freeville caught fire last night. Firefighters from the Dryden, Freeville, Etna, Groton, McLean and Cayuga Heights fire departments responded at 6:30pm, and had the blaze out by 7:15pm. No one was injured, but one apartment was destroyed with the others damaged. The Dryden Central School District is using a "Solar Express Bookmobile"...

Posted by simonstl at 07:04 AM

July 20, 2005

Boehlert takes on colleague over global warming

Congressman Sherwood Boehlert, House Science Committee Chairman (and representing Dryden) challenged a colleague of his, Joe Barton of Texas, after Barton's House Committee on Energy and Commerce opened an inquiry into a 1998 study of temperatures and climate. As the New York Times puts it: The study, published in 1998 and 1999, meshed data from modern thermometers and evidence of...

Posted by simonstl at 09:37 PM

July 12, 2005

Dryden resident attended Christian politics conference

This is a bit old, but it's unusual for me to see a Dryden resident quoted in the Christian Science Monitor, so it seems worth reporting. Back in March, the Christian Science Monitor ran a report on a 'national conference aimed at "reclaiming America for Christ"', complete with the Ten Commandments monument that had been in the Alabama judicial building...

Posted by simonstl at 11:36 AM

July 04, 2005

Graduation, trails

This week's Dryden Courier leads with the Dryden High School graduation, as well as congratulations given to the Dryden school board and superintendent. Inside the paper, there are articles on the plans for a Freeville-to-Dryden trail and one on the walk Rebecca Elgie and Bernie Fetterly took, including a stop at Dryden's Time Square park, to highlight health care issues...

Posted by simonstl at 04:07 PM

June 30, 2005

Dryden school repairs, much more

Since it's all going to vanish in a week, it's probably a good idea to report what's been in the Ithaca Journal for the past few days. The most Dryden-specific story is one on the renovations in progress at the Dryden elementary schools. Around Dryden, we have articles on the Town of Caroline raising funds for the Brooktondale Community Center,...

Posted by simonstl at 12:39 PM

June 09, 2005

Looking forward to Dairy Day, road repair

This morning's Ithaca Journal has an introduction to Dairy Day complete with a schedule for Saturday's events. (Brenda Carpenter and Tricia Edgecomb were also on WHCU this morning discussing the festivities.) There's also an article on summer road repair, largely about the county and citing Jack Bush on sharing equipment between highway departments. County Legislator George Totman, who represents the...

Posted by simonstl at 08:23 AM

May 20, 2005

A tale of two maps

Two books I edited on mapping topics - Mapping Hacks and Web Mapping Illustrated - are coming out next month, so I've been wanting to play with maps. By combining district-by-district election data for the 2004 presidential race, the 2002 Tompkins County election districts map from CUGIR (produced by Tompkins County GIS), Microsoft Excel, some odd XML tricks, and MapServer,...

Posted by simonstl at 10:58 PM

April 23, 2005

Iraq; lacrosse; school races

This week's Dryden Courier is packed with news about the town, on levels from local lacrosse to the county legislature to a protest at Congressman Boehlert's office to a Dryden dentist returning from Iraq. Once again, if you don't read the Courier, now's a good time to start. George Birman, a dentist practicing in Dryden and Groton, turns out to...

Posted by simonstl at 08:43 AM

April 13, 2005

McLean afterschool; TC3 tech award

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports on the evening youth programs at Cassavant Elementary in McLean held each Tuesday and Thursday night. Tutoring and time in the gym give kids academic help, exercise, and social times. There's also a picture of students playing basketball in the gym. Tompkins-Cortland Community College "was named top digital community college for 2005 earlier this month...

Posted by simonstl at 08:11 AM

March 24, 2005

Low Tompkins snowmobile accident rate

This morning's Ithaca Journal talks with the Dryden-Caroline Drifters snowmobile club in an article about Tompkins County having a lower rate of snowmobile injuries and fatalities than other parts of the state. There's a picture of Deana Madigan on her snowmobile, as well comments from Madigan and Dryden resident Thomas Miller. TCAT and its union don't seem to be getting...

Posted by simonstl at 07:58 AM

March 18, 2005

Ask a simple question, get a quick answer

I wrote Congressman Sherwood Boehlert about federal transportation spending in Tompkins County this past Saturday, as I'd seen stories about spending elsewhere but nothing about what was happening here. Boehlert writes: As you will note, the bill contains $4.5 million for transportation projects in Tompkins County, which includes $2 million for pavement and roadway improvements to Peruville Road, and addresses...

Posted by simonstl at 12:46 PM

March 13, 2005

Transportation spending

I've seen lots of news trumpeting Congressman Boehlert's transportation funding through upcoming legislation for other parts of his district, but can't seem to find anything about Tompkins County or Dryden. The main press release on Boehlert's site provides few details, so I've written the Congressman to ask what's happening here. He hasn't answered my February or November letters, but this...

Posted by simonstl at 12:04 PM

March 11, 2005

Etna man in high-speed chase

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports that an Etna man faces 25 charges after a high-speed chase through Collegetown and along Route 366 Saturday night. Timothy Troy allegedly hit multiple vehicles, including a head-on collision, and was arrested the next day after officers traced his license plate. A college student from Dryden is in Antarctica for a month on an "expedition...

Posted by simonstl at 08:41 AM

March 05, 2005

Absentee ballots for Village of Dryden elections

This morning's Ithaca Journal is pretty quiet about Dryden-specific news, but absentee ballots for village elections are now available from the Tompkins County Board of Elections. Requests for mailed applications must be received by March 8th, though applications may be picked up in person until March 14th. The election is March 15th. There's an extended article on Ithaca schools redistricting,...

Posted by simonstl at 08:18 AM

March 01, 2005

Congressman Boehlert pushing for $7.15 minimum wage

Dryden's Congressional Representative, Sherwood Boehlert, tells the Auburn Citizen that he'll be pushing for a national $7.15 hourly minimum wage, following New York State's recent increase. Boehlert says he is doing this: ...to prevent New York from losing businesses after joining a handful of states with an increased minimum wage. Boehlert also said his legislation - which is still being...

Posted by simonstl at 12:14 PM

February 26, 2005

Dryden man helps free kidnapped Egyptians

Sergeant Matthew Cornell, who graduated from Dryden High School in 2002, helped rescue two Eqyptian technicians from kidnappers in Iraq on February 7th. Two of the three men who fled the vehicle were captured. The Journal has a long piece on increasing assessments, including a tour of county legislators' homes and their assessments. Dryden Legislator Mike Lane's proposal for shifting...

Posted by simonstl at 07:56 AM

February 15, 2005

Ithaca schools redistricting

Today's Ithaca Journal is the quietest for Dryden news I've seen in a while. About all there is is mention of a hearing on Ithaca School District elementary redistricting tonight from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the district's administration building (map). The currently active plan for redistricting may affect a a few residents on the western edge of Dryden. Dryden's representative...

Posted by simonstl at 08:08 AM

February 11, 2005

Town Board meeting, Freeville perspectives

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports on last night's Town Board meeting. They lead with the question of the purchase of land for the new Town Hall, writing that: In an unexpected move, the Dryden Town Board went into executive session at the end of its meeting Thursday night without taking action on the proposed purchase of land for a new...

Posted by simonstl at 08:59 AM

Town Board meeting, Freeville perspectives

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports on last night's Town Board meeting. They lead with the question of the purchase of land for the new Town Hall, writing that: In an unexpected move, the Dryden Town Board went into executive session at the end of its meeting Thursday night without taking action on the proposed purchase of land for a new...

Posted by simonstl at 08:59 AM

February 04, 2005

Sherwood Boehlert backtracks yet again on Social Security

Congressman Boehlert's position on Social Security seems to have evolved yet again, as he's written Josh Marshall to protest that his cheerleading of the President's Social Security proposals in the State of the Union address doesn't mean that he actually supports the President's plan: Enjoyed your clever and off-times amusing comments. But shame on you for taking anyone to task...

Posted by simonstl at 01:29 PM

February 03, 2005

Boehlert cheers President on Social Security

Posted by simonstl at 03:26 PM

Final suspect convicted of kidnapping

This morning's Journal reports that Mao-Sheng Lin was convicted of kidnapping in a robbery of the Song Tao restaurant in November 2003. Lin had disappeared after posting $200,000 in bail and was returned from Texas in November 2004. Two other suspects pleaded guilty earlier. An article on students raising money for tsunami aid includes a list of student projects at...

Posted by simonstl at 08:18 AM

February 02, 2005

Boehlert backpedals on Social Security

Tracking Representative Sherwood Boehlert's positions is getting more interesting, but fortunately Josh Marshall is helping keep track. Last week he was talking about the importance of moderate Republicans while facing a new challenger, and a couple of weeks ago he was pretty unequivocal about his doubts about the President's Social Security proposals: I am very, very skeptical of the so-called...

Posted by simonstl at 01:38 PM

January 29, 2005

Boehlert on Main Street Partnership

I just noted that Brad Jones, a more conservative Republican, is preparing to challenge Congressman Sherwood Boehlert. Boehlert has long had conservative challengers in Republican primaries, and his recent stand on Social Security probably encourages them. NYCO mentions a piece on moderate New York Republicans, and links to another WAMC story that includes comments from Congressman Boehlert on the Republican...

Posted by simonstl at 10:52 AM

January 27, 2005

Dryden opinions

Two Dryden residents write to express their opinions in today's Ithaca Journal. Peter Davies writes a guest column encouraging the Ithaca City School District to support rowing as a sport. Maureen Brull writes expressing her concern about Americans' "arrogant use of money". There's another announcement for the Second Annual Breast Cancer Ride for Research, an all-girls snowmobile ride which the...

Posted by simonstl at 08:28 AM

January 22, 2005

Congressman Boehlert opposes Social Security privatization

Josh Marshall at Talking Points Memo reports that Dryden's Congressman, Sherwood Boehlert, isn't thrilled about the current discussion of Social Security in an radio interview with WAMC Albany: Among other things, said Boehlert: "I've never been a gambler ... I don't want to gamble with Social Security trust fund moneys. And so I am very, very skeptical of the so-called...

Posted by simonstl at 07:43 AM

January 21, 2005

Letters from Dryden

Most of the Dryden-specific activity in today's Ithaca Journal is on the opinion page, so I'll start there for the first time in a while. Henry Kramer of Dryden writes to argue that New York (population 19.2 million) follow Connecticut's (population 3.4 million) lead and abolish counties, suggesting that: "For municipalities, cooperative arrangements and use of consortia could be used...

Posted by simonstl at 07:39 AM

January 20, 2005

ICSD in TC IDA?

County Legislator Mike Lane is quoted in an article on the Ithaca City School District's interest in a seat on the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency board, noting that because the IDA grants tax abatements, "We are directly affected by the outcome of the decisions made by the IDA." Lane prefers that elected officials rather than representatives of particular groups...

Posted by simonstl at 12:34 PM

January 19, 2005

Coral reefs in Dryden; Foundation of Light

In this morning's Journal, Cathy Wakeman's Town Talk column visits a local business that grows coral, Reef Encounters. As Wakeman notes, their photo section is especially stunning, especially on a cold January day. Wakeman also mentions a a 4-H spaghetti dinner, which will be held Friday, January 21st from 4:30pm to 7:30pm at the Neptune Hose Company. (map) The Journal...

Posted by simonstl at 08:45 AM

December 30, 2004

TC3 professor and husband injured in tsunami

TC3 Communications and Media Arts professor Christine Xaver and her husband Scott Weatherby, also a TC3 employee, were both injured in Sunday's tsunami. The couple was vacationing in Thailand while their son attended boxing camp. The Journal also published an email from Xaver with pictures. An article on how to spend New Year's Eve mentions that: Tompkins County Country Dances...

Posted by simonstl at 09:56 AM

December 08, 2004

Victorian Festival; physical therapy; jail voted down

Cathy Wakeman's describes last Friday's Victorian Winter Festival and provides a list of holiday events yet to come in today's Ithaca Journal. There's also a profile of Freeville physical therapist Richard Weiner, looking at a class he taught in Ithaca on the Feldenkrais Method. The Ithaca City School District continues to discuss redistricting, though no plans have yet been drawn....

Posted by simonstl at 08:52 AM

December 02, 2004

Angry Oklahoman apologizes

There's hope for the transportation projects struck from Sherwood Boehlert's earmarks after all, as Representative Ernest Istook (D-OK) has written Boehlert and other congressmen to apologize. Istook removed funding for their projects because they had supported Amtrak funding. I still haven't heard back from Congressman Boehlert's office. I'm curious what he'll say in the end....

Posted by simonstl at 09:20 PM

December 01, 2004

Democrats and Reform

I've written a piece on why I think the Democratic Party should take reform as a core issue, including the need to reform places where we have control. The article isn't specific to Dryden, so I've posted it on my personal site, but it definitely informs the writing I'm doing here....

Posted by simonstl at 07:47 PM

November 29, 2004

FEMA restores funding

The Ithaca Journal reports this morning (as I reported Thursday) that FEMA has decided to restore the $170,000 in funding they had removed because they claimed the project had changed since it was authorized. The McLean Fire Department has purchased ten new self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA) using a federal grant. (You can also see Congressman Boehlert's press release on the...

Posted by simonstl at 08:55 AM

November 26, 2004

Varna cleanup in progress

After an article earlier this week that mentioned the uncertain status of a gas spill at Varna Auto Works, the Journal has an update that talks with the owners about the status of the cleanup. Varna Auto is investing over $50,000 to clean up gasoline spills created by "unused tanks previous owners had left in the ground." On the opinion...

Posted by simonstl at 08:28 AM

November 24, 2004

Boehlert transportation funding stripped by angry Oklahoman

I'll have to do some research on what exactly was cut, but it looks like Representative Ernest Istook (R-OK) took revenge on Congressman Sherwood Boehlert and a number of his colleagues for writing him a letter in support of Amtrak funding: Istook, chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury and Independent Agencies, drastically reduced, or entirely excised, the transportation earmarks...

Posted by simonstl at 09:35 AM

November 18, 2004

Sherwood Boehlert and Tom DeLay

An interesting tidbit about Dryden's recently re-elected congressman just came across my radar. Blogger Joshua Micah Marshall has been encouraging readers to contact their Republican congressmen about how they voted on modifying their rule that House leaders can't serve when under indictment, a move plainly mean to keep Rep. Tom DeLay (D-TX) as majority leader from losing his job if...

Posted by simonstl at 03:27 PM

November 17, 2004

McLean activity

Today's Ithaca Journal has lots of news about McLean, a hamlet that crosses the Groton/Dryden town line. McLean residents are working on new activities for youth, preferably run by teens themselves. There's also an article on Turtle Dreams, a bed and breakfast that's working on creating Turtle Village, which will do agritourism. Briefly in Dryden lists a Women's Business Showcase...

Posted by simonstl at 09:13 AM

November 13, 2004

Railroading on the Auburn Division

Today's Ithaca Journal includes an article by John Marcham on the history of the Lehigh Valley's Auburn Division, giving a brief overview of many lines, including the ones that crisscrossed Dryden. The History Center of Tompkins County has just published a book on the subject, with lots of pictures. There's an article on the county budget, which will likely be...

Posted by simonstl at 08:21 AM

November 11, 2004

Democrats gather at Town Hall

Democrats and sympathetic independents met last night at the Dryden Town Hall to discuss the 2004 election, looking over how well we'd done locally while contemplating the growing divide among Americans and talking about how to communicate with people on the other side of that divide. Democrats and independents listen while County Legislator Martha Robertson talks about small-group conclusions. I...

Posted by simonstl at 10:24 AM

November 09, 2004

Dryden school audit clean

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports that Dryden Central School District got good marks in an audit, and that the board is looking at academic intervention support and energy management. The Journal also takes a look at TC3's alcohol awareness programs as part of a look at local colleges' efforts to fight binge drinking. The Tompkins County Legislature will be having...

Posted by simonstl at 08:25 AM

November 08, 2004

Dryden Democratic gathering Wednesday night

The Dryden Democrats will be hosting a gathering this Wednesday night, November 10th, at 7:30pm at the Dryden Town Hall, 65 East Main Street, Dryden (map). Democrats and independents are welcome. We'll be taking a look at what worked for Democrats locally and what we can do to build on that, as well as considering the national situation....

Posted by simonstl at 12:21 PM

November 06, 2004

Kitchen cupboard, laurel, election

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports on Tompkins County Kitchen Cupboard programs, including one in Dryden, looking at where they get their food and funding and the services they provide. On the opinion page, there's a Laurel from Laurie Schutt of Ithaca that thanks "local supporters for her efforts in the Susan G. Komen Foundation three-day breast cancer walk," including Dryden...

Posted by simonstl at 08:33 AM

November 04, 2004

Apprenticeships, Veteran's Day

Yesterday was a fairly quiet day in Dryden. The county legislature approved requiring apprenticeship programs of its contractors by a 9-5 vote. County Legislator Michael Lane is quoted at the end of the article supporting the measure, though they don't give a vote listing. On Veterans Day, November 11th at 11:00 am, there will be a number of ceremonies honoring...

Posted by simonstl at 08:50 AM

November 03, 2004

Elections, budget

Much of the Journal's coverage today is about yesterday's elections. They lead their local coverage with a piece on the defeat of the OTB referendum, which quotes Bruce Drowne of Dryden as supporting the measure. There's also an article on Sherwood Boehlert's re-election to Congress. The print edition includes results for Tompkins County, though you can find those (and more...

Posted by simonstl at 08:22 AM

73% turnout in Dryden

73% of registered voters turned out across Dryden yesterday, with 10 of 11 polls reporting 69% or greater turnout. In Dryden, John Kerry won 3398-2597, while congressional challenger Jeff Miller defeated incumbent Sherwood Boehlert 2556-2444. Neither of those results seem to have held up for the rest of the country or the congressional district, unfortunately. Town Justice Joseph Valentinelli won...

Posted by simonstl at 07:43 AM

November 02, 2004

Voting in progress

I just went to vote at the Varna Community Center, with lots of other people. They had the usual lovely display with a model voting machine, sample ballot, and instructions. Sample ballot, instructions, and model voting machine. It was pretty busy already - I was about voter 115 so far for the day. People were lining up to sign in...

Posted by simonstl at 08:47 AM

Election news, bookkeeper sentencing

There's lots of news about today's election in the Journal, including general instructions for voting and a list of election-day dinners including the one at the Dryden United Methodist Church. The Journal takes a look at how Tompkins County residents have participated with their pocketbooks, as the direction of New York's electoral votes are pretty well decided. The article quotes...

Posted by simonstl at 07:20 AM

Where do I vote in the Town of Dryden?

From the Board of Elections listing, polling places for each of the districts are: Etna Fire Station - 26 Wood Road, Etna (map). Freeville Fire Station - 21 Union Street, Freeville (map). Dryden Fire Station - 26 North Street, Dryden (map). Varna Community Center - 943 Dryden Road, Varna (map). Etna Fire Station - 26 Wood Road, Etna (map). Dryden...

Posted by simonstl at 05:30 AM

October 31, 2004

Decorating funds, wonderful schools, letters

This weeks' Dryden Courier takes a look at the Dryden Decorating Committee's efforts to raise funds, as they look for an additional $4,000 for wreaths to decorate village lightposts. The Village Board turned them down this time. There's also an article on psychologist Ellen deLara, who concluded after a four-month study that Dryden High School is largely a safe place,...

Posted by simonstl at 02:47 PM

October 30, 2004

Dryden firefighters to receive awards today

At halftime during today's Cornell-Princeton football game, a number of fire fighters from the Town of Dryden and Bangs Ambulance will be receiving awards: Captain Ken Vorstadt of Neptune Hose Company will be receiving the Firefighter of the Year award. Jennifer Wildridge of Neptune Hose Company will be receiving the Volunteer of the Year award. Chief Roy Rizzo of the...

Posted by simonstl at 07:53 AM

October 29, 2004

Heating aid, county budget, opinions

There's not much Dryden news in today's Journal, but there's a fair amount that applies to Dryden in some way. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is starting up again for the winter, and the Tompkins County Office for the Aging is taking applications from those over 60 or on SSI or SSD. The Journal reports that the Tompkins County...

Posted by simonstl at 08:58 AM

October 27, 2004

Signs of the (political) times

Dryden is pretty well covered by signs about the presidential race, as well as signs for Congressional candidates Boehlert and Miller, plus the occasional Barbara Lifton sign. (I don't think I've seen signs for Jim Seward, but I'm not certain.) These are a few of the more striking political signs I've found driving around Dryden the last few weeks, often...

Posted by simonstl at 05:43 PM

October 23, 2004

Stone Circle School, letters

Today's Ithaca Journal is pretty quiet about Dryden. It notes today's Stone Circle School open-house from 1:00 to 3:00pm today (map), and there's a dart from Murray Cohen, who writes "The world might be better off without Saddam but it is a whole lot worse off with the terrorists his removal has spawned." On the letters page, there's mention of...

Posted by simonstl at 11:52 AM

October 20, 2004

New Dryden Intermediate principal, gift box drive

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports on Sandra Sherwood, the new Dryden Intermediate School principal, who came to Dryden from Marathon this September. In the Our Towns section, there's a report (with complete directions for how to participate) on the "Home of the Brave" gift box drive at Dryden Veterans Memorial Home. Donors should bring items, possibly in shoe boxes, with...

Posted by simonstl at 08:39 AM

October 19, 2004

Sample ballot, and other politics

Today's Ithaca Journal notes that sample ballots are available from the Tompkins County Board of Elections. The Dryden ballot can be viewed online here (46KB PDF). There's an article on a variety of web sites pushing reform of New York State government, though my favorite isn't mentioned: NYCO's Blog, which regularly links these and articles from across the state. (She...

Posted by simonstl at 08:32 AM

October 17, 2004

Congressional candidate Jeff Miller visits

Congressional candidate Jeff Miller came to Ithaca yesterday and spoke to a group of us from the 24th Congressional District. (At one point we'd considered having the event in Dryden, as he was going from an event in Cortland to one in Owego, but since the district goes across the lake to Trumansburg and Geneva, Ithaca made sense as a...

Posted by simonstl at 02:39 PM

October 15, 2004

Dryden budget; Miller visit tomorrow

Ithaca Journal reporter Jennie Daley provides details on a subject that wasn't addressed directly at last night's meeting: the budget, and a likely 7% tax levy increase. Highway equipment, recreation, and a decline in state and federal aid are all cited as factors. There will be a budget meeting Monday, October 25th, at 5:00pm at the Neptune Hose Company (map)...

Posted by simonstl at 08:39 AM

October 14, 2004

Political days

As we get closer to the election, more and more of the news is political. The Journal today mentions Congressional candidate Jeff Miller's stop in Ithaca this coming Saturday, October 16th, at 2:00pm in the Mural Lounge in the Clinton House (map). I've also posted a flyer for the event (272K PDF) if you'd like more information. Miller will also...

Posted by simonstl at 08:35 AM

October 12, 2004

Congressional candidate Miller coming Saturday

Congressional candidate Jeff Miller will be in Ithaca on Saturday, October 16th from 2:00 to 4:00pm, at the Mural Lounge in the Clinton House (map). The session will be a chance to hear from the candidate and talk with him about concerns for the district and the country. (Miller is a Democrat running for the 24th Congressional District seat currently...

Posted by simonstl at 12:57 PM

October 09, 2004

Last-chance voter registration

There will be a last-chance voter registration session today from 2-9pm at the Dryden Town Hall (map) and at other town and city halls in the county. (Yes, I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but this is the last day I can post this.)...

Posted by simonstl at 10:27 AM

October 08, 2004

Registration, TC3 scholarships, letters

The Ithaca Journal seems to have found yesterday a quiet day for Dryden. I didn't see anyone from the papers at last night's Town Hall with Senator Seward. WHCU was there interviewing him, but I don't see a piece on their site. They repeat the piece from yesterday on voter registration and absentee ballots. It's important enough that I'll rerun...

Posted by simonstl at 08:34 AM

October 04, 2004

Selling anti-depressants in school

This morning's Ithaca Journal is pretty quiet about Dryden, with the first mention of Dryden in the Monitor. A 15-year-old girl at Dryden High School was selling prescription drugs to other students, and she and a 14-year-old customer were arrested over the sale of sample packets of Lexapro, an anti-depressant. There was also a theft reported on Midline Road. On...

Posted by simonstl at 08:23 AM

October 01, 2004

Keeping farms alive; McLean crossing guard

Today's Ithaca Journal explores the many issues around land-use planning and agriculture in Dryden. The article looks at farmers' concerns about disappearing ag land, their financial needs, and different possible ways of addressing the issue. There's also an article on 14-year crossing guard Margie Albern, who helps kids cross the street safely at Cassavant Elementary School in McLean. Elia Kacapyr...

Posted by simonstl at 05:37 PM

September 30, 2004

Varna BBQ Saturday, Dryden opinions

Dryden news today is light, peaking with an announcement that the Varna Community Association will be selling chicken halves for $4 each on Saturday, starting at noon at the Varna Community Center (map). In county news, legislators voted themselves a $500 pay raise for 2005. County Legislator Mike Lane sponsored the measure, and fellow Dryden legislators Martha Robertson and George...

Posted by simonstl at 10:46 AM

September 29, 2004

Eagle Scout project success; county budget hike

In today's Dryden Town Talk, Cathy Wakeman reports that Adam Pamel's Eagle Scout project, raising money for school supplies for 33 children, was a success. Pamel set up collection boxes, held a car wash, and was noticed by Cayuga's Helping Hands and Cargill, which both made donations. The children each got a backpack as well as supplies. Wakeman also notes...

Posted by simonstl at 08:53 AM

September 28, 2004

Boehlert bypass successful

Posted by simonstl at 10:29 AM

Meet Dryden Superintendent Mark Crawford tonight

This morning's Journal looks at last night's Dryden School Board meeting. The Board appointed Amanda Kittelberger to the seat Tricia Edgecomb resigned, and worked on annual goals, the strategic planning committee, and the public relations committee. Following state mandates, they increased the number of credits required for graduation has increased from 20.5 to 22. There will be a reception for...

Posted by simonstl at 08:27 AM

September 27, 2004

Vietnam politics

It's another quiet day for Dryden news. The only Dryden-specific item in today's Ithaca Journal is a letter from Dryden resident Steve Scott defending President Bush on both his recent statements about John Kerry's service in Vietnam and Bush's service in the National Guard. Next door in Caroline, the town is raising money to pay for its use of wind-generated...

Posted by simonstl at 08:27 AM

September 14, 2004

Republican primary today

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports on today's Congressional primary between Sherwood Boehlert and David Walrath. Polls are open today from noon to 9pm. You must be a registered Republican to participate in the primary. On the opinion page, Lily Parsons of Dryden writes about the impact of the state's closing psychiatric facilities, arguing that: It doesn't take a fortune teller...

Posted by simonstl at 09:24 AM

September 09, 2004

Weather, Reagan

It's a quiet day for Dryden news in Thursday's Journal. Hurricane Frances' remnants are soaking the area, though not producing flooding. There's an article on Ithaca High School's rules for parents opting out of information sharing with military recruiters, which also mentions policies at surrounding districts, but not Dryden. On the opinion page, Steve Scott of Dryden defends Reagan's economic...

Posted by simonstl at 08:49 AM

September 06, 2004

Primary, Lifton

It's a quiet holiday for Dryden news. There is an announcement for next Tuesday's Republican primary, where Congressional incumbent Sherwood Boehlert and challenger David Walrath will face off. On the opinion page, Fred Quinlan of Freeville writes of Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton that "I really had to chuckle at her comment about not sponsoring a certain bill. She said it would...

Posted by simonstl at 08:33 AM

September 04, 2004

Schools watch roofs; county transportation

Dryden appears briefly in this morning's Journal, mentioned once in an article about schools inspecting their roofs after a collapse in Washingtonville, and once in an article on the start of football season. The county is working on a long-range transportation plan. There will be a public meeting on the plan from 6:30pm to 8:30pm on Thursday at the Tompkins...

Posted by simonstl at 10:11 AM

September 02, 2004

Candlelight vigil for Kerry

The Tompkins County Democratic Committee and the Cornell Democrats held a candlelight truth vigil on the Ithaca Commons tonight. We lit candles, marched briefly around the Commons, and heard about the Democratic Headquarters that's now open. In a ferocious political year, it was a nice way to spend an evening. Dryden residents Nancy Suci, Kathy Zahler, and Olivia Lutwak at...

Posted by simonstl at 09:32 PM

August 31, 2004

Rain damage, forum tonight

Yesterday's heavy rains are a big story in the Ithaca Journal today, with a piece on a rollover on Hanshaw Road caused by flooding, an article on flooding in Groton and throughout the county, and an article that looks at the rain's impact across the state. The Tompkins County Legislature will be holding a public forum tonight at 7pm to...

Posted by simonstl at 08:10 AM

August 30, 2004

Dryden Veterans Memorial Home robbed

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports that the Dryden Veterans Memorial Home was robbed last weekend. Thieves broke into a video lottery machine and an empty safe, and cut phone lines. Farm disaster aid is available for farmers whose crops were damaged by high winds and rain last month. Applications are available at the Farm Service Agency offices in Tompkins and...

Posted by simonstl at 08:37 AM

August 24, 2004

Crawford starts well; Gingrich to speak for Boehlert

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports that new Dryden superintendent Mark Crawford "has made a positive impression in a short time." Crawford made progress quickly in reaching a contract agreement with the Dryden Faculty Association that will be voted on September 2nd, and has a strong emphasis on keeping morale up. In the Republican Congressional Primary, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich...

Posted by simonstl at 08:09 AM

August 23, 2004

Walrath fails to find cash

It seems to have been a quiet weekend in Dryden from the Ithaca Journal's perspective, but there's a piece looking at the primary in the 24th Congressional District, where the Club For Growth, which supported him verbally, hasn't come through with cash, citing "limited resources." There's also a thank-you to science groups in Varna, Freeville, and Dryden. On the editorial...

Posted by simonstl at 08:16 AM

August 21, 2004

Pataki vetoes TC3 expansion funding

Governor Pataki's budget vetoes struck TC3 and Cornell yesterday, as the governor vetoed all capital funds for higher education, including $10.6 million for TC3's expansion and $12 million for Cornell renovations. A legislative override seem uncertain, though there's definitely some anger in Albany. I suspect the Senate will wait until after the Republican National Convention to do anything in any...

Posted by simonstl at 08:14 AM

August 13, 2004

Town board meeting, deficits

This morning's Ithaca Journal covers last night's town board meeting, focusing on the well contamination issues. The story also notes one part of the Highway Superintendent's report I'd forgotten: someone is stealing road signs in the northeast corner of the town, causing motorists confusion and costing the highway department money for replacements. There's also a letter to the editor from...

Posted by simonstl at 12:19 PM

August 12, 2004

Accused restaurant robber skips bail

This week's Dryden Courier has a lot of detail on Mao Shen Lin, who failed to show up to his trial for kidnapping and attempted grand larceny last week after posting $200,000 bail. Mao Shen Lin was arrested in connection with an attempted robbery at the Song Tao restaurant in the Village of Dryden last November. In brighter news, the...

Posted by simonstl at 12:53 PM

August 11, 2004

School numbers arrive, jail numbers don't

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports that the New York State Legislature has finally passed an education bill, so schools will know their aid levels before they send out tax bills. Dryden will be getting $12.85 million this coming year as opposed to $12.22 million last year, and Ithaca will be getting $19.71 million as opposed to $18.48 million last year....

Posted by simonstl at 08:47 AM

August 05, 2004

Congressman Boehlert in Freeville

Congressman Sherwood Boehlert held a forum at Freeville's W. B. Strong Fire Company yesterday, addressing a program, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, which is set to expire at the end of this year. Boehlert is working on its renewal, and firefighters also sounded interested in some changes to encourage more training on the equipment it provides. Elsewhere in the...

Posted by simonstl at 09:24 AM

August 04, 2004

Political categories

The "politics" category had accumulated enough stories that it was getting hard to see from the archives quite what was going on here. I've now split it into three categories. There's now a politics (local) category that focuses on town, village, and county politics. There's a politics (state) category that focuses on New York State politics. Finally, there's a politics...

Posted by simonstl at 12:22 PM

Organic farm research in Freeville

This morning's Ithaca Journal visits the open house at Cornell's Freeville Organic Research Farm, looking at the experiments underway and visitor reactions. Also in Freeville, Congressman Sherwood Boehlert will be hosting a forum on homeland security and first responders at the Freeville Fire Department (map) from 7 to 8pm tonight. In Dryden Town Talk, Cathy Wakeman discusses last week's 4-H...

Posted by simonstl at 06:55 AM

July 31, 2004

Generator poisons contractors; opinions

Emergency crews responded to a carbon-monoxide poisoning incident in Dryden yesterday after two men were overcome by fumes in a basement where they had set up a generator. On the opinion page, John and Marlene Nardi of Freeville send a Laurel to Danby American Legion Post 221 and everyone involved in a July 24th benefit. Dorothy Manley worries that opponents...

Posted by simonstl at 10:21 AM

July 30, 2004

4-H fair; assault at George Jr.

Today's Ithaca Journal has pictures of the 4-H Fair in progress on Lower Creek Road. The Monitor includes news of an assault on a George Jr. Republic employee as well as a DWI. There's also a notice of a poker run Saturday benefitting Tanner Solveson. Irene Scott of Dryden writes to complain that the Journal's coverage of the Democratic Convention's...

Posted by simonstl at 11:59 AM

July 24, 2004

Democrats party for Kerry

County Legislator Martha Robertson held a "Party for Kerry" at her home Friday, raising money for the Kerry campagin in the last few days before the convention and the end of fundraising. (Once Kerry accepts public funding, the fundraising and spending based on that fundraising comes to an end.) Democrats get together Robertson and State Democratic Committee representative Peter Stein...

Posted by simonstl at 12:04 AM

July 22, 2004

Jail questions, sign-stealing

After yesterday's burst of stories, today's a quiet day for Dryden in the Ithaca Journal. County Legislator Martha Robertson is quoted in a story on whether boarding in prisoners could help finance a larger jail, discussing the risks of the idea: "If the only jail the commission will approve is 136 beds, and I think it is clear that is...

Posted by simonstl at 08:03 AM

July 19, 2004

Fishing, opinions

This morning's Ithaca Journal has a picture of nine-year-old Brandon Elia fishing at Dryden Lake as part of the Wal-Mart Kids All American Fishing Derby that was held Saturday. The State Police seem to have been busy along Dryden's borders, making DWI arrests on 34B and 13. The opinion page carries two letters that are very similar to letters published...

Posted by simonstl at 08:02 AM

July 16, 2004

Congressional race shaping up

This morning's Ithaca Journal has two articles on the race for Congress in the 24th District. Democrat Brian Goodell of Lansing has left the race and endorsed Jeff Miller of New Hartford. Meanwhile, Republican incumbent Sherwood Boehlert has raised a million dollars as he battles David Walrath, who has filed to run against him in the primary and on the...

Posted by simonstl at 08:34 AM

July 15, 2004

Flags not included

It's a big year for politics, and signs have been in yards for months. I have a stack of Kerry signs in my basement, but there are other choices as well. Here's a roundup of where to get signs related to the 2004 presidential race. (As New York seems a very safely Democratic state this year, the national campaigns are...

Posted by simonstl at 05:21 PM

July 14, 2004

Farm walk, abuse charges, more

If you read this in the next hour, you have time to get to a dairy walk at 9am this morning exploring how Lewie and Steve Stuttle "have successfully combined pasturing with high milk production on their farm in Dryden." In the same set of briefs, the Ithaca Journal reports that the Conservation Board is looking for a new member....

Posted by simonstl at 08:02 AM

July 13, 2004

Half-timbered house, Fahrenheit 9/11

This morning's Ithaca Journal brings a story of a house on German Cross Road being built of timber, clay, and straw. The foot-thick walls are as insulated as walls using typical 6-inch fiberglass batts. The materials are all local, and the design is old, as "half-timbered houses from the 12th century still exist in Europe." They'll be having another work...

Posted by simonstl at 08:17 AM

July 12, 2004

County patrols, OTB, jail, sign thefts

There's very little in today's Ithaca Journal specific to Dryden, but county issues come up. The Journal reports that State Police told the County Legislature Friday that they couldn't easily take over road patrol duties from the Sheriff's Department. Troopers are already spread thin by anti-terrorism and security duties, and don't have resources to take over those duties. County Legislator...

Posted by simonstl at 08:29 AM

July 11, 2004

Updates in The Shopper

I've been a bit more lax about covering The Shopper, but there's been less in it lately that I haven't covered elsewhere. I do scour it every week, though. This week's Shopper contains, among many other things: An ad for the new Place Names of Tompkins County, published by the Office of the Tompkins County Historian and available at Wildflowers,...

Posted by simonstl at 09:26 AM

July 10, 2004

Volunteer fire companies, jail, laurels

Today's Ithaca Journal has a strong focus on volunteer firefighting, with a piece on families volunteering and the difficulties of recruiting volunteers, the latter of which quotes Dryden Chief Ron Flynn about the sign in front of the Neptune station. Neptune Hose Company needs volunteers There's also a piece on options for the Tompkins County Jail that quotes County Legislator...

Posted by simonstl at 10:32 AM

July 08, 2004

Intergenerational Band, Fish tales

This week's Dryden Courier takes a look at the Dryden Intergenerational Summer Band and Chorus, which formed to help Dryden celebrate its 1997 bicentennial but "discovered they were having too much fun to disband". They'll be performing August 14th at 7pm at Groton High School and August 15th at 3pm at Dryden High School. They also take a look the...

Posted by simonstl at 12:38 PM

June 28, 2004

Dryden Democrats selling Kerry signs

The Dryden Democratic Committee has Kerry signs, complete with wire frames, available now. The committee is requesting a $5.00 contribution. The signs come from KerryGear.com, and we've added a wire stand. Kerry signs in front of my house on Route 366. If you're interested in buying a sign, please give me a call at 256-5334 or use the comment form...

Posted by simonstl at 08:36 AM

June 26, 2004

Hanshaw Road accident, Freeville barbecue

This morning's Ithaca Journal reports a rollover on Hanshaw Road north of Neimi Road that injured two women while two children avoided injury. There is also a chicken barbecue today at the Freeville United Methodist Church (map). Police arrested a Dryden man for DWI on the overlap of Routes 13 and 366 Wednesday night, also arresting him for doing 63...

Posted by simonstl at 08:58 AM

June 15, 2004

Preschool, Reagan, specialized degrees

Today's Ithaca Journal mentions Dryden in two stories, while the editorial focuses on TC3. In an article on New York State's efforts to back preschools, Dryden Superintendent Patricia Archambault discusses space problems and the instability of state funding as reasons Dryden doesn't have a pre-kindergarten program. Steve Scott of Dryden ranks Reagan in the "top 10 of all time" among...

Posted by simonstl at 08:23 AM

June 08, 2004

Republican (non)endorsements, family reunion fundraiser

Today's Ithaca Journal is fairly quiet on Dryden news, after a busy run for the last few weeks. The Tompkins County Republican Committee met to endorse candidates on Saturday, and "honored its tradition of not making an endorsement when there is a contested primary" by making no endorsement in the race between incumbent Congressman Sherwood Boehlert and challenger David Walrath....

Posted by simonstl at 07:58 AM

May 20, 2004

Fire on Hanshaw Road; religion and public service

Last night at 7:20pm, firefighters responded to a call of a burning mobile home, which they were not able to save. Medical oxygen tanks createdan additional hazard. Earlier in the day, the county had a major malfunction in its microwave emergency communications system, though no "major emergencies" happened while it was down. Today's Ithaca Journal also has a guest column...

Posted by simonstl at 07:54 AM

May 04, 2004

Draft, abuse prevention, schools

The only Dryden-specific item in today's Ithaca Journal is a letter to the editor about the prospect of a draft from Ellen Schmidt of the Town of Dryden. In broader county news, the Journal covers a presentation by Meredith Wiley, the state director of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, in which she urged to county to focus more resources on...

Posted by simonstl at 08:32 AM

April 22, 2004

Walrath announces run against Boehlert

It looks like there will be a Republican primary in the 24th Congressional District, which includes Dryden. The Auburn Citizen reports that Dr. David Walrath announced Tuesday that he will run for the Republican nomination, claiming that "my candidacy represents the Republican wing of the Republican party, whereas my opponent represents the John Kerry wing of the Republican party." The...

Posted by simonstl at 08:58 AM

March 26, 2004

Two Charlie Harts

Today's Ithaca Journal has a letter from Nancy Hart of the Town of Dryden, noting that there are two Charlie Harts in the town. Her husband, the Charlie Hart on Lee Road, is not the same person as the Charlie Hart who's been writing letters (for instance, this and this) to the Journal: While my husband has very high standards...

Posted by simonstl at 07:58 AM

March 23, 2004

Republican congressional primary?

The Auburn Citizen reports that Dr. David Walrath may be running against Congressman Sherwood Boehlert again. Walrath, who nearly defeated Boehlert in the 2002 primary, is well to the right of Boehlert. It looks like there will also be a Democratic primary in this district, between Jeff Miller of New Hartford and Brian Goodell of Lansing....

Posted by simonstl at 02:32 PM

Local giving to presidential candidates

Thanks to Fundrace, a site keeping track of election donation records, you can explore political donations by what location they came from. It's a little limited, in that it chops up information by zip codes, and the Town of Dryden contains both 130-- and 148-- zip codes, but you can get a picture by looking at donations by distance from...

Posted by simonstl at 08:50 AM

Marriage, jails, economy

Today's Ithaca Journal, like yesterday's, is very quiet on Dryden, though it covers some county and state issues that have an effect. Today's paper includes: a letter from Pat Ober of Dryden opposing gay marriage, discussion of the county jail situation, Senator Schumer on Tompkins County's prospects and the possibility of the federal government limiting the local share of Medicaid,...

Posted by simonstl at 06:20 AM

March 20, 2004

Looking back at a year of war

Today's Ithaca Journal looks back over the year of war in Iraq, featuring two stories with a Dryden perspective. The easier of the two to read, "Bush's Iraq policy finds support in Tompkins County", includes comments from Dryden resident Richard Jorgenson and Freeville resident Charlie Hart, both supporting the war. The more difficult article - actually one of the most...

Posted by simonstl at 09:35 AM

March 02, 2004

Democratic presidential primary today

Registered Democrats can vote today in the presidential primary. (Republicans don't have a primary this year, and only people registered as members of a party can vote in that party's primaries in New York State.) Polls are open from noon to 9pm today. For a map of election districts and polling stations, see the Town of Dryden Election Districts map...

Posted by simonstl at 08:43 AM

January 30, 2004

Candidates forum last night

A few hundred Democrats filled the Women's Community Building in Ithaca last night to hear local speakers present cases for presidential candidates. The Clark, Dean, Edwards, Kerry, Kucinich, and LaRouche campaigns all had speakers, and there were tables for most of the candidates as well. Crowd gathering for the Democratic Presidential Candidates Forum. A county legislator from Dryden, Martha Robertson...

Posted by simonstl at 08:40 AM

January 29, 2004

Forum on Democratic presidential candidates

The Tompkins County Democratic Committee is sponsoring a forum on presidential candidates tonight at 7:30 at the Women's Community Building auditorium, 100 West Seneca Street in Ithaca. No candidates will be there, but it's an opportunity for Democrats to talk about why they're supporting particular candidates and to ask questions. The New York primary is March 2nd. (This is as...

Posted by simonstl at 08:33 AM