December 19-25, 2016 Keeping You Connected TOMPKINS WEEKLY Locally Owned & Operated TompkinsWeekly.com Vol. 11, No. 43 No simple solution to find new legislator candidates O, CHRISTMAS TREE By E.C. Barrett Tompkins Weekly he recent 8-6 vote in favor of increasing Tompkins County legislator salaries, starting in 2018,T highlighted the question of accessibility and diversity in local government. Does the pay and schedule of a legislator exclude low income and working-class citizens from running for office? What impact does that have on Tompkins County governance? Among legislators, the answer is split. Democrat Martha Robertson (District 13) disagrees that diversity is a problem in the legislature. “The idea of a meaningful salary is that you’d have a diverse pool of candidates,” she said. “I think the legislature does reflect that. “The barriers to people running for this office have more to do with other issues, such as job insecurity – you might not have a job four years later,” Robertson added. “And not many people want to run against an incumbent, so maybe term limits would be a better way to encourage people to run.” Photo by Pete Angie / Tompkins Weekly When asked about diverse representation in the legislature, Sydney, Issac and Jeanne Malone show off the Christmas tree they cut down at Hunt’s Tree Farm in Trumansburg. Republican Mike Sigler (District 6) said diversity of backgrounds is less important than diversity of thought. “I don’t think people really want more diversity, they want people Local farms work year-round to make who think like them, they like the idea of people coming from different ways of life but if those people were certain holiday traditions can continue voting against what they wanted, they wouldn’t,” he said. “I think you have By Pete Angie Hot chocolate, chili and hot dogs await chilled Tompkins Weekly patrons in the barn at Hunt’s, where they can warm Continued on page 13 cold fingers and toes by a wood stove, and even say hi enturing out on a cold day in December to one to Santa Claus. Dick and Carla Hunt have owned and operated their tree farm for 21 years. It was started LSO IN THIS SSUE of the many local Christmas tree farms, a saw A I in hand, and finding the right tree to bring 25 years ago by Dick’s father, Lawrence Hunt, on Spotlight on ... Ithaca home is a tradition for many in Tompkins County. land originally owned by Lawrence’s father. Dick and V Carla, who are retired, care for 20,000 trees with the “It’s a great family experience,” said Jason Robins, Children’s Garden page 2 after picking out and cutting down a full, green tree help of two of their adult sons. with partner Jodi Bodine and their two children. “Trees don’t talk back to you,” said Dick Hunt of Property owner pride “We like to get out as a family,” said Bodine. “We one of his favorite parts about working a tree farm, honored in Ithaca page 3 love making it a whole day. We start out early, get adding, “It’s very enjoyable.” everything out and ready at home, then we go cut the The drought killed many of their trees this year, A Look Back At ... Getting tree and go back and decorate for the day.” but the farm is still doing all right, according to Hunt, Around in the County page 4 There are nine Christmas tree farms in Tompkins who declined to comment on how many trees they County, according to the National Christmas Tree sell in a year. Carla Hunt noted, while preparing Ithaca College introduces its Association, and more in surrounding counties. food in the crowded barn, that on a nice weekend in Robins and Bodine live only a couple miles down the December they will see hundreds of people come to new football coach page 5 road from Hunt’s Tree Farm in Trumansburg, and the farm each day. they enjoy shopping so locally for their tree, as well as “I never thought we’d get into the Christmas tree Democratic View: Getting the tractors that haul wagons of customers deep into business,” said Richard Moore, of Moore Tree Farm in involved in local politics page 8 the 40 acres of trees. Continued on page 12 Happy Holidays!See our ad on page 16 N EWS Spotlight on ... Ithaca Children’s Garden By Rob Montana This week we are highlighting Tompkins Weekly the Ithaca Children’s Garden, and asked Erin Marteal, executive on-profit organizations director for the non-profit, some are plentiful throughout questions about the organization. Tompkins County, and make a big impact in our communities. Tompkins Weekly: What is your N mission? Despite their contributions, area non- profits can sometimes go unnoticed Erin Marteal: To inspire, or unknown. In an effort to shine a promote, and sustain youth and spotlight on those who are making a community stewardship of the difference in our county, Tompkins natural environment through garden- Weekly will be showcasing these based learning and discovery, or, organizations on a regular basis. abbreviated, to inspire the next Photo provided by Ithaca Children’s Garden generation of environmental stewards. A group of students from the Genessee Community Charter School 6th grade Organization: Ithaca Children’s Garden class recently visited ICG for inspiration and ideas on designing, operating, and Founded: 1997 TW: How do you fulfill maintaining a nature-based adventure playground. They enjoyed exploring the Address: Cass Park Access Road, that mission? entire 3-acre garden, in spite of the cold, snowy weather, taking a moment to pose for a photo with Gaia the turtle. Ithaca, NY (Office address is 1001 W. EM: By providing an Seneca St., Suite 101, Ithaca) inviting, magical garden with youth of all ages, schools, and expert staff to facilitate teens and professionals to connect TW: What is something people do Phone: (607) 319-4203 meaningful experiences more children to the wonders of not know about your organization? Website: ithacachildrensgarden.org for children and families the natural world in meaningful, EM: ICG is home to one of only with nature. We work impactful ways. ICG’s innovative a half dozen adventure playgrounds environmental education takes place in the country, the Hands-on-Nature on our 3-acre garden campus as well Anarchy Zone, designed to foster Bing On The Holidays as out in schools and community child-directed free play. centers. ICG’s philosophy is Also, ICG’s oldest and longest- heavily informed by the fields of running program is Teen Urban TRUMANSBURG permaculture (people care, earth care Farmers, which employs 15-20 and fair share), playwork and positive teens each summer to work, learn youth development. and build marketable job skills in A central key to fulfilling our five arenas: Visitor services, garden LIQUOR mission is providing access and operations, entrepreneurship, food Serving the Community Since 1938 inclusion for all. ICG is here for the justice and community outreach. entire community, offering a literal TUF teens provide leadership for front (and back) yard for every family operating ICG’s Farm Stand which and child in our community. sells youth-grown vegetables, fruits, herbs, cut flowers, and a rotating TW: What are the biggest challenges refreshment Wednesdays through the your organization faces? summer. TUF also grows fresh herbs EM: Even though ICG serves for Moosewood Restaurant, and 8,500 through direct education next year TUF will offer a limited annually and 54,000-plus visitors number of Community-Supported pass through our gates each year, Agriculture shares for purchase. many community members are not acquainted with ICG. We are TW: How can people best support always exploring ways of getting the your mission? word out so more children, families, EM: There are a number of ways Open and community members can get people can support our mission. Monday-ursday 9:30 am - 9 pm connected to ICG as a resource. 1) Invite a friend or neighbor Friday-Saturday 9:30 am - 10 pm On a broader scale, one of our to join you on your next visit to the largest challenges is empowering Garden, all through the year and Sunday Noon- 8 pm youth and their adults to get share your visit on social media and outdoors in an increasingly indoor tag Ithaca Children’s Garden. 607-387-7151 culture. It’s really difficult to inspire 2) Make a gift of time or talent. environmental stewardship when Volunteers of all stripes and interests 55 East Main St., Rt. 96, Trumansburg children are not spending any time outside. Continued on page 11 JOIN OUR TEAM! The William George AGency is one of the larger providers of services for youth and young adults in Upstate New York, and one of the oldest nationwide. We actively seek diverse members who are committed to fulfilling our Agency’s Mission, Vision and Values. We offer competitive salaries, a comprehensive benefits package, a diverse work environment, opportunities for career advancement and personal growth. Open positions are available on our website at http://wgaforchildren.org/career-opportunities/ 2 TOMPKINS WEEKLY December 19-25, 2016 N EWS History of Tompkins County Property owner pride honored in Ithaca By Eric Banford Tompkins Weekly ITHACA – A group of local property owners were recently honored for the work they’ve done to maintain, beautify and restore their buildings. The 19th annual Pride of Ownership Awards were presented to seven projects along a wide spectrum of property types. The awards – given by the Ithaca Rotary Club and City of Ithaca – recognize properties within the city that have been developed in a way that enhances the physical appearance the neighborhood or commercial area in which they are located.