Briefs: Dems hold rally, Kids Discover the Trail!, more

County, state Democrats hold campaign rally downtown

Candidates Josh Riley (right), running in the 19th U.S. Congressional District, Lea Webb (left), running in the 52nd State Senate District, and Anna Kelles (center), running in the 125th State Assembly District, joined Tompkins County Democrats for a Democratic Campaign Rally Oct. 2 at 5 p.m. at Press Bay Alley in downtown Ithaca. They were joined by incumbent Tom DiNapoli, state comptroller, as well as other down-ballot candidates.

Reproductive rights were at the forefront of the topics featured in this rally.

“Democrats agree that we must fight for this injustice brought about recently by the U.S. Supreme Court,” said the Tompkins County Democratic Committee in a recent press release. “The Democratic platform to strengthen the economy in a way that improves quality of life for all is essential. Affordable housing, gun reform, health care and environmental protections are sure to be additional topics that Democrats will unite on. These are at the core of our democracy.”

Tompkins County Democratic Chair Linda Hoffmann said that this kickoff campaign rally officially opens the Press Bay Alley Democratic Hub at 118 W. Green St. Suite 7. An additional Democratic Campaign Headquarters has opened at 832 Hanshaw Rd.

To volunteer to work in the Tompkins County Democratic Committee’s headquarters or help with get out the vote activities, contact tcdcvoluteers@gmail.com.

For more information, visit tcdemocrats.org.

 

Kids Discover the Trail! Ithaca prepares for 2023

Now in its 18th year, the Kids Discover the Trail! Ithaca program served over 2,400 students in spring 2022. The KDT! program is a coordinated field study program that takes local students from pre-K through fifth grade to each of the eight Discovery Trail sites.

The Discovery Trail sites welcomed over 2,400 students from Ithaca City School District (ICSD). After two years of virtual programs, teachers loaded up their students on buses to bring students out into the community again for KDT! trips. By June 2022, all eight KDT! programs have made a full return to hosting students in-person at the eight Discovery Trail sites.

A primary goal of the KDT! program is to make local art, nature, cultural and science organizations accessible to all teachers and students in and around Tompkins County. By making these visits a part of the public school curriculum, each student should have visited all eight museums, nature centers and libraries by the time they reach grade six, regardless of their family’s ability to bring them separately.

Each trip is carefully aligned with state learning standards and, in 2022, provided new opportunities to engage teachers separately through a pilot program called Teacher’s Discover the Trail! With the support of ICSD, KDT! educators hosted teachers for a re-introduction to field study called Teachers Discover the Trail!

According to Discovery Trail Executive Director Beth Pallace, “For some teachers, taking students out into the community is an entirely new experience, and what we hope to achieve is stronger alliances with our community of teachers so that when there is a need for engaging content in their lesson planning, teachers come to us!”

Pallace continued.

“Even seasoned teachers who have gone on trips for years through KDT! appreciate the opportunity to refresh and give input on what works best for their students today, in a post-virtual-school environment,” she said.

Steve Manley, executive director of Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) and a collaborator of the KDT! Ithaca program, shared, “These coordinated, shared experiences are made available to every ICSD student through the combination of skilled educators, dynamic administrators and dedicated funders. Site visits are funded directly by local donations to IPEI and the Discovery Trail by individuals and businesses. We wouldn’t have this program without their ongoing support. I am humbled by their dedication to the equity of student experiences.”

Visit ipei.org/Support_us for more information, or contact Pallace at director@discoverytrail.com or kdtresources.org.

To learn more about Discovery Trail, visit discoverytrail.com.

 

Funding available for county septic system improvements

The Tompkins County Health Department is notifying the community about the availability of grant funds that will cover the costs related to septic system repairs or replacement.

The Tompkins County Septic Upgrade Program (TCSUP) is funded through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) awarded by New York Office of Homes and Community Renewal. This program makes funds available for low- to moderate-income homeowners in Tompkins County who are in need of septic system repair or replacement. Funding covers 100% of repair costs, and applications will be accepted through April 1, 2023.

Approximately 14,000 homes in Tompkins County are outside of municipally owned sewer service areas and rely on onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) to manage household wastewater. Estimates show that 60% of these systems are more than 20 years old, and no records exist for 10% of the systems.

Aging and failing OWTS can result in problems including backed up sewer pipes, contaminated water wells or untreated sewage on the ground. The cost of replacing an OWTS presents a significant financial burden for residents.

“A struggling or failed OWTS can be a major barrier to safe and affordable housing for Tompkins County residents,” said Becky Sims, environmental health specialist and TCSUP grant manager. “With replacement costs typically in excess of $10,000, a failed OWTS can place homeowners in a vulnerable position. The Septic Upgrade Program is an excellent opportunity for the Health Department to work with homeowners on a solution to both the public health hazards and the financial burdens associated with failed OWTS.”

Applications are currently being accepted for funding by Thoma Developments Consultants, a business management consultant group that is administering the grant on behalf of the Tompkins County Health Department. Household income must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI), i.e., $80,150 for a family of four; a complete table can be viewed online.

Homes must be single-family and owner-occupied, and the property’s OWTS must be aging or in need of replacement. Other requirements may apply.

For more information and to apply for the TCSUP grant program, contact Thoma Developments Consultants directly at (607) 753-1433 Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

To learn more about septic systems, regulations, permits and additional funding sources (such as the State Septic System Replacement Fund), visit TCHD’s Environmental Health website at tompkinscountyny.gov/health/eh/owts.