Issues

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What are the Top Issues facing First Ward Residents?

Traffic and road maintenance

First Ward residents (located in West Hill, South Hill and South of the Creek) are directly affected by Routes 96, 89, 79, 13 and 13a which run through our neighborhoods and bring congestion, disruption and inhospitable conditions. 

  • We must work with the City and Town Planning Departments to develop a comprehensive plan, focusing on sustainable development and infrastructure networks.
  • Our residential areas require traffic calming methods to reduce noise and improve safety.
  • We must maintain and enhance our roads, sidewalk and bicycle trails.
  • Finally, improved communication with utility companies and City departments will coordinate maintenance projects and reduce disruption to our community.

Contamination

A product of our industrial past are the environmental concerns left behind.  The South Hill neighborhood of the First Ward has more than its fair share of environmental concerns which must be addressed in order to ensure a safe and healthy future for our families and our community.
  • City government must take a proactive role in addressing its vested interests in our community.  We must push for remediation of our residential and commercial areas in strict compliance with all applicable New York State regulatory requirements.

Quality of life concerns

Various established neighborhoods periodically face challenges with the unruly behavior of some residents.  When it occurs continuously, the negative impacts in terms of trash and debris, disruptive noise and vandalism seriously impacts the quality of life of all residents.

  • City representatives must continue to foster healthy and meaningful partnerships with residents, Ithaca College and Ithaca Police to educate and encourage positive interactions between students and long term residents
  • We must explore ways to enhance pride in our neighborhoods by providing incentives to increase the number of owner-occupied residences in areas which are predominantly renter-occupied

What qualifies you to serve the First Ward as Alderperson?

My experiences as Commissioner of the Board of Public Works, community organizer and businesswoman give me the skills needed to be an effective Common Council representative for the First Ward.

As Board of Public Works Commissioner, I have a deep understanding of our City’s management, organization, staffing, and budgetary environment.

As a community organizer experienced in building community playgrounds, providing services and advocating for the removal of contaminants from our neighborhoods, I value fair and transparent governance, public involvement, and the use of collaborative, not adversarial, processes.

As a businesswoman, I strive for improved management of expenses, enhanced revenue creation and support for our biggest asset: City staff.

What services could be changed to reduce our budget?

The creation of an inter-municipal Storm Water Utility will significantly reduce the burden on our city budget and improve our storm water management policies.

photo: ithacafingerlakes.com

The flooding and damage we experienced this year is a reminder that storm water management is an essential part of our infrastructure.  Rain and melting snow travels from far flung locations over pavement, roofs and fields into our watershed, bringing various materials and contaminants along the way.

Currently, our general fund finances the maintenance and improvement of our storm water system to the tune of $300,000 per year.  Due to an unfunded State mandate, taxpayers additionally fund City staff who are charged with meeting State requirements of reducing the volume of storm water which flows through our City, and also with monitoring and improving the quality of runoff which enters our watershed.

By following the state’s direction in creating an Inter-municipal Storm Water Utility, we will be able to change this inequitable situation and save money. Such a utility will:

  • Fairly distribute costs.  Currently 40% of properties in the City pay 100% of the cost to manage water which runs through our streets.  The creation of a inter-municipal utility will rectify this by applying to ALL properties, regardless of tax exempt status.
  • Promote green infrastructure practices in urban and rural settings.  By collecting and removing oil and grease from parking lots, sediment from construction sites or nutrients and chemicals from fields before runoff enters storm water systems, we improve the health of our watershed, the safety of our recreational and natural areas and the quality of our drinking water sources.
  • Reduce the volume of water runoff.  By incorporating best management practices we can efficiently and effectively reduce the potential damage to our businesses, property and homes resulting from weather events.