Welcome
Our County Legislature’s most important function is to allocate County resources in ways that meet the needs and values of our residents. Not surprisingly, when our needs are many and our resources are relatively few, our values tend to get short shrift.
Tompkins County now face increasingly scarce resources under a Federal government that shows little interest in our natural, social, and cultural environments, and a State government that sometimes seems determined to bankrupt our counties. We had to use 68% of last year’s county property tax levy to pay for unfunded mandates. Because of New York State’s “system” for funding Medicaid, we used fully 24% of last year’s property tax levy to pay for Medicaid services provided in Tompkins County. If Congressional Republicans succeed in implementing block grant funding for Medicaid, our county share of Medicaid funding could increase even more. What will we do then? We cannot increase property taxes by any substantial amount: our citizens are already burdened with very high property taxes, and that burden was effectively increased by the limitation on SALT deductions imposed by Federal tax legislation passed in 2017. At the same time, we cannot deny health care services to our residents who need them.
How we overcome the challenge of resource scarcity while maintaining the quality of life we all value will set our County’s course for years to come. I believe the key to meeting these challenges is to build a strong, sustainable, independent economy here in Tompkins County. That means not only increasing our tax base, but also using every means at our disposal to create jobs that pay a living wage or better, to promote our flagging retail sector, to underwrite construction of affordable and work force housing, and to expand public transit services throughout Tompkins County. When everyone in Tompkins County thrives, everyone contributes to growing county revenues.
We have a LOT of work to do!
Deborah’s recent Facebook posts are shared, below.
Deborah Dawson - TC Legislator for District 10
Tune in today at 5 pm for the latest Covid information from County leaders. Or check out the video later.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUc-hTqsjVk&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0wiRMXaEee4fPp-Xw_gKSH53RkQhJapbz...
COVID-19 Update from Tompkins County Government officials. If you have questions for panelists, plea
www.youtube.com
COVID-19 Update from Tompkins County Government officials. If you have questions for panelists, please email them to drecckio (at) tompkins-co (dot) org.Cayuga Health COVID-19 Sampling Site to Open Sunday 10/25, 8am-12pm
(Ithaca, NY – October 22, 2020) – The Tompkins County Health Department is notifying the community that the Cayuga Health COVID-19 sampling site at the Shops at Ithaca Mall will be open for additional hours Sunday October, 25 from 8am-12pm.
“As more community members are seeking testing for COVID-19, Cayuga Health is adding hours to help meet the demand. Testing continues to be a critical tool to stop the spread of the disease, and along with wearing masks and keeping distance from one another, please continue to monitor yourself for symptoms. Seek a test if you are symptomatic or have been a close contact with someone who has tested positive.” Stated Frank Kruppa, Tompkins County Public Health Director. Kruppa continued, “the recent increase in community spread across the Southern Tier region and here in Tompkins County is a reminder that we all need to be vigilant and take our role in stopping the spread seriously.
The Cayuga Health Sampling Site is located at The Shops at Ithaca Mall parking lot, 40 Catherwood Rd. Register for an appointment online at cayugahealth.org or call the Cayuga Health Call Center at 607-319- 5708. Regular hours for the Sampling Site and Call Center are Monday-Friday 8:30AM-4:00PM.
If you need transportation assistance to the Cayuga Health Sampling Site, call 2-1-1 after you have registered and made a testing appointment. 2-1-1 is available 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. to help with transportation options to the Sampling Site.
For local updates and information, check the TCHD website.
Individuals who have traveled to a state with significant community spread listed on the NYS Travel Advisory must quarantine for 14 days. See an up-to-date list of states on the NYS Travel Advisory webpage. For more information about how to quarantine, refer to the TCHD website.
Everyone can continue to take these steps to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community:
• Refrain from traveling to states listed in the New York Travel Advisory.
• Keep 6 feet distance between yourself and others when in public.
• Wear a mask at all times in public spaces, especially when 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained. Masks and face coverings must be worn by everyone over age two at all times in public places when 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained. Fines are enforceable for individuals who are in violation of these regulations. Businesses must deny entry to anyone who is not wearing a face covering.
• Non-essential gatherings are limited to 50 people for our region, but must comply with distancing and face covering guidance.
• Wash hands well and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid close and continued contact with other people not in your household.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
To file a complaint about a business or social gathering go to the TCHD website. cayugahealthsystem.org/?fbclid=IwAR0QOU9puGRlFj9bXetq2EBnJ6-4hYEzmJv9K_-LKQc82nL97Zt-Qhi3yJ0
Register · Cayuga Health System
cayugahealthsystem.org
Fee and Coverage InformationNote: a $99 fee may apply to non-Tompkins residents Welcome to the Cayuga Health Sampling CenterOn behalf of the Cayuga Health System, the Tompkins County Department of Hea...I watched the long video imbedded in this article. I watched it from the perspective of a person who marched on Washington in 1970 with the Cornell Mobilization Front, which taught us how to engage in non-violent civil disobedience. The tactics used by these protesters were the exact opposite of what we were taught, and were, in my opinion, designed to provoke exactly the law enforcement reaction that we see here. And, as a veteran of the protests of the 60's abd 70's, I saw a pretty restrained law enforcement reaction overall.
I offer the following observations:
Black lives matter. Police violence is abhorrent. There are far more effective ways to fix these things than what we've seen from the consistent protests outside the IPD. Have a sit-down with the Police Chief and the Sheriff. Contact your electeds. Register people to vote. Campaign for candidates that will change the status quo. Write articles for, and letters to the editors of, media outlets.
Your consistent and dramatic protests merely play into the hands of the law and order Trumpers who label you "antifa" and use you as a campaign rallying call. Stop handing them ammunition for supporting the very discriminatory and violent tactics that you abhor.
Please, reconsider your tactics and strategy.
ithacavoice.com/2020/10/six-arrested-pepper-spray-deployed-at-protest-outside-ipd/?fbclid=IwAR0Dp...
Six arrested, pepper spray deployed at protest outside IPD
ithacavoice.com
ITHACA, N.Y. –– In the most intense backlash against protesters yet, Ithaca Police Department arrested six people and utilized pepper spray to disperse a crowd of about 40 gathered outside the dep...Comment on Facebook ITHACA, N.Y. –– ...
Good point, Deborah!
If you're big on fall camping, follow DEC's advice so that you don't spread the "bad bugs."
www.dec.ny.gov/press/121483.html
DEC Reminds Fall Campers to Follow Firewood Requirements to Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species
www.dec.ny.gov
DEC marked the beginning of fall camping season by reminding New Yorkers and visitors to prevent the spread of damaging invasive species by following state firewood requirements when obtaining wood fo...HEALTH ALERT: POTENTIAL EXPOSURE AT ITHACA ALE HOUSE, LIQUID STATE BREWING CO., WEGMANS
tompkinscountyny.gov/health/covid19-2020-10-16-public-exposures
COVID19 2020-10-16 Public Exposures | www.tompkinscountyny.gov
tompkinscountyny.gov
For media inquiries: Samantha Hillson, 607-274-6714, shillson@tompkins-co.orgFor health inquiries: Community Health Services at 607-274-6604For general inquiries (non-medical): Call 2-1-1 or 877-211-8...