May 11th, 2022 Daily Headlines

On Monday Tompkins County attorney William Troy released an opinion concerning an ethics complaint made by Councilor Cynthia Brock against former Mayor Svante Myrick. In his opinion Troy said that since the City of Ithaca doesn’t have a Board of Ethics, jurisdiction should fall to the County Board of Ethics. Brock’s allegations stem from payments made to members of the reimagining public safety force that originated with third parties. According to the Ithaca Voice, third party payments to members of a volunteer board would represent a violation of the city’s code of ethics. Brock also claims Myrick’s time as mayor and an employee for People for the American Way represented a conflict of interest. Myrick has denied any wrongdoing claiming Brock is attempting to derail police reform efforts. Brock has been an opponent of the Reimagining Public Safety Process saying it did not take in enough input from the Common Council or the Ithaca Police Department. 

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The East Spencer Street outlet will be closed starting today from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. The closure is for a repaving of the intersection with the South Cayuga Street bridge. Work is scheduled to be finished on Friday. 

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Yesterday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the state would set aside $35 Million to improve abortion access in the state. According to Spectrum News, the funds are being drawn from the state Department of Health and the Division of Criminal Justice Services. Last week a Supreme Court draft decision was leaked that would overturn Roe v. Wade. New York state codified Roe in 2019, but state officials have warned that the state may experience an influx of people seeking abortions as other states restrict abortion rights.