Headlines for Monday, September 26, 2022

Ithaca’s Planning and Economic Development Committee voted unanimously last week to endorse an application for state funds to revitalize two downtown properties. According to the Ithaca Voice, developer Urban Encore LLC led by local John Guttridge will apply for up to $2 million to renovate two buildings on the 100 block of South Cayuga St. The planned $9 million rehabilitation would transform commercial space in the buildings to residential, add an elevator and more. The proposal for endorsement by the City will advance to the full Common Council in time for the October 12 application deadline.    

New York Republican gubernatorial candidate  Lee Zeldin is pushing Governor Hochul for more debates ahead of the November 8 election. However, he hasn’t yet formally accepted Hochul’s offer to debate on October 25 at Pace University. Early voting starts four days later on October 29th, however absentee voting will have already been underway for several weeks. The Times Union  says Zeldin’s approach to the debates is  a “common political tactic across party lines for the candidate looking to gain more face time with voters.”  Zeldin has said there’s more to talk about than fits in one 1-hour debate and has pushed for debates across multiple media markets. A spokesman for Spectrum News, who would broadcast the October 25 debate, pointed out it would be shown statewide.