News

Successful Village Caucus

January 29

Dryden Village Democrats met January 29th to nominate incumbent Mary Ellen Bossack and Frederick Gentz to run for Village Trustee in the election coming up this March 18th.

Bossack has served three previous terms as a trustee, is a school counselor, and the president of the Dryden Faculty Association.

Fred Gentz is Commercial Lines Supervisor at Security Mutual Insurance, a Marine Corps veteran, Post Commander at the Dryden VFW, and a 20-year-volunteer at Neptune Hose Company.

Presidential Primary, February 5th

January 7

The New York State presidential primary will take place February 5th. New voters must register by January 11th to vote in the primary. Voters wishing to change parties may do so before this date, but your new party affiliation does not take effect until after November's general election. That is, you can only vote in the primary for your current party.

You may register for an absentee ballot for the primary at the Board of Elections. To be counted, your absentee ballot must be postmarked by January 29th.

The Tompkins County Democratic Committee will sponsor a Presidential Forum at the Women's Community Center in Ithaca Thursday, January 24th, at 7:30 PM. All interested Democrats are invited to attend to learn more about each of the remaining candidates prior to the February 5th primary.

Town Board and Supervisor Sworn In

January 2

The Dryden Town Board held its first meeting of 2008, swearing in new Board member Joe Solomon, returning Board member David Makar, and Dryden's first female supervisor, Mary Ann Sumner. The Board appointed Jason Leifer to the Board seat formerly held by Mary Ann; he will run for election to the seat in November.

See the Ithaca Journal and David's blog for details.

Trumbull Credits Makar for Community Center Funds Distribution

October 29

Dryden's community centers are expected to get more than $40,000 to fund programs, the opening of a new cafe and upgrades on infrastructure next month.

The money came from an existing allotment that had not yet been tapped into. Town Board member David Makar developed a formula to help allocate funds, according to town Supervisor Steven Trumbull.

For more, see the Ithaca Journal.

David Makar Helps Get $37,750 to Local Community Centers

October 17

In the last two years, the Town of Dryden has set aside $37,500 for local community centers, but never figured out how to distribute it. Beginning this March, David Makar set up a grant application process by which community centers could apply for funds for specific infrastructure and capacity development needs. As a result, Dryden's four community centers will now receive much-needed money to repair infrastructure and expand membership. Regarding the long delay, Makar says, "If no one steps forward to do the next three steps to go from authorization to implementation, then it doesn't get done." Thanks, David, for stepping forward!

The complete story is available in the October 17 issue of the Dryden Courier.

Joe Solomon Testifies about Lower Creek Road Safety Issue

September 19

Town Board Candidate Joe Solomon testified at length at an information session before the Town Board about the dangerous curve in front of his home on Lower Creek Road. Solomon has been petitioning the town for a solution ever since a car left the road along the curve and struck the house in which he lives with his wife and child. He was joined by many Etna residents who supported his claim that traffic moves too fast along that narrow, winding road. The complete story is available in the September 19 issue of the Dryden Courier.

Martha Robertson Guest Column on Affordable Housing

September 5

Martha Robertson wrote in a guest column in the Ithaca Journal:

There is a severe and growing housing shortage in our community. ... If your household makes the median income (about $50,000) or less, you already know about this crisis because you have an especially hard time finding an affordable place to live. ... We all pay the costs of this housing shortage: heavy in-commuter traffic; high assessments; poor school performance by children in unstable housing; economic and social stress on families related to housing insecurity (contributing to mental health and substance abuse problems); and emergency shelter for the homeless. The consequences can be life long for people who can't find and keep safe, stable homes.

For more, please see the full column in the Ithaca Journal.

Martha Robertson on the Recreation Partnership

August 22

The Tompkins County Legislature voted 12-3 Tuesday to extend the Intermunicipal Recreation Partnership Agreement for five years. Legislator Martha Robertson, D-Town of Dryden, spoke in support of the agreement. Robertson said she thought the program provided children with after-school opportunities that might not be available without the county's support. She said without those programs there was a greater potential for children to become the county's problem later in life through the judicial system.

For more, please see the article in the Ithaca Journal.


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	News Successful Village Caucus January 29 Dryden Village Democrats met January 29th to nominate incumbent Mary Ellen Bossack and Frederick Gentz to run for Village Trustee in the election coming up this March 18th. Bossack has served three previous terms as a trustee, is a school counselor, and the president of the Dryden Faculty Association. Fred Gentz is Commercial Lines Supervisor at Security Mutual Insurance, a Marine Corps veteran, Post Commander at the Dryden VFW, and a 20-year-volunteer at Neptune Hose Company. Presidential Primary, February 5th January 7 The New York State presidential primary will take place February 5th. New voters must register by January 11th to vote in the primary. Voters wishing to change parties may do so before this date, but your new party affiliation does not take effect until after November's general election. That is, you can only vote in the primary for your current party. You may register for an absentee ballot for the primary at the Board of Elections. To be counted, your absentee ballot must be postmarked by January 29th. The Tompkins County Democratic Committee will sponsor a Presidential Forum at the Women's Community Center in Ithaca Thursday, January 24th, at 7:30 PM. All interested Democrats are invited to attend to learn more about each of the remaining candidates prior to the February 5th primary. Town Board and Supervisor Sworn In January 2 The Dryden Town Board held its first meeting of 2008, swearing in new Board member Joe Solomon, returning Board member David Makar, and Dryden's first female supervisor, Mary Ann Sumner. The Board appointed Jason Leifer to the Board seat formerly held by Mary Ann; he will run for election to the seat in November. See the Ithaca Journal and David's blog for details. Trumbull Credits Makar for Community Center Funds Distribution October 29 Dryden's community centers are expected to get more than $40,000 to fund programs, the opening of a new cafe and upgrades on infrastructure next month. The money came from an existing allotment that had not yet been tapped into. Town Board member David Makar developed a formula to help allocate funds, according to town Supervisor Steven Trumbull. For more, see the Ithaca Journal. David Makar Helps Get $37,750 to Local Community Centers October 17 In the last two years, the Town of Dryden has set aside $37,500 for local community centers, but never figured out how to distribute it. Beginning this March, David Makar set up a grant application process by which community centers could apply for funds for specific infrastructure and capacity development needs. As a result, Dryden's four community centers will now receive much-needed money to repair infrastructure and expand membership. Regarding the long delay, Makar says, "If no one steps forward to do the next three steps to go from authorization to implementation, then it doesn't get done." Thanks, David, for stepping forward! The complete story is available in the October 17 issue of the Dryden Courier. Joe Solomon Testifies about Lower Creek Road Safety Issue September 19 Town Board Candidate Joe Solomon testified at length at an information session before the Town Board about the dangerous curve in front of his home on Lower Creek Road. Solomon has been petitioning the town for a solution ever since a car left the road along the curve and struck the house in which he lives with his wife and child. He was joined by many Etna residents who supported his claim that traffic moves too fast along that narrow, winding road. The complete story is available in the September 19 issue of the Dryden Courier. Martha Robertson Guest Column on Affordable Housing September 5 Martha Robertson wrote in a guest column in the Ithaca Journal: There is a severe and growing housing shortage in our community. ... If your household makes the median income (about $50,000) or less, you already know about this crisis because you have an especially hard time finding an affordable place to live. ... We all pay the costs of this housing shortage: heavy in-commuter traffic; high assessments; poor school performance by children in unstable housing; economic and social stress on families related to housing insecurity (contributing to mental health and substance abuse problems); and emergency shelter for the homeless. The consequences can be life long for people who can't find and keep safe, stable homes. For more, please see the full column in the Ithaca Journal. Martha Robertson on the Recreation Partnership August 22 The Tompkins County Legislature voted 12-3 Tuesday to extend the Intermunicipal Recreation Partnership Agreement for five years. Legislator Martha Robertson, D-Town of Dryden, spoke in support of the agreement. Robertson said she thought the program provided children with after-school opportunities that might not be available without the county's support. She said without those programs there was a greater potential for children to become the county's problem later in life through the judicial system. For more, please see the article in the Ithaca Journal.