Budget Story on the Library

-Michael Polak and Joy Kucinkas

Not Such A Winter Wonderland

By: Kaitlyn Rich and Ursula Fox-Koor

(2009 Tompkins County Budget Story)

Bombers Season Ends in Playoff Opener

Mike Polak has had a monopoly on Bombers Football reports lately. After freezing on the sidelines of today's snowy NCAA playoff game, I thought I'd insert one of my own.

The Ithaca College football team saw its season end today at Butterfield Stadium at the hands of the Curry College Colonels.

Brian Grastorf's second start at quarterback was not as prolific as his first as the Bombers were upset at home by Curry by a 26-21 score. The Bombers held the lead late into the fourth quarter, only to see the Colonels seize the lead with 32 seconds remaining.

The Empire 8 Conference champions season ends with a 9-2 record while Curry advances to face NJAC champion Cortland State in the second round of the NCAA playoffs.

--Nate March

WICB Shows Off It's "Wood" Tonight

That's right, WICB-FM (91.7) in Ithaca will be receiving the mtvU Woodie Award for Best College Radio Station tonight. The show will air tonight at 8 PM on mtvU and mtvU.com.

In its fifth year of existence, the Woodie award recognizes several different categories of music and video success. However, this was the first year the station chose to give out an award for the Best College Radio Station. Voting was done online, and WICB had to beat out 19 other schools to earn the award. Ithaca College's FM radio station, known as "The Station for Innovation," beat out stations from schools such as Emerson College, Seton Hall, and Stony Brook in the first round before topping stations at Auburn University, DePauw University, and Sacramento State to win.

Students at Ithaca College will be hosting a viewing party for the awards show on campus this evening. All students are invited to Textor Hall Room 103 at 8:00 for all the festivities.

For more information about WICB winning the award, you can read this article in today's Ithaca Journal. You can also find out more about WICB-FM by visiting their website. And here's a link to the mtvU Woodie Awards page.

--Michael Polak

IC Women's Soccer Advances to Round of 16

The Ithaca College Women's Soccer team won the regional hosted on the South Hill. The Bombers defeated Westfield State and Roger Williams in shutout fashion, 6-0 and 2-0 respectively. Ithaca completed an undefeated home record for the season with the victories.

Up next for the Bombers is Sectional competition hosted by nationally top-ranked Williams College in Massachusetts. The Bombers will face national number three Lynchburg to open sectional play. 

The Bombers record currently stands at 16-2-2. (Picture courtesy of bombers.ithaca.edu)

-Nate March 

Bombers Playoff Bound

(Photos: Courtesy Ithaca Journal)

I was ready to do a wrap-up from the Cortaca Jug game on Saturday but figured I'd wait until Ithaca's playoff opponent was chosen. That took place on Sunday at a little after 3 PM when the Division III Selection Committee elected to give the Bombers the #2 seed in the East Region bracket and a match-up with Curry College at home this coming Saturday.

First, let's recap a bit from the Cortaca Jug. If up until game time, and literally up until the 4th quarter, you told me that the Bombers defense wouldn't give up a single touchdown, in the 50th annual Jug game, at SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex, against an undefeated Red Dragons team, I would've thought you were crazy. But that's just what happened. Ithaca's D shut down one of the best offenses in the 7th ranked Red Dragons, especially in the 2nd half when they forced 4 interceptions and a lost fumble.

If you also told me the final score would have been 35-13 Ithaca, I would've given you a strange look because these two offenses are so high powered that 70 points combined would've been low in my mind. I guess that's the product of a strong defensive effort.

On the offensive side of the ball, all the credit has to go to junior quarterback Brian Grastorf. He became the first Ithaca QB to make his first career start in the Cortaca Jug, and he could not have played much better. Grastorf was 19 for 28 through the air, throwing for 273 yards and 3 touchdowns, along with rushing for 2. His decision making was fantastic, and aside from one poor throw on a deep, off-balanced pass to Kyle Crandall that was intercepted, he was near perfect. The funniest thing was that he completed pass after pass despite throwing balls that were far from a perfect spiral. However, the receivers adjusted, made the catches despite a driving rain, and scored points. It all comes back to Grastorf's leadership which was clearly strong in this game.

So now, with the Cortaca Jug still in Ithaca's hands, the Bombers return to the playoffs for a second-straight season and face a much easier opponent. The Curry Colonels, out of Milton, Massachusetts, went 9-1 on year, earning an at-large bid as Plymouth State, the only team they lost to, earned the New England Football Conference's automatic bid at 10-1. However, the NEFC is a much weaker conference than the Empire 8, and it shows in strength of schedule. Ithaca's is ranked 9th, Curry is 149th. The fact that the game is at Butterfield Stadium helps too. Either way, keep your eyes posted for a preview of the game later this week.

Here are some links to important information regarding the Cortaca Jug and Playoffs. You can find a recap of the Jug game from the Bombers website here, from Cortland's website here, and from the Ithaca Journal here. For information on Ithaca's playoff game vs. Curry, you can read this. For a downloadable and printable bracket, visit this site (it is a pdf file). To see the rankings for strength of schedule, you can see this page. And finally, for pictures from the Cortaca Jug game, you can go here.

--Michael Polak

These Are the Moments We Live For

And so it all comes down to this. The 50th Annual Cortaca Jug takes place on Saturday afternoon from the SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex and this year's match-up could not be any better.

The Ithaca Bombers come into the game 8-1 on the year and off a thrilling 43-35 win at Empire 8 rival Alfred last week to clinch a share of the conference title. As for the Cortland State Red Dragons, they come in unbeaten at 9-0, looking to put the capper on a perfect regular season. Something will have to give.

Last year's meeting featured a tremendous all-around effort from the Bombers as they steamrolled the Red Dragons 40-17 at Butterfield Stadium to regain the Jug after 2 straight overtime wins by their Route 13 counterparts. Ithaca quarterback Dan Juvan had a great game, completing 12 of 16 passes for 306 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran in for a score on a beautiful 35-yard carry. It was a great day for Bomber fans and helped secure the team a playoff spot.

This year's game features postseason implications as well. While Cortland has already earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament via an automatic bid for winning the NJAC title, the Bombers are still fighting for a berth. This game could prove meaningless for just a spot in the postseason if Alfred beats St. John Fisher, which would leave the Bombers with the best conference record at 5-1 and the automatic bid. However, if Fisher is to win, then they would get the bid and Ithaca would need to hope for an at-large berth. And that is where Ithaca's performance could become a major factor.

As for this year's game, I expect to see an absolute shoot-out between the two squads. Both have very dynamic, high-scoring offenses. Ithaca has outscored its opponents 344-203 while Cortland has dominated 313-178. Both have great runningbacks who have compiled over 1200 yards rushing this season and over 20 touchdowns a piece!! Finally, both have great receivers as well as quarterbacks who are capable of hitting them with accuracy.

On the other side of the ball, both defenses have shown strength on the front line but weaknesses in the secondary. Both run a 4-3 set, with the front four combining for a total of 35 sacks this year (15 for IC, 20 for Cortland). However, both secondaries are still very young and have given up several long pass plays throughout the season. It is without a doubt both teams biggest weakness.

So when it comes down to it, it really is just not clear who will come out on top. The Red Dragons are ranked 7th in the nation; the Bombers 17th. Clearly, Cortland has had the better season record-wise, but they have yet to face a team like Ithaca's. Both teams are very similar on paper. Cortland's at home, so that goes to their advantage. Ithaca has more to play for, so that's a positive on their side. When it comes down to it, the defense that makes the fewest mistakes will come out on top in this game. The way I see it...

**Ithaca Bombers 37 - Cortland State Red Dragons 31**
-And don't be surprised if we get a rematch in the postseason!

If you are looking to see or listen to the game, it will be televised on Time Warner Cable Channel 26 in the Central New York area. You can also listen to the game on Ithaca's radio station WICB at 91.7 FM or Online. In addition, Cortland will be webcasting the game here

Below, I have included a map showing how close the two schools are. If you zoom in, I have also labeled both teams' home stadiums.


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ENJOY THE GAME EVERYONE!!

-Michael Polak

ID Access Implemented

As I reported earlier here on Tracking Tompkins County, Ithaca College has begun piloting their identification access system for residence halls.

As a resident of Garden 25, I have been using the ID access for almost two weeks. From a convenience standpoint, I find it highly useful. No more fumbling with keys while standing in the cold outside of the building.

Below I have posted a video of the ID access scanner outside of Garden 25.

--Nate March

Ithaca College's Club Field Hockey Takes Second In The State

By Kaitlyn Rich

This Sunday Ithaca College's Club Field Hockey team left campus early to compete in the playoffs for the New York State Club Field Hockey League held at Cortland. The playoffs featured the top seven teams in the New York area. Teams attending the playoffs this Sunday were Cortland, LeMoyne, Cornell, Buffalo, Syracuse, Binghamton and Ithaca. 

Ithaca College came into the playoffs first in the division and easily beat their first opponent Buffalo four to nothing. The win which sent them to the championship game against Binghamton was the teams third final appearance in the past four years. Binghamton, the only team to beat IC in regular season play, however took the championship three to one. The win caps a three year championship win streak for Binghamton, IC being the last team to have one the championship in 2005. 

America Recycles Day

By Kaitlyn Rich

This Saturday the Ithaca Mall (formerly the Pyramid Mall) hosted an important environmental event- America Recycles Day. The mall invited area volunteers, ranging from Ithaca College's REMP to the ASPCA. The event which featured dozens of stands was part of the National Recycling Coalition. The actual national event is on November 15 but the mall chose to hold theirs slightly earlier an organizer said. 

The stands offered those in attendance recycling bins, tips on composting, and even a couple furry friends who needed to find a new home.

For more information on the national America Recycles Day check out this link.

New Heights in Keeping Ithaca "Gorges"

By Kaitlyn Rich


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Lately Ithaca's gorges have not been looking so gorgeous. In particular Cascadilla Gorge has seen an accumulation of trash over the years. Many initiatives have been taken by volunteers from Cornell and the surrounding area to keep the campus pristine. But areas such as the north side of the gorge behind the Chi Phi chapter house, with its over 200 foot cliff have made cleaning "A bit out of the means of most," according to Todd Bittner Cornell Plantations Natural Areas Director.

That is why fraternity brothers from Chi Phi along with the Cornell Inter-fraternal Council, Cornell Outdoor Education and the Cornell Plantations grabbed their harnesses and repelled into the gorge next to Stewart Avenue on Saturday to clean up trash and debris.

"Well we're the ones that should be doing it. We made the mess so it's on us to do this," said Chi Phi president Micheal Brenner. The clean up happened this weekend after months of planning and pressure from the Inter-fraternal Council on the fraternity to clean up their garbage. The fraternity has made attempts in the past, and needed the assistance of professionals on Saturday for insurance purposes said Bittner.

"One time the police stopped by and stopped us from repelling down into the gorge. So yeah we're trying to help as much as we can because it's our problem, it's our mess, it's our house, and it's our responsibility to keep it clean," said Brenner.

Empire 8 Soccer Title for Ithaca Women

I had the pleasure of broadcasting the Empire 8 Women's Soccer Championship game Sunday at Ithaca's Carp Wood Field. The game pitted Empire 8 powers Ithaca and Nazareth against each other in a battle for an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament.

There was none of the usual drama that a match up between these two teams usually brings. The Bombers sprinted out to a 4-0 half-time lead and never looked back, winning 5-0. Ithaca will learn their NCAA pairing on Monday.

Amy Scheffer, pictured above (courtesy of bombers.ithaca.edu) was named tournament MVP after scoring twice in the semifinals and registering three assists against Nazareth.

-Nate March

Making The Votes Count

Polling Story

By Kaitlyn Rich

As many already know New York has already gone to Obama. But how are the millions of votes counted? And in particular what voting machinery and methods effect the Tompkins County vote? On Tuesday polling locations all over New York state used the old fashioned lever voters for the last time this year. At area voting locations such as the Museum of the Earth, the Ithaca Library and South Hill Elementary School election officials and voters alike were taking special measures to make sure every vote was counted.

"We have multiple ways of counting the ballots beside the machines," said Becky Booth, election official at the South Hill Elementary School site. Volunteers at all the sites tallied up each individual location's votes before turning them into the county board of locations, who in-turn forwards the totals to the state.

We've all been her since five in the morning," said Carol*, another South Hill Elementary School volunteer. "It's been a very long day," she added. Many polling workers have been manning their posts for over twelve hour shifts which begs the question - How accurate is the counting mechanisms? "Well there is old and there is new technology," said Carol, "Whatever the case we will be able to handle it."

Carol was hinting at the fact that by the next election the state will be outfitted with new handicap accessible voting machines. The current ones work "perfectly fine," as Booth says, they just are harder for the handicap to "use effectively." 

While the votes where steadily being counted, by both hand, machine, and registration records at all locations in the Tompkins County area yesterday the true historic importance of the event was something more than its accurate vote tally. 

"It is amazing to see the country, America, unite as it has in this election. To see the youth come out today and vote is amazing. America is really aware, it's awake," said Booth. Again while the overall numbers will take a few hours of speculation and ultimately days of scrutiny to finalize all the volunteers echoed that the youths' voting experience on Tuesday was the most memorable experience of the day. "We had a group of young girls come in and vote earlier today, one was celebrating her eighteenth birthday," said Sandra Reukaol, another South Hill volunteer, "And they came out with huge smiles on their faces and skipped out the door. I'll never forget it."

* Last names were withheld for privacy. 

Photo and video (from top to bottom): Volunteers help voters at the Museum of the Earth polling location; outside of the museum signs lead voters to where they can cast their ballots; and in the video Carol shows a first time voter how to use New York States older voting machines.

Poll-A-Palooza

Election Story
-Ursula Fox-Koor

Polling places across the country were filled today and Tompkins County was no exception. The city of Ithaca alone designated 12 locations for residents to cast their ballots and they were certainly put to good use.

South Hill Elementary School, one of the twelve polling places within the city, saw many voters come through the doors. “We’ve had over a 50 percent voter turn out, maybe even 60 percent,” said Becky Booth, a polling volunteer at the elementary school. Booth said that the turn out has never been this high and that this election season, Tompkins County has added more polling places as well as more staff and volunteers.

Booth credits the large number of students in the area for the increase in turn out. “We have two universities that make up a big population in Ithaca and with their big flexibility during the day, they are able to come in and vote on their time,” Booth said.

Carol*, one of the head polling staff at South Hill Elementary said the young people are also influencing bigger, national issues. “I think that people under 22 [years old] are more concerned with the national issues, but those over 22 are looking into the local election because they realize that concerns them more in terms of issues such as taxes and schools,” Carol* said.

Sandra Reukaol, another polling volunteer at the elementary school, said she was excited to see the young turn out. "It was delightful to see young people out and voting," she said. "There were three girls here earlier, all grinning, and were skipping up the ramp after the voted."

She said there was even a young girl who was celebrating her 18th birthday today and was voting for the first time. "It is great to see American engaged and awake," she said.

*Last name has been withheld due to person's request.

Below: Carol* instructs a new voter on what to do.



A map of South Hill Elementary School


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What's Your Issue?

            National elections often hinge on one critical issue. The 2008 Presidential Election and congressional elections have been driven by concerns for the economy. Sometimes the mass exposure of an issue like the economy can overshadow the truth that Americans have many issues on their mind when they go to the polls.

            The polling place at South Hill Elementary School in Ithaca was fairly quiet at 3:00 this afternoon. After navigating the multitude of signs meant to direct voters (and keep out electioneers, loiterers, and honest journalists), I set up shop 100 feet away from the polls to unearth the issues weighing on voters minds.

The few people casting their ballots at South Hill had a variety of issues they felt were the key to how they voted. Education, the environment, and foreign policy all joined the economy as the number one issue on people’s minds. The sample size may not have been large, but clearly the voters in this district don’t fall into the one-track mind of economy only politics. 

The video below summarizes my trip to the polling place and introduces some of the people who shared their number one political issue with me.          

  One note I feel that it is essential to mention, although it is not what I set out to discover. The election of a President this year was not the deciding factor for any voters coming out to vote at South Hill this afternoon. Voters answered that they always vote, regardless of the national election.         

--Nate March

Bombers Win Again

Another Saturday at Butterfield Stadium, another record-breaking performance for junior running back Thomas Bergerstock.

The Ithaca College Bombers football team won their fourth straight game, routing Springfield College 37-8. The win came on Family Weekend on the South Hill. Out of all the positives from the win, the biggest was Bergerstock’s performance in the running game.

The junior out of Webster, NY ran for 175 yards and four touchdowns on the day, and broke two distinguished Bomber records. His four scores gave him 20 on the season, breaking Jeff Whitman’s record of 19 back in 1992. In addition, his 120 total points scored also broke Jeff Whitman’s record which he also set during the ’92 season.

Bergerstock’s great performance can also be attributed to the offensive line, which created massive holes for him to run through and gave quarterback Dan Juvan extra room to work in the pocket. The front five, which was honored as the Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week earlier this season, certainly deserved a lot of credit for leading the Bombers to another victory.

Now, Ithaca moves on from the easy part of their schedule and returns to the road for two very tough games to close out the season. This Saturday, the Bombers visit the Alfred Saxons with the Empire 8 title potentially on the line. Then, they head to Cortland on the 15th for the Cortaca Jug, where they could face an undefeated Red Dragons team. Should be an exciting finish to an already wild season!

Here’s a map showing the sites of Ithaca’s final two games as well as Thomas Bergerstock’s hometown of Webster, NY. For more on Saturday’s win, you can read this article.


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On The Farm Or In The White House: Local Versus National Debates

In-Depth Political Story

By Kaitlyn Rich

The lights are bright on the stage where candidates Don Barber and James Seward sit. Papers, containing facts, opponent weaknesses and their promises, are strewn across the round plastic tables where each waits for their questions. Three television cameras and more than one hundred people sit patiently hanging on their every response. However, this political debate is not for a place in Washington D.C., but instead for a seat in Albany. There is no security and those who have come to watch are greeted with apple cider and home baked cookies. This debate is not being held at Hofstra or Ole Miss and is not being moderate by Brokaw or Lehrer, but instead it is refereed by a group of elderly women - and it is of local importance.

The Tuesday Oct. 28 debate, held at Tompkins Cortland Community College and organized by the League of Women’s Voters of Tompkins County, cast a very different light on political debates. The grandeur and pomp and circumstance of the presidential debates many have seen, some more than once, was absent. This debate for the New York State Senate seat in the 51st District was grassroots politics and, despite the snow on Tuesday, many came out to support it.

“It’s really cool to actually watch something like this happen,” said Ithaca College sophomore Elijah Kruger, “You are so far removed from the presidential ones but here you can really see it.” Kruger was one of the more than hundred spectators at the debate. The audience, while mostly older, did contain some younger voters. However, while their ages varied, all were allowed to ask the candidates questions.

“We provide an opportunity for the community to ask questions to the candidates and we moderate the forum. We delete duplicate questions and we time the opening statements and we time the candidate’s response. We are a non-partisan organization so we don’t support either party, we just perform a community service,” said Kay Sharp President of the League of Women Voters of Tompkins County.

Besides for the cookies and lack of security, the real familiarity of the debate was the most striking difference. The questions asked were to the point, often just one sentence long, leaving little room for the candidates to talk their way out of anything. The differences are seen in the two separate video clips below. One is of the presidential debate and the other is from the state senate debate. Both show the candidates answering questions on the economy.

While the differences are apparent, there were also some similarities. For example the phrase "on my farm" was said more than a dozen times by the candidates, an amusing allusion to such presidential catch phrases as "Joe the Plumer" and "change." However, the senatorial debate did cover other issues such as health care, gay marriage, abortion, and many other hot topics of the election cycle. Many were issues that those in the audience, like Kruger, wanted to hear about. “By being able to get your question answered right on the spot you know they don’t have much time to talk around it. And plus these are the guys making the laws that really have an impact on me,” he said.

Sharp reiterated the importance of the debate, but from the politician standpoint: “Usually we respond to a request from candidates from outside of Ithaca to moderate a candidate forum. This year both Barber and Seward requested that we moderate the event.” She said that in years past they have had audience members speak directly to the candidates, but for this forum both debaters asked that the questions be written out on cards.

The 51st Senatorial District comprises the counties of Otsego, Greene, Schoharie, Herkimer, Cortland, parts of Chenango, and the towns of Danby, Caroline, Groton, and Dryden in Tompkins County. This year James Seward is the incumbent Republican candidate and Don Barber is the Democratic candidate.

“It’s time we open the doors of the senate and let the sun light of democracy shine in,” said Don Barber to the auditorium. Seward countered him in his closing statement saying, “It has been a real privilege to work with my district over the past 20 years, and I have been in every part of my district time and time again, because it is important to me, not just at election time, but whenever the towns and my constitutes have needed help.” 

While it is important to hear the issues and more important to vote this coming Tuesday, it was Sharp who best expressed why these grassroots debates are important: “These debates are different because the public has a way of asking and structuring the course of the debate. While we read the question we just allow the candidates to answer. We’re just structuring the way the questions are asked and answered, rather than just the candidates speaking to no one in particular.”

Top to Bottom: The audience watches intently at the debate on Tuesday; The moderator, a member of the League of Women Voters of Tompkins County asks the candidates questions; Seward (closest) and Barber (far side of the stage) debate in front of the crowd and media.

To check out another debate between these two politicians click here

The Forgotten Vote

Politics Story
-Ursula Fox-Koor


Larry Hardesty may not have a home, but he does have something valuable -- the right to vote. Hardesty, who resides at the American Red Cross of Tompkins County Friendship Center, will be casting his ballot on Election Day in Tompkins County which is something not many other homeless people can say.

The homeless vote has long been a forgotten vote when it comes to the Presidential Election. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, lower class and homeless individuals vote at a much lower rate than those with a higher income. The majority of the issues voted upon affect the lower class and homeless directly, yet the input from this group is non-existent due to the lack of voting.

Charles Buckley, also a resident of the Center, is not registered to vote. He holds little interest in the election and has no intention of becoming a registered voter. “I follow the election when I have time,” he said.

So why the lack of votes among the homeless? Problems that prevent many homeless people from voting include failure to have proper identification for registration as well as a lack of available resources in order to become knowledgeable about the candidates and their campaigns.

Homeless individuals such as Hardestey are difficult to find among the homeless population. Hardestey is quite knowledgeable about the election and holds strong opinions based on this knowledge. “Republicans have done a crap job for the past eight years,” he said. “I’d like to see a new person because it’s time- I mean, it can’t get any worse.”

Though Hardestey is informed about the election thanks to “the media and people”, many others are not, therefore leaving a large number of homeless individuals who are not registered.

Amanda House, also a resident of the Friendship Center, is not a registered voter and never has been. Her lack of resources regarding the election has led her to choose not to vote. “I never really know who to pick and I’m not good at judging people so I don’t vote,” she said.

Organizations such as the National Coalition for the Homeless have created volunteer-based campaigns across the country such as "You Don't Need a Home to Vote" in order to promote the importance of the homeless vote. The campaigns are an important stride toward obtaining the homeless vote, yet they are still far from achieving this.

In the mean time, it is up to individuals such as Hardestey, to get the word out. “Tell everyone to vote,” he said. “It’s the only way for change.”






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Below, a map of the Friendship Center in Ithaca, NY.

The Grassroots Approach

“You eat when you get the chance,” Mike Oot says over breakfast at a diner a short walk from his campaign office. When campaigning in a congressional district encompassing more than 14,000 square miles, food isn’t always your primary concern.

Oot, a Democrat from Madison County, is running for Congress in the 23rd Congressional District (seen on the nationalatlas.gov map above). A lawyer from the rural community of Stockbridge, New York, Oot is a newcomer to the realm of politics. His only previous political experience is as a school board member. His campaign website is located here.

Undertaking a political campaign of this scale is an incredible undertaking. Oot said he began seriously considering running in spring of 2007. He announced his intention to challenge 10-term incumbent John Mchugh approximately seven months ago.

The campaign is truly a grassroots effort. The 23rd District contains part or all of 11 counties and can take as long as four hours to traverse north to south. “I’ve been door-to-door in all 11,” Oot says. He believes for each door you knock on the word of mouth spreads to several others.

Without an established web of political supporters, networking is essential. The Madison County Democratic Party endorsed Oot very early on. Procuring the support of town and county committees is crucial to getting the petition signatures necessary to get on the ballot.

Campaign volunteers are critical to any successful campaign. When trying to get your name out over a massive region, the work of each volunteer becomes essential.

“More people are engaged the closer we get to the election,” Oot says of his fervent volunteer core. “There is only one paid staffer in the campaign.”

Even with volunteers helping every step of the way, running for congress is a taxing ordeal. Oot commented that “sleeping in” means not waking up by 6:00 a.m. Door-to-door campaigning, campaign events, and meetings with the press fill each day’s schedule.

The support from his family has been the driving force behind keeping Oot going on the campaign trail. “They have been supportive every step of the way,” Oot says. “They make it possible.”

With the election right around the corner, things won’t be slowing down until Election Day. Oot plans to watch the returns with supporters in Oneida. Despite the rigors of the campaign, he insists it has been a pleasure. “There have been more highs than lows.”

Below is a video of the Oot campaign in Plattsburgh courtesy of WPTZ, an NBC affiliate in Plattsburgh.



-Nate March
Politics Feature

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween

(Image courtesy of www.bbc.co.uk)

Halloween is a time for people of all ages to have fun and enjoy themselves. Children trick-or-treating and parents taking their children trick-or-treating will be out and about all over Tompkins County tonight.

 

I thought it might be proper to include some tips for safe and healthy trick-or-treating. As I am not an expert on the subject, I've provided a link to a list compiled by people who are (the Los Angeles Fire Department).

From all of us here at Tracking Tompkins County, have a happy Halloween.

-Nate March