The Ithaca Journal from Ithaca, New York • Page 8

Opinion 8A Ithaca Journal October 25, 1995 Opinion Editor Gary Stewart 274-9213 ots The Ithaca JOURNAL WOK AT ALL 1H0SB STARS. TH5R6' 1 23 W. State St. Ithaca, New York 14850 (607) 272-2321 Ellen Leileld President and Publisher Carol BeckerAdvertising Director Barbara GalloCirculation Director Michele SardiniaMarket Development Director Howard G. O.

LawrenceProduction Director Leslie ForcierController A Gannett Newspaper Ted HaiderManaging Editor Michael BeckAsst Managing Editor Gary StewartEditorial Page Editor John MillerRetail Advertising Manager 3 MOST MILLION A1AN OF Published daily except Sunday by the Ithaca Journal-News Member ot the Associated Press and Audit Bureau Circulations Cnpyni)ht 1995 The Ithaca Journal MARCH FDR THE 00 yr PARK SERVICE. i Editorial Grateful that Wal-Mart saga is reaching closure "You don have to do that every time somelxxfy breathes up here. Planning Hoard Chair David Kay to residents who rattled Stop Wal-Mart signs in response to comments they liked at Tuesday 's public hearing. If it goes along with what the city wants and needs, a Wal-Mart would be an asset on Ithaca's EUmira Road, that could use another steady tenant. The impact a proposed plan would have on views from Buttermilk Falls' trails is minimal, the potential revenues for city coffers substantial.

It could happen if Wal-Mart can swallow the City of Ithaca Planning Board's recommendations, Nancy RosenGuest columnist What to do about rising elderly suicide rate that are lengthy, precise and fair. The planning board is showing signs of strain and outside observers are getting even stranger. Cornellians for Wal-Mart issued a release this week that began with an analogy about Burma Shave. Those arc facts. It's also true that Wal-Mart is a Hawed company that is concerned more with profits than public relations.

Some Ithacans loathe Wal-Mart for what it is, as opposed to a McDonald's, that serves and makes billions or a cut-rate chain like Blockbuster Video, that will sxxm be opening in Ithaca. For many, Wal-Mart represents the worst aspects of modern capitalism. But it's also fact that this debate is about a store's real impact on a city, not Utopian philosophy. We applaud Tuesday night's vote to move the project along. Planning Board Chair David Kay called it, "the most difficult decision anyone up here has had to face." We can believe it.

We also believe that Wal-Mart officials are capable of complying with the city's analysis. If they don't, we'll know the process was fair and complete and Wal-Mart can scout for a location in the towns around the city. Despite Tuesday's large crowd, there's a lot of people who are sick of the story at this point and just want it to end one way or the other. The planning board is showing signs of stress and outside observers are getting even stranger. We knew this week was going to be different when Cornellians for Wal-Mart issued a news release that began, "It has been years now since the Burma Shave company made a hit selling shaving cream through an advertising campaign consisting of one-line jingles placed at intervals along highways." This related to a Monday morning rally on Route 13 in support of the store.

The Cornell American also weighed in on the matter in its October edition, with a Wal-Mart cover story, that concluded, "We have to choose whether or not we want freedom or whether we want slavery, where you can only purchase with your money what the State permits according to its value-system." Rhetoric like that is a little out of hand. It's only a Wal-Mart, not the end of world. 1H THeM. still living full, satisfying lives, our image of aging is negative. Wc think of people who arc dependent, passive, sick, mindlcs, and senile.

Wc think of this as being the normal state of aging rather than health, financial, emotional or other Issues to deal with. As a result we do not work with older people to solve their problems and improve their quality of life as we do with younger people with difficulties. There is hope we can change our approach to aging and aged people. We can use our skills to help older people mourn the losses that so often come with this time of life and to solve the problems that interfere with their ability to achieve the sense of security, achievement and connection that human beings need. When we see signs of depression, we can treat them aggressively as wc do with younger people.

There is nothing inherent in aging that makes depression more difficult to alleviate or the fulfillment of basic human needs less relevant. Dr. Joseph Richman, in his bcxik Preventing Elderly Suicide, describes the ways in which older people communicate that they arc in such emotional pain they are thinking of killing themselves: Rejection of help; a suspicious and hostile attitude towards helpers aud-or society; Expressions of feeling unnecessary, useless, and devalued increased irritability and rxx)r judgment, especially following a loss or some other crisis; A supporter of Nichols As someone who has spent most of my life in Ithaca, I have watched many mayors struggle to exert leadership over this small but complicated city. There may never have been a more difficult time to be the Ithaca's mayor. Ever shrinking state and federal budgets, economic fallout from both industrial and service sector downsizing, increased drug trafficking and drug-related crime, and an increasingly diverse population, require a quality and strength of leadership from the mayor's office that previously may not have seemed necessary.

We have needed and will continue to need a mayor who can bring the community together and work to make this the best possible city for all residents. For the last six years, Ben Nichols has given us that kind of leadership. I le is the first mayor to successfully challenge Cornell to both make a long term financial commitment to pay for city services and to make headway on parking problems faced by neighlxirlxxxls bordering campus. Me is also the first mayor to put equal effort into revitalizing the downtown, protecting the interests of Ithaca workers and their unions, and representing those most disenfranchised in this community. I lis record contrasts sharply with that of his opponent, Alan Cohen, who over and over again seems to be more concerned with representing the interests of a select few, rather than the majority of us who work, live, and raise children in this community.

It is Ben's leadership wc need, now more than ever. Kate Bronfenbrenner, Ithaca, Oct. 16 a gay frat, politics in Hector and city, United Way's influence Elderly people in America are killing themselves at a higher rate than any other age group. I believe that this situation can be changed. Older people need a sense of security, achievement and connection, like all human beings.

Their high suicide rate has been related to their loss of role, status, money and loved ones. In our culture, elderly people are often viewed as nonproductive or burdensome rather than experienced and wise. Their function as carriers of tradition and cultural history are ignored. They are accused of using resources which might otherwise be focused on young people. They are seen as responsible for the dark Rosen side of their families pasts, for the unresolved conflicts and the unfulfilled dreams.

The energy put into maintaining the family and getting the family through hard times, and the sacrifices of putting aside their own dreams to support the larger family needs are forgotten. Older people were once valued in our society. Our achievement orientation and our focus on youth and beauty (with a limited definition which applies only to "youthful characteristics" has changed this. Although most older people arc Our Readers Write HOW TO CONTACT THE JOURNAL Mail letters and guest columns to: The Ithaca Journal Opinion Page, 1 23 W. State Ithaca, N.Y.

14850. FAX: 272-4248, E-MAIL: ithjournalaol.com Sign your submission and include a phone number for verification For information: Gary Stewart, 274-9213. politics remain frustrating at best. Activism is certainly at a higher rate per capita than most cities this size. However, there seems to be a refusal to translate that into political action that would allow this community to thrive.

The Commons is dying before our eyes. Earlier this year, relations with Cornell had deteriorated to the point where citizens lost jobs. Ithaca College remains almost entirely absent from the scene. For all of Ithaca's progressiveness, there have been racial incidents at the schx)ls. But despite these pressing issues, people are debating whether Alan Cohen is a Democrat or Republican.

Perhaps he is neither but truly an independent. I know that he cares deeply about the social and environmental issues that face Ithaca. Alan Cohen is socially liberal. I lowever, he may may be a bit more economically conservative than Mayor Nichols. To me that would make Alan Cohen a pragmatist.

Ithaca needs a mayor that is compassionate it also has a head for business. There are many resources available here thatcould help ensure a glowing future for this community. Unlike most of Ithaca's supposedly progressive residents, I welcome the "unknown." What truly frightens me is the same old political routine. Karen M. Marano, Ithaca, Oct.

16 DOONESBURY Expression of the belief that one is a burden or harmful to others Expression of the belief that one is in an insoluble and hopeless situation; The direct or indirect expression of suicidal ideation including acts such as giving away valued possessions, storing up medication, buying a gun; Feelings of being trapped with no way out If these communications are addressed, if the Ux)ls of our professions are applied, many suicidal older people will re-embrace life. Dr. Richman, who has been working with depressed and suicidal older people for over 40 years, will share his expertise with the Ithaca community Thursday. In the morning he will speak directly to older people at a seminar entitled Being Older Doesn't Have to Mean Feeling Depressed held at 10:30 am at the Senior Citizens Center. Call the Center at 273-1511 for registration.

In the afternixm he will present Depression and Suicidally In Older People: Recognition, Treatment, Prevention, to mental health and medical practitioners, gerontology faculty and students, and others involved in the support of older people. Call Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service at 272-1505 for registration and fee information. Rosen is executive director of Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service. Back the United Way The United Way of Tompkins County's annual campaign is well underway, and I want to take this opportunity to let everyone know of the importance of community support and participation. The United Way provided seed money for the Day Care CiHincil's inception 28 years ago.

Txlay, that support continues for each of our three programs: Child Care Resources and Referral, Family Support Services, and Teen Pregnancy and Parenting Program. These funds are particularly important to our because: Our United Way allocation serves as matching support to leverage other funding. Without this level of ommunity funding, we would not be eligible to receive foundation, or state and federal funds, which require a match; The United Way funding is flexible enough to target activities in each program that make the most sense in meeting local needs; United Way provides an organized way for individuals and businesses in Tompkins County to support a broad range of services, including the Day Care Council. It would require an enormous amount of staff time time that is not currently available for us to raise the same level of funding from the community. We appreciate the support of our community members through their United Way pledge.

Please join us by making a contribution to the 1 99ft United Way campaign. Eva B. Cochran Board president Day Care and Child Development Council, Oct 15 BACKOFF, MAN. YOU'RS CONFUSING HER. AMU.j.r JUST BREATHE IFTHEAN-eWERZNO.

I I TTt- A. Letters address Gay students have long been absent from the framework of fraternities, due to most frats' traditional image of beer, girls, and heterosexual, often unappealing to the up-and-coming out young gay man. I lowever, more men are in fraternities than appear at first Iglance. It a safe bet that since the beginning of cial fraternities in 1S25, gay men have been infiltrating the ranks and bonding with their straight brothers in forming Greek families. Beyond the occasionally strange riles of the igroups and the admittedly bizarre idea of forming a family based around a set of Greek letters, the heart of any fraternity is a brotherhood of men.

Luckily, there are more than just a few all-gay fraternities; in fact, there's an entire national gay fraternity system Delta Phi (DLP), founded in 198ft as a national nonprofit organization. DLP was started by Vernon Strickland, a law student doing undergraduate work in Washington, D.C., at George Washington University. No gay Greek organization existed at the time. The obvious question is, why a fraternity? Why couldn't college students kxiking for a gay organization simply get involved in their gay and lesbian student organization, several of which are offered at Cornell. Strickland has explained that it is a matter of commitment.

A fraternity generally puts more restrictkms on the individual and asks more of its members, but in return, it provides them with closer friendships and a common thread. In addition, there arc network opportunities, opportunities to work with like-minded individuals, a feeling of camaraderie, and plenty ot social opportunities in a supportive envimnment. A chapter of Delta Lambda Phi is now forming at Cornell University. For further information, please contact Toshav Storrs at 257-3231 or e-mail at PI IIL12958( aol.com. Toshav Storrs, Ithaca, Oct.

1 7 How to contact state reps State Sen. James Seward (R- 50th Dist.) represents the City of Ithaca and towns of Ithaca, Dryden, Lansing and Groton. His local office number is 272-4806. State Sen. Randy Kuhl (R-52nd Dist.) represents Caroline, Enfield, Ulysses, Danby and Newfield and can be reached at 776-41 11 Assemblyman Marty Luster (D- Ulysses), is the county's representative in the state Assembly His local office number is 277-8030.

A contract with Hector Newt Gingrich has a "Contract with America." It's ah nit time we had a "Contract with I lector!" There has been so much divisiveness, rancor, ill feeling and endless debate, since the ill-timed but well-intentioned release of the very complicated and confusing "I lector Land Use Law," which was only intended to be for discussion by the town lxard. I lector residents will have an opportunity to elect this November a slate of qualified, committed men who are vitally interested in the welfare of all of us. Each one is enrolled in one of the major political parties. Let's forget politics we have tix much as it is. We have a new group of men calling themselves I lector First.

I think we are fortunate to have them on our side. Their qualifications are many as follows: All have been residents of I lector for two decades or more. All have children in our sclnxls. All have met a payroll and know the value of a dollar. All are graduates of gxxl schixils.

All have basic common sense and know how to apply it to our common problems. I consider wc are lucky to have men of their qualifications, brains and willingness to put in time into what must often be exasperating and frustrating. Please consider "1 lector First" candidates Jesse Pully for supervisor, Dave Foyer for councilman and Bruce Adams for councilman. Philip M. White, fvlecklenberg, Oct.

19 A Cohen supporter This letter is in response to the people who have been concerned about finding a label for Alan Cohen. Ever since I moved to Ithaca eight years ago, people have been teeling me how unique this town is. While the scenery is breathtaking, the If you want to vote The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 7 was Oct. 1 3.

That was also the last day to affiliate with a political party to be able to vote in the 1 996 state presidential primaries on March 7. To register for future elections, either stop by the Board Of Elections at 128 E. Buffalo Street, Ithaca, or pick up a mail-in form at the library, post office, motor vehicle agency, or at a governmental agency, such as the Department of Social Services or the Office of the Aging. i i mwjjpsjjq I J.J.? J.J? 'iL vn fcj OF 13 YEARS, NOT 50MB 5L5AZE8UOT WHO PICK5VY0UUPANP TRA5HE4? YOUR.