The Ithaca Journal from Ithaca, New York • Page 3

Wednesday, June 6, 1973 ITHACA JOURNAL A Former Coach IHA Executive Direc Believes in 'Teamwork' tor By JUDY HORSTMAN "Teamwork" and cooperation between tenants and management is the key to making Ithaca's public housing a success, newly appointed Ithaca Housing Authority Executive Director Samuel J. Deeb said Tuesday at a welcoming reception at the Hancock Street project. In his first appearance in his new post, Deeb said. "I'd like to see the people who live here get involved in the project. We've all got to work together; we've got to use teamwork to make it a success." He fielded specific questions about what he considers first priorities and new programs for the IHA's 300-plus units with a smile, and said he'd "rather take a look at everything, and then we'll see." But one thing the former Ithaca College athlete and high school coach is in favor of is more programs for young people and children.

"I'd hope they'd get involved in as many city programs as they can," he said. "I saw girls playing softball nearby as we drove up. "I'd also like to see scouting as much as possible. I was involved in scouting here for many years," he said. A former Ithacan.

Deeb, 53, left Ithaca in 1940 and has had more than 30 years experience as administrator, teacher and athletic coach in school systems in New York State. He was the unanimous choice of the IHA over 34 other candidates. "This is the only thing we haven't had an argument about." IHA board member Frank Baldwin told the group with a smile. "We had a lot of applicants and gave a lot of consideration to choosing someone for this post considering our past problems." board member Barbara Blanchard said. "And Sam is the man." Deeb replaces former IHA Executive Director David Armstrong, who resigned May 1 under fire from the IHA for alleged "irregularities." Details of his resignation will be made public on completion of a Department of Housing and Urban Development audit or IHA books, now in progress, IHA Chairman Federal Housing Authority." Deeb said, adding: "Everybody has to follow the rules.

You have to be very firm about it, and they've, got to know what the rules are, like any in any game. You do the best you can. and what's right, and work with each other." Returning to his native city is a good experience, he said. "I like it here, or I wouldn't come back. I know a lot of people here," he said, proving it a few moments later by recognizing and shaking hands with Second Ward Alderman Rudy Saccucci whom he said he hadn't seen in nearly 30 years.

"I've known Mr. Deeb for a good many years," Saccucci said. "He's been successful at everything he's done and he'll be a success at this." Deeb's next public appearance will be at the IHA's annual dinner meeting Thursday at Sylvan Hills. He will assume his full-time post June 15. He is married to the former Dorothy Fatula, also a native Ithacan, and they will make their home here.

people, being in the public eye. I've run a lot of programs youth and recreational in my time. Public housing is dealing with people, "he noted. Much of his experience in public schools systems has been in administration, as is his doctoral degree, he said. As assistant superintendent of schools, he has been involved in budget and financing, and in charge of school building programs of about $3.5 million, he said.

"At one school, we had five going at once." he added. He had praise for the IHA's projects. "I think you've got a wonderful plant here. I haven't seen anything anywhere better than this." he commented. Deeb said he was "for tenant councils one hundred per cent you have to have some method of communication.

It's like the PTA." he added. "People can communicate, cooperate, get things done." Tenant-management conflicts should be settled by "hearing both sides, and following the methods mandated by the Tenant Councils are Mike the PTA. People can communicate, cooperate, get things Samuel J. Deeb Jack Alexander has said. Asked if he was nervous about his new job after all the controversy surrounding the former director, Deeb laughed.

"No, I'm not." he said. "I don't feel that way. I've been in many jobs, and at my age. controversy doesn't bother me. I've coached for 14 years, and you get to be pretty thick-skinned.

"You have to be flexible, do the best you can. You just have to listen with a sensitive ear." Deeb said he had no experience in public housing, but that he felt his experience in school systems and sports prepared him for his new post. "My jobs have involved dealing with I -J) i i SAMUEL J. DEEB chool Board. ix Cut jjyes By JANE MARCHAM An extra $100,000 in state aid and $75,000 in property tax revenues opens the possibility of a 50-cent reduction in the Ithaca school tax rate, Superintendent Theodore Sturgis told the Board of Education Tuesday.

Tax bills still would rise substantially, in proportion to shifts in equalization rates. But a reduction in the tax rate, which would be the first since 1964. would mean a rise less sharp than proposed by the district's tentative budget. So far school administrators have favored "stabilizing" the tax rate at the present level of $22.75 per $1,000 true value and holding onto surplus funds. They have said that it the rate were reduced this year, an increase would be necessary next year to maintain present programs.

But several board members indicated at Tuesday's study session they are leaning toward Etna Needs Fire Dept. Firemen Say DRYDEN The need for a fire department in Etna was agreed on by members of Dryden and Varna fire departments who attended a public hearing Tuesday night on a proposed fire department for that area. Some members, however, felt the programs' continuation, he said. Board members indicated that budget discussions will continue in sessions during the coming week. The annual public hearing will be held June 19.

and adoption of the final budget is scheduled for June 28. The other main topic of Tuesday's two-hour session, attended by about 30 spectators, was a continuing debate over procedures used in evaluating teachers before tenure is granted. The board adopted a report in 1971 requiring evaluation by educators from outside the school district, but confusion developed when the Ithaca Teachers' Assn. did not take a stand for or against the procedure. Outside evaluators were not used by the administration in tenure decisions this year, and former board president Ari van Tienhoven objected that the policy had been bypassed.

The board's attorney, Faust Rossi, said his opinion was that the 1971 decision did not represent a final mandate, and suggested that the policy be "reexamined" in light of current negotiations with the IRA over merit pay evaluations. Some board members said they saw no particular connection between merit pay and tenure evaluations, and Davis said the board "has a right to require certain evaluation procedures when people are being hired for life." The issue remained unsettled. a reduction. "I don't see why it is so important to keep the tax rate stable," said Wendell Davis. "If the school district doesn't need that dollar, it should give it back.

I think I can save my money better than you can save it for me." Under the tentative budget and $22.75 rate, Ithaca school tax bill rises would range from 4 per cent in Lansing to 23 per cent in Enfield, in proportion to new slate-set equalization rates representing updated judgments of property value. In the city the rise would be 6 per cent and in the Town of Ithaca, 10 per cent. The $100,000 in new state funds is anticipated as the result of the Legislature voting a 2.5 per cent increase in state aid. and the $75,000 in property taxes is expected from shifts in the equalization rates. In response to the board's May request for an outline of possible budget cuts totaling $330,000 to $500,000, Superintendent Sturgis said several alternatives are open.

Sturgis said the board could drop all or part of the $442,000 worth of the new programs proposed for next year, including the $252,000 program to cope with students' learning problems, but this was not a course of action he would recommend. Another possibility, he said, was implementing all of the programs by using up all of the "planned balance" in the budget. But a tax rate increase would be necessary the following year for Six-court tennis facility, developed by Ormsby Dolph, president of Finger Lakes Stone is shown above in artist's rendering. Indoor Tennis Courts Planned facility. Mutual Tennis Cross Court Division, of Westport, are the consultants.

Based on market research surveys, the facility should realize its first profits by the third year of operation, according to officials. Site preparation work will begin next week, according to architect Bob Tallman. that the area included in the proposal may be too large. The boundaries are the north and west Drvden town lines, Rte. 13 and Kirk and Caswell Roads.

No action was taken on the plan, but action is expected at the next Dryden Town Board meeting set for Tuesday in the Varna Community Assn. building. The courts will be located on the southeast quadrant off the intersection, on nine acres of Dolph-owned land. The land is the former Cornell-owner quarry. An early fall opening date is planned.

According to Dolph, the $525,000 recreation facility meets the need for indoor tennis in the area, which was indicated in a market research study. He also noted that more than 160 persons signed a petition in favor of the construction. The steps to get the courts. By FRED YAHN A six-court indoor tennis facility developed by Ormsby Dolph, president of Finger Lakes Stone, will be built in the Town of Dryden, near the Ellis Hollow-Quarry Road intersection. Dolph announced the construction this morning, following final zoning approval, which was received from the Dryden Town Board of Zoning Appeals Tuesday night.

It received "RB" recreational zoning. which should be completed by early fall, according to Dolph. took about six months to complete. The facility to be called "Quarry Courts," is the second indoor facility to be announced this spring. Another six-court indoor operation, developed by Station Restaurant owner Joseph O.

Ciaschi. is to be completed by early fall near the Holiday Inn on Triphammer Road. The two are not connected. The Dryden facility has been designed to include a clubhouse with locker rooms, sauna, lounge area, and an administrative office. It will have fluorescent lighting, radiant heat, artificial ventilation, and the latest in Watkins School Tax May Go Up 9.8 Dormitory Is Renamed For Class of 1918 indoor tennis surfaces.

It will be a steel structure. 40 feet high at its highest point, and set back from Quarry Road about 150 feet. It is about 1.800 feet back from Ellis Hollow Road and will not be able to be seen from the roadway. Dolph said. Dolph said season memberships will be available in various categories, including family, adults and junior.

Resident tennis professionals will provide private and group lessons, and program activities. Tallman and Tallman of Ithaca is the architect for the new Plans Listed For Federal $8 VAN ETTEN The village cemetery and streets will benefit from plans made by the Van Etten village board for use of the federal revenue sharing income. Mayor Addison Brown said the village expects to receive about $2,454 during the first six months of the year. Of that. $1,472 or 60 per cent will be used to buy a mower and general maintenance equipment for use in the cemetery.

The other 40 per cent, of $942, will be used for street repairs. Brown said the revenue helps prevent any new major tax at the local level to accomplish these improvements. School List $3,765 In Unpaid Debts As a bill-collector, the Ithaca School District has some problems. Most bills reportedly are paid promptly by tuition-paying non-residents, groups that rent school facilities, and parents who are legally responsible for damage to school property inflicted by their children. But currently the district has $3,765 in unpaid debts that are two to four years old and Assistant Superintendent L.

William Banner told the school board Tuesday that repeated attempts to collect have failed. Board members, however, balked at an auditors' recommendation that the debts simply be deleted as uncollectable, and asked for further efforts or discussion. Listed on an information sheet for board members were these long-term debts: For rentals of the high school pool: YMCA, $592; and Girl Scout Council signed by Ronald Freelove, $83.35. For Boynton gym: Southside Boxing Club, $100. For auditorium rentals I sometimes more than oncei: Eastern Star signed by Joyce Stout, $90; Rosalie Ducey, Ithaca Academy of Dance.

$120; Ithaca Community Music School signed by Eunice Weber, $69; Camp Fire Girls signed by Agnes Whible, Ithaca Youth Bureau, for Junior Music Club events, $30. The Youth Bureau also was said to owe $6.15 in unpaid balance for busing to Greek Peak, and the county Social Services Department $5 for summer school tuition. Uncollected tuition bills were listed for Richard Bury, $600. and Harry Levin. $1,951.

Billed for broken windows at various schools were Allen Akers, James Sweet and Peter Potenza. $28.50 each; Stephen Nemeth, and "Brodhead and Zaharis" for an amount unspecified on the board's list. Housing Development Hearing Scheduled lower assessment. Town of Dix officials put the matter in the hands of a lawyer to study possible action to secure the higher income from the track, but there has been no further action. Voting on the school budget and for the unopposed lone candidate for reelection to the Board of Education, John Callanan.

will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. in the high school on Tuesday. Groff Hearing Is Cancelled An Ithaca Town Board on public hearing on Groff Associate's proposal for housing for the elderly on Ellis Hollow-Road scheduled for June 11. has been cancelled on a request by the developers. Town Clerk Edward Bergen said.

The developers told the Board they will not have completed their site plans for the development by this date. The proposal may come up for public discussion in early July. Excluding recent "challenge" grants, this amount is the largest gift to the Cornell Fund ever given by a class in a single campaign. Tuttle. an emeritus trustee and a 1923 graduate of the Cornell Law School, is a judge with the United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Judicial Circuit.

The dormitory being dedicated is one of six separate units constructed west of the Baker Complex in 1954. It houses approximately 225 students and is the fourth unit to be renamed in honor of a class, the others are named for the Class of 1917, of 1922. and of 1926. A Cornell University dormitory University Halls 4 has been renamed the Class of 1918 Hall in recognition of the class's record-setting 55th reunion gift to the University. Elbert P.

Tuttle, president of the Class of 1918. will present the building to University President Dale Corson for dedication to the class on Friday during the Reunion Weekend. Members of the class attending the reunion will be invited to tour the building following the 11 a.m. ceremony in the main lounge. In making the gift of some $430,000.

the Class of 1918 established an all-time record for reunion gifts to By BARBARA BELL ATKINS GLEN Less than two dozen persons attended the public hearing on the proposed 1973-74 Watkins Glen Central School budget Tuesday night. Most of those present have a direct connection with school empllyment. The proposed $3,352,862 budget calls for a 9.8 per cent tax increase. Major increases are for salaries, fringe benefits, and operation and maintenance of plant. In explaining anticipated revenue, Lloyd Peak said $3,650 would be paid by the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Corp.

in lieu of taxes. He said the racing group has paid on the last budget, in place of a tax. the same amount plus interest and fees for late payment. The total was $4,224. This figure represents a payment based on property assessments of $39,600.

the figure used prior to the $3 million improvement project completed before last year's races. After the changes were made, the town asessor changed his value of the acreage to $396,000. There is an on-going dispute as to which base is to be used for the in-lieu-of-tax payment bv WGGP. Under the revised estimate, the amount paid to school and municipal coffers would increase 10-fold. The racing group has prepared a table indicating in-lieu-of-tax payments it plans to make over a 20-year period until the loan for the $3-million project is repaid.

The entire table is based on the Searchers Are Named 'Freeville Needs Public Sewer' Board to Eye 4Junk' Law SLATERVILLE SPRINGS -A special meeting in Caroline Town Hall will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. June 13, to discuss interpretation of the town's "junk" ordinance before the next step of enforcement is undertaken. The Town is currently in the process of a clean-up campaign which includes enforcement of this local law. Board members are not in total agreement about application of the law.

Anthony Schultz, town justice, was named to represent the Board at Grievance Day from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in town hall. The Board also named Election inspectors and voting machines custodians at Tuesday night's meeting. Chester, professor of physics in the College of Arts and Sciences; Ann B. Pendleton administrative aide at the Law School; Elizabeth D.

Moore, a junior in the State School of Industrial and Labor Relations; Benjamin Nichols, professor of electrical engineering in the College of Engineering; Reuben A. Munday. staff writer in the Office of Public Information, and Alice Henry, a graduate student. Corson said that he plans to make an interim appointment, with the consent of the University Senate Executive Committee, until the beginning of the fall term. A seven-member search committee to nominate a candidate for judicial administrator at Cornell University has been appointed by President Dale R.

Corson. The position will become available in mid-July when Alan L. Sapakie, the present judicial administrator, will become director of university unions at Johns Hopkins University. Joseph B. Bugliari, associate professor of agricultural economics in the State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, will chair the committee.

In addition to Bugliari. members of the search committee are Geoffrey V. the Board could not agree what constituted a home and what constituted a commercial dwelling. Rolfe had initially planned to convert part of his home into a rug shop, which is now located at DeWitt Mall. No legal action was taken on a request by developer Walter Wiggins to convert a barn on Danby Road into multiple residency.

Board members decided action for this would be taken by the Board of Zoning Appeals. A public hearing was set for June 19 in the town offices to review a proposal for subdivision housing on St. Catherine Circle. The proposal, which includes 20 units of single-family housing was proposed by developer Arthur Prince at Tuesday night's meeting of the Ithaca Town Planning Board. In other business: -A request bv Frederick Rolfe of 358 Bostwick Road to build a structure for commercial purposes was withdrawn when The board decided to make copies of the study available in the village post office and will hold an informational meeting if public interest warrants it.

In other business, the board: Scheduled a public hearing on the proposed zoning ordinance for the village for 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the village hall. Set a public village clean-up day for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 14. Hired a part-time traffic patrolman for daytime duty.

FREEVILLE There is a definite need for a public sewer system for the Village of Freeville. according to a feasibility study on the village sewage problems done by Morrell Vrooman, a Gloversville engineer. Before it can proceed with a sewer project however, the town must await word from the state on funding possibilities. The completed study was discussed by the Village Board at its meeting Tuesday night..