To the Editor:
Re: “Editorial: A Pragmatic Budget,” Opinion, Oct. 24
I read, with interest, your editorial, “A Pragmatic Budget,” in the Wednesday, Oct. 24 issue. It concerns Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick’s attempt to balance the city’s budget and reduce the $3 million deficit. You discuss the possibility of the mayor reducing the size of the Ithaca police force by nine members using retirement incentives.
May I remind you of the headline on your lead article on the front page of The Sun’s issue of Monday, Oct. 22, just two days earlier. It read, “Cornell Sets Record, Raises $777. 8 Million.” As a graduate of Cornell (1959) and now a resident of the Town of Ithaca and a daily visitor to the city, I am very much aware how many Cornell students, faculty and staff visit the city and are happy to have police and fire protection. Several departments of Cornell actually have their headquarters and offices in the heart of downtown.
I’ve forgotten how much Cornell gives the city of Ithaca — I think it’s under $2 million.
Maybe, in a future issue, you might comment on this obvious discrepancy?
Henry Stark ’59