Are Ithaca City Officials Double-Speaking Occupiers?

Almost 3 weeks ago, Ithaca Mayor Carolyn Peterson came to our occupation with an application for a permit and spoke with us for a little while. She was kind and courteous. She seemed to genuinely understand our cause and our purpose. We obliged by filing an official application for a permit and extended our intentions toward the city - to work as a cooperative effort - rather than to allow for the contentious situations we have seen from other city administrations around the country - other, less socially conscious administrations. We have since worked in the true spirit of good faith with city officials and employees.

Our initial application, the city seemed to suggest, was too cumbersome. In good faith, we revised our application to be more simple and, we believed, much easier to accept; we simply asked to be allowed without obstruction, in the public space of DeWitt Park in order to protest while respecting all other citizen's rights to use of the park as well.

Earlier this week, we met with Mayor Carolyn Peterson, City Attorney Dan Hoffman, Superintendant of Public Works Bill Gray (responsible for permitting), City Clerk Julie Conley Holcomb and another city employee.

We discussed most facets of our protest, including our chosen section of the park being the part of the park with the least grass, our intention and ability to repair any damages to what little grass was there, our total lack of obstruction to the general public who use the park. The mayor made hypothetical suggestions, as did we, about how we might come to terms in a cooperative effort. Every impression was given, by the city, that we would continue to dialogue until we were able to come to terms. Toward the end of the meeting, the mayor specifically mentioned that the city would likely present us with suggestions or proposals, moving forward - and that, that would be our next step in this process.

"Though the meeting seemed to be productive and congenial, for some reason on the way out, the city officials seemed in a hurry to leave the conference room without shaking any of our hands" noted one attendee.

Today our permit was flatly denied.
This was not the manner of 'next step' communications we were led to expect.
Nor is this the kind of good faith action that one would expect, while attempting complete cooperation.

Separate sources indicate city intentions to forcibly evict us.
Time will tell whether that happens, and if so, how it plays out.
In the meantime, show your support for our efforts.
Be involved.

If you support the Occupy Movement, then support us here in Ithaca!
Let these city officials know that you stand with us - and that you will stand up for us.
Urge them to work with us to create cooperative solutions, which allow the people their rights to free speech and assembly. We have worked in good faith with the city. Demand that they work in good faith with us.

Let them know that if they arrest the freedom of one of us for engaging in speech & assembly, then they arrest the freedom of all of us!

Contact Mayor: Carolyn K. Peterson

Fourth Floor

City Hall
108 East Green Street
Ithaca, NY 14850

Executive Assistant to the Mayor: Annie Sherman
Phone: (607) 274-6501
Fax: (607) 274-6526
e-mail: asherman@cityofithaca.org

Ithaca Police Department
Non-Emergency Police Assistance: (607)272-3245
Police Headquarters: (607) 272-9973 

City Attorney Dan Hoffman's Office

Phone: (607) 274-6504
Fax: (607) 274-6507

e-mail: attorney@cityofithaca.org

City Prosecutor

call: 607-273-1957
email: cp@cityofithaca.org

City Clerk

Julie Conley Holcomb 

First Floor, City Hall
108 East Green Street
Ithaca, NY 14850

Phone: (607) 274-6570

Fax: (607) 274-6432
Email: julieh@cityofithaca.org

Superintendant of Public Works

(RESPONSIBLE FOR PERMITTING)
William J. Gray, P.E. 
Second Floor of City Hall
108 East Green Street Room 202
Ithaca, NY 14850  
Phone: (607) 274-6527
Fax: (607) 274-6587
Email: Superintendent's Office