HomeMy WebLinkAboutPolice Chief's Report of the Youth Program for 1974POLICE DEPARTMENT
VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS
• TO: Hon. Frederick G. Marcham, Mayor DATE: November 18, 1974
Members of the Board of Trustees
Village of Cayuga Heights
SUBJECT: Police Chief's Report of the Youth Program for 1974
A Youth Program for the Village has been discussed on several'.o'coasions by
the Village Board prior to 1974. The Village had gone on record as supportive
of the Ithaca Youth Bureau and its program and decided that financial support
of this program should be made by the Town of Ithaca which would include the
Village.
On January 17, 1974, a written proposal to the Board of Trustees was made by
Trustee Allee suggesting that the Village establish a "Youth and Recreation
Commission for the Village of Cayuga Heights ". It was suggested in the proposal
that the Village take advantage of New York State Division for Youth funds
which were available to the Village. No action was taken on the proposal by
the Village Board at its meeting January 21, 1974.
On February 18, 1974 at a regular meeting.of the Village Board, Joseph Stone,
Principal of the Cayuga Heights School and members of the Cayuga Heights PTA
appeared to support the proposal of Trustee Allee and also a proposal by
Samuel Cohen, Director of the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC). Because
• Mr. Cohen could not be present to answer questions, the Board decided that
more study and research was needed before acting on the proposals. Several
Board members expressed the feeling that additional recreation programs were
not needed and would duplicate the many services already available. The Police
Chief spoke about a need for some programs in the Village which would provide
for a closer relationship between the police and youth, not recreation type
programs but projects which would be educational and service oriented.
During March, April and May 1974 discussions were held at Board meetings
concerning various Youth Program proposals. Chief McEwen spoke of the urgency
of adopting some policy if a program were to be instituted during the Bummer
of 1974 so that adequate planning could commence for such a program..Trustee
Nullp suggested that some of her proposals for beautifigatign of.Village property
could involve Village youth in a meaningful way. Trustee Allee presented a
refined written proposal to the Village Board at its meeting on May 20, 1974
and Resolution #2268 was passed authorizing $500 to be used to hire a Youth
Program Director for the Bummer months. This Resolution was revised at the
June 17, 1974 Board Meeting. Chief McEwen expressed some misgivings about starting
a program at such a late date but agreed to try such a program.
At the June 17, 1974 Village Board Meeting, Mayor Marcham_ and Chief McEwen reported
they had interviewed and hired Miss Cynthia Greenberger, 117 The Parkway, as Youth
Program Director. Prior to this approval.for the part -time position had been received
from the Tompkins County Personnel Director.
• Cindy Greenberger started work on June 18th and quickly became frustrated by the
feet that many Village youth planned to be away for the summer and also there was
some lack of interest expressed by the youth. She did plan three activities which
lacked success. On July 8th and July 10th, a Child Care Workshop was conducted at
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the Cayuga Heights School in which six girls participated. Mrs. R. Brian (Janet)
• How, 117 Oak Hill Road was the instructor. On July 9th, a Bicycle Maintenance
Workshop was conducted at the Cayuga Heights Fire Station. Only one girl participated
in the program. Professor James M. Hartshorne and members of the Cycling Club
were the instructors. An Animal Care Workshop scheduled for July 24, 1974
was cancelled when no one called to register for the workshop. Dr. Jeffrey A.
LaCroix, 407 Klinewoods Road, a Veterinarian associated with Dr. Leo A. Wuori
had agreed to instruct the workshop.
Because of the failure to get participation of the youth in these programs, it
was decided to not proceed further with the program until the Fall when school
resumed. The rehabilitation of Sunset Park was chosen for a fall progam. Miss
Greenberger was paid $112.00 for the time she spent on the program..
A committee to work with the program met on several occasions to offer advice
and assistance. This committee consisted of Chairman Mrs. Elizabeth S. Bolgiano,
129 Midway Road, Mrs. Barbara S. Tewey, 109 Warwick Place, Mr. D. Wayne Fleming,
205 The Parkway, Gilbert Crawford, 210 White Park Road, Jeffrey Rhodin, 402
Cayuga Heights Road, Diana Dickason, 201 Cayuga Heights Road, and Robin M.
Rogers, 207 Heat Remington Road. Trustee Allee and Chief McEwen met with the
committee as ex- officio members.
After numerous discussions and proposals for the rehabilitation of Sunset Park,
the Village Board authorized the restoring of the stone walls in the park and
clearing of brush. Several youths participated along with members of the police
department in the stone wall work and on October 6, 1974 and October 13, 1974
work parties of youth, adults and police officers cleared brush from the park.
Twenty -five adults and fifteen youth participated on October 6th, while fifteen
adults and twelve youth participated on October 13th. Chief McEwen and Patrolman
Wall worked with the groups on both occasions and Patrolman Wall worked with
the group in the stone wall restoration.
Certificates of appreciation have been prepared for the participating youth in
these programs and have been signed by the Mayor and Police Chief. They will be
given to the youth in the near future as well as letters of thanks sent to the
adults who participated.
It is my opinion that the Sunset Park project showed results which I feel are
beneficial to the Village and its youth. A lot of work was necessary to accomplish
this project and if future projects are to be considered, more advance planning
will be necessary.
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