Mayor Establishes Task Force to Address Politically Incorrectness Nov 2 Mayor Carolyn Peterson today announced that she had appointed a 5 member task force to root out once and for all any lingering vestiges of political incorrectness in the City of Ithaca.
"We will simply not tolerate that kind of language or behavior on my watch," Mayor Peterson told reporters at a press conference this morning as she glowered sternly through what appeared to be a new set of horn-rimmed glasses. Previously we might have pointed out that the specs made Her Honor look a little matronly, even pruney but, under the new set of guidelines issued to bloggers, we are required to substitute the word 'stately.'
The Ithaca Task Force for the Establishment of Language Guidelines and Conventions, or the 'PC Squad' as the group has already been nicknamed by the Mayor's detractors, consists of a retired school principal and 4 white librarians over the age of 50. When asked about the lack of minority representation on the task force, Mayor Peterson bristled noticeably, then went on to explain, "Yes, you would ask that, wouldn't you? This is only a preliminary working group. The City of Ithaca embraces diversity and strives to include members of minority communities in every aspect of government. How many times do we have to repeat ourselves?"
Among the Task Force's first orders of business, according to Chairperson Frances X. Aldrich will be the renaming of the Cornell Plantations.
"The word 'plantation' is inappropriate for a liberal community like Ithaca in that it conjures up images of the Antebellum South, white planters, cotton fields and, well you know, the 'peculiar institution.' We are strongly recommending to the University that the name be changed. Peace Gardens would be more in keeping with the spirit of place."
According to sources, plans also have already been drawn up by the Ithaca Downtown Partnership to require merchants on the Commons to post "We Trade Fairly" signs in their front windows. At this morning's press conference, Gary Ferguson, IDP director, also discussed the possibility of busing minority workers in from Syracuse to give the downtown retail district what he called a "more blended look."
Comments invited at: ezrakidder@gmail.com - Peace, Ezra at 4:31 AM
