ITHACA, N.Y. — A recent community forum at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center provided an interactive platform for candidates vying for the Fifth Ward Common Council seat. Hannah Shvets, George Zurenda, and Deborah Fisher engaged in a lively discussion on pressing local issues, with a focus on housing affordability and city spending.
Hannah Shvets, a Cornell University student and Ithaca native, emphasized her commitment to tackling the housing affordability crisis she believes is driving residents out of the city. She called for increased density in housing development to bolster the local tax base, which could help mitigate rising taxes. “I decided to run because I saw firsthand the impact of the affordability and equity crisis on our community,” she explained, voicing her desire for more proactive approaches to climate change and housing legislation.
In addition to housing, Shvets also addressed transportation, advocating for enhancements to the Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) service, which relies on funding from the county, city, and university.
George Zurenda, another candidate, joined the race with an aim to rein in city spending and improve affordability for residents. However, he indicated that recent federal funding cuts to sanctuary cities have raised the stakes for the election. “We need to manage based on what’s happening, not what we were hoping would happen,” Zurenda said, urging the need for realistic adaptations in response to changing financial circumstances.
Zurenda pointed out that any cuts in funding would have widespread repercussions for Ithaca’s residents. He called for a reassessment of agreements that are no longer viable under new federal regulations. “When circumstances change, we need to adjust and do what works,” he stated.
Deborah Fisher, the third candidate, highlighted her background as the founder of a national arts non-profit and expressed her commitment to community safety, citing concerns over the affordability crisis exacerbated by recent federal policies. “It’s personal for Ward Five,” she said. Fisher advocated for revising local zoning laws to foster denser housing development, arguing that such changes could help residents remain in their homes.
Tensions surfaced between Zurenda and Shvets on the issue of city spending strategies. Zurenda criticized current inefficiencies stemming from poor communication among city leaders and called for difficult discussions regarding workforce management. “The purpose of the city government is to serve the citizens,” he said, emphasizing the need for cost-effective leadership.
In contrast, Shvets contended that a focus on cost-cutting could undermine service quality. “I won’t promise to cut taxes, but I will ensure that residents receive value for their contributions,” she stated, advocating for enhanced returns on the city’s existing expenditure.
On the subject of housing density, all candidates expressed agreement on the need to revise zoning laws to permit diverse housing options. Fisher described a pressing need for various housing types, including townhomes and condominiums, which would help alleviate the burden on many residents currently stuck in homes they cannot afford.
Zurenda supported Fisher’s viewpoint, suggesting that tax relief for large developers be eliminated, allowing the resulting funds to support existing housing initiatives and the Ithaca Green New Deal. Shvets added that rent stabilization should also play a role in the solution, although Zurenda expressed concerns about its limitations regarding cost pressures on property owners.
Shvets countered that any stabilization efforts would consider factors like inflation, ensuring landlords are not disproportionately affected. Both Shvets and Fisher differentiated between the experiences of small landlords and larger property management companies that could be significantly impacted by legislation.
The primary election for the Fifth Ward Common Council is scheduled for June 24.
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