Primary Election

Tuesday, June 27th, 2023

EARLY VOTING HAS STARTED!!!

DAVID SHAPIRO

Or send a check made out to Elect David Shapiro

to 807 Mitchell Street, Ithaca, NY 14850

why david is running

There isn't one reason that David is running.

David is running because he made a commitment to serve his community,

as a friend, a volunteer, a professional, and through public service.

David is running because he is keenly aware of the housing affordability problems in Ithaca,

and he wants help to ensure everyone has the same opportunities to purchase homes or afford modest rent.

David is running because he wants everyone in our city to feel safe in their neighborhoods,

and experience safety while walking, biking or taking other means of transit through town.

David is running because he believes zoning is a tool that should be utilized to grow neighborhoods,

and to incentivize the building of more affordable housing for our residents.

David is running because the city is currently dealing with complex issues that impact all of us.

Whether that be negotiating with Cornell to contribute more, completing the work of Re-Imagining Public Safety,

hiring of the next Chief of Police, the implementation of the Green New Deal, and the hiring of the first City Manager, these are all complex issues that need committed and experienced leadership.

The current issues being discussed on the City Council are complex and face many obstacles and challenges,

but with the professional experience David can bring as a council person, voters can rest assured that

David will get things done!

experienced

Committed

"Having lived in Ithaca for 13 years, and worked and volunteered around Ithaca for just as long, I feel I have learned a lot about this city, and the experiences of many of our neighbors. I am committed to contributing meaningfully to the City of Ithaca."

endorsements

Community Endorsements

Donna Fleming, current and former Ward 3 Alderperson wrote "I first met David when I was an Alderperson for the City of Ithaca and he asked to meet for lunch to talk about my experience in local government. He expressed a strong interest in running for local office and in fact did run for County Legislature and the Board of Education subsequently. As a member of the community I was impressed with David’s advocacy for families in distress through his leadership of Family & Children’s Services, and it was clear that he cared deeply about people with mental illness, people in poverty, and families in conflict. As the ED of Second Wind Cottages he’s faced opposition to his goals with grace and determination, intent to be both a good neighbor and a reliable provider of services to people who need housing and stability.

At a hyper-local level we’ve had many good conversations about local issues and government while watching our dogs play together. His interest, curiosity, and commitment are genuine. He is mature and will be an excellent voice for Third Ward residents, including working families, retirees, students, and people seeking to find a foothold in our community."

Cynthia Brock, current 1st Ward Alderperson wrote: I am honored to endorse David Shapiro for 3rd Ward Common Council. David has committed his life to improving the lives of the most vulnerable in our community. I had a chance to work with David over this past year, and have come to believe that David's knowledge and understanding of government and non-profit organizations, as well as his openness, flexibility, and responsiveness to the needs of our community are just what we need on Council. Supporting those who live unsheltered requires a broad spectrum of resources, funding and support. David's insights will help the City develop and implement meaningful solutions to the complex challenges we face."

Jonathan Green, former City of Ithaca Public Works Commissioner wrote "I am supporting my friend and neighbor, David Shapiro, for common council because he is the right person to represent our neighborhood in our City. I have known David for over 10 years and have come to appreciate his perspective and positive energy. David's 20 year career in social services, supporting under-represented populations throughout New York State, gives him solid basis for thoughtful analysis of the issues the City of Ithaca faces today. His continued leadership in these organizations, despite being faced with numerous challenges from inside and outside these organizations, is evidence of his commitment to the communities where he has lived and worked. As with all counsel members, David will be forced to make choices that may not appease all constituents. But his decision making process is not based on ego and beliefs; that is, David will always listen to his constituents, acknowledge and consider opposing points of view, and provide an honest and logical rationale for decisions. I am excited to endorse David Shapiro to represent Belle Sherman on the City of Ithaca's Common Council."

Peter Salton, current Cayuga Heights Board of Trustee (and former Belle Sherman resident) wrote: "I respectfully endorse David Shapiro as Third Ward candidate for City of Ithaca Common Council. I grew up in the same Belle Sherman neighborhood that Dave lives in. My 94 year old mother still lives in the house I grew up in and is directly impacted by this election. Dave has the experience and expertise to help handle the many challenges facing the City with dignity, charm and grace that comes from his past and present experience working with those in crisis, with those who are disadvantaged and with the many officials and agencies that make a community work together for us all. As we look towards the future, we need people like Dave in public office. People who have the perspective of community and all the people in it. We have energy challenges. We have infrastructure challenges -- from streets and sidewalks to wastewater treatment. We have to implement the recommended changes towards reimagining public safety. We have to implement the new building codes passed in this year's State Budget as well as the Green New Deal. Please vote for David Shapiro for the Third Ward on June 27, 2023 and in the general election that follows!"

Rob Gearhart, current Ward 3 Alderperson

Ann Sullivan, Third Ward Democratic Committee Chair

Jason Leifer, Dryden Town Supervisor

Steve Fontana, Fontana Shoes, Fontana Apartments, former Board Member, Family & Children's Service of Ithaca

Andrea J. Mooney, former Board Chair, Family & Children's Service of Ithaca

Anne DiGiacomo, former Board Chair, Family & Children's Service of Ithaca wrote "I was chair of the Family and Children's Service Board of Directors when David was hired as CEO. One of David's greatest accomplishments was his ability to quickly improve the financial stability of the organization. Through a number of short and long-term strategies David put the organization on very strong financial footing. David used his strong problem solving and trouble shooting skills to identify organizational duplication and additional needs. These skills allowed the organization to grow and thereby serve more clients in the community. David was always open to honest feedback that would help him become a stronger and more effective leader within FCS and in the community. David's dedication to providing and improving services to the community is inspiring."

Josephine Gibson, local nonprofit executive wrote "I had the pleasure of having David serve as my Board President during my transition from Assistant Director to Executive Director at the Mental Health Association in Tompkins County. David skillfully and gracefully led my staff and myself through a difficult period of dramatic change. The staff were suffering from the loss of our longtime and beloved Director and feeling confused about the future. David was sensitive to our needs, respectful of our process and strong in his leadership. He listened to all our concerns and helped us recognize our own strengths and challenges. David has a keen awareness of interpersonal issues and was able to lead our staff through redefining our roles and relationships. He was truly invested in our future success and sustainability.Already the CEO of one of the most successful nonprofits in Tompkins County, David became a great mentor to me. He was able to help me personally with the huge responsibility that I was facing. We were able to have open dialogue and work through issues that would arise. He inspired me, encouraged me and sometimes pushed me out of my comfort zone, always knowing what I and my agency were capable of. David has an excellent understanding of complex finances. Our agency finances have always been a challenge with several County and State funding sources and often with different expectations. As Board President he was able to continually communicate effectively with board members the health of the agency and address concerns both long and short term. He is an excellent facilitator and runs meetings efficiently. David is attentive, listens, and provides feedback to support and encourage growth and change. He is also able to receive feedback and learn from others. He was a strong support to myself and to my staff and I will be forever grateful to have worked with him.

Roxi Bahar Hewerston, CEO at Highland Consulting Group wrote: "David Shapiro is an incredibly creative and energetic leader, and I consider it an honor to know him and to have worked with him over many years. His talents are broad AND deep! He is a leader who wants and accepts feedback, a learner, and a doer. In my experience, David brings common sense, a strategic thoughtfulness, and a big picture approach to his work. He also knows that he cannot have all the answers, and easily looks to his staff and to others he trusts to get the answers needed. I highly recommend David for any position he feels passionate about."

Scott Heyman, Nonprofit Board and Staff Consultant wrote "I was a member of David's board at Family and Children's Service for three years. In addition I worked with David's staff on a partnership between his agency's public education programs and the Human Services Coalition's workshop series. David is an exceptional leader and manager, one of the best I have known in a 40 year career interacting with nonprofit and government leaders. He understands the work of his senior staff and supports them effectively. He keeps the big picture foremost - to an unusual degree among nonprofit chief executives. He supports his board of directors appropriately and well. He accepts their direction and provides them with his very best recommendations. And his most notable quality is that he is an avid listener and learner. Based on all my interactions with David I recommend him without reservation."

Hilda Moleski, Local Ithaca real estate broker

District 3 Resident Endorsements:

Jill and Jonathan Green

Wendy Wolford and John Lynch

Krista Mugford and Brad RickardAnne Sullivan and Nicholas Salvatore

Donna Fleming, Frederik and Amerlia Kaufman

Rob Gearhart and MaryBeth Tarzian

Rebecca and James Minas

Ithaca Town Resident Endorsements:

Adam Jacobstein, Belle Sherman resident wrote "I have known Dave for about 10 years as his neighbor and have coached many youth sports teams with him. I also have seen the awesome job he has done with Second Wind Cottages. He is totally dedicated to the community, both in our neighborhood and throughout the area. Its easy to see that his desire to good comes from both his deeper values and just a general sense of kindness. He gets along well with people from many walks of life and has a practical approach, both of which I think would serve him well on the common council."

Miguel Pineros and Lyza Maron

Carol Cohen

how you can help

Help David cover campaign costs by making a to David's Campaign

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