BUILDING A CITY OF ITHACA THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE

STOP TURNING NEIGHBORS INTO ENEMIES

As I’ve been talking with people about our city, one thing has become clear: it is far too easy to turn those with different perspectives into enemies. I hear it all the time. Landlords are called the enemy. Employers are the enemy. The homeless are the enemy. People on the political left are the enemy.

MOST PEOPLE JUST WANT TO LIVE

But these groups are not our enemies. Of course, any group will have a few bad actors and others who fall short of our expectations. Yet most people are simply doing the best they can to provide for their families and live their lives.

DIVISION DOESN’T SOLVE PROBLEMS

When we divide into camps and point fingers, we miss opportunities to solve real problems. What builds a better city is finding common ground and working together. Instead of creating costly new ordinances that breed division and rarely address the root issues, we should focus on collaboration.

COLLABORATION CREATES REAL SOLUTIONS

Imagine landlords and tenants working together on housing solutions. Imagine employers, workers, and city leaders strengthening jobs and our economy. Imagine neighbors, volunteers, and service providers helping people experiencing homelessness regain stability and dignity.

A CITY THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE

This is the kind of city Ithaca can be. At the end of the day, it is not about winners and losers. It is about building a community that works for everyone. Because in the end, we are all just walking each other home.

Respectfully,

Gepe Zurenda