In my two years serving on the Common Council and the Ciry’s executive committee, I have learned the Council functions best when its members are self-critical and thoughtful. Gepe Zurenda has all of these qualities in great measure. To think that he would serve on the Council next year as the City tackles serious financial, land use, and economic development challenges gives me a great deal of hope that the Council will be equal to difficult tasks it faces. That is why I am so eager to endorse his campaign for Alderperson in Ward 5.

I would not issue this endorsement if I did not believe Gepe would be a strong advocate for the land use reforms we need. I know he understands the need to reform our zoning to building more housing and I have faith he will make a strong partner for Mayor Cantelmo in this endeavor.

Gepe’s professional experience will help the Council more effectively confront this complex task. As a former operator of a manufacturing business in the Southern Tier and now as a therapist, Gepe has decades of experience helping people and organizations out of jams. With this experience he doesn’t bring overconfidence in his own abilities, but rather a willingness to listen, learn, and adjust. The Common Council will be lucky to have him. 

Clyde Lederman

City of Ithaca Alderperson, 5th Ward