Candidates for Tompkins County Legislature

For over 25 years, Travis Brooks has been a pillar of the community, dedicated to advocating for fairness, opportunity, and collaborative solutions. “I must champion the needs of my neighbors and make them my priority. I value family, hard work, dedication, fair opportunities, pulling each other up, advocacy, and the right to pursue your dreams,” he added. As the Deputy Director of the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC), Brooks has led programs centered on education, community development, and sustainability. His ability to analyze complex challenges, bring stakeholders together, and drive solutions has been a hallmark of his leadership.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/VeronicaForTompkins/

I have a proven track record of policymaking, organizing, and legal advocacy that spans workers’ rights, climate justice, and immigrant defense. I will bring my decades of professional expertise, as well as my personal experience as a lifelong Ithacan and community leader, to everything I do on the legislature. Whether people know me from my work winning organizing rights for more than 100,000 workers, as a member of Ithaca’s Sustainability & Climate Justice Commission, as a Cornell Faculty Senator, board member at the Ithaca Children’s Garden, or just from walking my dog and kids around Belle Sherman, they should know that I am invested in our community, and am ready to start solving problems on day one.

In speaking with hundreds of neighbors, I heard over and over again that Ithaca is just too expensive for most people. Whether it’s high taxes, increased assessments, soaring rents, or childcare costs, tackling our cost of living crisis will be one of my top priorities on the legislature. I will look at our tax code and abatements to make sure they serve our residents; prioritize smart, community-centered housing and sensible development to expand our tax base; support more good jobs; and fight to make childcare more affordable so that families can successfully raise the next generation of Ithacans.

www.IrisPackman.com

Adam Vinson, a recent Cornell graduate, is running to represent District 4 (West Campus and Collegetown) on the Tompkins County Legislature. He earned his B.S. in Environment and Sustainability this May.

At Cornell, Adam served as a strong progressive voice in student governance, representing his peers on the Student and University Assemblies and other boards. He pushed for ambitious climate goals and defended students against harmful federal policies. Now, Adam is ready to bring that advocacy to the county legislature, a body that has too often lacked input from Tompkins’ younger residents. His priorities include making student life safer and more enjoyable, expanding recycling and trash pickup in Collegetown, building more affordable housing. and supporting initiatives like Tompkins Till Two.

Website: https://www.adam4tompkinscounty.com

I am a native Ithacan and mother of three. After graduating from IHS, I studied geology at Caltech and Harvard. I spent ten years in Southeast Asia as a research professor studying earthquake hazards and their impacts on vulnerable communities. Three years ago, I returned home and co-founded Earthquake Insights. I wanted to raise my children in a vibrant, ecologically minded, diverse, and accepting community.

Now, the community I grew up in faces looming threats: climate change and pollution, aging infrastructure, and fundamental changes in federal policies and funding. The impacts of these changes are already here. Decisions made by the county legislature will shape our collective future, and may require creative approaches. 

For example: Ithaca faces an affordability crisis, partly driven by property taxes rising much faster than wages. More and more, differences in how properties are assessed have shifted the tax burden away from big business and onto working families. In the legislature, I would push to limit unwise tax abatements, and explore the potential of the Homestead Tax Option. This would allow us to levy different tax rates on residential and commercial properties, restoring balance to the property tax system. 

Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573902865872

Shawna Black joined the Tompkins County Legislature in November 2017. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and Economics and prior to joining the legislature worked at the Southern Tier AIDS Program (STAP). Shawna lives with her wife, Margot, and three children - Graem (20), Emerson (17), and Keane (13). She loves living in the Northeast area and enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and traveling. 

Over Shawna's eight year tenure she has been voted as Vice Chair for four years and Chair of the Legislature for two years.    She has served on all committees but spends most of her time focusing on Health and Human Services and Public Safety.

Shawna has also enjoyed being on the Board of Health for the past 7 years, Human Services Coalition, Youth Services Board, Community Mental Health Services Board, and currently serving as Vice Chair of TCAT, Inc.

The upcoming term is full of many unknowns from the federal government, however, Shawna is excited to continue serving the community and provide guidance and mentorship to those newly elected.  Serving as one of the senior members of the legislature, she will look for ways to connect with constituents and continue to provide a steady and reasonable approach to county government.   

Born and raised in Buffalo, Deborah attended Wells College and the UB Law School.

Deborah has been a social worker, Army Reservist, and attorney working at the US Department of Justice in Washington DC, the Resolution Trust Corporation in Tampa FL, the FDIC in Dallas TX and Pasadena CA, and the FTC in Dallas. She has litigated civil and criminal cases in Federal courts and managed litigation in state and Federal courts around the country. She also served as administrative assistant to the Deputy Assistant Attorneys General of the Tax Division, general counsel for S&L’s in receivership, and advisor to an FDIC business committee overseeing the management of an $8 billion pool of distressed bank assets.

Deborah has served as a union steward, officer, and contract negotiator for union employees at the FDIC. She also served for several years on the Village of Lansing Planning Board.  She has served for eight years on the Tompkins County Legislature, where she sat on several committees, including as chair of the Budget Capital & Personnel Committee.  She has consistently advocated for fiscal sustainability, so that the County can continue to provide the services our residents depend upon.

Website: https://writein-deborahdawson.com/

A native of Groton, Jamie dedicated over two decades as a volunteer firefighter with the Village of Groton. During this time, he served five years as president of his fire company. His commitment extended further as an EMT and fire police officer with the Groton Fire Department.

Jamie was elected as a Village Trustee for two consecutive terms, including three years as Deputy Mayor. He also served six years on the Board of Police Commissioners, chairing the board for four years. Additionally, Jamie contributed as a board member for Cops, Kids and Toys.

While on the Groton Village Board, Jamie established a shooting range for the Groton Police Department within the Town of Groton. This initiative resulted in tax savings for village residents.

Since 2013, Jamie has lived in Lansing and currently works as the Security & Maintenance Specialist for Alternatives Federal Credit Union. With two children attending Lansing Elementary School, Jamie is running for County Legislature to help ensure safety for his family and the wider community. His primary goals as County Legislator are affordability and public safety.

Dan is running to represent district 10 of eastern Dryden, including the villages of Freeville and Dryden. As a legislator, Dan will establish communications and relationships with other legislators, constituents, and inter-municipally, to run county business effectively and efficiently, and represent the interests of eastern Dryden.

Dan has served as a Village of Dryden Trustee for fourteen years, has served with several mayors, and is currently Deputy Mayor. A long-time public works committee member he has been exposed to the wide range of  village operations. Dan worked with village colleagues to secure $17.4 million in state and federal grants for infrastructure, housing, economic development, public safety, and other village priorities.

A network engineer, (RIT ’90), he has been in the IT & IS field his entire career. He provided a technical perspective to municipal projects, including water and sewer, energy, and the security and in-house camera system. Dan is passionate about energy and efficiency – he has his own solar PV system, and it was his initiative to include heat pumps in the village hall renovation. He values fiscal responsibility with a long-term perspective.

Dan and his family have lived in the Village of Dryden since 1991. Dan loves his community and has been honored to serve in many capacities – as a village trustee, as a church trustee & deacon, SERTOMA youth soccer coach, and BSA Scoutmaster.

Website: https://drydendems.net/

A builder and business owner, Greg is Vice Chair of the County Legislature and chairs the Housing and Economic Development Committee. He’s also on committees overseeing Government Operations; Planning, Energy, and Environmental Quality; and Facilities and Infrastructure. Additionally, he’s on the Strategic Tourism Planning Board, the Industrial Development Agency, and the Southern Tier 8 Regional Board. He and his husband Ryan live on Slaterville Road with their two dogs.

Important County initiatives Greg has supported include:

• Providing $6.53 million to eligible organizations, government entities, and small businesses to aid recovery from the impacts of COVID and enhance future resilience.

• Instituted a countywide rapid medical response fly car system to cut response times by first responders across the county. 

• Voted yearly to keep property taxes low and limit increases to the tax levy. 

Website: https://drydendems.net/

While living in Ithaca, I volunteered on the TCAT advisory board, chaired the 5th ward democratic committee, and was treasurer for Barbara Lifton.  

I grew up in the Bronx (Throgs Neck).  My summers were spent in Harriman state park at camps run by the Boys’ athletic league.  After graduating from the Bronx high school of science, I obtained my B.S. from the City College of NY, majoring in geology.  At Penn State I learned to conduct experiments on mineral reactions at high pressures and temperatures leading to my M.S. in mineralogy and petrology.  I also had a graduate assistantship helping with the electron microprobe.  I accepted a job at Cornell to operate and teach others to operate a new electron microprobe.  Minerals, metals, and ceramics were examined and quantitatively analyzed on dimensions measured in microns.  I ultimately worked in that lab with a variety of microscopes for 35 years.  

I believe I am a good listener with a desire to help the people in the 12th district and the rest of the county.  Let’s find a way to resolve the harmful algal blooms in the lake, and help all county residents to have access to health care and childcare.

I'm a retired veterinarian, 34-year Caroline resident, and a 4-year Danby property owner. I served nine years on the Caroline Town Board, where I led successful efforts to ban fracking, protect our water, and expand broadband and emergency medical services. For 15 years, I’ve led Fossil Free Tompkins to shut down the Cayuga coal plant, stop new gas pipelines, and win millions in clean energy funding. And for years, I’ve challenged NYSEG to deliver fair rates and an affordable clean energy transition.

As your County Legislator I will prioritize fiscal restraint while securing the safety net, and protecting people’s freedoms. I’m especially passionate about planning for climate change related extreme weather events.  Over the past few years, we’ve seen high winds, flooding, extreme heat, drought, a local wildfire, and hazardous air from distant fires. Before serious disaster strikes, the County must coordinate planning across emergency services, public health, human services, local governments, communications and community partners to keep people safe.  And I’ll support our farms and strengthen our rural community, because I believe that when rural communities are strong, the whole county thrives.

Website: https://voteireneweiser.com/

I am honored to be running to represent District 14 in the Tompkins County Legislature. Having worked directly for Tompkins County, I understand the challenges and opportunities within our local government and how legislative decisions shape the everyday lives of residents. That experience, combined with my career as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Quality Manager, has prepared me to bring accountability, compassion, and practical problem-solving to the legislature.

One of the most pressing issues facing our community is the shortage of affordable housing. Too many individuals and families are being priced out of safe, stable homes, and I believe county government must take a leadership role in finding sustainable solutions. My experience has taught me how to balance competing needs while keeping equity and long-term stability at the center of decision-making.

I am also committed to protecting our environment, expanding access to essential services, and ensuring that all residents — seniors at Longview, students at Ithaca College, Ecovillagers, working families, and everyone across our neighborhoods — have a strong voice in county government. I will listen, collaborate, and work hard every day to make our community more inclusive and resilient.

Campaign website: christy4tompkins.com

Facebook: christy4tompkins.com

The County plays a critical role in providing creative and compassionate solutions to issues that face both individual households and the community at large, balancing robust services with a reasonable and responsible tax policy.

As a County, it is our responsibility to ensure residents are able to have a high quality of life - including everything from affordable housing and accessible food to safe roads and reliable emergency services. Residents need meaningful work that pays a living wage, and our local businesses should be confident they can thrive. In addition, it’s critical that our approach to community well-being includes the preservation of our lake, natural areas and farmland.  

I’ve lived in Tompkins County for most of my life; as a child, a college student, a business owner, and as a parent.  Throughout my career I’ve traveled the U.S., volunteering in AmeriCorps, studying plant science, working on small farms, and starting multiple businesses.  Throughout campaigning, I’ve had the privilege of listening to concerns and ideas from residents all over my district.  I’ll bring these perspectives, as well as my lived experience as a lifelong resident, an entrepreneur, a parent and a connected community member to the Legislature.

Website: https://www.rachel4legislature.com/