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Councilman Isaac ‘Yitzy’ Schleifer

Tell us about yourself?

Like many people in the community, I was born in Sinai Hospital. I grew up on Clarinth Rd, in the Fallstaff neighborhood and have lived in the 5th district of Balti more for most of my life. I went to Rabbi Talub’s shul. I graduated from the Uni versity of Baltimore Merrick School for Business. I am married to Lauren (Schus ter) and have two amazing daughters who are 6 and 3. In 2016 I was elected to the Baltimore City Council where I remain the youngest member.

What is it like being on the city council?

Every day brings a new set of chal lenges and opportunities. It is an honor to represent the 5th District and to be given the tools to really be able to have a positive impact. I could have never imagined be ing in this position and becoming a person who could influence positive change while growing up as a kid in the neighborhood. It’s great to be in a position to be able help everyone who faces issues in Baltimore City both big and small.

What was the first thing you accom plished as a council member?

The first thing I did was form my Com mUNITY Cabinet, which is made up of Presidents or proxy board members from every neighborhood association across the district. We get together regularly for din ner and discussions in a different neighborhood in the district each time. It has been a rewarding experience to bring to gether community leaders who have been leaders for many years and yet have never worked with one another. We have collab orated on many initiatives and in solving many problems across the district. It has shown all community leaders that we are a lot stronger united than divided.

What does an average day look like as a councilman?

There is no such thing as an average day! Every day is very different. I can start off the day addressing a public safety is sue and finish off the day at midnight at a water main break, working to facilitate the repairs. In between, I am in multiple hear ings for different committees and countless other meetings addressing a variety of issues, from trash collection and water billing, to the city’s budget and finances. All of this comes in between my complete commitment to constituent service needs. I am fortunate to have an excellent staff, which makes my life easier.

How did you pick your slogan Back to basics?

In reflecting on my time on the coun cil, my focus has been on providing basic city services to the district. I have success fully procured more police coverage, addressed some chronic water billing issues, repaved a historic amount of streets, and had thousands of tree stumps removed. I was able to bring additional support to organizations such as Hatzolah and Aha vas Yisroel, had security cameras put up and tied into BPD’s system and also pro vided assistance to children with special needs learning services that the city was not properly providing. I advocated for and helped to bring new programs into our district such as; the summer lunch pro gram, which has morphed into providing all lunches during the state of emergency.

The most important job I have is to make sure my constituents all receive the basic needs they deserve.

This is the first time the election is a majority vote by mail. Every registered voter will receive their ballot in the mail. They are being asked to fill it out, SIGN the back and envelope and mail it back in the prepaid envelope provided as soon as possible. There will only be a handful of places for in person voting across the en tire city on June 2nd only. It is imperative that everyone take just two minutes and fill out the ballot and immediately mail it back.

Is it too late to register or change party affiliations?

No, you can do so up until May 27. Go to voteinBaltimore.com.

How old do you need to be to vote?

17, if your birthday is before Novem ber 3. The rule is you must be 18 by the general election date, so anyone who is 17 should go ahead and register online ASAP.

Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

So much of our day to day quality of life is at stake in local elections. Without a representative who cares about the en tire district, many basic quality of life issues we deserve to have addressed, may be ignored. Please help me, help you and VOTE TODAY!