For Deborah Fisher, a newly announced candidate for the Ithaca Common Council’s Fifth Ward, the reason to run was clear. “Local government is becoming incredibly important, and it’s going to save lives and protect people,” she said, referencing the Trump administration’s plans for mass deportations and DOGE cuts in major agencies. Fisher currently works as chief instructor at Ithaca Aikikai, an aikido dojo located on South Cayuga Street. Fisher joins Hannah Shvets ’27 in the June 24 Democratic primary for the open seat being vacated by Clyde Lederman ’26, who chose not to run for re-election. Shvets has been endorsed by the Ithaca Working Families Party, the Ithaca Tenants Union,…