About Shawn
I’ve lived on the same block for almost forty years.
I’m Shawn — a wife, a mom of three, and a lifelong Syracusan. In 1987, my husband Matt and I bought an old house on Park Avenue. We’re still there today.
The House
An old Victorian, and no shortage of work ahead
I grew up on Syracuse’s North Side, raised by my mom, Grace — a single mom of two who taught my brother and me to work hard and stick to our convictions.
In 1987, Matt and I bought an old Victorian house on Park Avenue. A lot of people thought we were crazy — the house needed work, and so did the neighborhood. But we knew that was where we belonged.
We put everything we had into that home. It became the place where we raised our three daughters — Azriel, Ilana, and Analysse. We still call it home today.
The Work
Building it back, block by block
I believed in Park Avenue when it was an old, sometimes forgotten neighborhood. I knew that with time and sweat equity, we could bring it back — and we have.
I helped found the Park Avenue Neighborhood Association, and alongside former Congressman Jim Walsh, I helped secure $3.3 million to revitalize the neighborhood.
“This was a neighborhood that was on the ‘ifs.’ We wanted to bring it up — and we worked hard to get the whole community involved.”
Shawn Fiato
Still Standing
Not ideas. Events you can still go to.
Victorian Christmas in Leavenworth Park
Yearly Earth Day Cleanup
Community Walks, Park Avenue
Award
Civilian Commendation Award
Public safety has always mattered to me. I’ve worked directly with the City of Syracuse and the Syracuse Police Department to support the funding, training, and technology that keeps families safe.
Still on Park Avenue
Not new to this block
Matt and I raised our three daughters in the same neighborhood I’ve spent decades building up, and we still live there today. I’m not new to this block, and I’m not going anywhere after November.
Showing up for my neighbors isn’t a campaign promise to me. It’s just what Tuesday looks like.
Bridging, Not Dividing
Working with everyone, because the neighborhood never asked what party I was
I served as Onondaga County Legislator for the 8th District, where I worked with Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike. The people on my block never cared which party solved their problem — they just wanted it solved.
Outside of all of it, I’m still just Shawn. I love to cook, garden, spend time with my family, and share our home with friends. Park Avenue made me who I am. Now I want to bring that same work to all of us.