Svante Myrick Named the February Community Hero of the Month
Earlier this month, Svante Myrick served his last day as mayor of the city of Ithaca after 10 years on the job.
Myrick was first elected to the Common Council in 2007 when he was a 20-year-old Cornell University student. When he was elected mayor in 2011, Myrick became the state’s youngest mayor and was the first Black mayor of Ithaca. His decade-long tenure is also the longest is city history.
“Fighting for this community is all I’ve done in my adult life. It’s my only passion and it’s what has kept me motivated,” Myrick said during his last Common Council meeting, at which he announced his intention to leave. “I believe we can do everything we set out to do.”
“Svante has had a lasting impact on the Ithaca community,” said Chamber President Jennifer Tavares. “When you consider the significant growth and investment in downtown and Collegetown, addition of affordable housing units, or work toward projects such as the Cayuga Waterfront Trail or Ithaca Conference Center, it is clear he has been a collaborative partner and advocate for this community.”
Tompkins Trust Company President and CEO Greg Hartz thanked Myrick for his service.
“Tompkins Trust Company is pleased to recognize Svante Myrick for his 15 years of service to the city, first on Common Council and then as mayor,” Hartz said. “Svante’s passion for helping the people of Ithaca has been constant, and this community is better for his leadership. We wish him luck in his new position.”
During Myrick’s tenure, the city has seen its economy grow, with increased development and decreased property taxes, and the Commons was rebuilt. It was also during his time in office that the Ithaca Green New Deal was adopted, with efforts to reduce the city’s carbon footprint, and conversations began on ways to reimagine public safety.
Myrick, who wrapped up his mayoral duties Feb. 6, resigned to become executive director of People for the American Way, a progressive advocacy group focused on increasing civic participation, defending rights and dismantling systemic barriers to equitable opportunity.
“I love Ithaca. I’ve loved serving this City, and I believe my service has made a difference,” Myrick said during the Jan. 5 Common Council meeting. “I also love this country. The American democratic experiment is the reason that someone like me — born into homelessness and raised by a single mother — was able to attend an institution like Cornell and serve the city he loves. …I believe my service can make a difference in the struggle ahead, and I want to protect that American dream for people of all backgrounds.”
To show the community’s appreciation for his work, the Tompkins Chamber will award Myrick a Community Hero of the Month plaque as well as a gift card for Downtown Ithaca from Tompkins Trust Company.
About Tompkins Trust Company
Founded in 1836, Tompkins Trust Company has 13 locations in Tompkins County, Cortland, Auburn, and Syracuse. Bank services include complete lines of consumer deposit accounts and loans, business accounts and loans, as well as trust and investment services and leasing. Insurance services are offered through Tompkins Insurance Agencies, and wealth management services are offered through Tompkins Financial Advisors. Further information about the bank is available at www.tompkinstrust.com.
About Tompkins Chamber
With over 650 active members, the Tompkins Chamber is dedicated to making our community a great place to live and work. The Chamber is a progressive, forward-thinking organization dedicated to promoting business in our region by being the community’s nexus. The mission of the Tompkins Chamber is to foster sustainable economic growth through service to our members, strategic advocacy, workforce development, destination marketing, and quality-of-life investments.
About Community Hero of the Month
The Tompkins Trust Company, in partnership with the Tompkins Chamber, is pleased to announce the launch of the Community Hero of the Month Awards, which will give deserving recognition to individuals from Tompkins County who have significantly impacted our community. The program will begin March 2021 and will announce community heroes each month.
Tompkins Trust Company President and CEO Greg Hartz shared his excitement for the new program, “We are looking forward to honoring these incredible community heroes who have done so much for Tompkins County and are pleased to collaborate with the Tompkins Chamber on this important and meaningful initiative” Hartzadded, “It is especially important to recognize the accomplishments of community members who have stepped up this past year, as COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on the entire community.”
“This is a wonderful way for us partner with Tompkins Trust Company and show gratitude to these deserving community members who have demonstrated exemplary service to our community,” said Jennifer Tavares, President & CEO of the Tompkins Chamber. “We’re excited to highlight how much the Trust Company and Tompkins Chamber alike value strong leadership and commitment to our community with the establishment of this new recognition program.”
The monthly winners will receive a Community Hero of the Month plaque and a few additional surprises from Tompkins Trust Company.
