Mayor's Office

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About the Mayor:

Svante L. Myrick was sworn into office and became the City of Ithaca's youngest Mayor and first Mayor of color on January 1, 2012. After serving the 4th Ward of the City for 4 years on Common Council, Mayor Myrick is prepared to lead the City through the challenges of the new year.  After speaking extensively with City residents during a 5-month campaign, Mayor Myrick has a deep understanding of the needs of the residents. "I am inspired by the sense of hope and willingness to get to work that was expressed repeatedly in my meetings with residents. I'm looking forward to working with the new Common Council, City staff, and members of the community to not only survive these difficult economic times but to thrive and become a model for other cities" states Myrick.

As a passionate youth advocate, Mayor Myrick chaired the committee that created the Ithaca Youth Council. He also chaired the Collegetown Vision Implementation Committee, which led to the creation and endorsement of a master plan for promoting development while still preserving neighborhoods in Collegetown.

Raised by a single mother along with his three siblings, Mayor Myrick inherited his strong work ethic from his mother. A graduate of Cornell University, where he studied Communication, Mayor Myrick was a three-year board member for REACH (Raising Education Attainment Challenge), and tutored underserved young people in Ithaca for eight semesters. After graduating, he continuted his work with local youth working as an apprenticeship coordinator with The Learning Web.

Mayor Myrick also served as the Assistant Director of Student and Young Alumni Programs for Cornell University before resigning his position to run for Mayor.

In his spare time, the Mayor enjoys speaking to youth groups around the state about achievement, civic engagement and community building. He is also an avid reader and sports enthusiast who follows the Giants, Yankees and (with no small amount of exasperation) the New York Knicks!

Mayor Myrick's interview on NBC's Rock Center with Brian Williams

Mayor Myrick's first days in office were captured by NBC's Rock Center with Brian Williams.  View his inspiring story here.

Communications:

Read Mayor Myrick's 2012 State of the City Address.

From Parking Space to Park Space - Mayor Myrick gives back to the community