My name is Jeffrey Lanigan, and I am honored to present myself as a candidate for Mayor of the City of Rome. Born and raised in Rome, NY, I have deep roots in this community and a genuine passion for its growth and prosperity.  I am married to my beautiful wife Melissa and together we have a 5-year-old son Connor who attends Rome Public Schools.

After graduating from Rome Free Academy, my journey in public service began at a young age when I held various positions with the City of Rome, including serving as a recreation attendant at the John F. Kennedy Civic Arena, laborer in the DPW, and recreation specialist in the Parks and Recreation Department. I gained valuable experience and a solid understanding of the inner workings of our city and learned firsthand the importance of effective leadership and community engagement.

My career in public safety began as a police officer with the Village of Vernon.   I then transferred to the Rome Police Department serving first in the patrol division then retiring as a Detective in 2022.   During my tenure, I was a member of the Honor Guard, the Special Response Team (SRT), and the Community Impact Unit (CIU).  The Honor Guard is a voluntary detail that conducts ceremonies and formations to render honors to the fallen and stimulate pride within the police department.

As a member of the SRT, we responded to situations involving high-risk search and arrest warrants, barricaded armed suspects, active shooters, crowd control, and other incidents that required resources and training beyond the capacity of the normal patrol division.

As a part of the initial CIU team in the city, our patrols were primarily targeted toward neighborhoods with high crime rates and other nuisance activities. Our investigations were specifically focused on identifying and apprehending the most critical criminal offenders within the City of Rome.  During my time with the CIU, I actively engaged with residents and businesses, establishing strong relationships through various community activities and interactions.

As the Public Information Officer for the Rome Police Department from 2017 to 2020, I was responsible for serving as a liaison between the media and the department. My duties included responding to media and public inquiries, as well as disseminating public information during critical situations, emergencies, and crises. Additionally, I conducted press briefings to provide updates on major investigations and public service announcements.

Throughout my career with the RPD, I received dozens of Chief’s Letters of Commendation, Unit Commendation Awards and Meritorious Service Medals.   I also received the New York State Senate Liberty Medal in 2019 from Senator Joseph Griffo, a testament to my commitment and dedication to public service.

One of my greatest strengths is my ability to work effectively with many different people and to treat them all with respect.  During my career, I consistently strived for excellence and was honored to be elected as President of the 76-member Police Benevolent Association for the last four years of my service. This role allowed me to advocate fiercely for the rights and well-being of my fellow officers, while also fostering positive relations between law enforcement and the community.  Within that role, I negotiated collective bargaining agreements, handled grievances and arbitrations, developed and administered the budget, performed tax return compliance, and had oversight of the retirement investment and banking accounts.   I was successful in winning several grievances through arbitration including the very first in New York State to prove a ticket quota system.

Crime has been on the rise in Rome beginning in 2019, and the City needs to take significant steps to combat this increase.   However, public safety is more than crime statistics.  It is imperative that Rome is not only safe by the numbers but is recognized by residents and visitors as a safe community.   Bail reform is a judicial problem and has presented some significant challenges for the RPD and the court system, but that shouldn’t mean we throw in the towel.     One of the key priorities of local government is public safety, and we need to find local solutions for problems that the state and federal governments won’t help with.   We must do more, whether that means new initiatives, laws or policies.    We also need to ensure that our public facilities are safe.   We will place a major focus on safety in our parks so our children have a safe environment in which to play.

To be successful our leaders need to be active participants in their communities.  I have volunteered for organizations, participated in community events, led teams for charities, and coached youth sports.  I know firsthand how important these roles are.  I am and will continue to be involved in our community.  My administration will create meaningful connections, it will be sincere, and it will communicate both the good and bad news.  These are the foundations of creating an inclusive and transparent local government.  We will accomplish this by engaging the community in regular town hall meetings and using technology to its fullest to keep residents informed.

As I travel the streets it saddens me to see the significant deterioration of once beautiful neighborhoods.  If we want to grow our economy and attract new residents, businesses, and jobs we must focus on cleaning up our neighborhoods.  If left unchecked, the decay will continue to expand, and our neighborhoods may be lost forever.

Economic development efforts will continue to be a major focus of my administration.   Rome is extremely lucky to have a qualified and talented team in the Community and Economic Development Department.  MV EDGE and RIDC have also been instrumental in furthering Rome’s interests.  Some of these projects have been in the works for many years and in many cases have spanned multiple administrations.     With the right leadership, staffing, and public/private partnerships, success will not only continue under my administration, but we will elevate the City to the next level.

While we continue our development of Griffiss Business and Technology Park, we must not forget our small businesses as they are the backbone of our community providing unique experiences and character.   During this campaign, I’ve had the opportunity to visit many local small businesses and have heard their concerns loud and clear.   Many of them suffered greatly during the pandemic and feel that they have been ignored for several years.   We need a comprehensive small business development and retention strategy that encourages and supports entrepreneurship through innovative programs and services for small business owners.

Local government is responsible for providing quality services for the people and businesses we serve.  From public safety, planning, community programs and events, to the most fundamental services including waste collection, road improvements, water and sewer.  My administration will practice good governance principles including responsibility, accountability, and transparency to make better decisions, increase efficiencies, and improve even the most basic services.

The greatest challenges of the next 50 years will be solved first at a local level.  The actions of smaller communities like Rome will lead the way for widespread change.  I believe that with the right leadership, Rome can grow and prosper.   It’s time for a new generation of leadership in our community.

Above all else, I love Rome. I believe in its potential and firmly believe that our community deserves a leader who will prioritize its well-being and work tirelessly to make it thrive. As Mayor, I am committed to fostering economic growth, enhancing the quality of life for our residents, and preserving the unique character and heritage of our city.

With a blend of experience, passion, and a deep understanding of the needs of our community, I am confident in my ability to lead Rome into a brighter future. Rome is not a community of one, but a community of many.   When you give people something and someone to believe in and depend on, they will begin to stand up.   Let me be that someone for this community.    Thank you for your consideration on Election Day.