Below is a list of past Mayors since the City of Rome’s incorporation in 1870.
1870-71 Calvert Comstock
1872-75 George Merrill
1875-77 Samuel B. Stevens
1877-78 Edward L. Stevens
1879-81 George Barnard
1882-83 Edward Comstock
1883-84 Frederick E. Mitchell
1885-87 Edward Comstock
1887-91 James Stevens
1891-93 E.Stuart Williams
1893-95 Samuel Gillette
1895-99 Dr. Wiley J. P. Kingsley
1899-1901 Abner S. White
1901-04 Hedding A. Caswell
1904-06 Thomas G. Nock
1906-12 Albert R. Kessinger
1912-14 Stuart E. Townsend
1914-20 H. Clayton Midlam
1920-22 G. Arthur Mickle
1922-24 Dr. William B. Reid
1924-26 Fred L. Martin
1926-28 Jeremiah H. Carroll
1928-32 Arthur C. Tedd
1932-34 Dr. William B. Reid
1934-36 Arthur C. Tedd
1936-38 Ray Armstrong
1938-42 E. Huntington Ethridge
1942-43 Walter W. Abbott
1944-49 John C. Schantz
1950-51 Alfred M. Hoehn
1952-53 David R. Townsend
1954-55 Samuel Wardwell, Jr.
1956-59 Joseph G. Herbst
1959-60 Philip E. Tosti
1960-62 Charles T. Lanigan
1963-54 Lewis C. Wood
1964-1980 William A. Valentine
1980-1992 Carl J. Eilenberg
1992-2003 Joseph A. Griffo
2003-2004 John J. Mazzaferro
2004-2011 James F. Brown
2011-2015 Joseph R. Fusco, Jr.
2015-2023 Jacqueline Izzo
2023-Present Jeffrey Lanigan
Mayor Jeffrey Lanigan
Mr. Lanigan was elected to Mayor of the City of Rome, New York in 2023. Mr. Lanigan was born in Rome, educated in Rome public schools and a graduate from Rome Free Academy. His public service journey began at a young age after graduation from RFA, where he held various positions within the City of Rome, including recreation attendant at John F. Kennedy Civic Arena, laborer in Department of Public Works, and recreation specialist in Parks and Recreation.
Mr. Lanigan began his journey in public safety as a police officer with the Village of Vernon. He joined the Rome Police Department, serving first in the patrol division and then retiring as a Detective in 2022. During his career, he had the privilege of serving in the Honor Guard, the Special Response Team (SRT), and the Community Impact Unit (CIU).
As a member of the Honor Guard, he voluntarily performed at ceremonies and formations to honor the fallen and promote pride within the department. As a member of the SRT, he responded to high-risk situations including search and arrest warrants, barricaded armed suspects, active shooters, crowd control, and other incidents requiring advanced training and resources beyond the capacity of the regular patrol division. In the initial CIU team, the focus was primarily on neighborhoods with high crime rates and nuisance activities. The investigations were specifically focused on identifying and arresting the most critical criminal offenders. Mr. Lanigan worked closely with the community, engaging with residents and businesses while building strong relationships through various community activities and interactions.
During his time as the Public Information Officer for the RPD from 2017 to 2020, Mr. Lanigan acted as the primary point of contact between the department and the media, with responsibilities of responding to public and media inquiries, conducting press briefings to provide updates on major investigations, issuing public service announcements and sharing public information.
Throughout his career with the RPD, Mr. Lanigan received numerous Chief’s Letters of Commendation, Unit Commendation Awards, and Meritorious Service Medals in recognition of his achievements. In 2019, he was awarded the New York State Senate Liberty Medal by NYS Senator Joseph Griffo for his exceptional, heroic, and humanitarian acts and contributions on behalf of the people of New York.
He elected as the President of the 76-member Philip S. McDonald Police Benevolent Association for the last four years of his service. He helped negotiate collective bargaining agreements with the administration, dealt with grievances and arbitrations, developed and managed budgets, ensured tax return compliance, and had oversight of the retirement investment and banking accounts. He was successful in winning several grievances through arbitration, including the very first in New York State to prove a ticket quota system.
He and his wife, Melissa, have a son, Connor.
Mr. Lanigan was elected to Mayor of the City of Rome, New York in 2023. Mr. Lanigan was born in Rome, educated in Rome public schools and a graduate from Rome Free Academy. His public service journey began at a young age after graduation from RFA, where he held various positions within the City of Rome, including recreation attendant at John F. Kennedy Civic Arena, laborer in Department of Public Works, and recreation specialist in Parks and Recreation.