Thank you, Summit

Yesterday I attended my final business meeting after two full terms and six years in elected office. I’d like to share some thoughts about my experience, this amazing city, and where we go from here.

I was born in Summit and for the first ten years of my life, our family lived in an apartment on the first floor at 19 Ashwood Ave. My grandparents lived right next door. My mother and father worked hard to be able to stay in Summit. They wanted my sister Jenna and me to go to the schools, to learn, and grow in this great community.

Growing up in Summit we learned from family, teachers, coaches, pastors, and other role models to believe if we had the opportunity to help others, then we have an obligation to do so. I was raised to believe that if I worked hard, was honest, and treated everyone with respect, that I could be successful.

The education we received in Summit was invaluable. I was the first in my family to graduate from college, where I met the love of my life Megan. And my sister Jenna graduated the next year, and is now a teacher in Springfield. I landed a good job in sales, and Megan and I moved back to an apartment in Summit, all the while I served for 12 years as a volunteer on the First Aid Squad. When I first ran for Council I lost by 9 votes. I wished our new Councilmembers luck and offered to help in any way I could. After a short while, I was encouraged to try and run again, so I was honored to then be elected and re-elected to represent these people and this place I love so much. And though we don’t keep records on age, it appears that I was the youngest Council President in Summit History.

In his 1910 speech “Citizenship in a Republic,” Theodore Roosevelt said, “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly… who errs, who comes short again and again… but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause… so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

These words have guided me throughout my time on Council. I am proud of what we’ve accomplished—sometimes through success, sometimes through failure, but always while striving valiantly. Service on Council provided me with an infinite variety of teachable moments. And I learned from them all.

I’m proud of supporting our police and firefighters. Of investing in the tools, technology, and training that our police need to keep us safe and to finally build the new headquarters our brave firefighters deserve.

I am proud of the actions we took during the pandemic to save lives, keep businesses afloat, and ensure our community could thrive. Initiatives like outdoor dining on Maple Street, sidewalk sales, and a vaccine clinic that administered over 50,000 doses exemplified Summit’s resilience and innovation during that most serious crisis.

I am proud of the work on making us fiscally responsible and trying to keep taxes in check. From securing millions in grants for infrastructure projects to maintaining our AAA bond rating to cutting costs like removing the gates in the DeForest parking lots that saved $750,000.

I am proud of all the many ways that we celebrated the proven richness of diversity, worked to improve upon the quality of life, and created opportunities for our young people by finally paying our interns at City Hall.

None of these things could have been done without our outstanding city staff (those here - and those who are no longer here but whose good work leaves a proud legacy), community volunteers, all those who are elected to lead, and every member of the community who engaged passionately and respectfully in the process of government. And I could not have been part of it without the support of my wife, my family, and my friends. Thank you, everyone.

These accomplishments were vital because the truth is there are so many people in Summit just like my grandparents, who want to retire here to stay close to their family. There are so many people just like my parents, working hard to provide for their children. There are so many people just like Megan and me, who want to start their lives together and maybe begin a family here. There are so many people who, if given the chance, would contribute and make this flourishing and welcoming city even more so.

So that brings me to where we go from here. We need to decide whether to make the promise of Summit more exclusive like a country club, or more achievable and accessible for all of us.
I want to make the promise of Summit more achievable, so there are three things we must do:
First, we, as a community, must demand a list of clear priorities from our government. Our leaders must ensure those priorities reflect not only the needs of those with money or access to people in power. Our leaders must recognize the need to clearly outline values, and balance varying points of view.

Second, the community must demand greater fiscal responsibility. The economic reality for so many people in this community is that a $100 increase in taxes is extremely impactful. Our leaders must set clear targets and hold our staff and professionals accountable to them.

Third, the community must demand honesty and transparency from our leaders about where they stand. There are those who argue local government should avoid engaging in national issues. But federal policies on the economy, healthcare, education, the environment, immigration, and civil rights profoundly affect our residents. Our leaders must recognize that there is an obligation to protect our neighbors, even when it’s uncomfortable or not politically expedient.

Summit’s best days lie ahead, but they are not guaranteed. It will take all of us—engaged citizens and dedicated leaders—working together to ensure that we continue to thrive. We must elect leaders who align with our values, who listen, and who are unafraid to act decisively and boldly.
It has been the honor of my life to represent the people of this incredible community who understand the power of our voice and the value of our vote. Thank you.

Thank you!
Greg

Greg Vartan

Summit Councilman Jan 2019-Jan 2025

Summit Council President 2023