Gainesville Councilwoman Myrtle Figueras insists that she’s walking away for good.

“Anybody else can do it, too,” she said during a recent interview with The Times.

Her decision to retire from elected office at the end of the year has been greeted with some skepticism, if only because her presence in the community runs so deep.

Figueras, 72, has represented Ward 3, which includes the city’s historic African-American neighborhoods, since 1996.

She worked as a teacher in the Gainesville school system for more than 30 years prior to joining the council.

“Even though people will put you down because you’re black or Hispanic or the poorest white here, it doesn’t mean that you’re not a piece of this,” Figueras said. “All of us are in this game together.”

If that sounds like a humble assurance to her constituents, well, perhaps it is.

Figueras said she will always commit to helping others and sharing knowledge. It’s just her nature.

But Figueras also made clear that she believes in and supports Barbara Brooks, who was elected in December to fill the Ward 3 seat.

“I will not even try to influence any decisions she will make,” Figueras said.

To her supporters, Figueras has always focused her attention on the needs of others, and that’s not likely to change.

“People are exciting,” Figueras said. “The differences in people enlarge my world.”

Whether advocating for affordable housing or new businesses across the city, hosting regular forums for residents to learn more about government or supporting quality-of-life projects like parks and trails, Figueras said her goal was always to make lives better.

“I felt that educating everybody was important to city government,” she added.

And the result of this belief was seen in the increased voter turnout in this year’s council elections, as well as the growing number of candidates running for office, Figueras said.

As the only minority on the council, Figueras has long been looked upon to address the racial divides in Gainesville.

Though prejudice undoubtedly runs along these lines, Figueras has long fought for another form of equality.

“I have concentrated on this whole city, and I believe that what is fair for one is fair for all,” she said, adding that she believes the biggest division of all exists between the poorer and richer classes. 

Figueras said she hopes her own life can be an example for others to follow.

Looking from her home in the direction of the public housing along Atlanta Street, then toward the downtown square, Figueras said she now jokes about becoming the fussy old citizen crying foul at city officials.

“The guy that has the most money doesn’t run me,” she said, waving her visitors goodbye.