LAWRENCE, Indiana — As Lawrence Mayor Steve Collier prepares to leave office after two terms, he's spending his final days boxing up belongings and reflecting on the memories. Every item on his wall tells a different story.
"This represents a replacement of every vehicle in our fire fleet," Collier said, pointing to a framed photo of emergency vehicles. "We also revamped the police fleet. No cars over five years old for merit officers."
Among his proudest achievements as mayor are improvements to public safety. Collier said the city built its first-ever standalone police headquarters.
It is symbolic of a community that's grown a lot over the years.
"I like the fact that we've become our own individual city," Collier said. "Even though we're a city of 50,000+, we still have a hometown feel."
Collier said the city has spent millions to improve roads, trail systems, water and sewer, and created 1,500 jobs that pay over $55,000 per year.
"If you would've told me in 2016 we could get done what we have gotten done, I'd have said you were nuts. I would've said there's no way we can get that done. But we had the right people and didn't tread water. We kept moving," Collier said.
He cited new employers that have moved in, along with quality-of-life improvements like parks and entertainment. Heartland Films recently moved its headquarters to Lawrence.
"If you don't keep moving, we'll get behind," Collier said. "Noblesville won't wait on us. Fishers won't wait. McCordsville won't wait on us, so we've got to keep up."
Collier said that means working together with other communities more than ever.
"Mayors will benefit from talking with each other," Collier said. "And I think that's the vision that all of us have to have is 'what can we do to help the entire region and not just our individual city?'"
How he got here
A lifetime Lawrence resident, Collier spent a career in public education before entering public office. He was a teacher, coach and administrator in Lawrence Township.
"When I retired, I didn't have an iota of an interest in being in politics," Collier said.
But friends encouraged him to run for city council. A year into his term, Collier said supporters were asking him to run for mayor.
"I've learned more than anything else, municipal government is the number one place where you can have an impact on people's lives," Collier said, but added he alone isn't the reason for the city's success.
"I get credit for a lot of stuff I had very little to do with," Collier said. "I take credit for hiring some very good people to work with me. I've got a great staff. We're working up to the last day."
What's next
At 69, Collier said he plans to take a family vacation and then looks forward to "returning to his roots" by working in the local school district again. Collier also said he will enjoy spending more time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
