TERRE HAUTE —
Former long-time Terre Haute Mayor P. Pete Chalos was known for his candor and – sometimes pointed – honesty.
So it seems appropriate that his official records – including letters, desk calendars, photos, newspaper clippings and more – are now a part of the public record at the Vigo County Public Library.
The Chalos family, which includes two second-generation elected officials, made the records available to the VCPL in a public ceremony Tuesday at the main library branch downtown.
“My dad was a man of many passions,” said Vigo County Councilwoman Kathy Chalos Miller, who joined other members of her family for the ceremony. “I hope his archives will show people how much he cared for the community.”
For now, the Chalos collection is a mass of more than two dozen boxes of materials, all to be sorted and organized by library staff. The whole process will take many months, said Jim Gilson, archivist and digitization librarian at the VCPL.
“It’s quite a bit of material that has to be organized,” Gilson said.
The library and the community showed their gratitude for the material in the ceremony, which was attended by more than 30 people, including current Mayor Duke Bennett, former Mayor Judy Anderson, Vigo County Historian Mike McCormick and author Dorothy Jerse, who writes extensively on local history.
“People are mortal; archives are not,” said McCormick, who spoke during the approximately 45-minute ceremony. “Hopefully, this donation [by the Chalos family] will attract someone else’s archives.”
Chalos, the son of Greek immigrants who served as mayor from 1980 through 1995, died in 2006 at age 78.
Among the items in the collection are records from Chalos’ failed attempt in 1983 to seek the Democratic Party nomination for governor. In a campaign press release, Chalos showed some of the partisan political fight for which he was known. He is quoted saying then-Gov. Bob Orr, a Republican seeking a second term, favored utilities over ordinary people and had helped bring about a “decade of decline and deterioration” in the state. Orr was re-elected in 1984, defeating Democratic State Sen. Wayne Townsend.
But Tuesday’s event was about celebrating the optimism some believe Chalos helped bring to the city once labeled “America’s Delinquent City.” It was also about Chalos the teacher, basketball coach and family man.
“He was always there,” said Jim Chalos, son of the late mayor and a current member of the Terre Haute City Council, on which his father also served two terms. His father always managed to balance his family and faith with his political career, he said.
During his final days in office, Chalos told a Tribune-Star reporter that he felt he helped the city weather some difficult economic times and pointed to [then] new investments on North Fruitridge Avenue: Sony DADC, Bemis and Columbia House.
When asked about his legacy, the out-going four-term mayor told the newspaper:
“I hope for a legacy of that my kids can walk down the street, and somebody says, ‘Their dad used to be mayor,’ and they don’t have to be ashamed of that.” If their donation of his records is any indication, the late mayor can be assured that legacy is secure.
Reporter Arthur Foulkes can be reached at 812-231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.
News
Related Photos
-
Abundance: Vigo County Public Library archivist Jim Gilson looks over some of the items donated by the family of former Terre Haute mayor Pete Chalos. (Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis)
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Remembered: With a photo of mayor Pete Chalos on a library laptop, his son Jim talks about "my dad and my best friend" during a reception honoring the donation of mayoral items to the Vigo County Public Library.
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis All to see: Former Terre Haute mayor Judy Anderson and her husband Brent look over a display case of memorabilia from Pete Chalos' tenure as the mayor. A reception honoring the donation of the Chalos items was held Tuesday afternoon at the Vigo County Public Library.
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Just a thought: A binder from the time of Pete Chalos considering a run at the Indiana governor's mansion is part of the Chalos memorabilia donated to the Vigo County Pubic Library.
Discussion
Official records of former Terre Haute Mayor Chalos in library archives
- News
-
-
Back home again: Items from vaudeville stage and Terre Haute native sent to Historical Society
The staff at the Vigo County Historical Museum are excited about the arrival of priceless items used by Terre Haute-native Rose Fehrenbach and her husband, Edward Pierce, to promote their Vaudeville acts in the early 20th century.
-
Husband charged in Archer homicide
Terre Haute Police have found local reports of domestic violence between a Terre Haute man and his wife, whose body was discovered wrapped in a tarp and dumped in an Ohio ditch.
-
National Road panels dedicated
Rewind to the mid-1800s, when the trotting of a horse and buggy on National Road could be heard alongside the voices of people heading west, searching for opportunities.
-
Pence sets agency priorities
Following a directive from Gov. Mike Pence, state agency heads are reorganizing some of their top priorities to better reflect the first-year governor’s “roadmap for Indiana” plan for improving the state’s economy, infrastructure and health.
-
Another I-70 traffic snarl: Three injured in two related crashes
Three people were injured Monday afternoon from a pair of crashes on Interstate 70 that temporarily closed the highway and diverted traffic into Terre Haute.
-
Terre Haute man still hospitalized after scooter/car crash
A Terre Haute man remained hospitalized Monday at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis after his scooter struck a car early Saturday on Wabash Avenue at 25th Street.
-
Overpass repairs causing Interstate 70 lane restrictions
Repairs to the Frye Road overpass in southeastern Vigo County has caused a restriction to the left lane of Interstate 70 between the 13- and 14-mile markers, about two miles east of the Indiana 46 exit.
-
Indiana woman condemned for killing at 15 is freed
A woman who was sentenced to death at age 16 for taking part in the torture and murder of a 78-year-old Bible studies teacher was released from an Indiana prison Monday after growing to middle age behind bars.
-
Grant will let Vigo Library evaluate map collection
The Vigo County Public Library has received a $2,000 grant to evaluate its historic map collection, a library official announced Monday.
-
Four juveniles caught on elementary school roof; one injured jumping off
Police say a juvenile was lucky to have suffered only a broken leg after jumping from the roof of a Vigo County elementary school – dropping about 30 feet to the ground.
-
Farmersburg man sentenced after guilty plea in rape case
A Farmersburg man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to a rape that occurred at his parents’ residence in May 2012.
-
Still no information being released on Rosedale homicide
No new information was being released Monday afternoon concerning a Rosedale homicide.
-
Fathers take time out to spend quality time with children, grandchildren
A big, circular white cloud rose up through the tall atrium as Mike Woods held his 4-year son, Nathan, Sunday at the Terre Haute Children’s Museum.
-
On Friday, hit the park and raise funds for skateboarders
The On-board United Initiative — O.U.I. for short — has scheduled an all-ages fundraising event Friday in honor of national Go Skateboarding Day.
-
STATE OF THE STATEHOUSE: Sentencing law could benefit juveniles
Monica Foster is a longtime public defender who’s been pushing uphill in the legal system for a long time. So, when she says the General Assembly is making progress protecting the rights of the disenfranchised, it’s worth stopping to listen to her.
-
Mastering the art of Gardening
The Wabash Valley Master Gardeners group gathered over the weekend to marvel at each other’s gardens on its annual garden tour. The event was a chance for master gardeners to showcase their labor of love, meanwhile sharing stories about their plants.
-
RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS: June 17, 2013
The Vigo County Health Department inspected the following food establishments May 28-31:
-
Lawn mower fire destroys barn
A lawn mower that caught fire was cited as the cause of a fire that destroyed a single story barn Sunday in the 2000 block of North Chamberlain Street, said Harold Osborn, assistant fire chief of the Lost Creek Township Fire Department.
-
Wabash Valley residents vie for spot on Wheel of Fortune
Ellen Fujawa of Zionsville wants to be on the popular syndicated Wheel of Fortune game show.
-
No ID yet on body found in Rosedale home
Sheriff Mike Eslinger said his department is waiting to obtain an immediate family’s confirmation of a woman found dead in a home in the 2900 block of West Rosehill Lane.
-
Vigo School Corp. eliminating bus transportation for middle school sports teams
The Vigo County School Corp. will no longer provide school bus transportation for middle school athletic events, starting with the 2013-14 school year.
-
B.J. RILEY: Fathers are an inspiring figure
Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be a salesman. In grade school, I was so excited about selling candy bars or candles or whatever the chosen product.
-
‘24/7 Dad’ program focuses on key fathering characteristics
Terre Haute resident Aaron Poarch grew up without a father. His stepfather died when he was a teenager and just quite recently met his biological father.
-
Blues mosaic fundraiser to benefit Boys & Girls Club
A photographic mosaic, featuring images of the Blues at the Crossroads Festival from 2004 to 2012, was unveiled Saturday as part of a fundraiser to benefit the Terre Haute Boys and Girls Club.
-
Meeting June 18 to discuss cleanup of former Coke, Carbon site
The public can learn more about plans to clean up the former Terre Haute Coke and Carbon brownfield site Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Booker T. Washington Community Center
-
South Vigo Jets teams raising money for trip
The Terre Haute South Vigo Jets Varsity A and Junior Varsity B teams have qualified for national competition and are working to raise funds to help cover expenses.
-
United in Service: 300 volunteers take part in United Way’s Day of Action
As a graphic designer for Clabber Girl, Denise Turner usually sits in front of the computer most of the week. But as a volunteer on Friday’s Day of Action, she was outdoors spreading mulch at a community garden.
-
Police investigating Rosedale homicide
Parke County authorities are investigating a homicide at Rosedale.
Sheriff Mike Eslinger confirmed Friday afternoon that police had been called to a home in the 2900 block of West Rosehill Lane on a report of a dead person. -
Homicide suspect’s father: ‘I am so sorry’
The father of a Jasonville man charged with murder broke down in tears following his son’s appearance in Greene Superior Court on Friday morning.
-
African Methodist Episcopal Church reaches out to youth through Sunday School
How to make church relevant for today’s young people is a challenge that some dedicated pastors and youth ministers are willingly taking on this weekend in Terre Haute.
- More News Headlines
-
Tiger on Sergio: 'It's Time to Move On'
Robot Action Connected to Human Thought
Rain Damages Brazil Soccer Stadium
NYC 911 Call Lasts for 8 Hours
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
California Cops Cruise on Stand-up Paddle Patrol
Obama: US Has Helped Syrian Rebels
Falling Cable Hurts 10 NASCAR Fans
Raw: 100K Protesters Flood Brazilian Streets
Afghan Forces Take Afghanistan Security Lead
Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
Transgender Candidate Running in NYC
Man Who Disrupted Flight Ranted About CIA
Feds: 7-Eleven Stores Exploited Immigrants
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Today in History June 18
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Oklahoma City Thunder Players Tour Moore
Spurs' Popovich shows great frustration at post game presser
Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor
Three Charged for Enslaving Mother and Daughter
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach
Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane
Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber
WATCH IT: Lil Wayne tramples American flag
Mariah Carey Looks Beautiful in a Tiny Cut-Out Swimsuit
Out of Control Boat Throws Passengers Overboard
See Lindsay Lohan in Rehab
Sofia Vergara Posts Perky Backside Pic in Thong
Gaga Ditches Her Crazy Couture
Caught on Tape: Teacher Accused of Beating Autistic Child
"Stay Classy" Campaign Aims to Curb Binge Drinking
Sesame Street Tackling Tough Topic Parents in Jail
Miss Utah Fumbles Interview Question
Deranged man claims Newark-bound flight was poisoned
