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Tony Roswarski
Lafayette Roots Run Deep
Born and raised in the heart of Lafayette, Indiana, Tony Roswarski has been putting people first since he learned about service as a young Boy Scout. People came first throughout his 20-year career on the Lafayette Police Force, in his four years as a member of the Lafayette City Council and since he became Lafayette’s mayor in 2004. |
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Childhood Years in Lafayette
Born June 15, 1960, to Robert and Jane Roswarski, Tony grew up on the city’s north side. He attended Vinton, Sunnyside and Jefferson High schools. Besides Boy Scouts, he played baseball and football as a youngster. In high school he was active in J Club and participated two years in track and football, graduating from Lafayette Jeff in 1978.
Criminal Justice Education, 22-Year Career
With an eye on a service career, he enrolled at Ball State University, where he studied criminal justice from 1978 to 1981. He then served as a patrol officer for the Houston Police Department from 1981 to 1983, soon returning home and joining the Lafayette Police Department.
From 1983 to 2004, Roswarski held posts of increasing responsibility. He began as patrol officer, held various detective division assignments, was promoted to sergeant, then lieutenant and then captain. His law enforcement career included helping launch and serving as first coordinator of the D.A.R.E. program in 1995; serving in the tactical intervention platoon, SWAT Team Commander, and helping schools implement security measures and crisis preparedness plans.
| Among his law enforcement awards and recognitions: |
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• Bronze Medal for Hostage Situation Rescue, 1984 |
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• Officer of the Year co-nominee, 1987 |
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• Letter of Commendation for Administering Lifesaving Measures, 1992, 1993 |
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• Investigator of the Year, 1992 |
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• Letter of Commendation for Activities of the Fraternal Order of Police, 1994 |
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• Letter of Commendation for S.W.A.T. Team Leadership, 1999 |
Lafayette City Council Service
In 1999, Roswarski was elected to represent the Sixth District on the Lafayette City Council, a post he held until he began serving as mayor in 2004.
On the council, he took leadership in improving the city’s neighborhoods and assisted in organizing three neighborhood associations—Monon, St. Lawrence/McAllister and Vinton. He also worked to attract living-wage jobs with benefits and high-tech businesses to the community, and to diversify Lafayette’s economic base.
Mayor, City of Lafayette
In 2003, Roswarski was elected Mayor of Lafayette, taking office in January 2004. Under his leadership the city has achieved numerous milestones in services, community development, economic development, fiscal management, infrastructure improvements, and parks and recreation.
Since taking office, Roswarski has played a leadership role in initiatives such as formation of Greater Lafayette Commerce, a consolidation of six local community and economic development entities into a single organization charged with region-wide community and economic development.
He’s played a role in economic expansion projects at numerous industries, including Fairfield, Coleman Cable, Rea Magnet Wire and Ryla. Attracting global businesses and helping others compete globally help build a strong city. Roswarski has been involved in such project as Caterpillar’s decision to build the C-175 large engine platform in Lafayette, expansions at Tate & Lyle, a partnership between Subaru of Indiana Automotive and Toyota Motors of North America to assemble Camry sedans to the recently announced Nanshan America aluminum extrusion plant, a $100 million investment with 200 jobs.
Shovel Ready certification of Park 350, a 300-plus acre industrial park, was accomplished during his tenure, along with support of Park 52, home to TRW’s Lafayette expansion with 200 employees.
Roswarski also supports small businesses and the arts. Artist co-ops, galleries, visual and performing arts enliven the community, providing entertainment as well as a good, satisfying livelihood for many local residents. Investing in public art through outdoor sculpture and support of venues and facilities such as the Long Center for the Performing Arts demonstrates the broad understanding he has for economic development and quality of life.
Other projects include redevelopment of the Glen Acres and Vinton Neighborhoods including demolition of the former Bridgeway Apartments, now being developed as the new urbanist Chatham Square, which garnered one of Indiana’s largest Neighborhood Stabilization Program grants to stabilize neighborhoods and combat foreclosure.
Small and large scale infrastructure projects have been a hallmark of the Roswarski administration. These have included approval of the NPDES permit through IDEM and US EPA, the $25 million Pearl River Tunnel project in downtown Lafayette to collect storm water to mitigate Combined Sewer Overloads (CSOs) and redevelopment of Greenbush Avenue and County Road 350 South into the four lane, landscaped Veterans Memorial Parkway, among many others.
Through the Wabash River Enhancement Corporation, in collaboration with West Lafayette, Tippecanoe County and Purdue University, Roswarski has led efforts to clean up the Wabash River and plan for its future as a resource for recreation and economic development. Riverfront enhancement plans are being completed and partnerships forged with private philanthropy to make the vision reality.
Providing a welcoming community with equal opportunity for all is a hallmark of the Roswarski administration. Inclusion and diversity are represented in City employment and municipal boards and commissions. Commissions on minority affairs and the Human Relations Commission ensure all voices are heard.
Efficient, effective, high-quality public services are a necessity of a well-functioning city, and Lafayette is a leader. Roswarski continually strives, along with city departments, to work harder and smarter and to find ways to reduce costs and increase operating efficiencies.
Reserve funds for “rainy days” for emergencies are being increased while overall budgets have been reduced. Savings have been realized by combining staff positions and duties and encouraging technology improvements with an increase in fiber optics throughout the community.
Roswarski participates in numerous community events and activities such as:
• Polar Plunge
• Shop with the Mayor
• Hanna Camp for Kids
• Soap Box Derby
• Girl Scout Cookie Launch
Along with his regular duties, Roswarski serves as the chief elected official for a 14-county Workforce Development Board and for a nine-county Homeland Security District. The Mayor serves on the Advisory Committee for the Indiana University School of Medicine at Purdue University, the Community Advisory Committee for the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University, as president of the Wabash River Enhancement Corporation, and as a trustee of the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns Medical Trust.
In 2005, Roswarski was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash for his work in the Lafayette community. He also has been named to the Lafayette Jefferson High School Alumni Hall of Fame
Family
Roswarski is married to Tonya Chaney Roswarski (pictured above).
He is the father of four children: Brooke, Michael, Alanna and Sarah.
(daughter Sarah with 4-H)
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Personal Recognitions
Roswarski’s personal recognitions include receiving the Sagamore of the Wabash from Governor Joseph Kernan in 2004 and being inducted in the Jefferson High School Alumni Hall of Fame in 2006.
Civic Service/Membership
Roswarski has continuously answered the call to serve, build consensus and work for Lafayette’s advancement.
| His civic service has included: |
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Fraternal Order of Police, President for six years |
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Homeland Security District Board |
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Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, and Trustee, Medical
Trust, Executive Committee, Legislative Committee |
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Indiana Conference of Mayors, Member |
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Indiana School of Medicine at Purdue, Community Advisory Board Member |
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Lafayette-West Lafayette Development Corp., Board Member |
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National League of Cities, Member and Cities Public Safety Committee |
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North Central Mayor’s Roundtable, Member |
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1977 Police and Fire Pension Advisory Board, 2004 to 2006 |
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Project Lead 4-H, Consultant |
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Purdue University Community Relations Advisory Committee |
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Purdue University School of Liberal Arts, Community Advisory Board Member |
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Purdue University, Organizational Leadership, Guest Lecturer |
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Tippecanoe County Child Protection Team, Member |
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Tippecanoe County Council on the Prevention of Child Abuse, Founding Board Member |
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Vice President and President of the Wabash River Enhancement Corporation |
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Vice President of the Hoosier Heartland Industrial Corridor |
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Workforce Development Board
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Personal Service/Membership
Throughout the years, Roswarski also has participated in numerous community and education efforts, including service to these organizations:
American Red Cross, Board Member
Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Bowl for Kids Sake Steering Committee Member
Cary Home, Advisory Board Member
Central Catholic 21st Century Club
Community and Family Resource Center, Board Member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
Golden Broncho Club, Board Member
Hanna Community Center, Board Member
Jefferson High School Booster Club
Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree
Mental Health Association of Tippecanoe County, Board Member
Moose Lodge
St. Lawrence Catholic Church
St. Lawrence Elementary School, Volunteer Girls’ Basketball Coach
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