GREENFIELD — Greenfield’s outgoing mayor, Chuck Fewell, was grinning from ear to ear Saturday as over 200 people wished him well at a retirement open house.
Between 200 to 250 friends, family and colleagues turned out for the event, from 1-4 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Hancock County Fraternal Order of Police lodge.
“We were really pleased by the amount of people who showed up to tell us goodbye,” said Fewell, who was joined by his wife, Kristin, who has attended countless city events with him over the past decade.
Fewell was voted into office by a Republican caucus Dec. 30, 2013, after former mayor Dick Pasco passed away following a cancer battle. Fewell finished the two-year term and has since been elected to two four-year terms as mayor. A new mayor will be elected Nov. 7 and will take office Jan. 1.
Fewell said he’s willing to continue to support the city and the newly elected mayor in any way he can.
“The city was very good to me for 10 years, and I will always remember that,” said Fewell.
“It’s been quite a ride,” said his wife.
The couple was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support throughout Saturday’s open house, especially when Fewell received a surprise presentation of the Sagamore of the Wabash. Considered to be the highest honor in the state, the award is a personal tribute usually given to those who have rendered a distinguished service to the state or the governor.
State Rep. Bob Cherry presented Fewell with the award on the governor’s behalf.
“That was quite an honor. It makes you feel really good that somebody has noticed you a little bit, that maybe we did a couple things right,” Fewell said.
During his time in office, Fewell led the city to winning the state’s Stellar Community designation, which awarded the city and its community partners more than $18 million in grants.
He also oversaw the creation of the award-winning Depot Street Park, which has drawn tens of thousands of visitors to its summer concert series and special events. He was also there to oversee the dedication of the city’s Splash Park and Kathy Dowling Aquatic Center.
One of the highlights of his tenure, however, was the dedication of Michael’s Playground, an all-inclusive playground named in memory of his grandson Michael, who died in 2019 as the result of genetic disorder at the age of 15.
“I’ve heard nothing but raves on Michael’s Playground. I had a person tell us the other night their grandchildren live out of state, and the minute they hit Greenfield they want to go to Michael’s park and play. That’s what you want to hear,” Fewell said.
The outgoing mayor said he’s incredibly proud of what the city’s various departments have accomplished throughout his 10 years in office.
“The thing about it is, it wasn’t just me. It’s the team that you have helping you. When you have great people and good department heads who know their jobs, it makes my life a lot easier,” he said.
Fewell said he’s proud to see the city heading in the right direction in expanding its water utility and wastewater treatment plant as it addresses the state of its roads and other growing pains that come with a growing population.
“I think we’re on a really good path and will hopefully continue down that path,” he said.
Fewell’s operational assistant, Stacy Hartman, said she was motivated to organize Saturday’s open house as a way to thank the man who has done so much for the city over the past 10 years.
“I just thought that after working for so many years and so hard and so long that we needed to do something to acknowledge that,” said Hartman. “He’s an amazing person who does so much for everybody, so I wanted to do something for him and Kristin because she works just as hard,” she said
Fewell’s wife has been by his side for hundreds of ribbon cuttings, dedications and celebrations over the years, making their mark on the city she’s always called home.
Fewell moved to Greenfield from Shelbyville when the couple wed in 1998. They share four children and eight grandchildren.
Fewell was born and raised in Shelby County. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after graduating from high school, and later attended IUPUI and Indiana Central University.
He then joined the Shelbyville Police Department, serving four years before becoming an Indiana State Trooper. Before becoming mayor, he spent 29 years working in governmental affairs with the Heritage Group.
When the mayor’s position opened up in 2013, Fewell credits his wife for encouraging him to follow his dream of filling the role.
Friends say the affable extrovert was a natural from the start.
“He has done so much for the city that people don’t even realize he does. Nobody really sees how hard he works but me and Kristin,” said Hartman. “I’m going to have a hard time when he leaves. I’m going to really miss him,” she said.
Kristin Fewell, who retired two years ago from a 44-year career teaching first grade at Harris Elementary School, knows it may take her husband some time to adjust to the new normal of retirement.
For years, the couple has woken up at 4:30 a.m. each day to share some time together over a cup of coffee before heading to work. While the early birds may bump their daily coffee up to 5 or 5:30 a.m., Fewell’s wife has no doubt he’ll find some way to keep himself occupied while somehow contributing to the community he loves.
“I have no doubt that whatever he decides to do, he will be successful,” she said.
