Two-term mayor, three-term councilmember, fearless defender of historic preservation . . .
Mary Sue Rowland, former mayor, city councilor and longtime advocate for Noblesville, announced Monday she has resigned from the City Council.
“It was the right time, and I always try to do the right thing,” she told this reporter. Leaving the council does not mean she is giving up her interest in working for the city, she hastened to add.
Mary Sue served two terms as mayor from 1988 to 1996, and since has been elected to the city council three times, most recently in 2015. In or out of office, she has involved herself in numerous civic organizations and projects with special emphasis on improvements for the downtown area.
She said her departure from the council will enable “a new set of eyes” to join the council “which is a good thing.” She predicted there will be no shortage of interest in the council seat. Republican precinct committeemen will make that selection, probably in October.
Never hesitant to speak her mind, Mary Sue has differed with the administration of Mayor John Ditslear more than once. But, the mayor said Monday that “we owe our appreciation and respect to Mrs. Rowland for her dedication to the citizens of Noblesville as mayor and on the council.” He pointed out that while mayor she saw that the Logan Street TIF district was created, resulting in the extension of the street from State Road 19 to River Avenue, and spearheaded reconstruction of the former post office to house the police and fire headquarters and city court.
A lifelong Noblesville resident, Mary Sue graduated from Noblesville High School and studied at Ball State University. She and her husband, Ted, founded the Rowland Printing Company in downtown Noblesville.
Always a champion for the historic downtown, one finds that the name Mary Sue is easily recognized; no need to include the last name. She continues to serve on the Cultural Arts Commission which she helped create, the Noblesville Preservation Alliance, Nickel Plate and Main Street organizations.
She revealed this week that both she and her husband have fully retired and turned over operation of Rowland Printing to sons Dane and Dean. She hinted that a month or two of winter vacation in Florida might be in their future.