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UniGov

John G. Foyer and Ann Foyer to All Republican and Independent Voters of Precinct 5, Washington Twp. Letter

Rather than a state constitutional amendment or local referendum, advocates of UniGov sought to pass the measure through legislation in the Indiana General Assembly. This letter to Washington Township voters outlines opposition to UniGov and calling for delaying the legislation.

UniGov Market Opinion Research, Questionnaire Responses

Examples of citizen's responses to a poll about their support or opposition to UniGov and their opinion on Mayor Lugar.

Uni-Gov--Let's Look at the Charges, January 22, 1969

An editorial by WFBM comes out in support of UniGov and tackles some of the questions surrounding the legislation.

The Indianapolis Downtowner, April 1969

The Indianapolis Downtowner explored the newly enacted UniGov system in its April 1969 cover story. The article praises the concept and outlines its benefits but also explores the arguments against the system and raises questions of the constitutionality of its provisions.

Mayor Lugar to Mrs. Irving M. Granowitz, May 6, 1969

In this letter, Lugar writes to a woman in New York who attended a Republican Women's Conference where Lugar was a speaker. Lugar outlines his belief that only the Republican Party can make city-county consolidation possible.

Arthur E. Thomas to Nixon, Bayh, Hartke, and Lugar Letter, November 22, 1969

Arthur Thomas, a resident of Speedway, Indiana, criticizes several Indiana politicians, including Mayor Lugar. Thomas states that Lugar shoved UniGov on the county residents through pressure politics and that they are not adequately represented.

Mason Bryant, et al. vs. Edgar D. Whitcomb, et. al. Opinion February 3, 1970

Opinion of the Southern District Court of Indiana, Indianapolis Division in a suit questioning the validity of the Indiana statutes allowing for UniGov. The court finds that the statues are constitutional, in favor of the UniGov system.

Information About Unified Government in Indianapolis, May 1970

Shortly after UniGov was implemented in January 1970, Mayor Lugar's office prepared a guide for citizens seeking information on local services like garbage collection, snow removal, street lighting, and block clubs.

Councilmanic District Maps, c. 1970

Maps of councilmanic district boundaries and population totals following the implementation of UniGov.

John N. Neff Press Release, September 1, 1971

UniGov became a major focus of the 1971 mayoral elections for both the Republican incumbent Lugar and his Democratic opponent, John F. Neff. In this press release, Neff highlights some of the opposition arguments to UniGov, including the argument that it was forced on the people of Indianapolis and that it was a move to centralize Republican power. The press release also refers to the controversial topics of school desegregation and busing, a significant issue during the 1971 city elections.

From Mayor Lugar Form Letter Draft, c. 1972

In this draft of a letter to area businesses, Mayor Lugar discusses the continued effort after the implementation of UniGov to consolidate city and county police services, an effort that proved to be controversial.

City-County Proposal No. 77, 1972

A proposed ordinance to extend the boundaries of the Indianapolis Police Department to include the entire Consolidated City of Indianapolis. The 1972 proposal did not pass.

City-County Consolidation in Indianapolis Speech

In this speech, Mayor Lugar addresses the question of city-county consolidation in Indianapolis and, of particular interest, provides an explanation as to why he felt consolidation should take place without a referendum.

UniGov Department Projects, 1975-1980 Poster

This poster highlights UniGov projects for each department in the late 1970s.

Claude M. Spilman Jr. to John Walls Letter, February 10, 1968

In this letter, Claude Spilman, a member of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee (GIPC) encourages the Lugar administration to set up a task force to consider consolidating the city and county government. Although a Democrat, Spilman acknowledges that it is Republicans who stand to benefit most from consolidation.

Mayor's Task Force on Improved Governmental Structure for Indianapolis and Marion County Meeting Minutes, November 27, 1968

In late 1968, Mayor Lugar formed a task force within GIPC to analyze the concept, policy, and strategy of government consolidation. These minutes from an early task force meeting demonstrate the extensive thought and planning that had gone into consolidation, including exploring the adoption of a consolidated government two years before in Jacksonville, Florida, justifications for consolidation, and the suggestion to exclude the towns of Lawrence, Speedway, and Beech Grove from consolidated Indianapolis.

Reply to "Metro-Government--Niblack Style," December 30, 1968

Judge John L. Niblack replies to a recent WFBM editorial about UniGov. Niblack warns that, while Lugar is a good man, absolute power and one-man rule is a slippery slope and could result in the election of someone like then-Chicago mayor Richard J. Daley.

Charles Bogden to Mayor Lugar Memo, February 11, 1969

In this letter, Charles Bogden, Committee and Ward Chairman of Wayne Township, reports little voter support for UniGov among his constituents.

What Does UniGov Cost?, c. August 1970

A flyer outlining the costs of UniGov and urging citizens to vote Democrat in response to the UniGov rollout.

Remarks by Donald Rumsfeld, September 18, 1970

In this speech in Indianapolis on September 18, 1970, Donald Rumsfeld, then-Counsellor to President Richard Nixon, praised the UniGov system and the Unified Planning Program (a coordinated approach to planning and funding metropolitan development efforts) as emblematic of the philosophy of New Federalism, which sought to transfer decision-making and funding power from the federal government to the state and local levels.