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<h2>Promises Kept. Progress Delivered.</h2>

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<h2>Leadership In Action</h2>

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<p>Mayor Deb Whitfield set the direction, brought people together, empowered city departments to act, and followed through on the promises she made to Lawrence residents.</p>

<h1>Still Time.<br>Still Delivering.</h1>

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<p>Mayor Deb Whitfield presented&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cityoflawrence.org/financial/2026/2027-proposed-budget">Lawrence’s proposed 2027 budget</a>&nbsp;to the Lawrence Common Council last evening, outlining a spending plan that projects a $1.3 million surplus while maintaining city services and providing 3% salary increases for all positions.</p><p>The proposed budget reflects the administration’s focus on fiscal discipline amid the financial challenges created by SEA 1 and ongoing property tax constraints facing municipalities across Indiana.</p>

<h4>WHITFIELD UNVEILS PROPOSED 2027 LAWRENCE BUDGET WITH PROJECTED $1.3 MILLION SURPLUS<br><em>Sound fiscal management positions city to navigate state tax constraints and SEA 1</em></h4>

Mayor Deb Whitfield presented Lawrence’s State of the City Address on April 16.

Mayor Deb Whitfield

<p>Lawrence Mayor Deb Whitfield discussed the city’s progress and future at her third&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vO5ovnN6ag" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">State of the City Address</a>&nbsp;on April 16.</p><p>She provided updates on public safety, infrastructure and city growth. She also shared how&nbsp;<a href="https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/04/15/indiana-senate-sends-finalized-local-property-income-tax-plan-to-governor/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Senate Bill 1</a>, the controversial property tax bill passed last year, will affect the city’s finances.</p><p>Here is some of what Whitfield discussed with Lawrence residents.</p>

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<h4>MirrorIndy: Lawrence mayor talks public safety, city finances and health initiatives</h4>

<p><em>Mayor Whitfield cites economic development opportunity</em></p><p>Mayor Deb Whitfield announced today that the City of Lawrence is moving to establish two Riverfront Development Districts that could create new opportunities for restaurants, entertainment venues and cultural destinations in the Fort Harrison and Oaklandon areas.</p>

<h4>LAWRENCE MOVES TO DESIGNATE RIVERFRONT LIQUOR LICENSE DISTRICTS </h4>

<p>A program initiated by Mayor Deb Whitfield in her first year in office, the City of Lawrence will welcome families to their annual&nbsp;<strong>Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway&nbsp;</strong>on&nbsp;<strong>Sunday, July 19<sup>th</sup>, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.&nbsp;</strong>at&nbsp;<strong>Lawrence Community Park, 5301 N. Franklin Road.</strong></p><p>The free community event is open to&nbsp;<strong>all students and their families&nbsp;</strong>and will feature free backpacks filled with school supplies and hygiene essentials. In addition, free hot dogs and chips will be offered, as well as face painting. Opportunities to connect with community organizations before the new school year begins will be afforded.</p><p>Approximately&nbsp;<strong>400 backpacks&nbsp;</strong>will be distributed on a&nbsp;<strong>first-come, first-served basis&nbsp;</strong>while supplies last.</p>

<h4>Lawrence Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway</h4>

<p>Deborah Whitfield<strong>&nbsp;</strong>wants Lawrence to have a seat at the table.</p><p><span style="color: var(--color-text); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text);"><strong style="color: var(--color-text); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text);">Why it matters:&nbsp;</strong></span>The city of 49,000 is known as an extension of Indy's northeast side with crime challenges and poor sidewalks. But Whitfield wants to revamp its reputation into an inviting destination with a state park and unique neighborhoods.</p><p>"There are things that we have in Lawrence that we can build upon," she said. "So I think the hindrance is learning how I can do that. It's not going to happen overnight."</p><p><span style="color: var(--color-text); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text);"><strong style="color: var(--color-text); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text);">Driving the news:&nbsp;</strong></span>Whitfield, a Lawrence resident since 1995,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2023/11/09/lawrence-mayor-election-historic-trend">was elected mayor</a>&nbsp;in November, becoming the first Black mayor in Marion County, where nearly one-third of residents are Black.</p>

<h4>AXIOS: Mayor Deb Whitfield has big goals for Lawrence</h4>

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<h4>Event title here</h4>

<p>Lawrence will continue its efforts to improve the health of residents with a new health ambassador program.&nbsp;</p><p>Mayor Deb Whitfield announced the&nbsp;<a href="https://mirrorindy.org/lawrence-mayor-deb-whitfield-health-outcomes-equity-state-city-address/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Live Longer in Lawrence initiative</a>&nbsp;last year at Lawrence’s State of the City address.&nbsp;</p><p>To help with the initiative, Whitfield announced this month the city received funding for a new program that will create community health ambassadors for each of the city’s&nbsp;<a href="https://visitlawrenceindiana.com/live/neighborhoods/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">eight neighborhoods</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Whitfield said the ambassadors will act as health advocates for the community.</p>

<h4>MirrorIndy: Lawrence to create health ambassador program</h4>

<p><span style="color: var(--color-text); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text);">MAYOR WHITFIELD, CITY OF LAWRENCE NAMED AMONG NATION’S TOP 12 AFRICAN AMERICAN CITIES TO WATCH</span><br><span style="color: var(--color-text); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text);">&nbsp;</span><br>Mayor Deb Whitfield and the City of Lawrence have been selected by the Community Data Health Initiative (CDHI) as one of the 2026 Top 12 African American Mayors Association (AAMA) Cities to Watch, a national recognition honoring cities that are advancing environmental health, public health, and equity through innovative leadership and measurable action.<br>&nbsp;<br>In notifying the City of its selection, CDHI praised Lawrence for its “outstanding leadership and commitment to advancing environmental outcomes in communities across the country.”</p>

<h4>2026 CDHI Top 12 AAMA Cities to Watch Cohort</h4>

<p>The Lawrence Clean Team held its inaugural meeting today at the Government Center!<br>The team is made up of community leaders, residents, and City staff. They will help advance environmental initiatives and support Lawrence's new designation as an Indiana Clean Community.&nbsp;</p><p>Today, members received updates on the City's urban forest, brownfields redevelopment efforts, and future community garden plans before gathering for a photo with the City's new Clean Community signage.</p><p>Thank you to everyone serving on the Lawrence Clean Team!</p>

<h4>Lawrence Clean Team Inaugural Meeting</h4>

<p><em>Still Time. Still Delivering.</em></p><p>Standing on a record of measurable accomplishments and a vision for Lawrence’s future, Mayor Deb Whitfield today announced her campaign for re-election, inviting residents to continue building on the momentum that has transformed the city over the past four years.</p><p>Whitfield’s campaign will be guided by the theme “Still Time. Still Delivering.” – a message that reflects both the progress already achieved and her commitment to continuing the work of making Lawrence one of Indiana’s premier places to live, work, and raise a family.</p>

<h4>Mayor Deb Whitfield announces campaign for re-election</h4>

<p><strong>Write a little something about your issue here. </strong>You can only put a short blurb here, but you can publish out a full issue page, which the View More button will link to by default. If you want to link the View More button somewhere else, or remove it altogether, you can do so via the Post Publish Settings in the sidebar.</p>

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<h2>Your issue title here</h2>

<p>For the past two years, the City of Lawrence has partnered with the Indiana American Legion to help local veterans access the benefits they have earned through military service.</p><p>As the home of the former Fort Benjamin Harrison Army base, Lawrence has a larger-than-average veteran population. Recognizing that need, Indiana American Legion Adjutant Chad Woodburn approached City of Lawrence Mayor Deb Whitfield about hosting a Department Service Officer for the American Legion at the Lawrence Government Center. Mayor Whitfield, whose late husband was a career Army officer who trained at Fort Benjamin Harrison, immediately embraced the opportunity.</p>

<h4>CITY OF LAWRENCE EXPANDS SUPPORT FOR VETERANS WITH DEDICATED SERVICE OFFICE</h4>

<p><em>City to Receive Expert Guidance on EV Infrastructure, Fleet Electrification and Future Economic Development</em></p><p>Mayor Deb Whitfield announced today that the City of Lawrence has been selected by the Great Plains Institute to participate in its Charging Smart Cohort, which will provide the city with free technical assistance on electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and fleet electrification.</p>

<h4>Lawrence Selected for National Electric Vehicle  Readiness Cohort</h4>

<p>Lawrence, IN –&nbsp;<a href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJxkzEFu6yAQgOHTwI5oPBAYFiyyyTUiYAYHxYnfs1Gt9vRVqu66_X_p44RUHXgtaQrkbQDnSN-TkMdYgKRlEG5UnQ2u2XM8kyck1j35HCJHgiIO_W2yGFsBS4QBq3Kwd5ZH_2-euS-y7cZzqY05BjJj_nq003voJd3H-Lcre1F4VXg9juNU-_hc25KPTV5VTus2K7zqp3DPZpNF8i6mc_oJt9-g7MVaCIB6S_O8rvzq830oB38xvY9N5Pkm4GxLyDUaJDcZVzKZ4m0zbqrAdYol56g_En4HAAD___S0W6o">Mayor Deb Whitfield&nbsp;</a>will be a featured panelist at the&nbsp;<a href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwszM3O2yAQheGrgR0RnqH8LFhk49uIgBnbKHacAknVXn2V6Ns-R-elCL4YbSXHyXmLThvj5RYdek150ksolAwaZAweirMeS0JtZY02uUDB68wG7G1CCEvW6D04KMLoXonv9bc6Ut25dWUpl4UoOK_G-u--XD6D3OM2xrMLvAqYBcxj4ze3Sq--tvP1vJTzEDDXR6_rNgTM8mCqSTXeOXVWleIXbj8g8IqonQbZ4rqeJz2-P6NLHX_PZU9_Gj8KX862yj4a8_FJ6F-YXSpBgTeTMjl5lS0uykxFU5lCTinId4T_AQAA__9NoF3j">Insight Summit</a>, a&nbsp;<a href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwszL2O6yAQQOGngY4IGMJPQZEmrxHBzNhGseNcTHK1-_SrrLb9jnQo24hOe8nZhOghaOeiXLLB6M-IJpCOZwAuQAlLAC4E1tQiW_YlJEpRV3bW3wzYNFUNMdpgUTh9NOJ7-6e20lbuh_JUcSJKIaoxf9-n0yfINS9jPA8BF2Gvwl7Hwm_ujV7H3PfX84T7JuxVbkytqM4rl4NVo_wLtz8QcAHQQVvZ8zzvOz3avAzhNLbxtU9r-d_5gXza-yyP0Zm3z0KfoYaCSdnojHK1RFU9TMoZ1IQm1VKSfGf7EwAA__8yXFsC">Veridus Group</a>&nbsp;Event on August 13<sup>th</sup>, 2026. The two-day Summit, beginning on Aug.12th, will take place at Plat 99, The Alexander.&nbsp;The Summit will feature several sessions, including Capital Projects, Economic Development, and Public Safety.</p><p>Mayor Whitfield will be on a panel with the Economic Development session entitled<em>Housing the Workforce: Strategies for Attainable &amp; Missing Middle Development.</em>&nbsp;In addition to Whitfield, the panel will feature Cumberland Town Manager Ben Lipps and Liz Leising, President and Chief Executive Officer of Margaret Mary Health. The panel will be moderated by Nate Lelle, Vice President of Client Development at Inherent Commercial and will take place in The City Way Gallery in The Alexander.</p>

<h4>MAYOR WHITFIELD TO SPEAK AT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT</h4>

<p>Mayor Whitfield has made public health and neighborhood well-being a central part of her leadership. Through the Live Longer in Lawrence&nbsp;<em>(link to information?)&nbsp;</em>initiative, the city has focused on improving health outcomes, expanding access to resources, and helping residents connect with services that support longer, healthier lives.&nbsp;</p><p>As part of that commitment, Mayor Whitfield appointed the city’s first&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ecommunity.com/about/leadership/john-kunzer-md">Chief Medical Officer</a>, a pro-bono role created to help guide Lawrence’s public health strategy, strengthen partnerships, and bring medical expertise directly into city leadership. It was a bold and practical step that reflects her belief that local government has a responsibility to address the conditions that shape people’s health, from access to care and healthy food to safe neighborhoods, active living, and community support.&nbsp;</p><p>The initiative has included health screenings, fitness opportunities, youth activities, community events, partnerships with local organizations, mental health resources, food access efforts, and neighborhood-based outreach. It reflects Mayor Whitfield’s belief that a stronger Lawrence starts with healthier people, safer neighborhoods, and a city that invests in the everyday well-being of its residents.</p>

<h2>Healthier Neighborhoods</h2>

<p>Lawrence's eight officially recognized neighborhoods—Oaklandon, Fort Ben, Indian Lake, Lanesville, The Pike, Sunnyside, Geist’s Edge, and The Ridge—are now proudly represented with new banners at Lawrence Civic Plaza and the Fort Ben Cultural Campus.<br>&nbsp;</p><p>Watch as Mayor Deb Whitfield unveils the banners and celebrates the neighborhoods that make Lawrence such a special place to call home.</p><p>VIDEO!</p>

<h4>Celebrating Lawrence's Eight Neighborhoods</h4>

<p>Mayor Deb Whitfield will join mayors and city leaders from across the country as a featured mayor at the 2026 Community Data Health Initiative (CDHI) Environmental Health Capstone Convening, Oct. 6–7 at Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, Massachusetts</p>

<h4>MAYOR WHITFIELD TO BE FEATURED AT HARVARD ENVIRONMENTAL&nbsp;<br>HEALTH CONVENING<br><em>Lawrence mayor among 12 African American mayors recognized for advancing environmental health and equity</em></h4>

<p>Do you want to help make Lawrence a healthier place to live?</p><p>We're looking for volunteers to serve as Live Longer in Lawrence Ambassadors and help bring health and wellness programs to neighborhoods across our city.</p><p>During the 5 month program, ambassadors will work with residents, share resources, promote healthy living, and help strengthen community connections in Lawrence's eight neighborhoods.</p><p><br></p>

<h4>Live Longer in Lawrence Ambassadors</h4>

<p>LAWRENCE, Indiana — The&nbsp;<a href="http://wthr.com/local" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">City of Lawrence</a>&nbsp;is touting progress in public safety and development, while acknowledging growing financial pressure tied to state policy changes.</p><p>During her annual State of the City address Thursday, April 16, Mayor Deb Whitfield highlighted declining crime, new investments and long-term planning. She also warned that changes tied to Senate Bill 1 are forcing difficult budget decisions.</p>

<h4>WTHR: Lawrence mayor highlights progress, financial pressure in State of the City</h4>

Mayor Whitfield

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