P. Pete Chalos
Encyclopedia
Panagiotis Chalos sometimes known as Pete Panagiotis Chalos or P. Pete Chalos was the second-longest serving mayor in the history of Terre Haute, Indiana
, serving from 1980 to 1996. Chalos' four consecutive terms as mayor place him behind only Ralph Tucker
, who served from 1948 to 1968.
, ran track and cross country at Wiley High School in Terre Haute and later became a teacher and a successful coach in the Vigo County
and Clay County
public schools. An opponent of Indiana's 1959 law requiring school consolidation, Chalos stated that he favored small community schools. His view of the community school as a gathering place and source of identity for a town was (and is) shared by more than a few older Hoosiers who still bemoan their loss more than 45 years after the law was passed.
Chalos was elected to the Terre Haute City Council in 1971, serving eight years, and then won election as Terre Haute's mayor in 1979, serving in that office from 1980 to 1996. During his years in city politics, Terre Haute slowly shed its image as a Midwestern "Sin City
" that had existed for many years since it once was home to a thriving "red light district
" and, for a short time (between September and November 1957), an international gambling syndicate.
Chalos sought a fifth term as mayor in 1995, but was defeated by then-Vigo County Sheriff James Jenkins, who went on to win the general election that fall.
After leaving office, Chalos remained committed to the community. He took part in the ceremonial opening of Terre Haute's extended First Street corridor, a project which was initially proposed during his years as mayor, in June 2005. In addition, he published four books: "Growing Up in Terre Haute," about his childhood; "Just a Thought"; "Mayor"; and "Speak Out". Chalos also authored a column which was published regularly in the Terre Haute Tribune-Star newspaper.
Chalos died of natural causes on June 4, 2006.
Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute is a city and the county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States, near the state's western border with Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 60,785 and its metropolitan area had a population of 170,943. The city is the county seat of Vigo County and...
, serving from 1980 to 1996. Chalos' four consecutive terms as mayor place him behind only Ralph Tucker
Ralph Tucker
Ralph Tucker was the longest-serving mayor of Terre Haute, Indiana, serving from 1948 to 1968.-Biography:...
, who served from 1948 to 1968.
Biography
Chalos, the son of a Greek immigrant who operated a downtown Terre Haute hat shop and shoeshine parlor that employed future entertainer Scatman CrothersScatman Crothers
Benjamin Sherman "Scatman" Crothers was an American actor, singer, dancer and musician known for his work as Louie the Garbage Man on the TV show Chico and the Man, and as Dick Hallorann in The Shining in 1980...
, ran track and cross country at Wiley High School in Terre Haute and later became a teacher and a successful coach in the Vigo County
Vigo County, Indiana
Vigo County is a county located along the western border of the U.S. state of Indiana. Vigo County is included in the Terre Haute, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Terre Haute....
and Clay County
Clay County, Indiana
Clay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 26,890. The county seat is Brazil. Clay County is included in the Terre Haute, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :Clay County was formed in 1825...
public schools. An opponent of Indiana's 1959 law requiring school consolidation, Chalos stated that he favored small community schools. His view of the community school as a gathering place and source of identity for a town was (and is) shared by more than a few older Hoosiers who still bemoan their loss more than 45 years after the law was passed.
Chalos was elected to the Terre Haute City Council in 1971, serving eight years, and then won election as Terre Haute's mayor in 1979, serving in that office from 1980 to 1996. During his years in city politics, Terre Haute slowly shed its image as a Midwestern "Sin City
Sin City
Sin City is the title for a series of neo-noir comics by Frank Miller. The first story originally appeared in "Dark Horse Presents Fifth Anniversary Special" , and continued in Dark Horse Presents #51–62 from May 1991 to June 1992, under the title of Sin City, serialized in thirteen parts. Several...
" that had existed for many years since it once was home to a thriving "red light district
Red Light District
Red Light District may refer to:* Red-light district - a neighborhood where prostitution is common* The Red Light District - the title of the 2004 album by rapper Ludacris* Red Light District Video - a pornography studio based in Los Angeles, California...
" and, for a short time (between September and November 1957), an international gambling syndicate.
Chalos sought a fifth term as mayor in 1995, but was defeated by then-Vigo County Sheriff James Jenkins, who went on to win the general election that fall.
After leaving office, Chalos remained committed to the community. He took part in the ceremonial opening of Terre Haute's extended First Street corridor, a project which was initially proposed during his years as mayor, in June 2005. In addition, he published four books: "Growing Up in Terre Haute," about his childhood; "Just a Thought"; "Mayor"; and "Speak Out". Chalos also authored a column which was published regularly in the Terre Haute Tribune-Star newspaper.
Chalos died of natural causes on June 4, 2006.