'Mayor of Commercial Street' announces plan to run for Springfield mayor in April

A longtime Commercial Street advocate and former Springfield City Council member has announced plans to run for mayor in the April election. On the first day election packets were available to pick up, Mary Collette was among those ready to file their candidacy for the April ballot.

Collette, who served as councilwoman for eight years in the early 2000s, has remained in public service since then, particularly with her involvement on Commercial Street. Collette serves as president of the Commercial Club and owns Historic Firehouse No. 2.

"I had some goals that I have not met yet," she said. "As Mayor Mary I might be able to achieve some of my goals more readily."

She said her primary focus as mayor would be to realize the city's potential and build on the work others have already done while ensuring everyone feels they have a voice and role in their local government. While she hasn't served on council in recent years, Collette said she felt it was time to return to elected public service.

"I guess I should say some things never change, and that's actually why I'm running," she said. "They do call me the Mayor of Commercial Street. And if I can do for this community what I have done for Commercial Street, I would think it would make everybody happy."

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According to archived News-Leader articles, while on council Collette championed historic preservation, opposed detox centers in Center City to promote residential and retail developments instead, and proposed a policy to require all government agencies to submit plans for new facilities within the scope of the city's master plan to the city. Most recently, Collette has been an avid advocate for funding renovations to the Historic Jefferson Avenue Footbridge and to move along the process, which stalled for several years.

As a candidate for mayor, Collette joins Jeff Schrag , founder of Mother's Brewing Company, who is the only other declared candidate for that office so far. Whoever is elected in April will succeed Mayor Ken McClure, who has reached his eight-year term limit. This will be the first time the mayor will be elected for a four-year term instead of two years after voters approved that change in April.

Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: 'Mayor of Commercial Street' announces plan to run for Springfield mayor in April