A long-time City-County Councilor reflects before retirement

An Indianapolis City-County Council member who has represented his district for 20 years is retiring at the end of 2023. William "Duke" Oliver is an Indianapolis native with deep roots in the community he's served. Oliver sat down with WFYI's Jill Sheridan to talk about his history on the council.

Sheridan: What would you say is one of the things that's changed the most during your time?

Oliver: Well, I have to reflect a little bit on what I was doing before I came on the council – who I was, how I looked at the world. In those days, going back to the 60s and 70s, my view of government and those kind of things was kind of negative. I didn't know it at the time, but I was involved in the civil rights movement, just following along and in the labor movement, and the United Auto Workers were very much involved in how people lived when they got off work and talking about the community betterment.

So I was drawn into politics at a very early age of 21, to my involvement in the labor movement, and up to and including the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. And then one day I received a phone call about redistricting. There was no incumbent in the area that I lived in, and would I consider having my name submitted as a city councilor? I said, “No, thanks. I don't even know what that is.” So they said, “Oh, no, you know what it is!” And then they kept on…I said, “Okay, I'll think about it”. So a couple of days later, they called me back and I told them I would. So they took a vote, and then they informed me that the caucus had selected me. 

Come to understand some things, what makes things work, how things don't work, and then go back to the community and explain things, you know, in reality how things are done, how to get things done.

Sheridan: What do you think you've been able to accomplish in that time? What was one of your greatest achievements?

Oliver: I’d say the same thing here that I say to my grandchildren – I was part of city government. And while I was there, we accomplished some things that I agree with. Progress, always about progress. And sometimes progress was slow, because of lack of dollars, but still some major things that occurred down through the years.

I guess – the growth of our city. I live in the area of Forest Manor, Brookside kind of area on the Near East Side, in that community there. And of course, as a councilor, we see the whole city, not just where I live.

Sheridan: That is certainly a challenge, making sure that all neighborhoods and all communities are impacted by city investment.

Oliver: Oh, yes, I can see evidence of that. I mean, the last several years, I mean,  I'm not just focusing on District 9. It's the growth of our city.

Sheridan: What advice do you have for new council representation?

Oliver: If I had a one-on-one, I would say be patient. Listen, many of us that run for office, say things to get elected, and then we get elected. You’ve got to kind of pull back a little bit, you know, learn how things work, so that I would advise them how things go and kind of be patient. And listen.

Sheridan: And what are your plans to do now? Will you stay involved? Will you be taking up any extracurricular activities?

Oliver: I have a great-granddaughter who is 15 months old. That's my life. I got a keyboard for her. My keyboard, but it's a present. Wait until she is three or four years old, when she starts making sounds with her fingers. That's all I want. Then, by the time, probably about seven or eight years old. I'm giving some professional piano lessons from somewhere. That's my vision through her.

Sheridan: Well, congratulations on such long service here in the city of Indianapolis and all the best.

Oliver: Well, thank you for having me. Thank you so much.