Mayor Paul Cooley papers

Paul Cooley was born on September 24, 1914. In 1933, he graduated from DeSoto High School and married Rebecca Faye Leyland on February 24, 1934.

Cooley worked at the Warner Gear Division of Borg Warner for twenty-three years. As an active member of U.A.W. Local 287, Cooley served as steward for two years, financial secretary for three years, and president for one year. He also served as a delegate to various union councils for terms ranging from three to ten years, and was a member of the contract negotiating committee for ten years.

In 1951, Cooley entered local politics when he ran for city councilman at large, winning a spot on the Democratic Party ticket but failing to win a seat on the council until 1955. He was a council member for seven years, and served as council president for two of those years. In addition, Cooley was the Center Township Assessor for nine years.

Paul Cooley was elected Mayor of Muncie in 1967. He was reelected in 1971, but was defeated in his bid for a third term in the 1975 Democratic Party primary. During his two terms as mayor, Cooley took an active role in the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns. He also was actively involved in the Indiana Chapter of the American Public Works Association, serving as the association's president for two years. Major accomplishments of Cooley's two administrations include a comprehensive overhaul of the city's streets, the construction of two city parks and upgrades to existing parks, and improvements within the police department including: the introduction of a drugs and safety program, the creation of a Narcotics and Intelligence unit, and updates to the department's communication equipment.