He started in Teter Quad, where he lived as a college student, then went on to the Indiana Memorial Union, where he served as IU student body president. Next was City Hall, where he currently serves as the mayor of Bloomington.
Now, after nearly 30 years of public service in Indiana, including 12 years as mayor, he will not seek re-election in 2015.
“It’s not even a dream come true because it was never a dream,” Kruzan said. “I never imagined it.”
Kruzan came to IU from northwest Indiana in 1978. While at IU, he worked for the Indiana Daily Student and became president of IU Student Association. He didn’t know what to do next, so he decided to stay at IU and go to law school.
After 16 years in the Indiana House of Representatives, Kruzan returned to run for mayor in 2003.
When Kruzan decided to run, people were confused. Why would an Indiana state legislator want to take a “demotion” and run for mayor?
Former Indiana Speaker of the House John Gregg created Kruzan’s campaign motto when he responded to the public in a speech: “It’s because it’s ?Bloomington.”
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When Kruzan announced Nov. 18 that he would not be seeking re-election, the clock started ticking for him to accomplish some of his goals.
A man who said he had no political affiliation or political aspirations going into college, Kruzan got into politics because of “the issues,” he said. “You could make a difference.”
When he came into office, Kruzan wanted to redefine the term “economic development” so it did not just refer to groundbreaking ceremonies and ?ribbon cuttings.
He has implemented his idea that “quality of life is synonymous with economic vitality” by developing the Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District and the 3.1-mile B-Line Trail, as well as improving social services and focusing on sustainability, historical preservation and small business.
“There’s an old adage that the best politics is government,” Kruzan said. “And I really believe that. You can get electe d and re-elected if you are doing the job.”
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Every mayor has had his or her own vision for the Bloomington community, Kruzan said.
When Frank McCloskey was the mayor in 1972, he worked to improve Bloomington’s infrastructure. Tomilea Allison focused on elevating the downtown, and John Fernandez wanted to boost the economy.
Former Indiana State Senator Vi Simpson, who spent her career in the Monroe County area, said she does not think much will change in Bloomington regardless of who takes over.
“Bloomington is headed in a pretty good direction thanks to Mark’s leadership,” Simpson said.
Kruzan talks constantly about working to put Bloomington in a good position for the next mayor. This is why he takes pride in the fact that it has its highest dollar reserves in its history, even following a recession.
He discusses many of his accomplishments, but his disappointment in his failures seems to stem not from ego, but from duty.
Kruzan saw success in projects such as the $44 million expansion of the water treatment facility and the re-purposed B-Line Trail. However, attacking the problem of the income gap in Bloomington didn’t come as easily.
“That’s a real challenge for the next administration and whoever is going to be mayor next,” Kruzan said.
As he goes into his final stretch, these topics provoke some advice for future ?mayors.
“My unsolicited advice to that person is, no joke, think of a reporter asking (you) at the end of your time, ‘What is it that you feel you’ve accomplished?’” Kruzan said. “What did you set out to do and what have you gotten done?”
He compares this outlook to telling incoming law students to get a copy of the bar exam review, even though they won’t need it for three years. He said he wishes he did that as a freshman, because now he understands what his professors were trying to teach him from day one.
Kruzan went from being a college student who didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life to a state legislator at age 25 and a longtime civil servant. He said students who are just passing through are still residents of the community and still have an impact.
“You never know,” he said. “You may be the next mayor of Bloomington.”
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Now, Kruzan looks back on his career.
He jokes that his claim to fame is a shot of him in the Bloomington-based movie “Breaking Away.” His relationship to the city permeates every issue he discusses.
“I cannot be more blessed by the community than to have the bookends be student body president and then mayor,” Kruzan said.
Simpson says she and Kruzan have had a close intellectual and emotional connection in their time working together. She retired in 2012, so she had some advice for Kruzan about the transition.
“I would like to assure Mark that, at some point, when you feel like it is time to move on, you don’t have to worry about finding important work to do,” Simpson said.
Plans for the future are not clear for Kruzan.
While he respects politicians that stay hands-off after leaving office, Kruzan said he would help out if needed.
Because it’s Bloomington.
