Strict budget tightening measures are being taken in Michigan City. New mayor Duane Parry says the recent examination of the books revealed the budget shortfall originally estimated at 1.6 million dollars is actually 3.4 million.

Parry says department heads have been ordered to tighten the ship and if their budgets

end up in the red they will be relieved from their positions. Parry also said 50 percent of the operating budget last year was paid for with riverboat money, an amount he called unacceptable.