(LaPorte, IN) - The new city planner in LaPorte was introduced last night.

Tom Casey was previously involved with Space Center, a development

company that owned and expanded Thomas Rose Industrial Park on the

city’s east side.

At last night’s city council meeting, Casey said he took some time off

after Space Center was sold last year to spend more time with his aging parents.

He was then contacted by mayor Tom Dermody and Bert Cook, executive director of the

LaPorte Economic Advancement Partnership about the job opening.

Casey took over on March 10.

He replaced Beth Shrader, who took a similar position with the city of Valparaiso.