(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City Mayor Duane Parry cited turning debt into a surplus as one of his achievements during his annual State of the City speech on Thursday.

 

Parry said the city has $5 million in cash reserves after he inherited a $3.4 million budget deficit from the previous administration. He said the black ink was attained despite the city paying the cost of materials and labor for the extension of water and sewer to over 400 acres annexed by the city in 2018 near the airport.

 

“This is what I call sound fiscal responsibility and money management,” he said.

 

Parry is running unopposed for the Republican Party nomination in the May primary. There could be a rematch in November between him and former mayor Ron Meer, who’s running for his prior job against four other candidates for the Democratic Party nomination in the May primary.

 

During his speech at Blue Chip Casino, the Michigan City Mayor also highlighted developments like a 100 unit single family subdivision making its way through the approvals process. He expects the development to be approved by the city’s plan commission in the near future.

 

“This is the first new residential subdivision in Michigan City since 1955,” said Parry, who began clapping and what appeared to be tears of joy to the applause of the audience.

 

Parry also touted changes he made at the police department such as the naming of a police chief, Steve Forker. Parry said arrests are now up and so are the number of guns being taken off the streets.  He also said fewer officers are leaving the department as a result of higher morale.

 

The Mayor further vowed to crack down on contractors and individuals not disposing of trash in a timely fashion along with litterbugs by enforcing local ordinances.

 

“You will be a good neighbor or face the consequences,” he said.

 

Parry, during his over 30 minute presentation, also cited achievements like the Great Lakes Grand Prix being named best event in 2022 during this year’s Indiana Tourism Conference and housing cleaning at the Michigan City Housing Authority.

 

Parry also referred to what he called a blueprint for leading Michigan City to major transformation. Included in the game plan is the beginning of construction this year of high rise developments containing residential, hotel and retail space resulting from the South Shore Railroad commuter line "double track" project.  He said the developments and other items contained in the blueprint are designed "to make Michigan City the most desired place on the shores of the Great Lakes to live, work and enjoy life."