(La Porte, IN) - A member of the La Porte City Council attended her final meeting last night and was given a standing ovation by Mayor Tom Dermody and her colleagues therein.

 

Laura Cutler, who chose not to seek reelection, has represented the city’s Third Ward for eight years while also acting as the only Democrat on the council.

 

Cutler offered these parting remarks and advice for her successor.

 

“It’s been my pleasure to serve. The people who have stepped up now to fill my shoes, don’t worry about it. You can’t make everyone happy. All you have to do is listen. People just want to be heard. Just listen to people first and foremost and communicate,” she said.

 

Dermody said Cutler “set the standard” for other council members to follow, assuring her that she "will be missed."

 

Councilman Tim Franke told Cutler he looked up to her when he first took a seat on the council four years ago.

 

“We disagreed on some things, but you’ve always been great to work with and I’ll certainly miss you,” he said.

 

Taking her seat at the start of 2024 will be Republican Drew Buchanan.