(Michigan City, IN) - Angie Nelson Deuitch paused with emotion while being the first African American ever sworn in as mayor in Michigan City on Saturday, officially taking the seat on January 1st.

 

“187 years and here we have arrived,” said former longtime state representative Scott Pelath, the emcee of the ceremony and former classmate of the incoming mayor.

 

“Better sooner than later,” shouted a member of the enthusiastic crowd.

 

Supporters of Deuitch recognized the occasion as historic, but also strongly pointed out what they believe are the skills the soon-to-be new mayor brings to the position.

 

“I just hope that it’s not what everybody concentrates on that she is an African American. She is qualified and ready to go,” said Bryant Dabney, who took the oath of office for his second term on the City Council.

 

Eight other incumbent and newly elected members of the council were also sworn in before more than 500 people at Blue Chip Casino.

 

It was more of a gala event, which included the presentation of colors by the Michigan City High School Reserve Officers Training Corps, along with the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful” with help from the Krueger Middle School Choir.

 

Also featured were expressions of wisdom and encouragement from the city’s first-ever female mayor, Sheila Brillson Matias, previously elected to two terms beginning in 1995.

 

She said Deuitch has traits such as guts, persistence, insistence, and vision that the city’s forefathers had during the early industrial heydays of the community established in 1836.

 

Matias also said Deuitch is the right mayor to guide the city into another, more prosperous, era that seems fast approaching because of the investments already being made from the nearly completed South Shore Railroad commuter line’s double track.

 

“We are on the cusp of change in Michigan City and I can’t think of anyone better, smarter, and with more leadership skills than you Mayor Angie to guide this ship,” she said.

 

She advised Nelson Deuitch to lead the city with her heart and “be real.” Matias also suggested she get to know all of her city employees on a more personal level and treat them with respect.

 

“Nothing is more important than that,” she said.

 

Deuitch, 52, is a former longtime employee of NIPSCO and who’s wrapping up the last of her two separate terms on the city council.

 

Currently, she owns Diversity Square, a business focusing on connecting high school students not going to college with employers, workforce development, and obtaining grants for things like food assistance in the community.

 

Deuitch addressed the crowd by first giving thanks to God and all of the people beginning as a child who helped her achieve success.

 

“Everybody always told me the sky was the limit for me. I didn’t get it all of the time. Sometimes, I veered away from it and ran from it, but it’s led me to this moment,” she said.

 

However, Deuitch emphasized the occasion was not strictly about her. She said everyone, from City Council members to department heads, was asked to take the oath of office separately but together to show everyone a team approach is key to moving the city forward.

 

“This is truly about the future of Michigan City,” she said.

 

Marty Corley, who will become the city’s new police chief, said one of his top priorities is continuing the effort that began last year to reduce the number of shootings. Corley, a veteran of the Michigan City Police Department, also said he felt having an African American mayor would make a difference in bringing the community together, given that 30 percent of the city’s population is black.

 

“It gives people hope. We have a lot to give but now I think everybody is ready to pitch in and do their part,” he said.