(La Porte, IN) - La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody touted a long list of accomplishments during this year's State of the City Speech on Monday, ranging from major infrastructure upgrades to more new housing development. However, despite the many achievements, Dermody said his vision for what La Porte can be has not fully materialized.

 

“We still have a lot of work to do,” he said.

 

Dermody began his 30 minute speech at the Civic Auditorium by saying his administration operates every day on the guiding principles of “setting high standards, competing with, and for, the best, and expecting to win.”

 

One of the major items he addressed was adding sidewalks as part of the reconstruction of Truesdell Avenue. He says it has turned Fox Park into more of a summer destination for things like annual concerts and use of the walking trail around Clear Lake.

 

Dermody also said another dent was placed into the estimated $100 million needed, to replace aging water and sewer lines. Work is now completed on I Street, and adjacent neighborhoods. Additionally, more “ancient” water and sewer lines will start being replaced next year on Indiana Avenue with help from a $1 million federal grant along with state funding the cost of repaving.

 

Another project Dermody mentioned was the $2.5 million in federal funds secured to improve drainage on Boyd Boulevard, making it possible for the city’s industrial base on the east side to further grow.  That work is expected to begin in the spring. 

 

“This is what government should be, putting politics aside and getting things done,” he said.

 

Dermody also brought up the new construction on more than 200 new homes at all price levels, and draws closer to breaking ground on other residential developments that include the more upscale Beechwood Lakes, a 110-unit subdivision planned beside Beechwood Municipal Golf Course. He also revealed more than 40 affordable homes should begin going up next year on a portion of Scott Field and inside the old Washington School building.

 

But Dermody said the biggest new investment was landed in June when the city struck a deal for Microsoft to construct a $1 billion data center on nearly 500 acres on Boyd Boulevard just east of U.S. 35. Other commercial successes included the ongoing construction of a Chipotle restaurant on Pine Lake Ave. along with an agreement to start building a huge family fun center next year at nearby NewPorte Landing.

 

Dermody also mentioned the annexation of the 39 North Conservancy District and the new residential and industrial growth starting to occur there already. He said keeping the city clean remained a top priority with over 3,400 code violations issued, so far, this year along with 250 loads of furniture and other unwanted materials in public use dumpsters taken to a landfill.

 

Regarding the roads of La Porte, Dermody said 9,600 pot holes were filled in 2024, an increase of 4,000 from the previous year. His goal is to fill each pot hole within 48 hours after one is reported.

 

Dermody did bring up crime, said the 79 drug related arrests made by the police department in 2024, is an extension of his commitment to eliminate drugs locally as a major problem.

 

“People will doubt our ability to win this war but why would we not set our standards high when it comes to protecting our youth and the community,” he said.

 

Demody is wrapping up his fifth year as mayor following ten years in state legislature.

 

City Attorney Nick Otis said the word “RELENTLESS,” which Demody puts on shirts he likes to gibve away to the community to promote pride in the city, describes the mayor’s work ethic and what he demands from his administrators.

 

“Some department heads may, occasionally, use the word exhausting.  The mayor is truly relentless when it comes to improving our city,” he said.