SOUTH BEND, Ind. — For the last time, Pete Buttigieg addressed the South Bend Common Council as Mayor of the St. Joseph County city.
Buttigieg did not seek re-election in November as he focuses on higher aspirations of becoming president. He spoke about several accomplishments he oversaw during his time as mayor.
But his overall message to the council and to those in attendance was a reference to a magazine article from the time he first took office in 2012 called South Bend “a dying city.”
“The one thing that I know of absolute certainty is the truth of the words that I had the great privilege to say to thousands of our fellow residents the day we marked 150 years as a city. ‘South Bend is back’,” Buttigieg said.
“Our city like our country is ever unfinished, ever-changing,” he continued. “Anyone who has contributed to our country and our city has a great deal to be proud of.”
The council chambers were packed with city leaders and residents alike to listen to Buttigieg’s final address. Not everyone in attendance was a supporter. At one point during the address, as Buttigieg was talking about his push for better housing for low-income families in South Bend, a person blurted out the word “gentrification” as he was speaking.
Buttigieg did not acknowledge the outburst.
Buttigieg will be replaced by his fellow Democrat James Mueller next month.
(PHOTO: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
