Buttigieg reflects on time as mayor during his last city council meeting

SOUTH BEND, Ind.—In a packed room in the County City Building on Monday night, Mayor Pete Buttigieg said his goodbyes to the South Bend Common Council.

During his final speech, Buttigieg offered one last report from city offices and reflected on how far the city has come in the last eight years.

“The one thing I know for certain is the truth of the words that I had the great privilege of saying to thousands of fellow residents the day we marked our 150th year as a city. South Bend is back,” Buttigieg said. “Serving as your mayor has been the privilege of a lifetime. Thank you.”

The mayor took the time to highlight the ups and downs of his two terms leading the city. He addressed progress within neighborhoods and economic development, inclusion, public safety, public works, and innovation.

One by one, current members of the South Bend Common Council reminisced of their time under the leadership of the mayor known by many as Mayor Pete.

“We are proud of you. We are proud to be a part of your story and we thank you for all the work that you’ve done,” said council member Regina Williams-Preston.

Buttigieg still has a few days left as mayor but next on his agenda is heading to Los Angeles for the sixth Democratic presidential debate on December 19.