After three months of caucuses, the Gary Common Council officially has nine members and is whole again.
Myles Tolliver won in the Lake County Democratic Party’s at-large caucus Friday night, earning 36 of the 39 possible votes.
Two other candidates ran in the caucus: Robert Buggs and David Fossett. Buggs received three votes Friday night, and Fossett received none. Fossett was a no-show Friday night.
Lake County Democratic Party Chairman Mike Repay told committee members that a candidate must receive 20 votes to win, and the candidate with less than 10% of the votes would be eliminated if they had to move to a second round. Tolliver won in one round.
Friday was Tolliver’s fourth time as a candidate on the Gary Common Council — his third caucus election. A lot of weight is off his shoulders now, Tolliver said.
“Consistency is key,” he said following his win. “I’m also an educator, so I tell my kids, ‘Why would you give up? The next time that you try it, you might just win.’”
As a council member, Tolliver said he’s focused on ensuring Gary citizens are represented at the highest level. He wants residents to bring their issues to the table.
Tolliver also believes Gary is the leader of Northwest Indiana, and he’s dedicated to helping the city thrive. He wants to bring better infrastructure to the city as well.
“I’m here to fight for you, and I’m here to fight for the taxpayers, so I can represent every dollar of your money and fight for you,” Tolliver said before the vote. “I’m asking for your vote, and I promise that if you do vote for me, I will always answer that phone. I will always be a vote for you because without you, nothing can happen.”
Buggs was unavailable for comment after the caucus. During his speech before voting, Buggs said committee people might know who they will vote for but encouraged them to think of what’s best for the city.
“You will make a decision that’s going to impact the lives of my grandchildren and your grandchildren for a number of years,” Buggs said.
Friday’s caucus ended a string of caucuses that have shifted Gary’s public officials around since January.
The Gary Common Council has been without one member since Jan. 21, when Calumet Township Trustee Tai Adkins resigned as the body’s president. Adkins was elected Jan. 16 after former Trustee Kim Robinson resigned from the position, which was part of a deal when she pleaded guilty on Dec. 23 to one count of wire fraud in Hammond’s U.S. District Court.
Robinson is the third consecutive township trustee to face federal charges. If her plea deal is accepted, she will serve one year of probation and have to repay $11,200, plus an $8,700 fine, according to Post-Tribune archives.
Following Adkins’ win, a caucus for the council’s Fourth District representative opened. Councilwoman Marian Ivey won against local entrepreneur Shanita Starks. Former Chairman Jim Wieser cast the deciding vote for Ivey, breaking a tie for the two women following one round of voting.
