Gary Common Council unanimously re-elects Ashley Atkins as president, elects Lori Latham as vice president

The Gary Common Council unanimously elected Councilwoman Ashley Atkins as council president and Councilwoman Lori Latham as vice president at a reorganization meeting held Jan. 7, 2025.

The nominations and roll-call votes took place after opening formalities. Council members nominated Atkins for council president; the nomination was seconded by multiple council members and passed 8-0. Atkins then took the oath of office administered by the city clerk.

"I, Ashley Atkins, do solemnly swear ... that I will support the Constitution of the State of Indiana, ordinances of the City of Gary, and that I will faithfully, impartially and diligently discharge the duties as the Gary Common Council president for the year 2025," Atkins said while taking the oath. Afterward she told colleagues, "It means something to have unanimous support of my leadership," and said she looked forward to continuing in the role.

Councilwoman Barnes Caldwell nominated Lori Latham for vice president; that motion was seconded and passed by roll call, 8-0. The clerk announced the result and the council closed the reorganization business.

The meeting opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance as is customary for the body's reorganization session. The clerk recorded the roll call and administered the oath to the president. The meeting adjourned after the officers were sworn in.

Details recorded in the meeting included the 8-0 roll-call tallies for both officer elections and a brief note from the clerk about the oath administration. The transcript records a brief, informal aside noting that Atkins was wearing a medical boot at the meeting; no policy action related to that remark was taken.

The council did not take other legislative or policy actions during this reorganization meeting; the session's stated purpose was to elect officers for the 2025 calendar year.