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Jacqueline
K. Noonan, Mayor
A
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR:
Brisk winds and cool temperatures signal the beginning
of yet another Autumn. As the leaves present a palette of unlimited
colors, we know that snow and cold will soon follow. The City of
Utica is struggling just like most of you to keep our expenses in
line with our revenues, but that will be almost impossible in light
of shrinking land values and deflated state revenue sharing. We
expected dire problems when doing the budget for this year, and
have kept ourselves as lean as possible. We know that the next two
budget cycles will be far worse, and we are making every effort
to keep this City in decent fiscal standing. Had the global economy
not collapsed last Fall, we would be reducing our tax levy as we
were taking steps to reduce expenditures on an unprecedented scale.
However, fate dealt us a different hand, so we must do the best
we can with what we have.
On a happier note, we would like to give special
recognition to Toni Gasperoni of Lanscapeforms out of Kalamazoo.
While driving along Van Dyke from her home in Shelby Township, she
noticed that the 3 benches and 3 trash receptacles we had purchased
through her company for the Van Dyke project in the late 1990's
were in dire need of repair. She called our office and arranged
that the existing benches and trashcans be returned for repair.
Her company, Landscapeforms, decided to replace them at no cost
to the City of Utica instead of repairing them. Thank you, Toni
and Landscapeforms for standing behind your products! We were thrilled
with her proactive approach in contacting us and her company's fine
response caring for their clients.
Speaking of caring, the City of Utica Police Department
has been recognized as one of the outstanding departments of its
size in the State. Mention of this crossed my desk recently in the
form of kudos to the department in the manner in which they use
some of their electronic fingerprinting equipment and reporting
to the State of Michigan. Bravo for our PD! We would also like to
wish retiring Officer Thomas Bowman a wonderful retirement after
twenty-five years of service as a Police Officer and a few more
in the ranks of our Dispatch. Tom served with distinction and was
multitalented in all aspects of police work. His quiet demeanor
and selfless attitude made a lasting contribution to our department.
He will be sorely missed, but we hope the future is full of bright
and enjoyable experiences for Tom and his family.
On December 6, the first Sunday of December, we
will again gather for our traditional Holiday Festival, only this
year it will all be indoors at the Fire Station. The Utica High
Chieftain Marching Band will ring in the season with lively music,
Santa will flip the switch for lighting our tree and City Hall,
and Firefighters will host our donuts and hot cider with our Parks
and Recreation Commission members. All the action starts at 6 p.m.
sharp! Everyone is welcome.
I have a plea to make to all residents of Utica-
we need your help on the Parks and Recreation Commission. This very
important group has much work ahead with the exciting construction
of our Hike and Bike Trail along the Clinton River next year and
efforts to keep our wonderful events like the Ice Spectacular continuing.
We need volunteers and interested, dedicated individuals and families
to keep the great work of this enormously successful commission
ongoing. We cannot continue with the Old Mill Arts and Crafts Festival
or Michigan Week activities or the Classic Car Cruisin' without
more active members. Please consider helping us and having a great
time doing so. Just call the Mayor and volunteer. We need you.
Have a cup of Michigan cider and go for a walk with
the family. This is a great little City with a great future. Let's
all do our part to make it happen!
Jacqueline K. Noonan
Mayor of Utica
E-mail: noonanjk@comcast.net
Phone: 586 739 1600 Ext. 100


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