Utica Mayor Nominated to Serve as President of State Municipal Organization

Jacqueline Noonan, who is currently serving her 13th term as mayor of the city of Utica, is expected to be selected as president of the Michigan Municipal League during the organization's 2013 convention, which takes place Sept. 17-20 in Detroit.

Noonan, who is tagged as "the architect of Utica's rebirth" on the League's website, has served as vice president for one year. She has also served on the board of directors for the Property and Liability Pool, as chair, vice chair, and secretary of Region I, and as a member of the Governance and Transportation Committees.

"I was honored but shocked to find out I had been selected as the vice president," Noonan said. "(The League) is an absolute wealth and treasure of knowledge and inspiration."

Noonan explained the role of the league as a conduit of information and lobbying energy between state and local unit of government, engaging with both the governor's office as well as various federal sectors. As president, she said she would adopt "pet projects" including regional transportation initiatives.

"I believe we've missed the boat on water, rail, and air in Southeastern Michigan. We need to stem that tide and work to open up rail and high-speed rail on lines that currently only run freight. We also need to fix roads, bridges, and tunnels where needed," Noonan said.

Noonan will also work towards a solution on the role of state and federal government in funding local government. She described the current situation as a "tangled web" which has been long-broken but only came to a head following the 2008 recession.

However, she doesn't expect her new position with the MML to detract from her work in Utica, where she has served on City Council since 1981. Noonan will return to office at the end of her term later this year for what she expects will be her last term as mayor.