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Politics & Government

Terenzi Says She Has the Passion for Utica Council

The is the last in a series of articles profiling the five candidates running for Utica City Council.

Utica City Council candidate Faith Terenzi said it is her passion for the city that sets her apart.

A self-described “big picture person,” Terenzi started her career as a teller at the National Bank of Detroit. She was later promoted to assistant manager, and then as a manager of a Huntington Bank branch. She retired this year.

Terenzi, 60, married her husband 37 years ago. Two years later, in 1976, they moved to the Utica. They have three children.

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“I’ve been here my whole adult life and I just love it,” Terenzi said. “It’s my passion that will carry me (on the city council).”

Besides Terenzi, candidates , , and are running on the Nov. 8 ballot for three council seats. The council consists of six nonpartisan council members serving four-year terms and a mayor serving two-year terms.

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Terenzi’s hobbies include golfing. She was active in Utica’s 175th anniversary celebration in 1992, for which she was treasurer and chair of Youth Day events, including a small parade and games for children and teens. She also served on the Utica Parks and Recreation Committee in the past.

After 1995, her public service subsided to a battle with cancer and increased job demands. But, now in recovery for 13 years, she remains active with the Lion’s Club, local food banks and as a lector and Eucharistic minister for St. Lawrence Catholic Church.

“My life has been one of serving people,” she said. As a bank manager, “I know how to balance a budget, I know how to cut away and where to cut and (would) really do it kindly, if it needs to be done at all.

“I managed a bank, so I understand there’s going to be times when there’s some tough financial decision to make,” she added.

She committed to residents that she would thoroughly research any issue that arises before determining what is best for citizens.”

Additionally, Terenzi would like to see Utica revive more community events, like Youth Day – which she ran for two years after the 175th anniversary – and city-wide Christmas caroling. Such events would help draw more people into the city downtown.

She doesn’t want to raise taxes, but would rather work toward bringing more businesses into the city to raise revenue.

“They (businesses) need to know that the city council cares about what they’re doing and how they’re doing,” she said. “Ask them what they need and listen to them – that is the first step.”

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