This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Utica Welcomes New Council Member, Gets Grant From Target

Utica swore in Councilman Jeffrey Carter and announced a $1,600 Target grant for an abuse and violence prevention program at its latest city council meeting.

The last Utica City Council meeting of 2010 was also the first meeting for its newest member.

Jeffrey Carter was sworn in by Judge Douglas Shephard of at the Dec. 14 meeting.

Carter replaces Jerry Baker, who had served for almost a decade. Baker recently purchased a home in Shelby Township and had to resign because council members must live in Utica to serve on the council.

Find out what's happening in Shelby-Uticawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Carter was appointed Nov. 16. He was one of five eligible applicants.

"While we had a number of qualified candidates, he had a very professional resume and presented himself to council very professionally," said Utica Mayor Jacqueline Noonan.

Find out what's happening in Shelby-Uticawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

She said she has known Carter's family for a long time — in fact, his mother, a retired letter carrier, used to deliver Noonan her mail, she said.

"He didn't come to council with any special interests, just 'what you see, is what you get,' " she said.

Carter, a lifelong resident of Utica, works in the shipping and receiving department at Milliken Millwork, Inc., in Sterling Heights. While he has no prior City Council experience, Carter said he looks forward to contributing.

"It's just something I was interested in," Carter said.

Grant to help women and seniors

Meanwhile, Chief Michael Reaves announced the Utica Police Department received a $1,600 grant from Target, which will go toward a women's and senior citizens outreach program.

Reaves said the program will have three phases: talking with women and seniors to see what they want out of the program; offering protection for women and seniors at home, work and beyond; and offering training in personal protection in the event of a home intrusion.

The program is scheduled to run for a full year starting Jan. 28, 2011.

The Utica City Council meets the second Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers at .

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?