From left, the 2023 Utica City Council includes Michael Ryan, Faith Terenzi, Mayor Pro Tem Ken Sikora, Mayor Gus Calandrino, Brad O’Donnell, Ron Robinson and (not pictured) Thom Dionne.
By: Kara Szymanski | Shelby-Utica News | Published January 24, 2023
UTICA — The Utica City Council has reappointed its mayor pro tem for another year.
With a unanimous vote Jan. 10, the Utica City Council returned Ken Sikora to the role. Sikora has been on the Utica City Council for 34 years and hopes to be on the council for many more years.
The mayor pro tem fills in for the mayor when the mayor is unavailable. By city charter, the council designates a mayor pro tem at its first meeting every January.
Utica Mayor Gus Calandrino said he is happy that Sikora agreed to serve another term as mayor pro tem.
“Ken has served many years on City Council, and his knowledge is invaluable. I depend on the mayor pro tem for advice and guidance. Ken always provides me with unfiltered and valuable feedback,” Calandrino said via email.
He said he thanks Sikora for his contributions over the years.
“I thank Ken for his many years of service and am grateful to have him serve as the mayor pro tem for another term,” said Calandrino.
Sikora said being reappointed as mayor pro tem is a true honor because it is an affirmation from the mayor and the rest of council that they believe in his decision-making and leadership abilities.
“Now starting my 34th year on council, I have been mayor pro tem under all three mayors that I have served with, and I look forward to living up to the expectations of the office,” he said.
Sikora has lived in Utica since 1987 and continues to update city policies and practices, along with employee agreements and contracts, so that Utica can remain financially solvent into the future.
One area that Sikora’s fellow council members complimented him on is his knowledge of the city’s budget.
“He really knows the numbers, and I appreciate that,” Councilwoman Faith Terenzi said at the Jan. 10 meeting.
“At budget time, it’s good to see Ken Sikora in stride. That is his time to shine,” Calandrino said at the meeting.