Former State Sen. Honored at Trenton Council Meeting

Former state Sen. Bruce Patterson (R-Canton Twp.) was honored at the regularly scheduled Trenton City Council meeting Monday for his years of service in the Downriver area.

Mayor Gerald Brown presented Patterson with a plaque on behalf of the city and posed for pictures.

After receiving the plaque, Patterson stepped up to the podium and thanked the council members, the administration and all of the people of Trenton for the honor.

“To be honored is quite ironic because I feel that I was truly honored and blessed to have had the opportunity to represent the people of the state of Michigan and more specifically the people of the 7th Senate District,” Patterson said.

Patterson said he never expected to enjoy representing the district as much as he did. He added he never expected “and probably didn’t deserve the very warm and continuous embrace that the Downriver community” gave him.

“I certainly didn’t know and understand the Downriver area, and more specifically Trenton, like I do now and I have nothing but great regard,” Patterson said. “Trenton is a stellar community.”

Patterson said although Michigan has problems, there are other states and parts of the world where the problems are much worse.

“Considering the way that the city of Trenton is run, it is a full-service and quality community,” Patterson said.

Patterson represented the 7th District, which consists of the cities of Trenton, Woodhaven, Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Rockwood, Belleville, Plymouth and parts of Northville. It also includes the townships of Brownstown, Grosse Ile, Huron, Canton, Sumpter, Plymouth and VanBuren.

“I am very grateful for this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation and I thank you for this tribute,” Patterson said.

Patterson term-limited out of the state senate in 2010. Michigan law restricts senators to two 4-year terms.