Suffolk City Councilman Curtis R. Milteer Sr. helped get utilities extended to more than 3,000 local families.

He has been an advocate for public investment for residential and commercial service delivery along Carolina Road to the Suffolk Executive Airport.

On Tuesday, more than 100 city leaders, friends and family members gathered to honor the longtime city lawmaker as the Suffolk Rotary Club’s 2005 Citizen of the Year.

Milteer, 74, was first elected to represent Whaleyville on the council in 1980. He has gone on to serve seven consecutive terms- nearly 25 years-on the locality’s governing body.

He has been mayor and vice mayor for two and four years respectively.

Prior to that, he served five years on the Suffolk Planning Commission.

&uot;This award is a personal and professional milestone for me,&uot; Milteer said. &uot;As a lifetime resident of Suffolk, it has been a pleasure watching the community grow.

&uot;I am humbled to have played a small role in that growth through my service over the years.&uot;

Milteer credited his wife, Sarah Milteer, with being the longtime supporter of his political career.

&uot;She has supported me and taken care of our home so that I could serve the community,&uot; Milteer said. &uot;This award recognizes her sacrifice over the years as well as my accomplishments.&uot;

Milteer was nominated for the Rotary award by Dr. George Barnett, a former mayor and president of Suffolk Tomorrow Inc.

&uot;I think he is so deserving of this recognition,&uot; said Barnett. &uot;He has given so much time and energy to promoting what is in the best interest of this city.

&uot;He is more dedicated than most full-time workers,&uot; he continued. &uot;Curtis does his homework and is willing to speak his mind on issues.

&uot;He has been good to people he represents in the Whaleyville district and across the city.&uot;

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com