Local builder Sam Moraco hopes to nail down a spot on the Independence Township Board.
‘I feel I can be a great asset to this community and its preservation if given the honor of becoming a trustee,? he said.
When Moraco moved from Westland in 1998, along with Kelly, his wife of 22 years, they decided Independence Township would be the place they would raise their daughters, Maggie, 14 and Moria, 7.
A licensed builder since 1991, he has been involved with several neighborhood project in the township, two of which he lived in.
‘I stand behind my work and I am an easy guy to find,? said Moraco.
After working with the township for years, Moraco was appointed to the planning commission in 2003. He took planning classes through Michigan State University and was certified ‘master citizen planner.?
Now, all commissioners must be certified in planning prior to being reappointed.
‘Through hard work and education, we now have the best commission ever,? he said. ‘These efforts have had a direct effect on the township fighting against big box developments without resorting to creating a millage for legal fees as other have proposed to defend our master plan, and saving the township tens of thousands of dollars.?
Moraco is chairman of the township Planning Commission and Wetland Board, and also sits on the Construction Board of Appeals.
‘My involvement in the township is an important part of who I am. I am a problem solver by nature and never turn away someone in need,? he said.
‘While others wait to get to the township board to do something for the community, I have been working with the last two boards to complete some of the largest wish list items they have had and never had the funds to complete.?
These included a new senior center and preservation of the Stickney/McCord home, one of the oldest homesteads in the township.
When Moraco was asked by trustees Charlie Dunn and Dan Kelly if he could help build a facility for seniors, he contacted local residents in construction, as well as suppliers across the country for help.
‘Every person contacted was eager to help Independence solve a more than a decade old problem. Everyone made sacrifices for the good of the community,? he said. ‘The facility didn’t cost tax payers any additional money.?
The Stickney house was donated to the township as a pre-Civil-War landmark, but never had funding to restore or maintain it.
‘After talking to the township, it was apparent there was no funding to save the house which was entrusted to them for safe keeping,? said Moraco.
He proposed a plan for the township to sell it to him in exchange for complete restoration of the house and its barn.
‘The board agreed,? he said. ‘It was the only way to save the land mark.?
After two years of work, the house is now complete and was recently chosen from all local Detroit area restorations to be the featured home in a new remodeling magazine.
When it comes to issues of the township, Moraco believes elected officials should be full time and ‘accountable to the voters.?
‘I am running for trustee as an individual, not part of a group with an agenda to change how our government has run and worked in this township for almost 200 years.?
He looks forward to working with anyone willing to work hard to manage spending not only to balance the budget, but also create a surplus, he said.
‘Balancing the budge is the easy part,? said Moraco. ‘With less help coming from the state and the way the economy is, we need to tighten up the way things are done and start saving for the future. Organized growth is very important in helping the township freeze taxes without sacrificing the character of our community.?
Moraco has also been a member of the North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy, Clarkston Community Historical Society, Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Association of Planners, Clarkston United Methodist Church, where his wife teaches Sunday school, and Christmas in Action as house captain.
‘I think we need enthusiastic people excited about making a difference with creative ideas to save money, improve services and freeze taxes through hard work and commitment,? he said. ‘Anyone who thinks an elected position is part-time isn’t putting their heart and soul into the job.?