Meet Marple Candidate: Michael Molinaro

Municipality: Marple Township

Party: Republican

Running For (include district/ward if applicable): 6th Ward Marple Township Commissioner

Positions Held Previously/Years in Office:

• Marple Township Commissioner 6th Ward – 2010-2013
• Board President 2011-2013 and Vice President 2010
• Marple Leisure Services Board – 2011-Present
• Marple Newtown Board of School District Director – 2008-2009
• Facilities and Transportation - Chairperson

What are the larger issues facing the township and how would you like to see them resolved?

Maintaining Low Taxes 

• Continue to implement policies which increase revenues and decrease expenses with fiscally responsible budgets.

Side street traffic and safety

• Currently seeking permits from PennDOT to add dedicated left-turn lanes and/or arrows from Springfield Road to Lawrence Road which will help to alleviate cut through traffic on side streets.  
• A dedicated turn lane is being added at Paxon Hollow Road.  
• Permits have been obtained from PennDOT to “rough” Cedar Grove Road around the 90-degree turn, which work has commenced as is scheduled for completion this month.
• Dedicated right/left turn lanes have been designated at Lawrence Road and Sproul to alleviate back-up for right turns onto Sproul and cut through Videon parking lot.
• Significant signage and road markings have been added to Paxon Hollow Road for pedestrian and student crossing. 
• PennDOT placing light at Paxon/252 to ease access to 252 from Cedar Grove/ Paxon. 
• Crum Creek intersection will be addressed with Don Guanella project. 

Green initiatives

• Continue to expand recycling awareness of weekly curb side pick-up for paper, plastic, metal and yard waste
• Continue with electronic recycling and special recycling events such as paper shredding
• Recycling efforts will continue to reduce trash tonnage taken to landfills and expense of such disposal. 
• Currently reviewing plan for the replacement of township wide street lights to LED which will drastically save on electricity usage.  

Township Services, Facilities and Equipment

• Continue to improve the methods and services provided to our residents and continue to fund upgrades to township facilities, vehicles and equipment.  

Billboards, off-site advertising and blight 

• Continue to oppose billboards
• Continue daily enforcement of off-site advertising by removal of signs placed on township streets
• Alleviates blight, such as enforcing ordinance requiring trash corrals for dumpsters.

Would you welcome more transparency with the taxpayers? How could you make that possible?

• I receive and have daily conversations with residents and will continue to insure their issues are addressed by the appropriate township staff in a timely manner.  
• In the past, a 6th Ward newsletter was given out on Election Day and starting this fall, a new quarterly township magazine will be published and sent to all households which will keep our residents up to date and informed as to township departments, boards, commissions, issues, happenings and events.
• The township meetings will continue to be televised, website and cable channel will continue to provide updated information for residents. 
• Continue to have open public forums at board meetings not only limited to agenda items.   

If elected, what changes would you like to see in the township or what is working well and you'd like to continue?

• Township budgets are fiscally responsible with zero percent increases in 2011 and 2013 and a 1.8 percent increase in 2012. 
• Township recycling will continue to be a first class operation with once a week curb side recycling and yard waste pick-up, drop off locations for yard waste, paper and electronics and special events for paper shredding and electronics
• Continue good faith negotiations rather than court intervention or arbitration with the FOP, Public Works and businesses, such as the Goodhill Center.  
• Continue to increase our green initiatives to protect our environment and reduce expenses. 
• Continue to address the volume and safety on our streets.  
• Continue to improve and upgrade our aging facilities.  
• Continue our daily control and enforcement of our ordinances concerning off-site advertising and our opposition to billboards 

Why should residents give you their vote?

As president of the board for the past three years, Marple Township has seen a vast change in the manner of governing our township. The current commissioners have demonstrated the professionalism, ability and efficiency to implement the necessary policies and procedures to make Marple a first class township with first class services. It’s about people, not politics. My 42 years in this township, active participation in township organizations and my experiences as an attorney and businessman have given me the necessary tools to continue to be to your choice for commissioner. I am asking for your vote based upon my record, experience and dedication to our township.