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I am proud of
my personal and professional accomplishments, although it is not my nature to self promote. My accomplishments are
only important in that they show a past commitment to hard work and an ability to "get the job
done". These values are part of my makeup and were instilled in me at a very young age.
I was raised in a hard working middle class family, where what we lack in money or privilege, was more than made up with what
we gained in learning the value of hard work and family unity. My family is and has always been the most important
thing in my life and is my greatest achievement. I believe first and foremost in government's obligation to preserve and
protect our family values; including, the sanctity and legal rights of the unborn.
Professionally,
as both a lawyer and public official, I have consistently rose to leadership positions. I have used my experience,
education and persistence, to persuade and unite divergent groups to a common goal. I believe this more than anything
else is what is lacking in Lansing and is the main reason for the budget debacle of 2007 and the partisan gridlock we have
today.
Legal Background
I have practiced law for over
20 years with the law firm of Giarmarco, Mullins and Horton, PC, in Troy, Michigan. The highly respected Oakland County law
firm has been in existence for over 30 years and has grown to over 60 lawyers. I have been an equity shareholder
in the firm for over 10 years and have served on its Board of Directors and Finance Committee. I recently stepped
down from my leadership role in the firm to concentrate on my interest in public service and running for public office.
Independence Township Trustee
For the past 7 1/2 years I have sat
on the Independence Township Board of Trustees. I have been a consistent advocate of fiscal restraint by demanding a balanced
budget, lower taxes and accounting for our future financial obligations. For the first time, under my leadership the Township
began to account for the future post retirement obligations of the Township; a step our State and most Municipal Governments have
failed to do.
I led the way in requiring Township employees to start contributing a portion
of their income to rising health-care costs, a step that will save the Township thousands of tax dollars on into
the future. I have voted against pay increases for Township elected officials and have advocated further savings by moving
to a part-time Board. Despite the current economic conditions, these initiatives and others have left the Township in
an excellent financial position and allowed the Board to lower our tax mileage rate in 2007.
Reducing Taxes
In addition to lowering Independence Township's taxes, I have tackled a number of controversial tax saving
measures. For example, I raised the issue of increasing cost sharing with the City of Clarkston and outlined an
effort to consolidate services which would have saved both Independence Township and the City residents hundreds
of thousands of tax dollars each year. The effort has lead to a joint study paid for by the County to see if greater sharing
of resources can help save local tax dollars.
Senior Support
I have been an advocate for our seniors since my first election to the Board. When it was apparent the old Senior Center
had become unsafe and a financial drain on the township, I was a leader in the building of a reasonable and economical new
Senior Center. The project was a reasonable response to a need in the community and resulted in the creation
of a Township asset worth almost twice what it cost to build. While I've been criticized for some of these efforts, I've
never ducked the issues nor my position on them.
Community Involvement
In addition to my work on the Township Board, I have served on the Independence Parks & Rec Advisory Board,
the Joint Senior and Parks Advisory Commission, the Sashabaw Cooridor Overlay District, and the Board's representative
on several union and cable TV negotiations. Additionally, I am a Member of the Township's Technological committee,
and sit on numerous local Lake Boards- including, Lake Oakland, Van Norman, and Mill Pond.
Legal Expertise
I am a graduate of U of D Law School. Since becoming a lawyer,
I have specialized in public sector liability. I have served as a lecturer on Municipal and School liability law and
was the lead trial attorney on behalf of public entities in numerous high profile multi-million dollar lawsuits;
including representing Roseville Public Schools all the way to the US Supreme Court in a landmark case involving
federal liability law under 42 USC 1983. I am a Court Approved Mediator and graduate of the State Bar's Approved Facilitator
program.
Public Policy
I am a 2006 graduate of the prestigious Michigan
State fellowship program in Public Policy and Political Leadership. Additionally, I am a graduate of the AICPCU's Risk
Management and Risk Management for Public entities certification process. I am a member of Michigan Right to life, Clarkston
Chamber of Commerce, St. Daniel's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.
Personal
and Family
I reside in Independence Township with my wife of 20 years, Kathleen, and our 4 wonderful
children: Caitlin (16), Meaghan (13), Caroline (12) and Brendan (8). My primary hobby is watching any of the kid's sporting
events (of which there are many) or playing golf or hockey when there is time.
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