Orland Township Together Candidate: Michael Maratea

ORLAND TOWNSHIP, IL — Meet Michael Maratea, seeking re-election as Orland Township Trustee with the Orland Township Together slate, in the April 2021 Consolidated Election. The election is April 6.

Maratea recently filled out the Patch candidate survey, and her answers can be seen below.

If you are a candidate for the April election, and would like to answer our Patch candidate questionnaire, please email yasmeen.sheikah@patch.com.

Michael Maratea

Age (as of Election Day)

66

Town/City of Residence

Orland Park

Office Sought

Township board

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

Orland Township Together

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

B.S.Ed Northern Illinois University, 1976; M.A.S Governor State University, 1987

Occupation

I was a teacher in Orland from 1976-2010, for a total of 34 years. I am currently a high school tennis coach, starting in 1979, which I have done for 41 years

Campaign website

www.ott2021.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Orland Board of Education, 2013-present; BOE Vice-President, 2019-present

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Keeping all of our services to our residents active during this pandemic and slowly resuming activities for our residents (especially our Seniors) with complete alignment with all COVID protocols in place (masks and social distancing) so our residents are safe. We need to keep our food pantry open, and also keep the drive through food pickups available to all residents that are in need. I am retired, and plan to donate large amounts of my time volunteering and supervising to keep these running.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

Orland Township does not discriminate as it provides services and activities to all the residents and groups who reside in our Township regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

I have observed nothing but racial equality with many of the special events that have been held, especially the food drive-thrus and the highly successful Food Pantry. We have a very diverse community with equal opportunity evident where no resident is ever turned away.

What are your thoughts on the national and local coronavirus response? Do you favor measures such as limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a local mask mandate?

I do believe that politics and special interest has gotten in the way at both the national and local level and slowed down the response. As a School Board VP I was part of an intergovernmental task force that was called into an emergency meeting in March. I believed that it was the beginning of multiple meetings. It was our first and last meeting. Personal agendas should never interfere with the proper response to our COVID pandemic. Cooperation is needed and we need to put our trust in the experts.

What are your thoughts on the state and local coronavirus vaccine distribution, and how do you think local governments should work together to handle vaccine rollout?

I am frustrated with the rollout of and difficulty obtaining the vaccine. The Township along with all local governmental agencies were prepared when asked to participate in the vaccine rollout but communication has been poor from above. Local governmental cooperation is strong and the organization is in place. Now we just wait to hear for “go”, which may never come if the amount of available vaccines is not increased dramatically

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Our opposing trustee slate wants to reduce government and possibly even dissolve the Township even though it is one of the most active and successful Townships in the State. Dissolving the township would greatly impact many of our residents who depend on these services and programs. I would like to see us expand these services and activities since they run with very little cost to our taxpayers and we use private funding and donations to offset much, if not all, of their costs.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Beyond continuing to provide services and activities to our residents while keeping our taxes as low as possible, we support term limits and are working to pass a term limit resolution to limit Orland Township elected officials to three terms. A similar vote was supported by an overwhelming majority of Orland Park voters last November, and I believe such a resolution in popular in Tinley Park and Orland Hills as well.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have always taken on a leadership role whether as an educator, coach, or a School Board member for over 45 years. I served a successful 10 year term as Teacher Union President where I problem solved daily and participated in successful collective bargaining agreements. I served as a team leader at Grissom Jr High for 17 years organizing team activities and coordinating a staff of 5 teachers and 150 students and received excellent evaluations. I have coached many tennis teams at 3 high schools since 1979 instilling the importance of being a team player which lead to many conference and sectional titles
while teaching the importance of being humble. Most recently I have served the past 8 years as an elected Board member of Orland 135 chairing committees in Policy and Personnel, Communications, Technology , and Finance and Operations. I believe all of these experiences would be beneficial for the position of Orland Township Trustee.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

The expansion of services and activities to all residents of Orland Township, funded in any way that can keep our taxes some of the lowest in the county. I would also like to see our
youth take more of an active role in the Township and establish more events and services for them. Finally, to establish a broader availability of mental and emotional support to our residents as we come out of this pandemic event.

Why should voters trust you?

For the past 8 years the residents of Orland Park have twice elected me to be a steward to millions of dollars in taxpayer money. I have done my job with complete transparency and no accusation of impropriety and followed that up with outstanding audit reports. I do not make promises or pledges that I can not keep. Society is built at the local level, so I believe as a leader I have a duty to always hold to high moral and ethical standards.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

I am and have always been a fiscal conservative. Keeping spending in check and utilizing private contributions to fund many of our services and activities is important and know that Orland Township’s current Board has followed those practices. It is amazing the amount of services and activities available to all Township residents while keeping taxes low.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

None.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Never make a promise you can not keep.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I always strive to be one of the hardest working people around, and accomplish what I set out to do. I believe my leadership abilities, problem solving skills, organization, and being a team player would be a great asset to the residents of Orland Township. Twice the voters have put their faith in me as their elected public servant. I would love to serve them for a third time and continue earning their trust.