R. Samuel Valenza

Sam Valenza

R. Samuel Valenza -- Township Comissioner

Sam Valenza was born in Abington Hospital in 1956 and is a 61 year resident of UM Township.  Over the years, Sam has crossed paths with almost everyone in Upper Moreland Township through his involvement in UM Little League, Soccer, Football or WG Rotary.   In 2007, Sam was elected to serve his community as a Commissioner in Ward 6 of Upper Moreland Township.  Sam was elected President in 2010 and has been the Chairperson of the Finance and Administrative Committee since 2008.  He continues to serve his constituents in the following ways:

  • President of the Montgomery County Association of Township Commissioners (MCATC) which is a group of peers that represent all Montgomery County 1st Class Townships.
  • President of Eastern State Association of Township Commissioners (ESATC) which is a group of peers that represent all Montgomery County and Delaware County 1st Class Townships
  • Sam also served on the Executive Board the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners (PSATC) as their Secretary/Treasurer.

Sam's Contribution to the Community

Communication:  Sam has developed a township wide communication network of over 3500 residents and provides them with timely notification of Public Health @ Safety issues, snow emergencies, road closures, and any township related events and notices.

Fiscally Sound:  As Chairperson of the Finance and Administration Committee, Sam has worked to restructure $5.5 million in existing debt, saving taxpayers approximately $500,000 a year for over 5 years.  Sam’s business knowledge, leadership and experience are invaluable assets to the township in maintaining ALL services despite the recent economic downturn.

Public Safety:  Sam led the effort to implement improvements to the Township’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC).  Sam advocated for the traffic light improvements at Terwood & Davisville Roads to enhance public safety for our school students and residents.

Community Pride: Community Pride is always important to Sam.  Sam championed painting of the Bridge in front of the UM High School, and the building of our Dog Park.  Sam built relationships with the UM School Board, UMHJSA and our surrounding municipalities, encouraging them to work cooperatively to resolve shared concerns and improve our standard of living.  The current project at York and Davisville is an example of project to come.

Accomplishments over the last 4 plus years:

  1. Restructured Township Debt at the same time assisting UMT in receiving an upgrade of two levels from Moody’s Investors Services due to sound fiscal management. Our current A2 Rating is outstanding for a municipality.
  2. Completion of our Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
  3. Thompson Lexus Project
  4. Abington Hospital Cancer Center
  5. Apartments at 2405 Maryland
  6. Wawa in Willow Grove
  7. Pertucci Project at Your and Davisville
  8. New YMCA on Davisville Road
  9. Upgrades to Mason Mill in 2018 to bring water and sewer to the park and to add a significant number of parking spaces as well.
  10. Completion of a comprehensive analysis of our township storm water management system to begin to task to improve public infrastructure.
  11. Storm water improvement through the development of Thompson Lexus, AMH Cancer Center, apartment at 2405 Maryland, New Wawa, Pertucci Project at York and Davisville Roads and the new YMCA.
  12. Prudently managing Budgeting and Expenses to control Spending and limit Tax Increases.
  13. Providing our Parks, recreation, UMFPL and UMT Emergency Services the necessary leadership to keep our community a great place to live, work and play.
  14. Upgrades to Mason Mill in 2018 to bring water and sewer to the park and to add a significant number of parking spaces as well.

More about Sam:

Sam Valenza was born in Abington Hospital in 1956 and is a 61 year resident of UM Township. He is the oldest son of Anthony & Dorothy Valenza and has two brothers and three sisters. Sam, Tony Jr, and Mike Valenza along with his sister Dee McGuckin all work together at Bux-Mont Transportation. All of Sam’s brothers and sisters and their families still live in Upper Moreland Township.

Sam attended St David School, Upper Moreland High School and graduated from Archbishop Wood in 1974. In 1978, Sam graduated from Villanova University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and in 1993, received his MBA in Administrative Management from St Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.

Sam married his wife Alice in 1976 and has been happily married for 42 years. They have 5 great kids – Annemarie and her husband Greg, Nick and his wife Melissa, Sam, Theresa and Joe and five beautiful grandkids (Alicia, Vera, Joshua, Rosario, and Savanna.

Sam currently serves his profession as President of Suburban Transit Network in Blue Bell. He has been President for almost 15 years. TransNet is the area’s most experienced Community Transportation Resource.

Sam is an avid Rotarian and will always be a Rotarian as it is near and dear to his heart. He has been an active member of the Rotary Club of Willow Grove since 1986. He has served as Treasurer, Fundraising Chairperson and was President from 1992 to 1993.

Sam also served his community as a panel chair on the Upper Moreland Township Youth Aid Panel (YAP). This program promotes restorative justice, and provides a second chance for non-violent juveniles who have committed a criminal offense, establishing local panels that encourage them to accept responsibility for their actions

Sam also chaired the Fundraising Committee for the New Upper Moreland Township Library in 1994-95. ABLE, “A Better Library for Everyone” held many events to raise funds (approximately $150,000) to support the New Library.

In 1993 Sam became very active in youth sports. It was then that he jumped right into UM Little League, UM Bears and UM Soccer Club and WG Bears.

  • He served as assistant coach of the WG Bears
  • He served UM Little League from 1994 thru today in the following capacities:
    • Vice President for 3 years
    • Secretary and Treasurer
    • Assistant Manager and Manager
  • Currently a Board Member at Large assisting with sponsors and helping with registration.
  • In Soccer he started out as treasurer for 1½ years and then became President for the next 8 years. Sam has coached Soccer teams for well over 15 years. Sam’s goal was to finance and construct a new 1650 square foot building that would be the home of the UM Soccer Club. That became a reality and the building was dedicated for the youth of our community in 2006.

Sam was also actively involved in the old Willow Grove Chamber where Bux-Mont was a member from 1982 to 2017. He served as Director from 1985 to 1990. He has Co-Chaired their Fundraising Committee and the Taste of Willow Grove. In 2008, Sam received the Chamber Community Service Award.

Sam’s hobbies include spending time with his grandchildren, coaching youth sports, toying around with American Muscle Cars (MOPARS) and riding his HD Motorcycle whenever he has the opportunity.