Ekong served nearly two terms
Posted on 04/05/2021
Mayor Turnbull's City Council will fill the seat of Sam Ekong.Sam Ekong officially left City Council on March 25 after serving nearly two terms. A replacement will be appointed to his seat, which expires on Nov. 8, 2021. He served as the council liaison to the Housing Commission during both terms and previously served on the Senior Advisory Council and Economic Development Commission.

Sam worked well with other council members. It was rare to have a council divided over a major decision. He noted that his vote on council was always made in the interest of its citizens. He is especially proud of the affirmative votes to hold a bond measure for street repair and replacement in 2018 and to close portions of two downtown streets beginning in Summer 2020 to improve business during the global pandemic.

Of his tenure, he said, “I’m glad that the city residents afforded me the opportunity to serve on council and I was happy to do it. I learned a lot. I think we have a good team: the mayor, council, Pat (city manager) and the rest of the team.”

He received kudos from his colleagues on council at the March 15 meeting. Mayor Brian Turnbull said, “He’s done an outstanding job as a councilperson.” City Manager Pat Sullivan said they had a good working relationship and added, “While you don’t get paid much as a council member, you’re rewarded when you see good things happening in the community.”

An engineer and licensed builder, Sam has more than 30 years of experience in engineering and management, and still serves as a contractor for the Department of Defense.

“The goal is to stop working and get into something else,” he said. “I want to chase after some dreams.”

He has sold his Northville home and will live in Commerce Township for now as he digs into a bucket list of ideas to explore. He and his late wife Lavinia have one daughter and three grandchildren.

We wish Sam well and thank him for his service.

Sam Ekong served on City Council