Nicholas A. Sahu​​, Rochester Hills City Council: Candidate Profile

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — Nicholas A. Sahu is running for Rochester Hills City Council against incumbent David J. Blair. Here's how Sahu filled out his candidate profile:

Name
Nicholas A. Sahu

Age
25

Town/City of Residence
Rochester Hills

Office sought
City Council

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)
N/A

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for

No

Education

BS Public Administration & Public Policy

Occupation

Contracts Specialist (2 Years), Former Policy Analyst

Campaign Website
www.sahu4rh.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

The most pressing issues facing our (board, district, etc.) are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

Curbing urban sprawl by increasing resident participation and say in the planning process. Expanding the current notification ordinance from 350 ft to a much larger distance will include more residents in the decision making process. This will get developers and residents on the same page.

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

I will strictly enforce all existing zoning and ordinances. I will not vote liberally for conditional use permits or wetland waivers and they will be held with high scrutiny.

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

There needs to be much more scrutiny and less leeway when it comes to development projects coming before council. This is a clear demand from residents in the 2nd district and I believe the current incumbent has failed to satisfy these concerns in the last four years.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Protecting and expanding our greenspaces are very important to me. The uniqueness of Rochester Hills is partly because of the greenspaces we have around out city. The fact that our city had seen a 7 year gap in greenspace expansion despite the mid 2000s millage and mechanisms for greenspace acquisition shows that council and administration have not been proactive in informing land owners of this process. We need to be less passive when it comes to acquiring greenspace property from willing landowners and further fiscal responsibility by utilizing grants when possible. This is a clear priority for residents, so much so that we took on an additional one time tax increase to make this a reality. While I am glad to see the current expansion in greenspaces this is due to the land owners being proactive nor does it excuse a 7 year gap in expansion which has lost us many opportunities. We need city councilors that will be proactive in pushing the city to address this demand from residents.

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

I have previously managed a campaign for a city-wide council seat in 2021. This campaign resulted in a major challenge to the status-quo and we were able to exert great influence on the major issues of that campaign like development and greenspaces.

Why should voters trust you?

I am running to represent the residents of the 2nd district. Unlike a politician who has an agenda to push, I base my positions on what I hear from residents while door knocking, having those one-on-one conversations, and public surveys. My interest is being a public servant for our community and an advocate for my neighbors.

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

Increasing the notification ordinance and expanding the accessibility in government would be a key metric for success for me.

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

We should be using our public funds responsibly and efficiently. City council should maintain fiscal responsibility with our budget. Recent years have underscored the need for preparedness for unforeseen circumstances. A fiscally conservative approach that optimizes taxpayer money and avoids unnecessary costs is the only sound approach. One of council’s important duties is budget allocation, and if elected, I pledge to thoroughly vet any funds we have.

Do you support Michigan's new gun control legislation, including expanding background checks, safe storage laws and red flags?

No answer

Do you support Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's push to establish paid family and medical leave, move the state toward relying on 100 percent clean energy?

No answer

What are your thoughts on the crime rate in your community, and what more can be done to combat crime — especially violent crime — in town?

Rochester Hills is one of the safest cities in the state if not in the country. We owe this to the wonderful work of our sheriff's deputies on the county level and the trust we have as a community with each other. We should continue to look out for our fellow neighbors and ensure our local substation has all the resources they need to continue to do the excellent job they are doing.

What is your view of the city's/village's approach to commercial and residential development?

Rochester Hills’ growth pace is a long-standing concern for residents, worsened by the city council’s approach on unsustainable urban sprawl to boost the tax base without long-term planning. The city’s development should prioritize residents, the environment and suburban renewal, focusing on rejuvenating existing projects and promoting smart growth that respects property owners’ rights.

When it comes to development, what are some key areas for improvement or additions you feel are most wanted by residents? What will need to be done to make this happen?

As mentioned previously, the current approach has left many residents outside the conversation. We need to get both residents and developers onboard while also standing firm on our already established zoning and ordinances. Ensuring projects have appropriate density, would not overwhelm existing infrastructure, and do not come at a cost to our environment should be the top priority.

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:

A full list of my positions can be found on my website, please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any specific questions.