By Ravi Yalamanchi, Candidate for Mayor – Rochester Hills
Like many families, my wife Anitha and I chose to make Rochester Hills our home. This is where we chose to raise our daughter. With God’s blessings, and through hard work and perseverance we have had the fortune of living the American Dream and doing our best to give back to the community.
Ravi Yalamanchi
Over the years, I have had the privilege of being actively engaged with Avondale Youth Assistance, Paint Creek Trailways, Green Space, OPC, Friends of the Paint Creek Trailways, and Neighborhood House. These organizations thrive because of the many who volunteer their time, energy, and resources. I am constantly impressed by their commitment, their generosity, and their passion for enhancing the quality of life in our community. The pride and passion for our city I see in my neighbors and co-volunteers continues to inspire me daily.
After serving eight years as a Council Member and Treasurer and Commissioner of OPC, it is truly an honor to be a candidate for Mayor of our wonderful city – Rochester Hills.
As a council member, I was instrumental and part of the policy, budget, and decision-making process for effective governance and efficient systems, pushing for controlling government expenditures and opposing any tax increases.
I hold a Law degree, a Masters in International Trade from EMU, an MBA from U of M, and am a Certified Community Planner. For the past eighteen years I have been the CEO of Metro Community Development.
The ownership of our city lies within us. Ownership means being responsible and accountable to one another. That commitment is fulfilled when we engage with and be engaged by our neighbors. Economic and social challenges, change in demographics, the need for a more walkable and bikable community, preserving the residential character, continuing to have solid successful schools and higher educational institutions, community safety, preserving the economic vitality – all essential for a good quality of life are in a constant state of perpetual change.
Status quo and complacency are inertia and not the solution. It’s time for change in leadership with new ideas and new thinking in our city. Growth and productivity do not begin or end with one person. It’s the families that built our city and make us great. I want to see an inclusive city where everyone is respected. It is important to move into the future with proven leadership and a strong vision and dedication that I bring.
The premise of my candidacy is about community engagement; providing honest and trusted leadership with integrity. I stand as a candidate for Mayor based on these core values with a vision to make Rochester Hills a great place to live well and age well.
I am the only candidate with a proven business track record with 30 years of Business Management, Finance, Budgeting, and Community Planning experience, which I will bring to the Office of Mayor.
My Commitment:
- To preserve the residential and historic character of our city
- Not pursue water reservoirs or drilling in our parks and neighborhoods
- Keep taxes low and control government expenditures
- Uphold the city charter and honor term limits
The only reason I’m a candidate for Mayor is to serve the community. I hope to earn your vote on November 3, 2015. Let’s make the change. The best is yet to come!
Ravi Yalamanchi
Candidate for Mayor – Rochester Hills
About Rochester Media
Yalamanchi seems like the right choice for those who want to maintain the residential character of the city. We’re pretty much tapped out on what we can cram into industrial and commercial. The termed out current Mayor was good at getting strip malls in and meeting the needs of developers – got some good stuff done during that phase of our City’s development. Not so good at listening to residents though.
It’s clear we’re moving into the next phase and the future – which means protecting our tax base/home values by protecting our residential areas. This means leadership in what kinds of industries should be allowed in those areas, in this bedroom community.
It’s probably safe to say that Barnett’s water towers, cement crushing plants, 24 hr trucking depots and oil drilling in and around subdivisions – not what most residents are looking for 2016-2020 term.