Election 2023: Candidates for Novi mayor share views on issues

Aaron Martinez is from Novi, Michigan, where he graduated from Novi High School. He has a bachelor's degree in political theory and constitutional democracy from James Madison College at Michigan State University and a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy Law School. He lives with his wife, April, and their son, in Novi.

Aaron currently works as a private practice attorney. He previously served as a special assistant attorney general for Michigan’s mental health system. He also worked as a legislative director for State Representative Kelly Breen and as a legislative intern for Novi’s State Representative.

Aaron's campaign for an open seat on the Novi City Council is his first entry into politics.

As of August 12, 2025, Aaron Martinez’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Economy

Supports using tax abatements to incentivize builders for housing options for older residents and new families.

- Supports using tax abatements to incentivize builders for housing options for older residents and new families.

Housing & Urban Development

Plans to address staffing shortages in the Novi Fire Department by budgeting for additional full-time firefighters.

- Plans to address staffing shortages in the Novi Fire Department by budgeting for additional full-time firefighters.

Public Safety

Healthcare

Supports funding the library through a new millage.

- Supports funding the library through a new millage.

Public Services

Plans to address power outages and investigate higher rates from DTE Energy.

- Plans to address power outages and investigate higher rates from DTE Energy.

Energy & the Environment

Supports building out more trails, sidewalks, and paths.

Supports creating an "entertainment loop" in Oakland County to improve transit and reduce traffic congestion.

Plans to investigate DTE's infrastructure improvements in Novi to address frequent power outages.

- Supports building out more trails, sidewalks, and paths.
- Supports creating an "entertainment loop" in Oakland County to improve transit and reduce traffic congestion.
- Plans to investigate DTE's infrastructure improvements in Novi to address frequent power outages.

Transportation & Infrastructure

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Aaron Martinez

Aaron Martinez is from Novi, Michigan. He has a bachelor&#39;s degree in political theory and constitutional democracy from James Madison College at Michigan State University and a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy Law School. He lives with his wife, April, and their 18-month-old son, August, in the Willowbrook Estates subdivision.

As of August 12, 2025, Aaron Martinez did not have a website or any information online.

Buket Urgen

Supports using tax abatements to incentivize builders for housing development.

Brian Smith - City of Novi

Brian is currently a council member for the City of Novi. He was first elected in 2021.

As of August 12, 2025, Brian Smith’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports protecting green spaces and expanding parks.

Plans to create a plan to address the needs of older adults.

Supported creating a plan to address the needs of older adults.

- Supports protecting green spaces and expanding parks.
- Supported creating a plan to address the needs of older adults.

As mayor, Smith created the Environmental Sustainability Committee and developed a sustainability plan for Novi.

Supported the creation of the Environmental Sustainability Committee and developed a sustainability plan for Novi.

Supports sustainable, future-focused development.

- Supported the creation of the Environmental Sustainability Committee and developed a sustainability plan for Novi.
- Supports sustainable, future-focused development.

Supports enhancing sidewalks, paths, and bike lanes for safer non-motorized transit.

Supports adding sidewalks, paths, and bike lanes to make roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

Supports the installation of fiber broadband and technological infrastructure.

Supports expanding fiber broadband and tech infrastructure to improve internet access.

Supports improving public transit by bringing in People’s Express, which is free for older adults and available to all.

- Supports adding sidewalks, paths, and bike lanes to make roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Supports expanding fiber broadband and tech infrastructure to improve internet access.
- Supports improving public transit by bringing in People’s Express, which is free for older adults and available to all.

Brian Smith

Brian is currently a council member for the City of Novi.

As of August 12, 2025, Brian Smith did not have a website or any information online.

LinkedIn

Ed Roney earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in business administration from Oakland University. He lives in Novi, Michigan.

Ed retired as a national account manager for FANUC America Corporation, where he worked in business development, marketing, and product planning for robotics and machine vision. He previously served as product development manager at FANUC, director of vision applications at Integral Vision, and vision director at Time Engineering Inc.


Ed Roney’s campaign for Novi City Council is his first run for public office.

As of August 12, 2025, Ed Roney did not have a website or any information online.

Ed Roney

Seven candidates seek three Novi City Council seats; mayor ...

Joe's campaign for Novi City Council Member is his first entry into politics.

As of August 12, 2025, Joe Bertera did not have a website or any information online.

Opposes the city's lawsuit against a neighbor for alleged marina operations on Walled Lake, believing it threatens the neighborhood dock, family livelihoods, and property values.

- Opposes the city's lawsuit against a neighbor for alleged marina operations on Walled Lake, believing it threatens the neighborhood dock, family livelihoods, and property values.

Supports establishing city voting districts to improve representation across Novi.

- Supports establishing city voting districts to improve representation across Novi.

Joe Bertera

Joe Bertera's campaign for Novi City Council Member is his first entry into politics.

Jonathan Gold for Novi City Council. Blog

Jonathan Gold is from Michigan. He has lived in Novi for over 18 years.

Candidate Interview: Jonathan Gold for Novi City Council - Oakland ...

Jonathan Gold's campaign for Novi City Council Member is his first entry into politics. 

Believes in "responsible growth" to ensure the city remains financially stable.

- Believes in "responsible growth" to ensure the city remains financially stable.

Believes in keeping costs down to ensure young people see a future in the city.

- Believes in keeping costs down to ensure young people see a future in the city.

As of August 12, 2025, Jonathan Gold’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports sustainability initiatives that will keep the city vibrant and inclusive.

- Supports sustainability initiatives that will keep the city vibrant and inclusive.

Jonathan Gold

As of August 12, 2025, Jonathan Gold did not have a website or any information online.

Believes in advocating for public safety to ensure all residents feel safe in their community.

Novi City Council appoints Gurumurthy to vacant seat

Priya Gurumurthy is originally from India and moved to the United States in 2000. She has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Madras and a master’s in computer science from the University of Texas at Dallas. She lives with her husband and their two sons in Novi.

Priya is a global IT director at YanFeng. Prior to that she worked as an analyst for Johnson Controls and Plascore.

New Council Member Selected - Novi.org

Priya is currently a member of the Novi City Council. She was appointed in December 2023 to fill the seat vacated by Justin Fischer.

Said, "I’m committed to making thoughtful, data-driven decisions that protect Novi’s financial health while building a resilient, sustainable future for all who call it home."

- Said, "I’m committed to making thoughtful, data-driven decisions that protect Novi’s financial health while building a resilient, sustainable future for all who call it home."

Supports expanding affordable housing and fostering a senior-friendly community.

- Supports expanding affordable housing and fostering a senior-friendly community.

Supports providing resources to Novi's public safety teams for effective community protection.

- Supports providing resources to Novi's public safety teams for effective community protection.

As of August 12, 2025, Priya Gurumurthy’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports improving life quality for older adults through expanded services and inclusive spaces.

- Supports improving life quality for older adults through expanded services and inclusive spaces.

Supports integrating environmental sustainability into all city decisions, from planning to park preservation.

- Supports integrating environmental sustainability into all city decisions, from planning to park preservation.

Plans to optimize road closures to reduce impacts on residents.

- Plans to optimize road closures to reduce impacts on residents.

Priya Gurumurthy

Priya Gurumurthy is from Novi. She has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Madras and a master’s in computer science from the University of Texas at Dallas. She lives with her husband, Swaminathan Gopalakrishnan, and their two sons in Novi.

Priya is a global IT director at YanFeng, where she has worked for several years. She previously worked in the automotive industry and has over 20 years of leadership experience in information technology.

Priya is currently a member of the Novi City Council. She was appointed in December 2023 to fill the seat vacated by Justin Fischer and will serve until 2025. She previously served on the Novi Public Library Board from 2022 to 2023 and on the Novi Youth Assistance Board from 2021 to 2023.

As of August 12, 2025, Priya Gurumurthy did not have a website or any information online.

Set goals of optimizing road closures to reduce impacts on residents.

Campaign Finance - Oakland County Clerk

Oakland Thrive Restaurant Quest: Crazy Gator Pizza in Highland ...

Toby D. Brazwell's campaign for Novi City Council Member is his first entry into politics.

As of August 12, 2025, Toby D. Brazwell’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Toby D. Brazwell

As of August 12, 2025, Toby D. Brazwell did not have a website or any information online.

- City council members in Michigan help make city-level laws, approve budgets, and oversee city services to serve the community’s needs. 
- Council members attend regular meetings, listen to public concerns, and vote on city issues like zoning, public safety, and spending. They also appoint and direct officials, like the city manager.
- City council members may be elected in partisan elections or nonpartisan elections, depending on the city. They may represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Terms for city council members often last two or four years, depending on the city.

Novi City Council Member

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Energy & the Environment

Transportation & Infrastructure

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