Mayoral Candidate Profile: Robert Socha
Socha has been on council since 2020.
City of Hillsdale—Four candidates—Cathy Kelemen, Scott Sessions, Rob Socha, and Matthew Bentley—will run in the city of Hillsdale’s 2025 special mayoral election this August to fill the vacancy left by former Mayor Adam Stockford when he resigned last fall.
In a conversation covering some of the biggest issues before Hillsdale’s city council, the Hillsdalian spoke with Robert Socha, the fourth in a series of interviews covering the platforms and positions of the four candidates vying for the one-year term.
Homeless Encampments
Socha told the Hillsdalian that he was the “main driver” behind efforts to pass a no-camping ban on public property two years ago.
He has also been a critic of the Camp Hope homeless encampment at Hillsdale Community Thrift.
“I’m a compassionate man,” Socha told the Hillsdalian. “But people shouldn’t force government to be compassionate.”
According to Socha, it is not an appropriate task for government to provide housing.
“As a councilman—no. As a philanthropist—make a case,” he added.
Staff & Council
Regarding the tension between city council and city staff, Socha stated that, if elected mayor, he will make sure that sensitive business is conducted before public meetings rather than during.
“I will call and interact with city staff to answer any questions I have before meetings,” he said, an approach that he called a “preferable way to go.”
Socha said that he would “foster an environment that encourages morale among staff and council.”
As for the sources of negativity, Socha alluded to a “personality clash” between some members of council and staff.
He also emphasized that he will listen to the public when people come to meetings to speak.
“Public engagement: I want it; I need it,” Socha said.
Taxes & Special Assessments
According to the Ward 4 councilman, using tax break programs helps municipal governments “encourage growth.”
Local governments have to take advantage of these programs, he argued, though he said it would be good if they “changed at the state or federal level.”
As for residential property taxes, he noted that the “tax burden” is a “necessary evil.”
Currently, the city of Hillsdale’s property taxes are being levied at the statutory maximum.
According to Socha, special assessments, like property taxes, are “a necessary component to make advances in updating our roads and infrastructure.”
City Board Appointments
As for the mayor’s most prominent role—nominating board and committee members—Socha said he would take it “very seriously.”
He promised to judge each board applicant separately.
“I’ll make the decision I have with the information I have at the time.”
He also stated that, if he wins, he is likely to run again in 2026—that time for a full term.
Jacob Bruns
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Robert has done a very good job listening to his constituents, especially over the last 6 months. It looks to me like he is trying to walk the tightrope between town and college, it is a serious pickle 1/3 of all taxable properties not being taxed. I think maybe workout the optics of "necessary evil" given the other angles at play? What's going on with taxation in the city will eventually be its death, I would never purchase in the city and IMO you'd have to be very foolish or "on the inside" (getting a tax break) to buy into that level of "pickle". I like the sausage making during the meetings, and if his plan is to truly listen to the people it will be impossible not to make that sausage in the open at meetings. Servants are servants, WE is WE.... I get the dance but there is a clear order of import. His continuous push to rid the city of vagrancy is commendable and the reason he gets our full throated support. His handling of "the camp Hope situation" was full of kindness and understanding and its heartening to see him stand with the residents in the end. His championing of the camping ordinance is paramount to his "leadership chops" and is something our family hopes is continued, Hillsdale is a tiny community with abused and scant resources. As a community we just don't have the bandwidth other larger more wealthy community's do to handle the "crisis" and the way camp hope went about it is not the "correct way" to do things, even if it was deeply kind and likely the "right" thing to do. 4 horse race, my vote would be with Socha... But that's not to discount the other candidates. Tough choice, good luck neighbor!