It is the hope of preserving the conservative social milieu in Yucaipa that has motivated Erik Sahakian to enter the political fray in Yucaipa. 
“As a husband, father, and proud citizen, my desire to be the Yucaipa City Councilman for District 1 is founded on my vision to secure the future of our great city for its citizens, businesses, children, and all future generations who will call Yucaipa their home,” Sahakian said. “Yucaipa truly is a special place—a conservative, family-oriented community—and I plan to keep it that way.”
Together with Mark Taylor, Matt Garner and Sherilyn Long, Sahakian is seeking to replace District 1 Councilman David Avila, who is not seeking reelection this year. 
Sahakian said “My combination of experience, education, and management skills qualify me well for this position. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science with a concentration in public administration from California State University, Fullerton. I also graduated from the University of Redlands with a Master of Business Administration degree. With nearly 30 years of management experience, in both the public and private sectors, self-employment as an entrepreneur, as well as working for a non-profit, I know my background will be an asset on the council.”He stands out from his competition in this year’s race Sahakian said.
“In addition to my education, I have a very unique background which distinguishes me from my opponents, including seven years in the public sector working for the City of Yorba Linda as well as the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino, six years as the founding owner of a successful residential property management company, and ten years serving the Yucaipa community as an administrative pastor at Wildwood Calvary Chapel,” Sahakian said. “That was my all-time favorite job—serving the emotional, spiritual, and often, physical needs of the citizens of Yucaipa. I now volunteer as a pastor since I recently began working in law enforcement advocacy.”
Sahakian said, “I believe the major issues facing our city include ensuring the safety and security of our citizens, maintaining fiscally conservative decision-making, avoiding overdevelopment of our rural areas while still offering housing options to the community, and laying the groundwork for our next generation of citizens.”
In delineating the action he believes the city needs to take to redress the issues facing it, Sahakian said, “If elected to the Yucaipa City Council my goals include: promoting local businesses by fostering a business-friendly, low tax environment; partnering with law enforcement and firefighters by making sure our first responders know we have their back; protecting our citizens and seniors by reducing crime and keeping housing for our seniors affordable; preserving our outdoors by ensuring we have plenty of parks, trails, and open spaces for all to enjoy; preventing the development of new housing on less than an acre in the North Bench; providing for Yucaipa’s heritage by never forgetting who we are as a community and passing those values on to the next generation; and preparing for future generations by employing fiscally conservative decision-making with an eye for Yucaipa’s sustained longevity.”
The city should exercise discipline in its spending, and will thereby be able to finance the undertakings that will sustain it into the future, he said.
He said the city will be able to pay for the solutions he has suggested “by continuing to maintain the course we are currently on by spending responsibly, not creating undue financial hardships on our residents, seeking grants, and being a community that attracts businesses.”
Sahakian emphasized his previous experience relating to government.
“I was employed as an administrative intern in the city manager’s office at the City of Yorba Linda, and worked for the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino as a Section 8 caseworker and public housing manager. I also volunteered on former Senator Mike Morrell’s successful state assembly and senate campaigns. Senator Morrell has been a friend and mentor since 2004. I’m humbled to have his endorsement for Yucaipa City Council.”
Sahakian has been a Yucaipa resident for 16 years.
He attended Whittier Christian High School in La Habra before he matriculated at Cal State Fullerton, where he majored in political science with a concentration in public administration before doing graduate work at the University of Redlands.
Currently, Sahakian is employed as a field representative with the California Correctional Peace Officers Association doing what he termed “law enforcement advocacy.”
Sahakian said, “I’ve been married to my beautiful wife, Juanita, for almost 23 years. We have two wonderful kids: our daughter, Skylar, who is 19, and son, Maksim, who is 15.
Sahakian said, “I have a proven track record of strong leadership, fiscal responsibility, successful management, and conservative values. I look forward to partnering with my community to lead Yucaipa toward an even brighter and promising future. I truly believe our best days are still to come! You can find out more at www.vote4erik.org.”
-M.G.