If you don’t know much about Republican Rick Grinnell, who qualified for a spot on the General Election Mayoral ballot by getting 7,770 write-in votes in the August 30 Primary election, view this KUAT Channel 6 interview (click here). Christopher Conover and Andrea Kelly, KUAT reporters interviewed Grinnell tonight.

Grinnell only entered the race in July of this year (click here for announcement blog), after the Pima County Republican Party failed to qualify a candidate from the petition nominations which had been due on June 1st. (Both potential Republican candidates Ron Asta and Shaun McClusky were disqualified in Superior court actions due to lack of the requisite # of valid signatures).

Grinnell’s website: http://www.grinnell4mayor.com/. His website lists his career highlights:

–Founder and president of Smart United Business Strategies (SUBS), a for-profit venture that fosters political interaction between State and Local government and the entrepreneurial community.
–Marketing executive (Metro Restaurants), business development consultant in retail, service, transportation, construction and hospitality industries.
–Employment specialist providing vocational training and placement for individuals with disabilities and working with business owners to help injured workers return to work.
–Small business owner

Grinnell attended Salpointe Catholic High School and has a degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. Since last year he has been a Board Member of the new Rio Nuevo Multi Purpose Facilities District. And reports are that his lobbying firm represents Augusta Resource Corporation, the Canadian firm that is proposing the controversial Rosemont Mine in the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson.

Grinnell ran twice before for the Ward 2 Council seat in 1995 and 1999 and lost to Democratic Councilmember Janet Marcus and then Marcus’ aide Carol West (a Democrat who later became an Independent). Years ago he also served on the now-defunct Domestic Violence Commission (along with me and lots of other community members like Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall and Dr. Richard Carmona).

Contact info: email: info@grinnell4mayor.com or phone: 520-370-0529.

He faces Democrat Jonathan Rothschild and Green Mary DeCamp for the job of Mayor of Tucson, in the General Election on November 8, 2011.

American Red Cross has issued an appeal for blood donors of all types due to a critical blood shortage across our nation.

In May and June, donations were at the lowest level the American Red Cross has seen in this timeframe in over a dozen years, while demand for blood products remained steady. Because of that, American Red Cross needs blood donors now more than ever. All types are needed, but especially O negative, which can be used to treat any patient.

We highly encourage all type O negative blood donors who meet the eligibility requirements to double the difference by becoming a double red cell donor. If eligible, you can give to give two donations at once.

Please contact American Red Cross at 520-230-7295 to schedule your appointment to donate or log on to redcrossblood.org Sponsor Code: pimagop (email appeal from the Pima County Republican Party– which is assisting in this drive with a blood drive on Saturday July 30, 9 to 2 p.m.)

Why donate blood?
You don’t need a special reason to give blood.
You just need your own reason.

Some of us give blood because we were asked by a friend.
Some know that a family member or a friend might need blood some day.
Some believe it is the right thing we do.

Whatever your reason, the need is constant and your contribution is important for a healthy and reliable blood supply. And you’ll feel good knowing you’ve helped change a life.

Please donate blood if you can.

GOP MAYORAL WRITE-IN CANDIDATE RICK GRINNELL AT PIMA GOP AFTER HOURS

Wednesday, July 27th from 6 to 7:30 PM

From Pima County GOP newsletter:

The next Pima GOP After Hours on Wednesday, July 27th will feature Mayoral write-in candidate Rick Grinnell – “2 Ns, 2 Ls.” Rick will talk about his vision for Tucson and the specifics on writing him in on your primary ballot. For example: Be sure to fill in the bubble to the left of where you write in his name. If Rick Grinnell is written-in on the Republican primary ballot just 1060 times, he will be on the general ballot.

For more information on the write-in process and how you can help Rick’s campaign you’re going to want to be here.

Where’s here? The Pima GOP After Hours takes place at your Pima GOP Headquarters, 5447 E 5th Street, suite 100 (just west of Craycroft on the north side of 5th Street) in Tucson.

City Council candidates Jennifer Rawson (for Ward 2) and Tyler Vogt (for Ward 4) will be attending and speaking at this GOP event as well.

Last August 2010, in the LD 28 State Senate race Republican Greg Krino got 1519 write-in votes to qualify for the November election, to challenge State Senator Paula Aboud (according to Pima County elections results). Krino only needed 214 write-in votes, so getting 1060 write-in votes (City-wide) for Grinnell should not be a problem for the Pima GOP.

Daryl Peterson, a construction worker just entered the race last Thursday as a Republican Mayoral write-in candidate, just prior to the deadline for filing.

Assuming Grinnell or Peterson will get on the General election November ballot, either will face off with the winner of the Democratic primary (Jonathan Rothschild facing opposition from 3 write-in candidates– David Karr, Rich Kessler or Joseph Maher, Jr.), and either Green candidate Dave Croteau or Mary DeCamp.

Rick Grinnell for Mayor
Experience Matters

Campaign Manager: Barbara Bathen (520)370-0529

Press Contact: Kim Kimbriel (520)548-2000

www.grinnell4mayor.com

www.facebook.com/Grinnell4Mayor

www.Twitter.com/Grinnell4Mayor

To hear Grinnell’s recent July 20th radio interview on the Buckmaster Show –click here.