On March 6, self employed Republican Mike Polak II filed his Statement of Organization with the Tucson City Clerk, with his intent to challenge one term Councilmember Richard Fimbres in Ward 5. He filed two amended statements thereafter.

Bio from Polak:

• The Boeing Company 1997 to 2012, Long Beach, CA & Tucson, AZ. Worked with Domestic and International Air lines companies. Supported Satellite launch operations and international transportation.
• McDonnell Douglas Long Beach, CA 1987 to 1994
• Northrop 1986 to 1987
• 8 years in the United States Marine Corp
• Graduated for Southern California Institute of Technology with B.S. degrees in Computer Science and Electronic Engineering
• Small business owner.

He currently is the owner of Desert Armory Gun Parts & Accessories, a small business selling gun equipment and participating in gun shows. He says that his top priorities in this campaign are:
• Bringing Jobs to Tucson
• Improving the infrastructure and services in Tucson
• Improve public safety

Mike Polak II

Polak’s campaign info: mikeforcouncil@gmail.com, phone 520-243-3511, 2004 E. Irvington St. #175, website: Facebook.com/Mike for City Council.

Fimbres defeated political newcomer Republican Shaun McClusky in 2009 to win his Ward 5 seat (53% to 46%). Democratic Councilman Steve Leal had retired after 5 terms serving Ward 5.

Ward 3, 5, and 6 are up for election this year. One term Councilmember Steve Kozachik is running for re-election in Ward 6, as is 2 term Councilmember Karin Uhlich. All three Councilmembers up for re-election are Democrats. Kozachik is running unopposed at this time, and Uhlich is being challenged again by Republican community activist Ben Buehler-Garcia who lost to her in 2009, in a 3 way race with Green candidate Mary DeCamp.

From one term Ward 6 Councilman Steve Kozachik’s re-election campaign:

On Wednesday, March 20th, Ward 6 Council Member Steve Kozachik will be joined by the City of Tucson’s four most recent mayors for a campaign kickoff event. Former mayors George Miller, Tom Volgy and Bob Walkup will join current Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild at Borderlands Brewery in downtown Tucson for the event.

Steve Kozachik Campaign Kickoff
Wednesday, March 20, 5:30 – 7:00 P.M.
Borderlands Brewing Company
119 E. Toole Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701

“Borderlands is the perfect venue for this kick-off,” said Kozachik. “It’s the poster child of a successful private sector venture that has quickly grown into a successful downtown business. It is emblematic of the successes we’re seeing in the downtown core, a success story that I’m proud to have been a part of and one that I am excited to continue to support.”

Former Council Member and honorary campaign co-chair Carol West will also be in attendance. Kozachik announced previously that West, Walkup and former United States Surgeon General Richard Carmona will be co-chairing his campaign.

The event marks the first time in recent memory that four mayors, representing two parties have come together in support of a city council candidate. Each mayor offered their own insights into what makes Kozachik an effective leader, deserving of their endorsement.

The current Mayor Jonathan Rothschild (elected 2011) is a Democrat, along with former Mayors Tom Volgy (1987 to 1991) and George Miller (1991 to 1999). Former Mayor Robert Walkup (1999 to 2011) is a Republican.

Councilman Steve Kozachik (aka “Steve K” or “Koz”) is running unopposed for the Ward 6 Council office so far. He was elected to this seat as a Republican and just changed to a Democrat on January 14, 2013.

Two term Ward 3 Councilmember Democrat Karin Uhlich is facing Republican challenger Ben Buehler-Garcia, who ran against her before in 2009. He lost by 175 votes in a three-way race with Councilmember Uhlich and Green candidate Mary DeCamp.

One term Ward 5 Councilmember Democrat Richard Fimbres is facing a Republican challenger as well, political newcomer Mike Polak II, a self employed businessman. Stay tuned for a future post about Polak’s candidacy. He just filed his Statement of Organization on March 6 with the Tucson City Clerk.

Website: www.sunshinemile.com

The businesses on and around Broadway between Campbell and Country have organized into The Sunshine Mile, based on a 1953 contest:

In 1953, a contest was sponsored by the East Broadway Merchants to come up with a name for the strip between Campbell and Country Club. The winning entry was, The Sunshine Mile. The Modernist archiectural heritage of this street is a regional asset.

Check out the special deals tomorrow, as well as the month long scavenger hunt with lots of great prizes.