Grafos to run for re-election

Spokane Valley City Councilman Dean Grafos announced his intention to run for re-election this fall after recently filing candidate registration paperwork with the Public Disclosure Commission.

Grafos, a licensed real estate broker and owner of a mini-storage business, was elected in November 2009 to a seat that was vacated by Steve Taylor and initially filled by the appointment of Ian Robertson.

Even though he just finished an election, Grafos said he’s willing to go through it again. “I’ve only been in there a year and a half,” he said. “I feel like I’m making a positive difference in the city and we’re accomplishing things.”

During his first election Grafos joined with four other candidates to run on the “Positive Change” slate. Grafos said he doesn’t think he’ll run a similar campaign this time. “I’m basically running on my own and my own issues,” he said. “I believe everybody has their own issues.”

Filing documents show that Grafos has loaned his campaign $5,000. “I have an emotional and financial stake in this community,” he said. “I guess that’s my commitment to the community.”

No one has yet announced a run against Grafos. “I’m not sure how much competition I’ll have, if any,” he said. “I serve at the pleasure of the taxpayers and the citizens. I’m only going to be there as long as they want me to be there.”

Grafos plans to reactivate his former campaign web site, www.votedean grafos.com, but the site is not up yet.

Grafos’ seat is one of three up for election this year. Councilman Bill Gothmann has announced that he will not run for re-election in the fall, opening that seat up to a newcomer. The term of the seat vacated by Rose Dempsey is also up in November.