Martinez, Catsavis seek Fort Smith board positions
by May 24, 2010 5:43 pm 179 views
Juan G. Martinez and George C. Catsavis are the latest to enter what is shaping up to be a crowded Fort Smith municipal election cycle likely to deliver many new faces to the Fort Smith board of directors.
City board positions 5, 6 and 7 (all at large seats), and the mayoral post are up for re-election in 2010. The 1-4 positions are up for re-election in 2012. However, the recent resignation of Position 4 Director Bill Maddox creates a election cycle where five of the eight-member board (seven directors plus the mayor) seats are up for grabs.
Martinez, 49, has filed for the Position 5 now held by City Director Gary Campbell. Campbell was defeated by Rep. Stephanie Malone, R-Fort Smith, in the GOP primary for the Arkansas House District 64 seat. Campbell has not said if he will seek re-election to the Position 5 seat.
Martinez works as a Spanish teacher at Northside High School in Fort Smith, and has lived in Fort Smith for more than 26 years. He attended Ramsey Junior High and Northside High School. graduated Arkansas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree and is pursuing an educational leadership master’s degree at Arkansas Tech University. (Martinez issued a press release that is included at the end of this story.)
Martinez also served 24 years in the Army Reserve, and his last military assignment was as chief operations NCO for the 350th Civil Affairs Command in Pensacola, Fla.
“I’ve been watching the meetings and keeping track of what is going on. … I always hear people complain and I tell my kids, as a teacher I tell my kids, that you can’t complain unless you are willing to get involved,” Martinez said when asked why he entered the race. “This is an opportunity for some new faces on the board, with all these positions coming open.”
He also said the city board does not have enough minority representation on the board. City Director Andre Good is the only minority on the 7-member board.
“I want to represent the new citizens; the people who are not from here but have grown up here or moved here for a job and have learned to love this town,” Martinez said.
Martinez said he is hoping to build a base of support among area teachers and Catholic organizations.
CATSAVIS
George C. Catsavis, 55, filed for the Position 4. He will face Marshall Sharpe, an executive at Fort Smith-based OK Industries, and Patrick Jacobs, a manager with Carco International in Fort Smith. (This is NOT the George Catsavis who owns Central Records or K and C Properties.)
“I’ve been in the restaurant business in this town for 33 years and no one seems to be doing anything to get some jobs in here. … There doesn’t seem to be any vision for the future of this city,” Catsavis said when asked why he is running.
Catsavis said the Fort Smith Convention Center funding problem and talk of implementing a 1% prepared food tax (restaurant tax) played a role in his decision to run.
“The way the economy is right now, this is not the time to put a tax on anything,” Catsavis said.
CANDIDATES, FILING PERIOD
To file for a city office, a candidate must pay a $10 filing fee, complete a statement of candidacy form, and provide a petition with at least 50 valid signatures of Fort Smith citizens. Also, a statement of financial interest is required but is not due until 30 days after filing deadline. The filing period ends at Noon, June 1. Candidate information and forms are available in the Fort Smith City Clerk’s office.
The following are the candidates who have announced or filed for the respective municipal positions.
Position 4:
George Catsavis
Patrick Jacobs (announced but not filed)
Marshall Sharpe
Position 5:
Juan Martinez
Position 6:
Eric Arthur
City Director Kevin Settle
Position 7:
Philip Merry Jr.
Mayor:
Fort Smith Mayor Ray Baker
Sandy Sanders
MARTINEZ STATEMENT
Longtime Fort Smith resident, teacher, and small businessman, Juan G. Martinez (49), has filed paperwork seeking the Ward 5 At-Large position with the Fort Smith Board of Directors.
Martinez is currently employed as a Spanish teacher at Northside High School in Fort Smith. He has resided in Fort Smith for more than 26 years, where he attended Ramsey Junior High and Northside High School. He graduated Arkansas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in 1994, and has attended graduate studies at the University of Arkansas. Martinez is currently pursuing an Educational Leadership Master’s Degree at Arkansas Tech University.
Other educational experiences include teaching Spanish at Winslow and Lamar, and being an adjunct faculty member at the University of Arkansas in Fort Smith.
In addition to his academic accomplishments, Martinez has also served 24 years in the Army Reserve—the last seven of which were spent as a member of the Active Guard and Reserve program. His last military assignment was as Chief Operations NCO for the 350th Civil Affairs Command in Pensacola, Florida. His duties included planning and oversight of missions in South America. As part of his military duties, Mr. Martinez has traveled to Venezuela, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Colombia, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, Bolivia, Puerto Rico and Paraguay.
Martinez has been a decorated veteran. He has been a two-time recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, a two-time recipient of the Army Commendation Medal, and a three-time recipient of the Army Achievement Medal. He has also been awarded the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and several other service ribbons.
Martinez’ business experiences include four years as owner/operator of the famous Snow Cone Shack located at Stonewood Village. In 2008 he was appointed a member of the Convention Center Commission by the Fort smith Board of Directors.
Martinez and his wife, Marina, have four children: Elizabeth (21), Bobbi Gale (16), Valentina (10), and Juan Felipe (9).