Bob Vukanovich
Surprise Today
August 28, 2007 - 11:55AM
Bob Vukanovich was a successful businessman in Surprise before the city was more than a dot on the map.
He’s been in the area for 35 years and at one point ran the state’s second-largest swap meet, bringing outsiders to the small town that was little more than one square mile, but has now grown to a city of more than 100,000.
“More people learned about Surprise from my swap meet than anywhere else,” Vukanovich said. “Everyone thought I was crazy when I came out here. Nobody knew what (Surprise) was.”
Vukanovich, a City Council veteran who was replaced by Joe Johnson in a 2004 recall election, said he was running for the mayoral seat because he has experience and knowledge that will help the city continue to grow.
“I know things nobody else does,” said Vukanovich, who runs a Web site, www.surpriseaznews.com, that acts as a watch dog for many of the controversies going in city government. “When you listen to some of these guys they don’t have a clue what it takes to be on the council or be the mayor. That’s our biggest problem.”
Vukanovich, who at 78 remains active by surfing and betting on horses, was raised on a “dirt farm” near where Chandler has since blossomed. He has always lived in Arizona and said his grandfather was one of the people who pushed Arizona into statehood when it was a territory.
“I always had the drive to live the American dream,” Vukanovich said. “I had to be tough. When you have a name like Vukanovich, you have to be the toughest kid on the block.”
Vukanovich is known for his gruff demeanor and being outspoken, especially when it comes to what he calls glaring financial mistakes in the city.
“I call it the way it is,” Vukanovich said. “Maybe I don’t say all the right things, but I am not that type of person.”
He is worried the city isn’t represented on major county and state boards, leaving Surprise in the dust when it comes to getting major funding for roads and other necessities. He said he believes money is being spent needlessly and people are being hired to do jobs that aren’t necessary.
He said being recalled makes him somewhat vulnerable in the race, but after surviving a heart attack and prostate cancer, Vukanovich said he is a fighter who won’t quit when it comes to the city he loves.
“How many people would be recalled and still run for mayor?” Vukanovich said. “I am a survivor. They sent people home with me to take care of me when I was sick and I said, ‘Get out of here.’ I had to be a survivor to fight City Hall.”
He’s been in the area for 35 years and at one point ran the state’s second-largest swap meet, bringing outsiders to the small town that was little more than one square mile, but has now grown to a city of more than 100,000.
“More people learned about Surprise from my swap meet than anywhere else,” Vukanovich said. “Everyone thought I was crazy when I came out here. Nobody knew what (Surprise) was.”
Vukanovich, a City Council veteran who was replaced by Joe Johnson in a 2004 recall election, said he was running for the mayoral seat because he has experience and knowledge that will help the city continue to grow.
“I know things nobody else does,” said Vukanovich, who runs a Web site, www.surpriseaznews.com, that acts as a watch dog for many of the controversies going in city government. “When you listen to some of these guys they don’t have a clue what it takes to be on the council or be the mayor. That’s our biggest problem.”
Vukanovich, who at 78 remains active by surfing and betting on horses, was raised on a “dirt farm” near where Chandler has since blossomed. He has always lived in Arizona and said his grandfather was one of the people who pushed Arizona into statehood when it was a territory.
“I always had the drive to live the American dream,” Vukanovich said. “I had to be tough. When you have a name like Vukanovich, you have to be the toughest kid on the block.”
Vukanovich is known for his gruff demeanor and being outspoken, especially when it comes to what he calls glaring financial mistakes in the city.
“I call it the way it is,” Vukanovich said. “Maybe I don’t say all the right things, but I am not that type of person.”
He is worried the city isn’t represented on major county and state boards, leaving Surprise in the dust when it comes to getting major funding for roads and other necessities. He said he believes money is being spent needlessly and people are being hired to do jobs that aren’t necessary.
He said being recalled makes him somewhat vulnerable in the race, but after surviving a heart attack and prostate cancer, Vukanovich said he is a fighter who won’t quit when it comes to the city he loves.
“How many people would be recalled and still run for mayor?” Vukanovich said. “I am a survivor. They sent people home with me to take care of me when I was sick and I said, ‘Get out of here.’ I had to be a survivor to fight City Hall.”
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