District 3 Colorado Springs City Council member Jerry Heimlicher today announced he’ll run for another term.He’s the first to file for District 3, which covers the southwest part of the city including downtown, Old Colorado City, The Broadmoor, the U.S. Olympic Training Center, Broadmoor Bluffs and Skyway.Heimlicher was elected to a two-year term in 2003 and a four-year term in 2005. Term limits mean that, if elected in the April 2009 election, it would be his last term.Heimlicher noted among his accomplishments: retention of the U.S. Olympic Committee headquarters, passage of the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority tax hike, funding for Colorado Highway 16 at Fort Carson and establishing Cheyenne Mountain State Park.Heimlicher promised to support public safety and quality of life issues. His goals: finalize approvals and construction of the Southern Delivery System water pipeline, support rehabilitation of South Nevada Avenue corridor, hold Memorial Health System accountable and reduce panhandling downtown.Lastly, Heimlicher vowed to “eliminate and reduce temporary city sales taxes by offering citizens a vote on a more reliable and sustainable source of revenue for the city.”He did not explain which “temporary” taxes he was referring to or explain what other revenue he would pursue.Heimlicher, a retired businessman, said he would remain accessible and accountable “to all citizens, not just a few,” and will update his Web site, www.JerryHeimlicher.com, within a month adding a blog and weekly updates.Sign timeBentley Rayburn’s campaign is looking for places to post his 4-by-8-foot signs in the 5th Congressional District, which includes El Paso, Teller, Fremont, Chaffee, and Lake counties, and most of Park County.The campaign asks supporters who own property in high-traffic areas and are willing to allow a sign, contact the campaign at 719-884-7457 or contact jeff@rayburnforcongress.org.The campaign also is seeking help to put up the signs.Vets for CrankAnother Republican seeking the 5th Congressional District seat, Jeff Crank, created a veterans campaign coalition.Members include: retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. William Stokes, retired Army Master Sgt. Nate Dunham, retired Army Reserve Master Sgt. Robert Woodfork, retired Air Force Reserve Tech. Sgt. Don Creamer, and Air Force Sgt. Henry Proal.Former El Paso County Commissioner Duncan Bremer endorsed Crank last week.To view Bremer’s enforsement, go to www.youtube.com/jeffcrankforcongress.For lists of other supporters, go to www.jeffcrank.com.Spirit and lifeRep. Doug Lamborn was given the “Spirit of Enterprise Award” by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for his pro-business voting record.Lamborn also was endorsed last week by the Republican National Coalition for Life for his “dedication to pro-life principles and active role in seeking to turn pro-life principles into public policy.”Lamborn, a Republican, is running for re-election.Submit items to pam.zubeck@gazettedev.gazette.com

Colorado State District #2 Congressman Mark Udall-D announced his run for the United States Senate at the Retired Enlisted Association in Colorado Springs Tuesday morning May 27, 2008. Photo by The Gazette, Carol Lawrence

Carol Lawrence