Contributed Photo: Mike McEuen is running for Thatcher Town Council.
This is the second installment of the Gila Herald’s candidate series for the council races for Safford, Thatcher, and Pima.
Opening the series is the town of Thatcher, which has six candidates vying for three council seats up for election. The candidates include incumbents Ryan Rapier, Heston Welker, and Jenny Howard, with newcomers Brandon Homer, Mike McEuen, and Alfred Barquin looking to make the cut. Each candidate was given the opportunity to provide their own editorial and picture. This second installment of the Thatcher series features candidate Mike McEuen.
Thatcher Town Council – Mike McEuen
I was born in Safford and am a lifelong Gila Valley resident. I graduated from Eastern Arizona College and Northern Arizona University and served a church mission in Japan. I worked in law enforcement for nearly 40 years as a Deputy Sheriff, Investigator, and Undersheriff for Graham County and as an Officer, Sergeant, and Police Chief for Thatcher Police Department. I was Police Chief at Eastern Arizona College before retiring in 2019.
Both my parents are fourth-generation Gila Valley residents. My great grandfather established the McEuen Ranch north of Fort Thomas and my mother’s family settled in Thatcher. I spent countless hours as a youth at my grandparents’ home on Church Street visiting and playing with cousins and going to Thatcher Drug Store.
I have now lived in Thatcher for over 20 years. Thatcher has been good to my family. It is where my wife, Cindy, and I finished raising our family. My wife and our eight children are Eastern Arizona College alumni. I remember the old “Thatcher, Home of Eastern Arizona College” sign that hung across the highway in the middle of town. I believe the town’s partnership with the college is a key advantage and beneficial to both the town and the college. I want to preserve and strengthen this relationship.
As a homeowner, parent and grandparent, I am committed to keeping our community safe and maintaining and improving our roads and property.
I will do my best to learn from the past while planning for the future. I would appreciate your support. Thank you.
