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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Jimmy Marks Calls Off Campaign For Mayor Gypsy Leader Says He Was Warned In Dream To End Candidacy

The Jimmy Marks for Mayor campaign was put to rest Tuesday - two days after the would-be candidate said he had a nighttime visit from his dead father, Grover.

“My deceased came to my dream,” Marks said. “The old Gypsy lady that analyzed my dream said I was playing with fire.”

The colorful Gypsy leader chose not to file as a mayoral candidate after his father and his late grandfather, Stanko Marks, scolded him for his political ambitions in a dream, he said.

“Clearly, they wasn’t happy with my decision.”

After talking to a Gypsy fortune teller about his disturbing vision, Marks said he was convinced the curse placed on the city by his own family could come back to haunt him.

“They judge you (according to) the company you keep,” Marks said.

Last week, Marks announced plans to challenge Mayor Jack Geraghty at the polls this fall. He promised to launch a serious campaign, complete with a platform and red-and-black signs announcing, “Jimmy Marks: Gypsy for Mayor.”

He also said his chief goal if elected would be annoying City Attorney James Sloane and Assistant City Attorney Rocco Treppiedi.

Earlier this month, the city and the Marks family reached a $1.43 million settlement, ending an 11-year-old lawsuit stemming from police raids at two Gypsy homes in 1986.

Marks said that during the dream, his father strayed from talking politics to questions about the recent settlement. Grover Marks died May 17.

“Grover asked me how much money we got,” Jimmy Marks said.

, DataTimes