Seeking a council seat, raising cash Seeking a council seat, raising cash (September 20, 2002)

Council candidates vary on fundraising techniques Council candidates vary on fundraising techniques (September 20, 2002)

By Bill D'Agostino

There are many ways to get your message out if you are a candidate for city government. Some are free: Candidate forums. Newspaper profiles. Going door-to-door talking to voters.

But most of the most noticeable ways of spreading your message cost, and some cost big: Lawn signs. Newspaper advertisements. Information sheets. Web sites.

To raise those funds from individuals and groups, the 13 candidates for city council have a variety of philosophies.

All the candidates but one -- Rosiliand Bivings -- signed a city-supported form voluntarily limiting their total spending to $15,914.

"I felt that that was restricting my ability to get elected," Bivings said, defending her choice not to sign. "I don't have any inkling of spending that kind of money. However, to tell me that this is all I can spend, I don't think is a fair thing. The FPPC (Fair Political Practices Commission) does not require you to do this."

Two other candidates --- Greg Perry and Bruce Karney -- are actively campaigning by saying they will not accept funds over a certain amount. Perry said he will not accept contributions of $100 or more, Karney will not take more than $200. Both wrote that into their candidate statement.

"I don't think anyone who's going to be on the council should owe any one person or any one group too many favors. I think $100 per person is a reasonable amount," Perry said. "It should be enough just to get your ideas out there and let people decide on the ideas instead of trying to outspend everyone else and win the office with money "

Perry added he would also not accept contributions from any group or person that has business dealings with the city.

Asked if he thought setting the limits would hurt his ability to get elected, Perry said: "It's more important to me that I run an ethical campaign than that I win."

Other candidates said they will limit their contributions, but have not been as active in promoting their self-imposed limits. Karney's opponent for the two-year seat, former Police Captain Nick Galiotto, said he will not accept funds above $100 from individuals or over $300 from groups. Four-year candidate Chris Kuszmaul said he will not accept contributions above $1,000.

The majority of candidates -- Laura Brown, Pat Figueroa, Tom Frankum, Mike Kaperzak, Matt Neely and Bob Weaver-- say they will accept contributions in any amount.

"I'm probably going to be one of the candidates that's out there trying to do this election on a really tight budget," Weaver said. "I'm not going to turn down a contribution because of its size."

"I only ask people to give that which they are comfortable giving and can afford," Figueroa said. "I have no lower or upper limit on campaign contributions."

One candidate, Tim Devitt, is taking the unusual step of not raising money, nor actively campaigning. Liz Bower-Ambra did not return a call for this story.

On Oct. 7, the city clerk will make the candidates' first financial statements public.
E-mail Bill D'Agostino at bdagostino@mv-voice.com