Wednesday, July 31, 2002
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Wednesday, July 31, 2002 |
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Stephens ahead in '02 campaign money race By MONROE ROARK
A soon-to-be Starr's Mill High School math teacher leads all other county commission candidates in raising money for the Aug. 20 primary, according to campaign disclosure records filed with Fayette County's election office. Thomas Stephens, a sixth generation Fayette native, has received more than $19,000 in contributions for his GOP primary race against incumbent Post 4 Commissioner Linda Wells, who has raised about $5,600, records show. Candidate Stephens lent his campaign $5,000, the reports show. In contrast, the third challenger for that post, former Brooks Council member Caroline Smith, has raised slightly under $1,000, $902 of which she lent to herself. In the showcase race Chairman Greg Dunn facing former Fayetteville Mayor Mike Wheat Wheat is leading in contributions: $11,379 to Dunn's $8,096, records show. Dunn raised $8,096 in new funds by the June 30 filing and spent $5,983.62, according to his disclosure form. Contributors listed by name include former commissioner Bill and Martha Nigro of Peachtree City ($200), William Dunn of Kennesaw ($500), Kathy Dunn Hunt of White ($200), Rosemary Beebe of Fayetteville ($200), Ken Beebe of Fayetteville ($200), former county commissioner and state senator Rick Price of Fayetteville ($250), local developer Randy Hayes of Fayetteville ($1,000), current school board member Janet Smola of Tyrone ($125), former Peachtree City Council member Carol Fritz and her husband Gene ($101), former commission Chairman Harold Bost of Fayetteville ($2,000), Brent Wilkes of Peachtree City ($500), and current commissioner Peter Pfeifer of Peachtree City ($150). Dunn's opponent in Post 5, former Fayetteville mayor Mike Wheat, reported $11,379 in total contributions and $9,506.87 in total expenditures. Aside from a $3,000 loan he made to his own campaign, Wheat reported donations from Fayetteville city attorney David Winkle ($1,000), Peter and Jena Seckinger of Fayetteville ($250), Jerry and Celia Barber of Fayetteville ($250), Fayetteville mayor Ken Steele and his wife Debbie ($250), Dr. Tim Scarff of Fayetteville ($150), J & R Clothing owner Richard Dumas of Fayetteville ($200), McRae Communications owner Joe Snowden of Fayetteville ($250), Lawrence Davis of Fayetteville ($1,000), Earl Hanners of Brooks ($500), Fayetteville Council member Al Hovey-King and his wife Lisa ($200), former Fayette County finance director and current GRTA staff member Emory McHugh of Fayetteville ($250), Donald and Lynn Farr of Peachtree City ($150), Charles Gallagher of Fayetteville ($250), Dr. Carlo Musso of Jonesboro ($1,000), and Hayes ($500). Hayes contributed to both campaigns. Wells, the incumbent in Post 4 running against Caroline Smith and Thomas Stephens, reported $5,626 in new contributions and $1,615 in expenditures. Her contributors include Tony Laubernds of Fayetteville ($400), Mary Shaver of Fayetteville ($636 in magnetic car signs), James Brannon of Fayetteville ($530 for Wells' filing fee), Gary and Laree Moore of Fayetteville ($200), and $100 from attorney James Webb of Peachtree City ($100 in food and decorations for a fund-raiser). Wells contributed $125 to her own campaign for postage and letterhead. Stephens reported $19,075 in total contributions and $6,920.28 in expenditures. Aside from a $5,000 loan he made to his own campaign, he received contributions from the Committee to Elect Scott Gilbert ($200), Gene Stephens Trucking ($200), GO Trucking ($200), Charles Harp of Fayetteville ($200), Charlie Harper of Peachtree City ($200), Greg Henley of Atlanta ($1,000), Robert Jordan of Fayetteville ($120), Joe Lee of Fayetteville ($750), W.J. Livsey of Fayetteville ($580), T. Mallory of Fayetteville ($200), Eileen Patton of Fayetteville ($300), Ralph Ponder of Fayetteville ($1,000), Jackie Pratt of Fayetteville ($200), Norman Williams of Fayetteville ($250), Dr. James Sams of Fayetteville ($150), Peter Sekinger of Fayetteville ($250), Stephen Waldrop of Fayetteville ($500), Walter Volmar of Conyers ($500), Walker Concrete owner Doug Walker of Fayetteville ($250), and Robert Fowler of Buford ($1,000). Smith reported $979.05 in total expenditures, including a $902.85 personal loan she made to her own campaign. The vast majority of expenditures from the various candidates went toward postage, printing, signs, fund-raiser supplies, and filing fees. All contributors and expenditures of $101 or more must be itemized on the disclosure forms, the first of which for this election year were turned in June 30. Sitting commissioners must file such forms at the end of every year. That's why Greg Dunn and Linda Wells, the incumbents in their respective races, showed funds carried over from last year. The two races for seats on the Board of Education this fall are uncontested; each includes a single unopposed candidate.
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