Campaign war chests increase - Two Burlingame candidates have raised more than $30K (by By Mark Abramson, Daily News)
The latest campaign finance figures indicate that Burlingame City Council candidates are continuing to raise big bucks in a five-way race for two seats. Political-newcomer Peter Comaroto, 40, continues to lead the candidates with $32,975 in contributions to his campaign coffers. The most recent disclosure statements filed this week show that he raised $1,900 from July 1 to Sept. 22. All of the contributions from that period are from individuals. The parks and recreation commissioner's expenses included $6,500 for a campaign manager and $1,900 for postcard art. "I actually backed off of the fundraising a bit ... I don't want to have a balance left over," Comaroto said. "I will have a final total that I need to raise in a week or so. "The most effective way for me to campaign is to talk to people," he said. "Mailers are important. The signs and the Web site are complimentary."
Mayor Terry Nagel, 58, who is seeking her second four-year term, raised more than $8,111 during the same period. She has raised a total of $12,606 for her campaign. All of the contributors to her campaign during the latest period were individuals who are predominantly Burlingame residents. Her biggest expense was $3,646 for signs and campaign literature. Nagel championed campaign contribution caps that took effect earlier this year. Candidates are now permitted to accept a maximum of $500 from individuals and $1,000 from businesses and organizations. "Maybe that is playing a role in the election," she said. Nagel said candidates should spend time rather than money talking to people and spreading their messages. "I think the most effective way is not only to talk to people, but to listen," she said.
Incumbent Russ Cohen, 48, raised $8,052 this period to bring his total to $9,080. His contributions include $1,000 from the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union Local 467 and $500 from Putnam Toyota in Burlingame. The plumbers union also gave $1,000 to Gene Condon's campaign. "I like to prove that I am fiscally responsible," Cohen said. "I don't believe that in a town like Burlingame you have to spend what has been spent in the past."
Although candidate Jerry Deal, 58, did not submit his disclosure forms, he said he has raised $12,000 this period, which would put him at $30,947. "I think the most effective way (to campaign) is a mailing campaign," Deal said. He said most of his donations have come from private individuals.
Condon, 47, who is a former Burlingame Traffic, Safety and Parking commissioner, raised $8,060 this period for a total of $17,789 in contributions. Most of his contributors are individuals, but he has received $1,000 from a Putnam auto dealership. He said his biggest expense was postage for his mailers. "This campaign my costs are way down," Condon said. "We are doing better than we planned."
The latest campaign finance figures indicate that Burlingame City Council candidates are continuing to raise big bucks in a five-way race for two seats. Political-newcomer Peter Comaroto, 40, continues to lead the candidates with $32,975 in contributions to his campaign coffers. The most recent disclosure statements filed this week show that he raised $1,900 from July 1 to Sept. 22. All of the contributions from that period are from individuals. The parks and recreation commissioner's expenses included $6,500 for a campaign manager and $1,900 for postcard art. "I actually backed off of the fundraising a bit ... I don't want to have a balance left over," Comaroto said. "I will have a final total that I need to raise in a week or so. "The most effective way for me to campaign is to talk to people," he said. "Mailers are important. The signs and the Web site are complimentary."
Mayor Terry Nagel, 58, who is seeking her second four-year term, raised more than $8,111 during the same period. She has raised a total of $12,606 for her campaign. All of the contributors to her campaign during the latest period were individuals who are predominantly Burlingame residents. Her biggest expense was $3,646 for signs and campaign literature. Nagel championed campaign contribution caps that took effect earlier this year. Candidates are now permitted to accept a maximum of $500 from individuals and $1,000 from businesses and organizations. "Maybe that is playing a role in the election," she said. Nagel said candidates should spend time rather than money talking to people and spreading their messages. "I think the most effective way is not only to talk to people, but to listen," she said.
Incumbent Russ Cohen, 48, raised $8,052 this period to bring his total to $9,080. His contributions include $1,000 from the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union Local 467 and $500 from Putnam Toyota in Burlingame. The plumbers union also gave $1,000 to Gene Condon's campaign. "I like to prove that I am fiscally responsible," Cohen said. "I don't believe that in a town like Burlingame you have to spend what has been spent in the past."
Although candidate Jerry Deal, 58, did not submit his disclosure forms, he said he has raised $12,000 this period, which would put him at $30,947. "I think the most effective way (to campaign) is a mailing campaign," Deal said. He said most of his donations have come from private individuals.
Condon, 47, who is a former Burlingame Traffic, Safety and Parking commissioner, raised $8,060 this period for a total of $17,789 in contributions. Most of his contributors are individuals, but he has received $1,000 from a Putnam auto dealership. He said his biggest expense was postage for his mailers. "This campaign my costs are way down," Condon said. "We are doing better than we planned."
- Written by Fiona
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