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Supporters of status quo ahead in campaign gifts
By AMY WIMMER, Times Staff Writer
MADEIRA BEACH -- When political newcomers stepped forward to challenge incumbents here, the business community rallied to protect the status quo. Campaign finance reports show that the candidates who have received money from area business people raised three times more money than their opponents. Those without that support are largely funding their campaigns themselves. At least four of DeCesare's donors are expected to introduce new development projects in the coming months. "I'm absolutely not concerned. I'll accept money from anybody," DeCesare said. "They can contribute. There's no way in the world I'm going to be influenced by who gave me what." On one side of this fund-raising fault line are two incumbents, DeCesare and District 3 Commissioner Roger Koske, plus Ken Schwartz, who is running for the District 4 City Commission seat. All three candidates received money from Hubbard Enterprises and Hubbard family members who work in the company, as well as MMH Enterprises, a marina owned by the Holton family, which hopes to redevelop property it owns near the city marina. In addition, DeCesare and Schwartz received money from longtime Madeira Beach business owners George and Pat Shontz and the Consus Group LLC, a Clearwater company that is helping facilitate the new Madeira Bay project, a Gulf Boulevard development that will include a hotel, condominiums, townhomes and commercial space. Meanwhile, their opponents are conducting mostly self-funded campaigns. Len Piotti, running for mayor, has raised nearly $2,000, but all but about $500 is his own money. Cindy Saxon, running for the District 3 seat, has funded her entire $1,300 campaign. And District 4 incumbent Parker, the city commissioner most likely to question the administration and his fellow commissioners, has funded $750 of his $800 campaign. The $50 contribution he accepted came from a neighbor at the Madeira Beach Yacht Club condominiums. Together, the three candidates supported by local businesses raised $10,240. Their opponents have raised $3,843.24. District 3 commission candidate Cindy Saxon said she would not criticize candidates who accepted contributions from business interests, but said she has turned down contributions to her campaign. "People have offered to give toward my campaign, but I've said I'd rather not," Saxon said. "I don't want there to be a conflict of interest." Patricia Hubbard of Hubbard Enterprises, who donated $100 each to DeCesare, Koske and Schwartz, said the business community is rallying behind candidates who support the visioning plan developed last year. "This very small group of residents who argue against redevelopment use expressions like, 'Why should my tax dollars go to support redevelopment?' " Hubbard said. "They don't realize that redevelopment is part of why we have not had a millage rate increase in Madeira Beach."
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From the Times South Pinellas desks |
