Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Executive gives 2 hopefuls big boost

Fred Thomas, an ex-Clearwater leader who plans to build a corporate campus in Largo, has donated $2,500 each to two City Commission candidates.

By LORRI HELFAND
Published January 27, 2006

LARGO - More than half of the contributions collected by two City Commission candidates came from five companies headed by former Clearwater City Commissioner Fred Thomas, who plans to build a new corporate campus in eastern Largo.

Campaign contribution reports turned in last week show that Thomas' companies contributed $2,500 each to the campaigns of City Commission candidates Ernest "Ernie" Bach, who is running for Seat 3, and Jean Halvorsen, the incumbent commissioner in Seat 4. So far, Bach has collected a total of $4,650 and Halvorsen has received a total of $4,675.

Both candidates reported receiving $500 contributions from Thomas' businesses: Cepcot Corp., Florida Pool Products, Sun Wholesale Supply, Sophisticated Systems and Froy Inc.

Mayor Robert Jackson said he's also received $2,500 from Thomas' companies. He has reported $1,000 in his most recent campaign contribution report and said he's collected another $1,500 that will be listed in his next report due Feb. 3.

Both Halvorsen and Jackson supported plans for Thomas' company, Cepcot Corp., a subsidiary of Pinch-A-Penny, to build a new corporate headquarters at 150th Avenue west of 62nd Street. The proposal drew resistance from city staff and several other officials.

In December, commissioners voted 4-3 to amend a future land use designation near the site so Cepcot could build the corporate campus near the old Crossroads Mall. Halvorsen and Jackson both supported the proposal.

"I went to the wall for him," said Jackson, a vocal supporter of Thomas' project.

Thomas could not be reached for comment Thursday, but Jackson's challenger for the mayor race, Commissioner Pat Gerard, said it's obvious why he's supported three of the candidates.

"I don't think Fred does anything without a reason," Gerard said. "They voted his way and I didn't. I can only assume he thinks Ernie will, too."

On Monday, Gerard's campaign sent out a press release touting a fundraising lead. Gerard has brought in $12,372.64 and Jackson has collected $11,372.65, according to recent campaign contribution reports.

Bach said Thomas pledged his support before Bach told him he supported his project.

"He said he thought I was the right person to fill the seat," said Bach, a former city commissioner who served from 1987 to 1990.

Thomas was one of a handful of supporters that showed up at City Hall in November when Bach announced that he was running for the commission.

Last year, Thomas' companies also contributed $2,000 to former Commissioner Charlie Harper's campaign before Harper withdrew from the race.

This year, Harper and his wife, Sandra, contributed $100 to Halvorsen's campaign. Sandra Harper donated the same amount to Jackson's campaign.

"My support is from lots of people who vote, which is better than one person giving me $2,500, which is basically what has happened," said Halvorsen's opponent, Gigi Arntzen.

Arntzen, has received $3,275 in contributions, including $50 from Elbert E. Gentry, Commissioner Gay Gentry's husband.

Bach's opponent, Rodney Woods, has collected $1,840, but said he's not discouraged that his opponent has collected about $2,800 more.

"There are some key movers and shakers that have at least verbally committed to contribute to my campaign," Woods said.

Lorri Helfand can be reached at 445-4155 or at lorri@sptimes.com

[Last modified January 27, 2006, 01:21:16]