Dade City commission candidates open their coffers
About $8,000 separates the largest from smallest war chest in the Dade City race.
By Helen Anne Travis, Times Staff Writer
Published March 8, 2008
DADE CITY - The check books have spoken.
Friday marked the deadline for Dade City commission candidates to file financial reports. The next round is due March 21.
The biggest fund raiser so far is incumbent Steve Van Gorden, who has amassed more than $9,000 to date.
Contributors include Piyush Mulji, developer of the Hampton Inn south of downtown, who gave $250 and let Van Gorden use the hotel for his campaign kickoff party, a $133 value.
State Rep. Will Weatherford of Wesley Chapel contributed $50. The Republican Party of Pasco County pitched in $200. And Wilton Simpson, owner of the city's Beef O'Brady's building, gave $500.
Van Gorden's biggest expenses have been $1,200 in campaign cards and signs, and $500 for his kickoff party.
In February, Van Gorden said he had accepted donations before establishing a campaign treasurer and unknowingly violated Florida election law. He said he offered refunds to the majority of contributors and all refused.
His opponent, Robert Avila has raised $1,750. Of that, he's spent about $1,400.
Avila received $250 from Dr. David Hernandez, wife of commissioner Camille Hernandez. Hernandez' business, Radiation Protection Association, gave Avila a $203 flyer. Westcoast Forensic Consulting of Brooksville gave Avila $500.
Avila spent the majority of his money on campaign promotions.
Candidate Curtis Beebe has spent the least amount of money, a mere $139 on campaign fees.
Part of his $4,375 in contributions include $500 in campaign signs from both Steven Smith of Dade City and his company, Independent Technologies. Smith is the man behind Hair of the Dog energy drink.
Other big-name contributors to Beebe include outgoing Mayor Hutch Brock, who gave $500. His law firm, Johnson, Auvil, Brock & Wilson also gave $500, as did Brock's law partner, Leonard Johnson. Dade City businessman Jim Guedry gave $350.
Beebe's opponent, Jim Shive, has received $2,710, of which David Hernandez gave $250.
Shive has spent $1746, the majority on campaign signs.
Candidate Mike Agnello has raised the least amount, $1,000, which includes a $150 loan to himself. He has spent $500, mainly on campaign fees and signs.
Agnello's opponent, incumbent Eunice Penix, has raised $2,075. Her biggest contributors to date are businessmen Allan John and Tim Yaeger, who both gave $500. She has spent $896 so far, mostly on signs.
Staff researcher Shirl Kennedy contributed to this report. Helen Anne Travis can be reached at htravis@sptimes.com or 352 521-6518.