By David DeBolt Contra Costa Times
Posted:
10/09/2012 01:09:12 PM PDT
0 Comments Updated: 3 years ago
CONCORD
-- The lone incumbent in a crowded Concord City Council race has a huge
campaign fundraising lead, with backing from the family who operates
the city's trash disposal and contributions from business owners, unions
and a prominent developer.
Dan Helix has raised $72,599 since
Aug. 1, putting him more than $50,000 ahead of the second place
fundraiser in the race of 11 candidates vying for two seats on Nov. 6.
The fundraising totals were released Friday and are from a reporting period beginning July 1 and ending Sept. 30.
"It's
from having friends of many years. I'm just overwhelmed and humbled by
the amount I've been able to raise," said Helix, who was first on the
council in 1968 and returned in 2010, when he was appointed to fill a
vacancy.
Most prominent on the list of donors is the Garaventa
family and their employees, who operate Concord Disposal Service, the
company that has historically provided garbage services for Concord and
currently has a long-term franchise agreement with the city.
They
have donated $7,600 to Helix. Local developers Tom Seeno and Albert
Seeno Jr. each contributed $1,000 to Helix, according to finance
reports.
Most of Helix's big donations came from two fundraising events that were $1,000 and $500 to attend respectively, he said.
The
retired Army general said he has been friends with the Garaventas for
50 years and has voted against Seeno proposals, including in April 2011
when the council voted 3-2 to deny a Seeno family company's request to
extend the deadline to build the second office tower of the Metroplex
development on Willow Pass Road and receive financial help from the
city.
"I'm not for sale. Your support indicates you believe I
could do a good job, but you're not buying me," he said of his donors.
"I think the record is clear."
Housewives, restaurant owners,
auto body shop owners, insurance agents and commercial real estate
brokers are also among Helix's donors. Any leftover campaign money will
be donated to local food banks, homeless outreach groups and
organizations along the Monument Corridor, Helix said.
Planning
Commissioner Tim McGallian was second in fundraising, raising $15,055
this reporting period for a total of $20,505. His donors included the
Garaventas, who contributed $4,000; former Councilman Guy Bjerke, who
chipped in $250; and Contra Costa District Attorney Mark Peterson, who
donated $100.
The Concord Police Officer Association, which has endorsed Helix and McGallian, gave each candidate $1,500.
To
date, Carol Longshore has raised $7,050, Ed Birsan $6,353, Terry Kremin
$775, Alany Helmantoler $300 and Harmesh Kumar $100. Suzanne
Davis-Lucey reported no contributions. The City Clerk's office did not
receive financial reports from Robert David Camacho and Marnie
Sheehan-Carter.
Birsan and Kumar are running largely
self-financed campaigns, having loaned themselves to date $68,941 and
$38,353, respectively. A portion of the loans are a carry-over from
previous campaigns, Birsan and Kumar each said.
David DeBolt covers Concord and Clayton. Contact him at 925-943-8048.
