Saturday, September 19, 2009

Key West City Commission candidates are collecting last-minute donations as they head into the final two weeks of campaigning before the Oct. 6 election.

Mayor Morgan McPherson pulled farther ahead of challenger Craig Cates this period, collecting $8,200 from a combination of local business owners and residents and out-of-town real estate investors, lawyers and a yacht charter company.

McPherson received several $500 maximum donations, including those from local land planner Owen Trepanier of Trepanier & Associates, Fury Watersports, and Five-Star Yacht and Air Charters of Pompano Beach. McPherson also received support from Tallahassee-based Pittman Law Group and Pittman Investments, and from former Florida Keys Community College Vice President Maureen Crowley.

He spent $6,973 this period, mostly on campaign parties, liquor and stamps, bringing his total to $22,924.

Cates collected $5,250 this period, mostly from Key West residents. Some $500 donations came from business owner George Fernandez, retirees Sharon and Edward McCallum and from the owners of the Harborside Motel on Eisenhower Drive.

He spent $5,128 this period, mostly on campaign brochures, rack cards and shipping, bringing his total campaign expenditures to $25,125.

Mike Mongo collected $2,955 this period and loaned himself $1,000. He received $500 donations from businesses such at Eaton Bikes, Danger Charters and accountant Chris Wild.

Mongo spent $6,277 this period, mainly on signs, advertisements and business cards, bringing his total to $7,209.

Sloan Bashinsky filed a waiver on Friday that states he did not collect or spend any campaign money during this reporting period.

District 1

Jimmy Weekley collected $2,250 this period, all from Key West residents, including $500 each from fireman Omar Garcia, business owner Donna Smith and retiree Neil Call.

He spent $1,411 this period, mostly on his Web site, bringing his total to $10,239.

Tom Milone picked up $140 this period and spent $747, bringing his expenditures to $4,816.

District 3

Tom Lavender collected $2,540 this period, with $500 donations from Key West residents Shirley Freeman and Harvey Server.

The South Florida Free Beaches also backed Lavender, a strong clothing-beach optional supporter, with a $320 donation. His opponent, Billy Wardlow, has said a nude beach should be restricted to private property.

Lavender's contributions this period include $450 from Florida residents of Lutz, Rockledge and Sugarloaf Shores, as well as McLean, Va., Lexington, Ky., and Fair Haven and Highland Park in New Jersey.

He spent $562 this period, bringing his total to $2,140.

Wardlow collected $1,575 from local supporters this period. A $500 donation came from Old Town Key West Development, which is owned by local businessman Ed Swift.

Wardlow spent $838 on signs and advertising, bringing his total expenditures to $1,432.

District 6

City Commission incumbent Clayton Lopez collected $1,700, loaned himself $110 and received $261 in in-kind services this period. A $500 donation came from Key West business owner Gerald Mosher.

Lopez spent $1,033 this period, with the biggest expense being a $325 consultant fee for Scott Fraser, bringing his total to $5,084.

Challenger James Marquardt received $1,370 this period, with $500 from Florida residents Jaime Garcia III, an attorney in Tampa; and National Dentex COO Josh Green, of Santa Rosa Beach.

He spent $650, mostly on signs and advertising, bringing his total to $5,410.

The G2 campaign finance report that was due Friday covers the period from Aug. 29 through Sept. 11.The next reports are due on Oct. 2, then post-election or runoff election reports are due on Oct. 16, Oct. 30 and Nov. 19.

Political consultant Brooks White is making campaign finance reports available to the public at http://www.WinTuesday.com.

csmith@keysnews.com