Officials pull ahead in funds

Lolita Harper

The highest-ranking members of arguably the two most powerful

governing city bodies lead the pack in City Council campaign

contributions as the deadline to declare candidacy quickly

approaches, city documents show.

Mayor Linda Dixon and Planning Commission Chairwoman Katrina Foley

have raised the most money for their City Council campaigns in the

last six months, with Foley out-campaigning her colleagues by more

than $2,000.

As required by state law, local politicians -- both elected and

aspiring -- reported Wednesday how much money they hold in specially

designated campaign accounts. Even those who are not up for

reelection were required to report the balance of their city-issued

accounts by the end of the business day Wednesday.

Foley raised a total of $6,000 cash, with the majority coming from

individual contributions from fellow lawyers and residents. She also

received a boost from C.J. Segerstrom & Sons to the tune of $249.

Foley has spent $351.06, leaving her ending balance at $5,648.94.

Dixon was the second-highest fund-raiser, bringing in a total of

$3,944. The mayor received most of her contributions from

individuals, but the most notable contribution came in the form of a

$2,000 check from Angel’s Auto Spa.

Councilwoman Libby Cowan contributed $100 to both Foley and Dixon,

but failed to file her own account status. Cowan could not be reached

for comment at press time. In the 2000 election, Cowan raised more

than $16,000, proving the steep price tag a bid for the council can

carry.

Planning Commissioner Bill Perkins ranked third, bringing in

$3,256. While he did not out-raise his fellow planning commissioner,

Perkins’ report shows the most support from the business community.

Documents show contributions from C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, $249;

Triangle Square, $425; Ikea, $249; Skosh Monahan’s, $249; and Connell

Chevrolet, $100.

“I’m very balanced between business and residential, but a lot of

businesses agreed with my decisions on the Planning Commission and it

is important for them to see me get on the council,” Perkins said.

Councilman Gary Monahan, whose seat is up for reelection, reported

no gains from his February total of $2,103.27. The councilman, who

recently announced he will seek reelection rather than retire from

politics, said he will kick up the fund-raising in the last leg of

the race.

Other council candidate totals hovered around a couple thousand,

with candidate Allan Mansoor reporting the lowest total contributions

at $750 -- $500 of which came from him. Mansoor’s ending balance was

even lower -- $409.57 -- after spending money on his Web site and the

list of registered voters, which is available from the county

registrar’s office.

Councilman Chris Steel reported a zero balance, and Councilwoman

Karen Robinson has since closed out her account. The terms of Cowan,

Steel and Robinson are up in 2004.

Former Councilwoman Arlene Schafer still has a current account

with the city from the 1980s. Her balance is $3,872.63, which is up

from the $3,000 she reported in February.

* LOLITA HARPER covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at lolita.harper@latimes.com.