Newport incumbents lead fund-raising

June Casagrande

Wednesday’s filing deadline for City Council candidates’ campaign

contributions passed well before most new contenders had much to

report.

Of the new field of candidates, only former Public Works Director

Don Webb had any contributions to report and only two others, Laura

Dietz and Bernie Svalstad, had created their campaign committees,

which is necessary before they may receive contributions.

Mayor Tod Ridgeway and Councilman Gary Adams, who are the only

incumbents in the coming election, also filed their campaign finance

statements by deadline. Adams reported $20,642 in contributions

received so far this year. Ridgeway received $9,575.

Council members Norma Glover and Dennis O’Neil, who will both step

down due to term limits, both reported that they received no money.

Webb received $5,665 in contributions.

The next filing deadline will be in early October, at which time

voters will have a better picture of fund-raising activities by all

the candidates.

In District 1, Madelene Arakelin has requested papers to oppose

Ridgeway.

Allan Beek has announced his intention to oppose Webb for the

District 3 seat that will be vacated by Glover.

Richard Taylor Jr., and Ron Winship, who will also bid for a spot

on the Newport-Mesa Unified School and Orange County Municipal Water

districts, intend to challenge incumbent Adams in District 4. And

Svalstad and Dietz have picked up papers to run for District 6, which

will be vacated by O’Neil.