Newport incumbents enjoy fund-raising edge

June Casagrande

Incumbents Gary Adams and Tod Ridgeway, along with former Public

Works Director Don Webb, have recorded the biggest fund-raising

numbers to date in the City Council contest, in which the candidates

are becoming polarized into Greenlight and anti-Greenlight camps.

Adams has led the pack so far this campaign season, with $36,122

in contributions this year to date. Ridgeway ranked second highest,

with $32,612 in contributions so far this year. Webb has built up a

far bigger war chest than any other challenger, with $27,412

collected so far this year.

Greenlight candidate Allan Beek and independent candidate Marianne

Zippi had not filed statements by Monday’s deadline. The penalty for

late filing is usually $10 a day, up to $100. Beek said late Tuesday

that he hoped to file his papers by Tuesday evening.

Reports by the remaining nine candidates suggest a possible

fund-raising rift between Greenlighters and anti-Greenlighters while

at the same time showing a clear bottom-line advantage of past public

service.

“Our people’s contributions tend to be mainly smaller

contributions from individuals,” said Phil Arst, spokesman for the

Greenlight Committee.

Greenlight contender Rick Taylor reported $6,442 in contributions,

followed by $5,912 for Bernie Svalstad, $4,119 for Dick Nichols,

$2,500 for Madelene Arakelian and $1,279 for Laura Dietz. Ron Winship

filed papers certifying that he will receive and spend less than

$1,000 throughout the reporting period.

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport.

She may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

june.casagrande@latimes.com.