Shaw leads in race funds

Huntington Beach City Council candidate Joe Shaw is leading the pack in early campaign funds, outpacing his nearest challenger by nearly $8,000.

Shaw, who has served on the city’s Planning and Public Works commissions, declared $14,005 by the end of last year. Among those contributing money to his campaign were the Democratic Club of West Orange County, the Orange County Employees Assn. and the Orange County League of Conservation Voters.

Individual donors included Flossie Horgan, executive director of the Bolsa Chica Land Trust; Kim Kramer, who spearheaded a residents’ campaign to stop development in Triangle Park; and Merle Moshiri, a longtime activist against the Poseidon desalination plant in Huntington Beach.

Shaw said he believes his years of experience with city government have helped him to rouse support.

“I think I have wide support from both the business community and the environmental community,” he said. “I’ve stood across both of those worlds in Huntington Beach as a former business owner and as a person who cares deeply about keeping our beaches and parks and open space open and free and in good condition for our citizens.

“People know that. People have grown to trust me. I’ve been around long enough to develop these relationships in the community.”

Moshiri, the president of the grassroots group Residents for Responsible Desalination, said Shaw was the ideal candidate for people who wanted to preserve Huntington Beach as a tourist destination and protect it from big-business interests. She expected other candidates to surpass Shaw in funding through corporate donations, but didn’t believe that would hurt his chances of being elected.

“I think he’ll be the top vote-getter,” Moshiri said. “He has name recognition, he has connections, and he has an eclectic group of people who see him as something new, something we’ve lacked on our City Council.”

Shaw’s nearest contender, Ocean View School District Board of Trustees President Norm Westwell, declared $6,095.85 at the end of 2009, followed by three Planning Commissioners: Fred Speaker with $4,625; Barbara Delgleize with $2,150; and Blair Farley with $500. Small business owner Dan Kalmick declared $100, while Realtor Bruce Brandt reported no funds raised.

The remaining six candidates, Erik Peterson, Bill Rorick, John Von Holle, Heather Grow, Gregg DeLong and William “Billy” O’Connell, have not yet registered fundraising committees with the city clerk’s office.