Finance reports for City Council races released

07:15 AM CDT on Tuesday, April 18, 2006

By Lowell Brown / Staff Writer

Denton mayoral candidate Perry Mc­Neill has a clear lead over his rivals in fundraising and has spent much more money on his campaign, according to finance reports recently filed with the city.

McNeill, a City Council member who is vacating his seat to run for mayor in the upcoming municipal elections May 13, has raised $9,180 in political contributions since the beginning of the year and spent nearly $3,800, mostly on printing and distributing campaign signs and literature.

Perry McNeill

Bob Clifton

Justin Bell

Both figures far surpass those reported by Justin Bell and Bob Clifton, who also seek to replace outgoing Mayor Euline Brock. Brock, who has endorsed McNeill, cannot seek re-election because of term limits.

McNeill, 69, an engineer and college professor, said he was excited to see so much “broad-based” donor support.

“It says to me folks are happy with the direction we’re going and would like us to continue that,” he said.

In the two opposed City Council races, Place 5 incumbent Bob Montgomery has raised almost two times more money than challenger John Paul Eddy, while Place 6 council member Joe Mulroy leads challenger Shelley Shay in contributions. Both are at-large seats.

Most candidates for city offices had to file a report with the city by Thursday detailing their political contributions and expenditures. Another campaign finance report is due May 5. Candidates who raise or spend $500 or less don’t have to file a report.

Bell, 28, did not file a report for that reason. He said his goal was to run a successful race with less than $500 to highlight his campaign themes of innovation and efficiency.

Bell, who markets a lubricant for musical instruments, said McNeill’s name recognition is playing a role in his fundraising success but that residents will consider other factors when deciding whom to support.

“The voters, if you can reach them with a message, generally they’re receptive,” Bell said. “I don’t think the money aspect is going to play a very large part in this.”

McNeill reported 37 donations of more than $50, no loans and $3,782.98 in expenditures. Donors included Horace and Euline Brock, who gave $100.

Former Denton Mayor Zeke Martin and his wife, Betty, donated $300 to McNeill’s campaign.

“I think he’s a good public servant and he’s dedicated to the welfare of all the people of Denton — not just a few, but all of them,” said Zeke Martin, who is semi-retired from Martin Eagle Oil Co. “I think he casts a vote on the council that’s what is best for the most [people], and that’s about what you need to do as a public servant.”

Clifton, 65, who co-owns a manufacturing and wholesale business, reported no donations, no loans and $152.48 in expenditures. He could not be reached for comment Monday.

The campaign finance reports also show:

* Eddy, 74, a retired university professor, reported two donations of more than $50, no loans and $780.55 in expenditures. His total contributions equaled $385.

* Montgomery, 70, a retired businessman, reported five donations of more than $50, a $2,000 loan from his wife, Melinda Ann King, and $69.35 in expenditures. His total contributions equaled $700.

* Mulroy, 56, a Denton business owner, reported seven donations of more than $50 (including his own contribution of $200), no loans and no expenditures. His total contributions equaled $800.

* Shay, 38, a computer technician, did not file a report.

Early voting starts May 1.

LOWELL BROWN can be reached at 940-566-6882. His e-mail address is lmbrown@dentonrc.com

EXPENSES AND CONTRIBUTIONS

The following chart shows the total expenditures of Denton mayoral and City Council candidates, from the beginning of the year, until last week. The chart also shows their contributions for the same time period. Candidates were required to turn in their campaign finance reports by Thursday of last week.

Mayor

Justin Bell
Did not file campaign finance report*

Bob Clifton
Total contributions: $0
Total expenditures: $152.48

Perry McNeill
Total contributions: $9,180
Total expenditures: $3,782.98

City Council, Place 5

John Paul Eddy
Total contributions: $385
Total expenditures: $780.55

Bob Montgomery
Total contributions: $700
Total expenditures: $69.35

City Council, Place 6

Joe Mulroy
Total contributions: $800
Total expenditures: $0

Shelley Shay
Did not file*

*Candidates who receive or spend $500 or less aren’t required to file campaign finance reports with the city.

SOURCE: City of Denton

MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS

The following chart shows the major contributors to the candidates for mayor and City Council in Denton. The reports, due Thursday, tracked donations from the beginning of the year until last week.

Mayor

Justin Bell
Did not file*

Bob Clifton
None

Perry McNeill
Rene Cassar of Denton, $1,000
Harry Crumpacker of Plano, $500
Rich Anderson of Denton, $500
Oscar and Diane Garcia of Denton, $500
David and Pam Arthur of Denton, $500

City Council, Place 5

John Paul Eddy
Mary L. Bradshaw of Denton, $100
John Iverson of Denton, $80

Bob Montgomery
W.S. Harpool of Denton, $300
Paul Chandler of Denton, $100
Richard Beggs of Denton, $100
Russell Bates of Denton, $100
Bill Neu of Denton, $100

City Council, Place 6

Joe Mulroy
Joe Mulroy of Denton, $200
Shannon Smith of Denton, $100
Bette Sherman of Denton, $100
Marilyn Gentry of Denton, $100
Mary Behrens of Denton, $100
Brad Carrell of Aubrey, $100
Jerry Mohelnitzky of Denton, $100

Shelley Shay
Did not file*

*Candidates who receive or spend $500 or less aren’t required to file campaign finance reports with the city.

SOURCE: City of Denton