Among the five running for New Port Richey mayor or City Council, only about $6,560 was filed early this week with the city clerk.
By MELIA BOWIE
Published March 31, 2004
NEW PORT RICHEY - Money isn't everything. Especially to the candidates vying for New Port Richey's open mayoral and City Council seats.
A majority of the five candidates have gotten off to modest starts in their pursuit of campaign dollars as fundraising kicks into its final two weeks.
According to filings with city clerk Vicki McDonald, the total raised so far for the city's upcoming municipal election was more than $6,560 early this week, with political newcomers bringing in most of the dollars.
The election is April 13.
In the race for mayor, candidate Dan Tipton has brought in the most money. Although reports list him with $3,300, he said Monday that he now has raised more than $4,000.
Supporters of Tipton, who runs a home renovation and flooring business, include attorneys, teachers, Port Richey funeral home owner Merl Faupel, real estate agent John Grey and others. Many of his contributors live outside the city, Tipton said. Among those are New Port Richey Rotary associates and business contacts.
"The fundraising's been going well for me," said Tipton, who ran unsuccessfully for a Democratic seat on the Pasco County Commission in 1992 and 1996.
"I've run for office before and both times it was hard to raise money," Tipton said. "This time I've had people call me up. They want a change."
Mortgage consultant Tony Barbaro Sr. has raised about $2,800 in his run for mayor. That amount includes $640 in donations he made to his own campaign, as well as contributions from real estate agents and supporters such as attorney Chuck Kalogianis.
Wendy Brenner, who was the city's mayor from 2000 to 2002 when she left office to fight cancer, had raised $250 as of last week.
Brenner, director of the city's annual Chasco Fiesta, said much of her time has been taken up with the 11-day fundraiser that ended Sunday. Now, with her cancer in remission and Chasco over, "I'll be cranking up soon . . . on the campaign," she said.
To date, the race for financial support among City Council candidates Scott Chittum and Matthew Paul McCaffery is far from heated.
Chittum, the incumbent and sales representative for Humana, reported that he has raised $150 - including his own donation of $100 - in his bid for a third term.
His challenger, 22-year-old McCaffery, who recently returned from military service, has raised nothing. McCaffery is currently a student at Pasco-Hernando Community College seeking to pursue a degree afterward at the University of South Florida. He is also a produce manager at a local grocery store.
- Melia Bowie covers the city of New Port Richey. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6229, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6229. Her e-mail address is bowie@sptimes.com
