Tuesday, October 27, 2015
YOUNGSTOWN
The committees promoting two Mahoning County renewal levies – mental health and developmental disabilities – and the Mill Creek Park District’s renewal/additional tax issue spent about $100,000 in total to persuade voters to support them.
That’s according to campaign finance reports for activity between June 6 and Oct. 14 and filed with the county board of elections.
Leading the way is the Citizens for Developmental Disabilities Levy, which spent $45,755. The committee came into the pre-general-election filing period with $139,474, and raised $29,248 between June 6 and Oct. 14.
That left the committee with $122,968 as of Oct. 14.
The 3-mill, five-year renewal levy raises $11.3 million in taxes annually.
People for MetroParks Political Action Committee had $43,325 in its campaign fund before June 6, and raised $44,990 in the pre-general time-period.
Among the major donors were Ellen and Jim Tressel, and Frank and Norma Watson (Ellen’s parents). The couples each gave $5,000 to the PAC. Denise DeBartolo York contributed $2,500.
The PAC spent $29,555 between June 6 and Oct. 14, and had $58,670 at the latter date.
The Mill Creek levy is a 1.75-mill renewal and a 0.25-mill additional for 15 years and will raise $7.6 million in taxes annually.
The Mahoning County Mental Health & Recovery Board Levy Committee raised all of its $34,000 between June 6 and Oct. 14, and spent $21,840 during the two dates.
The 0.5-mill, five-year mental health renewal levy will raise $915,489 in taxes annually.
In Struthers, Democrat Danny Thomas Jr. has the financial edge over his mayoral opponents.
Thomas had $3,639 left from his primary victory, and raised $14,720 in the pre-general-election period. He spent $14,342, almost as much as he raised during that time.
Incumbent Terry Stocker, who’s running as a write-in, raised $6,500 and lent $2,500 to his campaign.
Richard DeLuca, another Struthers mayoral candidate, filed an incomplete report, not including how much he raised or from whom. He reported spending $3,489, and used $10,403 of his own money to buy items and pay expenses for his campaign.
Richard Sheeler, who is also running for mayor, didn’t file a campaign finance report.
In Campbell, incumbent Mayor William J. VanSuch raised $2,355 and spent $625 between June 6 and Oct. 14.
Nick Phillips, his opponent, raised $3,250 during the same time period with $2,650 coming from him and his wife, Laura. He spent $2,756 in the pre-general time period.
In the race for Austintown trustee, incumbent Rick Stauffer raised $10,883, the most among the three candidates.
Bruce N. Shepas raised $3,580 while Andrea Paventi collected $2,360 in contributions and loaned $3,000 to her campaign.