[Southsider2k12]

This article was an eye popper for me. I can't believe Mark Espar raised $12,000 on his campaign. That is a ridiculous amount of money for a city council race, and there isn't anyone within $4000 of his fundraising. most candidates are a mere fraction of that total. It is even more irritating because almost $1,000 of it came directly from people who are already in office, one of whom is his brother. I don't think it is very effective to open yourself up to charges of cronyism and neptotism before you are even in office.

I'm not quite sure why the unopposed candidates are raising funds, but I am sure there is something to that.

The other disappointment was in how many people didn't turn in the required forms. Especially for someone like Willie Milsap who is running unopposed, AND hasn't really campaigned at all that I have seen.

http://www.michigancityin.com/articles/200.../29/news/n3.txt

Local candidates' budgets much smaller

By Jason Miller, The News-Dispatch

Aside from some mayoral candidates, most local municipal candidates are operating on a shoestring campaign budget.

And some, according to the LaPorte County clerk's office, haven't filed their required campaign finance reports and could face punishment after the May 8 primary.

“Eventually the election board will meet and decide if they should be fined and how much,” Chief Deputy Clerk Bette Conroy said. “There's no time between now and the election to do it, though.”

According to Conroy, Michigan City Common Council candidates Dave Biela, Angie Starks, Paul Przybylinski, Dave Gring, Willie Milsap and Rodney Washington didn't turn in their pre-primary campaign finance reports by the April 20 deadline.

The finance reports - officially called the CFA4 - itemizes all contributions and expenditures received and paid by a candidate in an election season, and year to date.

Biela said Friday he'd simply been too busy.

“I got a $12 donation and I haven't even cashed the check yet,” he said. “There's only so much of me to go around. It's my fault.”

None of the other candidates could be reached for comment.

In the race for Michigan City Common Council 1st Ward, Lynne Kaser has raised $635 and Richard Murphy $1,700.

Marc Espar, Przybylinski's 2nd Ward opponent, has raised $11,588 and has spent more than $8,800 of that. He received a $600 donation from his brother, city attorney John Espar, and a $150 donation from Michigan City Controller John Schaefer.

Republican Keith Harris, who is unopposed in the primary, raised $995.

Incumbent Ron Meer, running unopposed to remain in his 3rd Ward seat, raised $300, while 4th Ward incumbent Pat Boy - who is opposed by Gring in the primary - raised $100.

Tom Thomas, challenging incumbent Phil Jankowski for the Democratic nomination for the 6th Ward seat, raised $1,320, while Jankowski has raised $525.

In the seven-candidate at-large Democratic primary race, incumbent Joe Doyle has raised $2,201, while the man many say is running on a ticket with Doyle - Bob McKee - has raised $7,963.

Incumbent Evelyn Baker has raised $1,770, with Tony Childers having raised nothing. Biela has yet to report the $12 he received.

Starks and Washington didn't turn in reports.

In the city's only other primary race, for clerk, incumbent Tom Fedder was outraised by challenger Mike Dempsey, who raised $2,995. Fedder raised $1,109 and challenger Johnny Stimley raised $260, reports said.

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Contact reporter Jason Miller at jmiller@thenewsdispatch.com.