New Reports Show May 8 Election Won't Be Bought

The political committee opposing the BYOB ballot question in the May 8 election collected another $3,092 in recent weeks, bringing total contributions to $14,648.

That total figure is far greater than the $3,930 collected by the political committee supporting BYOB — but hardly the six-figure war chest that some had predicted before the election. In general, the political committees and nine City Council candidates have collected and spent relatively little money.

The state Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) released 11-day pre-election campaign finance reports at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Since 1973, ELEC has required candidates and political committees to disclose to the public certain information on campaign contributors and campaign expenses. ELEC also requires a .

The May 8 election will decide the four ward seats on Ocean City's seven-member city council and a binding public question on allowing "Bring Your Own Bottle" (BYOB) restaurants in the dry town.

The Committee to Preserve Ocean City's $3,092 in new donations included $2,180 in small contributions of $300 or less. The biggest contribution among the $912 in reportable donations was $500 from Ocean City retiree Carole Hadtke.

The committee spent $4,904 in the reporting period on newspaper and web advertising and a marketing consultant (Rodger Gottlieb, $2,887.50). The committee listed remaining balance of $4,916.62.

The Friends of Shop, Dine & Play in Ocean City, the group supporting the BYOB initiative, reported $583.72 in new contributions, bringing their total for the campaign to $3,930.47.

The biggest donation (and expense) was an in-kind contribution of wine tote bags ($341.72) by Jane Custer, a retiree and member of the BYOB petitioning committee. The Friends of Shop, Dine & Play reported a remaining balance of $969.54.

In the City Council race, most candidates have filed forms stating that they do not plan to spend more than $4,000 on the campaign or accept any contribution greater than $300 (without reporting it).

First Ward candidate Fred Hoffman, Second Ward candidates John Quinn and Antwan McClellan (who filed his A-1 form late on April 20), Third Ward candidates Tony Wilson and Steve Fenichel and Fourth Ward candidate Bart Russell have all said they will not spend more than $4,000.

First Ward candidate Michael DeVlieger filed an 11-day report showing $6,071 in new donations (including $1,118 of his own money and $4,603 in small contributions). DeVlieger spent $1,468 on signs and food for a fundraiser. He lists a balance of $5,003.

In the Fourth Ward, Ed Price collected $8,099 in new contributions, bringing his total for the campaign to $11,799. New donations included $2,000 from family member Donna Breeden, $250 from City Councilman Keith Hartzell, $100 from former City Councilman John Flood, $1,200 from himself and $2,534 in small donations.

Price's biggest expenses were for production of a television ad ($1,100) and air time ($2,690). He lists a balance of $2,352.45.

Fourth Ward candidate Pete Guinosso had $585 in new small donations to bring his total for the campaign to $4,648. He spent $1,190 on lawn signs, a brochure and envelopes and lists a remaining balance of $1,413.30.

Fourth Ward candidate Bart Russell reported three contributions of $299 apiece — from retiree Clayton Heckler, lawyer Joel Mott and CPA Dougas Heun.