Menlo Park: Candidates say they'll refuse money from developers Menlo Park: Candidates say they'll refuse money from developers (September 18, 2002)

** Candidate Michael Meyer drops out.

By Pam Smith

Almanac Staff Writer

A group of three candidates for Menlo Park City Council will refuse money from developers because of the negative press associated with such contributions, they announced at a joint kickoff event September 15.

"We're not accepting contributions from developers or anything that can be construed as developers," said Reg Rice, president of the Menlo Park Neighborhood Association (MPNA), a month-old PAC formed to raise money for the joint campaign efforts of Councilman Nicholas Jellins, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Lee Duboc, and Housing Commissioner Mickie Winkler. The candidates' individual campaigns have made the same commitment, said Mr. Jellins and Ms. Winkler.

Political newcomer Michael Meyer also announced that he's dropped out of the race, and is throwing his support behind Mr. Jellins, Ms. Winkler and Ms. Duboc. "I can't get off the ballot, so I'm going to tell people, 'Vote for them.'"

Mr. Rice, a Sharon Heights resident and former transportation commissioner, said he's tired of seeing candidates he works to elect described as developer-backed. "We're disgruntled residents, that's all we are."

Councilman Paul Collacchi, who has criticized candidates for accepting large contributions from developers, called the new commitment an "empty promise." There are more special interests to be concerned about, and "there are still ways for developers to sneak in money," he said. He was at another kick-off September 7 to support three other candidates, planning commissioners Bill Halleck and Toni Stein, and David Speer.

The eighth candidate is Eric Kinney, son of Councilman Chuck Kinney.