Menlo Park council: Fergusson is top vote-getter, fundraiser Menlo Park council: Fergusson is top vote-getter, fundraiser (February 02, 2005)

By Rebecca Wallace

Almanac Staff Writer

Top vote-getter Kelly Fergusson also raised the most money in last fall's Menlo Park City Council election, according to the last round of campaign finance reports filed with the City Clerk by the January 31 deadline.

Ms. Fergusson drummed up $35,894, including $8,549 in non-monetary donations, her forms state. The Menlo Park Residentialists, a group listing former councilman Paul Collacchi as treasurer, spent about $8,000 in her behalf to print and mail fliers late in the campaign that denounced two of her opponents, Lorie Sinnott and Michael Lambert.

Including the $8,549, Ms. Fergusson's campaign spent $39,033.

In the race for two four-year terms on the council, Ms. Fergusson came in first place with 6,382 votes. She was followed by Andy Cohen with 5,616, Ms. Sinnott with 5,570, and Mr. Lambert with 5,255.

Ms. Sinnott brought in $22,769 during the campaign and spent $22,453, according to the reports. Mr. Lambert raised $15,064, including $319 in in-kind donations, and spent an equal amount in 2004, his forms state.

Mr. Cohen raised $14,969 in monetary contributions, according to his forms. He also reported an in-kind donation of $12,000 from a print-shop owner who covered the cost of his campaign fliers. He spent a total of $14,392.

A particularly large contributor was Ron Mallia, owner of the Willow Road gas service station, who began demolishing and rebuilding his station and convenience store last year. Over the course of the campaign, he gave $2,000 to Ms. Fergusson's campaign, $500 to Ms. Sinnott's and $500 to Mr. Lambert's.

The candidates also benefited from different groups, including Menlo Park Matters, which kicked in $1,500 for Mr. Lambert. The group of residents has lobbied the council on issues such as reducing traffic congestion on El Camino Real and making the use-permit process easier for businesses.

Other donations from groups included $500 from the Menlo Park Police Officers Association to Mr. Cohen; $900 from the California Real Estate Association and $500 from the Tri-County Apartment Association to Ms. Sinnott; and $650 from Andrew Cohen for Council, $500 from the Service Employees International Union Local 715, and $250 from the Northern California Carpenters' Regional Council to Ms. Fergusson.
Contributors

Following are the other donations of $200 or more listed on the candidates' campaign finance forms filed last week. The information includes names, cities of residence, occupations and amount contributed:

** Andy Cohen: Jennifer Fisher, Menlo Park, homemaker, $350; Don and Julianne Brawner, Menlo Park, property management/educator, $300; Mark Wong, Menlo Park, self-employed, $250; Elena Benton, Menlo Park, retired, $250; Pam and Mike Gullard, Menlo Park, venture capitalist, $250; Elias Blawie and Pamela Stoner, Menlo Park, attorney, $250; James and Kristi Wiley, Menlo Park, marketing manager, $250; Heyward Robinson, engineer, and Joanna Mountain, educator, Menlo Park, $200; Everett N. Souza, Santa Clara, occupation not given, $200; Catherine and Greg McMillan, Menlo Park, insurance administrator, $200. ** Kelly Fergusson: Mark Wong, Menlo Park, self-employed, $250; Shirley Zeien, San Diego, retired, $250; Elena Benton, Menlo Park, retired, $250; Michael Gullard, Menlo Park, venture capitalist, $200. ** Michael Lambert: Freestone Properties, Menlo Park, real estate management company, $200; Byron Brill, Menlo Park, property manager, $200; J. Marty Brill, Menlo Park, property manager, $200. ** Lorie Sinnott: Leeds Real Estate, Menlo Park, $500; Robert Gould, Menlo Park, investor, $500; Menlo Management Company, Menlo Park, real estate managers, $500; Democratic Voters Choice committee, Burbank, $260; Duncan Matteson, Menlo Park, real estate management, $250; Patric Brandin, Menlo Park, builder, $250; Robert Burmeister, Menlo Park, attorney, $250; Byron Brill, Menlo Park, property manager, $200; J. Marty Brill, Menlo Park, property manager, $200; Freestone Properties, Menlo Park, real estate management company, $200.

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