Developers, attorneys invest in candidates Developers, attorneys invest in candidates (October 01, 2003)

Justman leads the pack in money raised

by Bill D'Agostino

Real estate developers have contributed thousands of dollars to Palo Alto City Council candidates this year, leading one challenger to worry that special interests are currying favor from Palo Alto's elected officials during the campaign.

"I think the people of Palo Alto are the losers in the end," said Ronny Bar-Gadda, of the six challengers fighting the four incumbents.

Through Sept. 20, the 10 candidates for Palo Alto City Council have combined to raise more than $75,000 for their campaigns. Most of it was raised by the four incumbents but one challenger, Harold "Skip" Justman has raised $21,189 -- mostly from real estate developers and attorneys.

Defending his contributions, Justman noted that since he is a real estate attorney, most of the people he knows and works with are developers and attorneys.

People give money to people they know and trust, Justman said. Plus, real estate developers are the city's philanthropists who provide financial backing for community programs, he agued.

More than a third of Justman's contributions also stem from people outside Palo Alto.

As for Bar-Gadda, his campaign finance form stated he has not received any contributions, although he claimed he received a few checks from supporters that have not been deposited.

A concern about the corrupting role of money in politics is what led another challenger, LaDoris Cordell, to not accept any contributions. So far, campaign finance forms show Cordell has loaned her campaign $1,000 and has received $58 in non-monetary contributions.

"I wanted to send a different message, which is to bring democracy back to the electoral process," said Cordell, a vice provost at Stanford University and a former judge. "By that I mean to make money less of a factor."

So far, Vice Mayor Bern Beecham has been the most successful fund raiser, soliciting more than $22,169 in donations. Around $2,000 of what he raised in the last two months came from real estate developers, but many of his contributions also came from volunteers, retirees and community leaders.

"I attract people from all sides of the community," Beecham said.

The other three incumbents have each raised around $10,000. Mayor Dena Mossar has raised $11,883. Councilwoman Judy Kleinberg has raised $10,629. Councilwoman Nancy Lytle has raised $10,027.

Each has accepted a donation from at least one large developer.

On the other end of the spectrum, challenger John Fredrich, a Gunn High School Social Studies teacher, wrote that he has received less than $1,000. Candidate and homeless man Victor Frost wrote that he has received $250 by panhandling.

There are four open seats in the campaign. Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Bill D'Agostino can be e-mailed at bdagostino@paweekly.com