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--> --> Municipal judge race takes in most cash By Myles Murphy Ashland Daily Tidings Ashland municipal judge candidates are racking up the lion's share in spending in this season of city elections, the four hopefuls laying out a total of $14,819. "I think all four candidates want the position for different reasons, but all very strongly," judge candidate Jud Holtey said this morning. The second pre-election contributions and expenditures reports for Ashland candidates for the period ending Oct. 20 were recently received by City Elections Clerk Barbara Christensen. The reports are required of candidates who plan to spend more than $2,000 in their campaigns. Of the 18 candidates for city positions, only five will put up that much money - three of them being municipal judge candidates David Schieber, Michael Balocca and Allen Drescher. "Probably just because it's a hotly contested race this year," Balocca said. "That has to be about it." Holtey is not required to report his spending, but told The Tidings he has put out about $1,796 on his campaign so far. "I didn't want the race to be financially competitive," Holtey said. "I think enough is spent on campaigns statewide and nationwide that I think it turns people off." So far, Schieber tops the spending list at $5,245.57, followed by Drescher at $4,738.26 and Balocca at $3,039.50. "It takes money and resources to educate the public on what's happening in municipal court," Schieber said. "One of the things that's sad about when judges are elected is that sometimes it can become a popularity contest. It should not be. I also don't have the name recognition as the incumbent (Drescher)." Schieber has received total contributions of $1,140, with his largest gift being $500 from James E. Dunn II of Talent. Most of his money went to yard signs, brochures and advertising of various kinds. Drescher has received $1,250 in miscellaneous donations of less than $50 each - small donations which do not require reporting who made the donations. Drescher's money has gone mainly to printing costs. Balocca has been his own largest contributor, spending $1,174.42 for his campaign so far. Other donators include Jon Yates of Tujunga, Calif. at $236, and Jim Dykstra of Ashland at $231. Balocca also spent much of his funds on various advertising efforts, but his report includes more than $450 spent on meals for his campaign volunteers. In other city elections, Ashland City Council candidates Andrew Bangsberg and Kate Jackson are the only ones required to turn in reports because of their spending. No Parks Commission candidates reported. Of the two, Bangsberg tops the list, spending $2,360 so far - the biggest chunk being about $800 for lawn signs. Bangsberg's two largest contributions include $1,500 from Simeon Schatz Photography and $1,000 from Bert C. Bangsberg of Santa Rosa, Calif. His total contributions are at $2,675. Bangsberg is in a four-way race for council seat No. 2, competing with Alex Amarotico, Eric Navickas and Brent Thompson. Jackson, who is challenging incumbent Cameron Hanson for council seat No. 4, has spent $1,770.38 so far, and received $2,205 in contributions. At $1,000, Charles Keil of Ashland is Jackson's largest contributor. The majority of her money has gone to printing and design costs. The next reporting period ends Nov. 25, so this is the last glimpse people will have of what the candidates are doing with the money they bring in until after the Nov. 5 election. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing