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PAC money, normally associated with high-profile political campaigns, has filtered down to local races. Phoenix Mayor Chris Luz received financial contributions of $1,500 from a home builders association political action committee and $1,000 from a former city councilor. City Councilor Stuart Warren, who is challenging Luz, says he is limiting his campaign contributions to $750, the threshold at which a candidate must form a committee and make financial reports to the Secretary of State’s office. “I think the PAC money is one of the major issues we are facing in this county,” said Warren. “I think we need more people and less money. All the $750 that has been contributed is community-driven. It is so inspiring to receive small amounts from everyday folks. It has been really a great way for people to express their support.” Oregonians for Affordable Housing, the PAC for Oregon Homebuilders Association, donated $1,500 to Luz. A representative from OHA said the donation was made at the direction of the Builders Association of Southern Oregon. “I love people who build homes for other people. It burns me up that some people don’t like home builders,” said Luz. “I want more people to come to Phoenix and to build homes for them.” Luz said that while an affordable housing association gave him a campaign contribution, it would have no influence on any of his decisions. Luz also received $1,000 from former City Councilor Carolyn Bartell. She served on the council from 2009 through 2016, when Luz was also on the body. “Both Stan and I have been really supportive of Chris. He works with the citizens daily. He keeps people going in the right direction,” said Bartell. “He’s high energy. He’s a good leader.” Bartell’s husband, Stan, was appointed to the council in 2008. He had previously served on the Planning Commission, Budget Committee and a Citizens’ Advisory Committee. Luz served on the council two times beginning in 2010. Carolyn Bartell said the couple have supported political candidates in town going back to before their terms on the council. “I think it’s great that Carolyn is supporting the candidate she wants. She has every right to do so,” said Warren. “But it’s … the good old boys club that wants to hold on to things. I’ve heard a lot of opposition to ‘the good old boys club.’” Luz and Stan Bartell resigned from the council in 2011 saying they took the action to save the city an expensive investigation. The two councilors were alleged to have interfered with then-City Manager Jane Turner’s administration of City Hall. Turner agreed to $60,000 in severance pay and released the city and council members from potential claims. Luz and Stan Bartell were subsequently re-elected to the council. Warren was elected to a four-year council term in fall 2016. If he wins the mayoral contest, City Council would select a replacement for the two years remaining on his term. Luz was re-elected to the council in 2014 but ran for and won the mayor’s seat in 2016, necessitating a council appointment. City Council candidate Angela Vermillion received an endorsement from the Bartells in her Voters’ Pamphlet statement. Five candidates are seeking three at-large, four-year terms on the council. Besides Vermillion, they include incumbents Jim Snyder and Michael Shunk, as well as Leigh Naumann and Robert Crawford. Reach Ashland freelance writer Tony Boom at [email protected].