Voice New Westminster candidates vying for seats on city council received more contributions than their school board counterparts.
The slate's five school board candidates announced Monday that they had received campaign donations totaling $1,300. On Tuesday, Voice issued a press release that showed its four city council candidates received a combined total of $6,732.50 from contributions and fundraisers.
Voice city council candidate John Ashdown reports $700 in miscellaneous donations to his election campaign, with two donations of $200 coming from businesses and two donations of $50 coming from individuals. The balance was donated by Ashdown himself or from his company.
According to a press release from Voice New Westminster, Ashdown held a fundraising event that raised $925. He's also received $50 in in-kind donations.
Voice city council candidate Susan Wandell received $130 in donations from three individuals - two donations of $50 and one donation of $30. She also received a $60 and a $100 donation from two other individuals, resulting in a $290 in donations.
Wandell also raised $1,137.50 from a fundraising event and received a $25 in-kind donation for photos.
Voice city council candidate David Noshad received six $30 donations, eight $5 donations from people who attended his burma shave event and a $100 donation from one individual - for a total of $345. He also received a $25 in-kind donation for a campaign photo.
According to the press release, Voice city council candidate Gavin Palmer received contributions from family and friends totaling $900 ($700 from family and $200 from friends), with an additional $435 raised through a fundraising event and a silent auction. Palmer also received approximately $400 in in-kind contributions and an additional $1,500 in donations from businesses.
Each Voice New Westminster candidate will pay the balance of their election expenses. According to the ministry of community, sport and cultural development, candidates must complete a statement of disclosure regarding the financing of their election campaign and can be disqualified from holding office or being a candidate until after the next local government election if they fail to do so. Forms are required to be filed 120 days after the civic election.
According to the Voice New Westminster press release, it knows of no other candidates in the New Westminster civic election who are releasing information about their campaign contributions prior to election day.
