Los Gatos Weekly-Times Attaway raises most so far in campaign for Town Council By Jeff Kearns Incumbent Town Council candidate Randy Attaway is leading the pack in campaign fundraising so far, according to campaign finance statements filed with the Town Clerk's office Oct. 5. Attaway reported receiving a total of $5,305 in contributions during the period. He is trailed by Planning Commissioner Joe Pirzynski, who raised $4,623, and incumbent Steve Blanton, who reported $4,099 during the period of July 1 through Sept. 30. Real estate consultant Paul Merchain reported no contributions. He did not respond to messages left by the Los Gatos Weekly-Times. The next pre-election filing date is Oct. 22. Between that date and election day, all contributions must be reported within 24 hours. Jan. 31, 1999, is the final date to file finance reports. Attaway's biggest contributor was Swanson Ford owner Robert Swanson, who gave $250, followed by McHugh Lincoln-Mercury owner Jim McHugh at $200. Former Los Gatos mayor Tom Ferrito gave Attaway $100, as did developer Dave Flick and Yuki Farms owner Tom Yuki. The Tri-County Apartment Association Political Action Committee gave $200 to Attaway and $400 to Blanton. Developer Bill Errico was Blanton's biggest supporter, giving $500, while his partner, Dennis Chegwin, gave $250. Blanton raised the least amount of money in his first election in 1990, but in 1994 was the top fundraiser in the field. Architect Rodger Griffen gave Blanton $250, and Upstream Flyfishing owner Kurt Lemons gave $100 each to Blanton and Pirzynski. Pirzynski also received $250 from Swanson, and Errico gave $200. Pirzynski also received $100 donations from 22 individuals, including Councilmember Jan Hutchins, deputy town clerk MarLyn Rasmussen, fellow Planning Commissioner Marcia Jensen, fellow general-plan commissioners Lee Quintana and Michael Burke, as well as Lemons, Yuki and public-relations executive Peter Carter. Although Pirzynski ranked third, his contributions came from the largest number of people: 27. Attaway's financial supporters numbered 20; Blanton had 14. In the race for the Los Gatos Union School District board, all of the candidates--Brian Grasser, Barry Bakken, Andrew Fanelli, Steve Glickman and Thomas O'Donnell-- reported contributions of less than $1,000. Candidates who raise less than $1,000 fill out a shorter version of the report form and are not required to disclose the amount of their contributions. Los Gatos Town Council candidates face off in their first public forum Tuesday, Oct. 13. The event is sponsored by the Los Gatos Weekly-Times and KCAT-Channel 6, the Los Gatos public access station, which will broadcast the forum live at 7 p.m. The forum will be rebroadcast before election day at the following times: Thursday, Oct. 15 at 8 p.m.; Monday, Oct. 19, at 6 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m.; Monday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 8 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m.; and Monday, Nov. 2, at 8 p.m. [ Back to Contents Page | Los Gatos Weekly-Times Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, October 14, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.