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Campaign War Chests

Another great article from Heather at the Daily Journal:

In the Burlingame City Council race, donations are high with Ann Keighran leading the way rounding up $34,340.99 in contributions. Keighran has a total of $35,340.99 in funds, loaning herself the $1,000 which makes up the difference. Notably, Keighran received $100 from fellow candidate Russ Cohen, $100 from Il Piccolo Cafe, $250 from Bezdjian Enterprises and $3,000 from Con and Catherine Keighran.

Condon raised the most money overall with $38,343. However $26,000, the bulk of Condon's funds, is money he loaned himself. He did receive $100 from O'Mahony, $250 from Tim Auran, $250 from Mike and Chris Coffey and $1,500 from the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 467.

Root brought in $18,555, all but $2,000 of which came from donations. Root received $250 from former San Mateo Councilman Tom Mack, $250 from Concar Enterprises, $200 from Floyd Gonella, former San Mateo County Board of Education superintendent, $100 from Kern Jewelers, $100 from San Mateo Councilman John Matthews, $200 from Planning Commissioner Jerry Deal, $100 from Robert Welch, former principal of Burlingame Intermediate School, $200 from Chief Deputy Coroner Thomas Marriscolo, $100 from Burlingame School Board member Marc Friedman and $100 from former San Mateo Councilman Jim Chalmers.

O'Mahony collected $14,897.52. She received $12,484 of the total from contributions. O'Mahony got $500 from Garbis Bezdjian, $100 from Dan and Carolyn Andersen and $100 from former county Supervisor John Ward.

Baylock boasts a budget of $13,995, $5,000 of which came from a loan from her husband Joe. Of the $8,995 in contributions she received, county Supervisor Jerry Hill donated $100, Deal gave $200 and former Planning Commissioner Martin Dreiling gave $500.

Andersen's entire $5,268 budget was collected from donations. Of the donations, Andersen received $100 from O'Mahony, $100 from Sam Malouf, $250 from Michael Coffey, $100 from Condon, $100 from Mary Janney, $150 from Bezdijan and $100 from Dennis Zell.

Cohen started off with a $1,500 loan to himself left over from last year's election. To date he raised $8,401 excluding the start up money. The most notable contribution was $1,000 from Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Leland Yee, D-San Francisco.

– Written by Fiona

Posted in

47 responses to “Campaign War Chests”

  1. Carole

    Andersons funds should increase now that he has resigned from the CBB. Article todays San Mateo County Times. He felt it was too political. http:/insidebayarea.com/sanmateocountytimes/localnews/ci_3078454

  2. Fiona

    Maybe this election will hit the $50,000.

    The last election the top expense candidate was Janney at $36,667 and the top cash contributions were for Coffey at $28,876. Neither of them getting bang for their buck.

  3. Jim

    The 460’s are public record and can be picked up from Burlingame City Hall.

    We will have to wait until the new year to see the complete election 460s. Those will not tell us the whole story but will be very interesting.

  4. Dog Lover

    The list reminds me of the expression “if you sleep with dogs, you get fleas”! Sorry dogs!

  5. Carole

    The SM Times has a diffrent list of contributors. Have to compare for the full picture.

  6. Resident

    This is what you consider a great article? Just copying of records available to anyone publicly. I want to know when the papers are going to start comparing the candidates on the positions and what they’ve done for the city!

  7. Anonymous

    I actually think these amounts are way too high for a local election, don’t you? I saw amounts out of the San Mateo race, and they are much lower, for a much larger town. It does seem like a cap would be a good thing, though I’m not sure how that would be done. That way, grass roots candidates would be able to compete on the same level as those candidates with big backers and deep pockets.

  8. Jim

    This article gives you information. It is up to you to find the rest at City Hall or other newspapers and if you think it warrants adding to the Daily Journal piece, please add it!

    Resident, comparing the candidates would be something the Burlingame Voice (and other venues) should start, issue to issue. A good idea!

  9. JL

    Fiona should have posted this article today instead (referenced by Carole above). Much more interesting. Comments?

    Council hopeful resigns from city group
    Candidate leaves community organization he helped start
    By Christine Morente, STAFF WRITER

    BURLINGAME City Council candidate Dan Andersen has resigned from the activist group he helped found, saying it has become too political.
    Andersen, who was one of the directors of the Citizens for a Better Burlingame, said he’s fed up with the group’s shift into politics and turned in a letter of resignation Thursday.

    In the letter, addressed to the group’s co-chair Charles Voltz, Andersen said that the CBB has “strayed far from its original objectives, and has blatantly tried to insert itself as an authority in the city’s policies and decision making.”

    Voltz did not return a message left for him Friday.

    Andersen has been part of the CBB since its inception in 2001. He’s running for the city’s four-year seat.

    The CBB was created by a group of residents who decried Safeway’s “big-box” development at Howard Avenue and El Camino Real. Since then, they’ve participated in projects such as the $32 Solution, which raised $32,000 to pay for school crossing guards, provided two forums on mixed-use development, and the Adopt-a-Planter program for Burlingame Avenue.
    On Thursday, the CBB co-sponsored the candidates forum at Burlingame Intermediate School.

    Andersen also wrote that CBB has become a “divisive influence” in the community and “does not support a good working relationship between the city, the citizens, and itself.”

    “I do not and cannot support these activities,” he said.

  10. james

    Anderson is crying for attention. Any attention regardless of how meaningless it is. He was only a spoiler candidate last time and at best will only be this time as well with CBB or without. Although its harder with so many seats open to even be a spoiler. I’ll bet what he is really saying is not that CBB is too political, but rather that most of the members just don’t think he is as good a candidate as many other people.

  11. Patrick Jensen

    What I respect about the CBB is they represent a variety of views and don’t always agree, but always encourage dialogue.

    CBB has and continues to achieve incredible accomplishments. From crossing-guards to planter boxes, to the Civics in action program which has finally included the youth of Burlingame in deciding the future of their town. CBBs goals speak for them self. A BETTER BURLINGAME. I do not understand… Because of their great work that is what we have.

    I have always had a great deal of respect for Dan because of his strong, informed and independent views. It is disheartening to see him leave a group that respects a diversity of viewpoints and is open to exploring alternative approaches. I do not agree that the group is a “divisive influence”. I strongly believe that they are one of the few organizations in town that will invite anyone to share their views.

  12. Anonymous

    Maybe it’s because Dan is supported by Condon, Janney and Zell et al, and he had to choose?

  13. Jim

    Exactly – in this race you have to follow the money and the endorsements. Too bad you have to compromise yourself and lose respect from others.

  14. Fiona

    Dear JL, I think I have said this to Fred, but everyone and anyone on this site is invited to post articles from the newspapers, etc. if they think they are important.

  15. Anonymous

    Thank you Patrick for the nice compliments. CBB is the same group it has always been, but better. We have broadened our scope to be more inclusive and have looked at many more issues besides Safeway.

  16. Jan

    Patrick, I absolutely agree with you. CBB was started because some people (including Dan Andersen) didn’t feel that city hall was listening. I don’t always agree with everything everyone from CBB says, sometimes I wince and say “ouch” when things are said in a unkind way, but everyone has a voice now — and I don’t hold CBB responsible for the voices I don’t like anymore than I would hold the Rotary responsible for one vocal person whom I disagreed with. I find it terribly ironic that Dan thinks CBB is too political, when HE is the one who is running for office. And, I love how he seems to want the sole credit for everything good CBB does ($32 solution, etc.) but blames everyone else for anything bad. Perhaps he is really saying that he doesn’t agree with the more vocal folks? What about the right for everyone to express his/her views? His endorsements by Coffey, Condon, Galligan and the gang (who do NOT seem to appreciate public feedback) make you wonder what Anderson does believe in now….I agree that he has contributed alot to our City and up until this last move I really didn’t know who I was going to vote for, but this latest move on his part has absolutely made me rule him out. He’s lost my vote. I don’t trust him. Is he one of those who just wants to be elected at any cost?

  17. Anonymous

    As a comparison Burlingame Voice readers might want to re-read the article published in January 2004 that re-capped the election finances of the 2003 elections.

  18. Anonymous

    Thank you for reminding us in the above link of the cost per vote in the last election:

    Mrs. Nagel $6.97
    Janney $17.49

    Grass roots vs. political consultant
    Fresh ideas vs. “old” experience
    First time candidate vs. incumbent
    New school vs. old school
    Change vs. same ol’, same ol’
    Winner vs. loser

  19. Paul Prendiville

    Lady Fiona,I hope you & Lord Hamilton get the Queen’s Medal

  20. Anonymous

    Oh gawd. If Rosalie is aligning with Condon and Anderson, then I have no choice:

    Baylock, Keighran, Root, and..Prendiville!

  21. Anonymous

    Sorry, Bluesky but you only have three votes for the four year seats. In that race, you can choose between Cathy Baylock, Ann Keighran, John Root, Paul Prendiville, Eugene Condon, and Dan Andersen. There is one additional race for the two year seat and the choices for that race are Russ Cohen and Don Lembi.

  22. Rosalie Janney

    Yes, it’s sad, but true. Rosalie is aligning herself with Condon, Anderson and Zell. See also Smartvoter.org and endorsements. Bye, bye, Rosalie. Up until now, you’ve served the City well.

  23. Anonymous

    thanks, nancy. revised is b, k, r. and c for two year.

    bummer on Rosalie, though she has many, many supporters and may pull through.

  24. james

    Ricardo where are you?? Why aren’t you standing up for your candidate and telling us what is going on? Have you deserted Rosalie too?

  25. Rich Grogan

    Regarding the article Council hopeful resigns from city group? raises some serious questions about Dan Anderson’s personal integrity. Dan’s stated reason for resigning comes straight from the school of alternative reality.? Dan has betrayed those he has broken bread with and with whom who have shared their personal feelings. Throughout the number of months Dan has participated in the CBB meetings he has NEVER indicated or stated he thought CBB was deviating from their original path, in fact Dan has supported what CBB was doing! Dan’s voice was equal to any other voice at the CBB meetings, so there wasn’t any reason to not speak up. Dan, re-read the CBB news letter and let us know what was political! The greatest fear of a politician is an informed electorate, so with the Candidates Night, which was co-sponsored by the Daily Journal and the CBB, there have to be some very uncomfortable politicians.

    Dan’s opinion regarding the CBB is seriously flawed! It is the politicians, which Dan is quickly becoming, who are concerned about the CBB because CBB has been successful in doing what the city council has failed to do. CBB has provided information, so the residents of Burlingame could make informed decisions and help make Burlingame a better place to live.

    I do not and cannot support Dan’s suppositions, because they are FALSE! It is my opinion Dan is upset because the CBB did not support him for the council seat. CBB did not support Dan to sit on the Down Town Area Plan Commission, as a CBB member, because the CBB did not want to be perceived as having a divisive influence between the city, the citizens, and itself or as being political! It is on the public record where Da Mayor? pubicly questioned Dan regarding his role on the Down Town Area Planning Commission and the CBB. Dan publicly indicated he would be acting as a private citizen NOT a CBB representative.

    There is an old saying in politics follow the money? and if you do, it is simple to see and my opinion Dan has become one of Da Mayor’s? puppets and we do not need more of that tyrannical type of government! It is my opinion Dan has sold his soul to garner political favor and money from those, who do not care about Burlingame, but are more concerned about turning a personal profit!

  26. wingnut

    Andersen, how pathetic. He will do anything for a vote and $$$$$ His moral compass is off the charts. Here he goes at making another really bad decision. And I believe he sent this to the San Mateo County Times on his own behalf. The CBB is much better off without this guy bringing them down. What in the world happened to him that would make him turn on people who only want to make Burlingame a better place to live. I vote NO ON ANDERSEN.

  27. Dennis Zell could’nt get elected dog cather

    Dennis Zell couldn’t get elected dog catcher. He came in dead last years ago running for school board.

  28. Prospective Dog Catchers Unite!

    It figures that Zell, Andersen and Condon would hook up. Poor judgement, or bad decision, on Andersen’s part is an understatement! And what about Rosalie? Why is she hooking up with that group?

  29. Anonymous

    I think everyone has their own convictions about who they feel can best represent them. This usually (and hopefully) comes from their own experience or interaction with one or the other person. If they never do interact with anyone, then unfortunately the first introduction may be an expensive glossy, or a card in the mail, with an opinion from somebody else, or a statement from the candidate, about how he or she views themselves or in some cases, something incorrect about another candidate.

    And this is where the money comes in, and the ability to produce what in some cases amounts to multiple mailings. It is really more about marketing oneself, than anything else, and it is difficult to glean really meaningful information, using these alone. This is why the forums are such an incredible opportunity for us. It puts everyone on an even playing field, at least for those few hours.

  30. mcarthy

    Great, another group to blame – the PDC.

  31. PDC (Prospective Dog Catchers) Unite!

    Mcarthy, no one is “blaming” PDC for anything, this is political commentary. Andersen accused CBB, a group that HE co-founded and that does a lot of good for the community (including planting flower boxes on the Ave last Saturday and sponsoring a great political debate on Thursday evening)of being “too political and divisive”. So his answer to that perception was to run for office and divide himself from the group (apparently running for office isn’t political and publicly announcing that you are taking your marbles and going home from a group you co-founded isn’t divisive. This is commentary, not blame: Andersen has bad judgement and lack of self-awareness. The lumping of Zell, Andersen, Condon, O’Mahoney is simply a review of the endorsements and money trail.

  32. mcarthy

    i was being sarcastic.

  33. Anonymous

    There is another whiney article about Andersen and the CBB today. It is a pity Andersen was not gracious, showed more class and was not using his “resignation” as a political battering ram. Something he is accusing others of.

  34. Anonymous

    Minor correction but Dan Anderson, though active, didn’t found CBB, Charles Voltz, Sam Malouf, Cliff Woods of Chicken!Chicken! and one or two others did. (Dan was co-chair a couple of years ago.) His best work was laborously going through figures and claims from Safeway Inc. and deciphering these so that the public could understand what a poor project it was. In the early days, he wasn’t running for a council seat, just trying to do the right thing by finding the facts and educating the public.

    He did good work in CBB, not alone, by the way, but collabaratively. Our best ideas and projects, including the Planter program, the $32 Solution, the multiple Forums, and the recent newsletter, were all conceived of and worked on, by the group, not by any one individual.

    I’m sorry to learn that Dan feels disenfranchised and I will miss his input. However, the group will not fall apart because he has left.

  35. fred

    Ahh, validation that the CBB is the political group that is endorsing/campaigning for Baylock, Keighran, Root and Cohen.

    Makes a ‘paranoid, delusional, inaccurate, nervous, angst-ridden jerk of a horse’s ass-mosquito insult to Burlingame’ feel good to get some ink to back up the obvious.

    Rich where’s my apology?

  36. Anonymous

    Fred, your instrument needs retuning. CBB does not endorse candidates, period.

  37. fred

    Sure Jenn…

  38. JL

    Andersen’s disenfranchisement with the CBB began in the last city council race 2 years ago, when a number of people blamed him for running and costing Cohen a chance to beat Coffey. No doubt that Andersen’s decision to leave CBB was politically motivated. But he’s right in saying that CBB is very political motivated as well; to deny it and claim that it is an open, altruistic organization simply is dishonest.

  39. Jen

    You’re right, a number of people felt he cost Cohen the election, but I didn’t. Neither did Russ. He is far too humble. Running for office was and is Dan’s good right and nobody should try to stop him.

    However, just because somebody in Rotary, Lions, or at CBB runs, doesn’t mean that the group automatically has to support him or her.

    As a voter, I want the freedom to choose a good leader, particularly an independant thinker, but one who can work well with others. (I don’t dare use ‘concensus builder”, or Fred may have a fit.) People need to decide for themselves, who fits that bill for them. And I’m sure that varies, person by person. It is a very private and personal decision.

  40. Rich Grogan

    Fred, I am sorry! I thought you were a person of integrity and one who possessed moral fiber, but I was wrong! . You continue to attack individuals and hide behind a factious name. What do you have to hide? You continue to make erroneous statements that are not supported by facts or evidence. An example is your recent statement of Ahh, validation that the CBB is the political group that is endorsing/campaigning for Baylock, Keighran, Root and Cohen.? Again, I challenge you to produce the proof. If you are unable to do so, you owe CBB an apology!

    CBB is comprised of an eclectic group of individuals, who share one common goal making Burlingame a better place to live.? As individuals they have the right to support and campaign for whomever they desire. As a group, CBB does not support or campaign for any candidate(s). It is just that simple.

    JL
    I, also, challenge you to present the proof of your allegation.

  41. fred

    Rich, that the CBB is supporting and campaining for Baylock, Root, Cohen and Keighran is obvious. The articles about Dan Andersen back it up. So do the blogs here. Rich do you ever talk about the issues or do you only ask for apologies? Anytime the issues come up and the insults go away I notice you are not giving an opinion. Do you only have views on Galligan and Safeway?

  42. Ray Park

    Common Fred back off!

    Just because two of those candidates are listed on their Citizen’s Advisory Committee, along with lady Fiona and Ms. Condon-Wirgler (CB’s campaign chair?), you should not make any assumptions. Do you have facts? Like the members are going around talking to merchants to ask them to remove signs of those opposed. Like some of the concepts coming out of their mouths are directly from their web site. If you don’t have facts then leave these good people be.

    “PAC’s are political groups that are not formally related to a particular political party, but are associated with other groups (like labor unions, corporations, etc.). PAC’s try to influence elections and candidates by giving money to them so that they can later have laws passed that would favor their group.”

    Does CBB try to influence elections and candidates? Common Fred…they are not a PAC!!

  43. Anonymous

    Oh, Fred, you still don’t get it.

    The CBB is not endorsing, supporting and campaigning for ANYONE. They never have and they never will. There are members in the CBB/Rotary/Lions who will vote for four of their OWN candidates. Forget the herd mentality of the past and lets give Burlingame voters more credit!

  44. JL

    Proof of allegations? Did I accuse the CBB of a crime? These are opinions here, Rich. Relax.

  45. fred

    Rich, why don’t you tussle with the bloggers on the San Mateo Daily Journal, they are talking about this subject hot and heavy on the ‘Burlingame City Council Race’.

    Perhaps you are already there, it seems the normal band of bloggers likes to use ‘facetious’ names over there.

    Ray Park – is that sarcasm? I can’t tell – either way I love the comments.

    Does CBB try to influence elections and candidates? Let me ponder that one a while…

  46. Jen

    Wow, that’s not a bad blog! They’re doing pretty well today. A side note, I do not care for the layout on theirs. ‘Ours’ is cleaner and friendlier looking. Not sure I want to start over there. Do you, Fred? Then I really won’t get anything done!

  47. fred

    No, leaving comments on one is enough for me. But for an occasional read it looks good to me.

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