Candidates for Amsterdam mayor have been collecting the bulk of the campaign contributions so far for this year’s election season in Montgomery County.
Candidates and committees expecting to collect or spend $1,000 or more were required to file a 32-day pre-primary financial disclosure report by Aug. 12.
In Montgomery County, a total of seven candidates or committees filed such paperwork, with two candidates — incumbent Democrat Amsterdam Town Supervisor Thomas DiMezza and Amsterdam mayoral candidate William Wills — reporting $0 for campaign funds.
Former Amsterdam Mayor Joseph Emanuele III’s “Friends of Joe Emanuele” committee reported entering the campaign season with a balance of $0, $11,468 in contributions received, $928.39 in expenditures and a closing balance of $10,539.61.
So far, Emanuele’s campaign reports spending $81 for campaign literature, $17.60 for a post office box, $329.79 for campaign magnets and $500 to Casale Group of Cooperstown for campaign consulting services as the Republican tries to win back his office.
Corporate donors to Emanuele’s campaign include Cushing Stone Co., River Ridge Living Center, Casale Public Affairs, Cranesville Block Co., all of whom donated $100, and CCS Telecom, which donated $5,000 — the maximum amount allowed under state law.
Emanuele on Monday said fundraising efforts so far have been “very encouraging.”
The “Friends of Ann Thane” committee for incumbent Mayor Ann Thane, a Democrat, reported an opening balance of $3,203.66, a total of $5,810 in contributions, expenses of $622.15 and a closing balance of $8,391.51
Expenses for Thane’s campaign were $161.81 at Manny’s Corner Liquor, $60.34 at Price Chopper, $75 to Tina Francisco for playing piano and $125 to Crystal Bar, all related to a fundraising event. The campaign also paid $222.15 to Polly Slezak for “reimbursement,” according to the report.
These expenses actually add up to $644.30, not $622.15 as listed. The reason for the discrepancy could not be learned Monday.
Thane’s campaign lists one corporate donation: $150 from C.T. Male Associates of Latham.
Thane could not be reached Monday for comment for this story.
Other candidates reporting campaign finance information include Amsterdam 2nd Ward Supervisor candidate Jeff Stark, a Democrat, with an opening balance of $3,129.32, contributions of $3,220, expenses of $2,805.25 and a closing balance of $3,544.07.
Friends of Manfred Phemister, a Democrat running for controller in Amsterdam, reported contributions of $625, an opening balance of $21, expenses of $316.25 and a closing balance of $329.75.
Friends of Ken Mazur, a Democrat running for Amsterdam 1st Ward alderman, reported contributions of $1,100, expenses of $669.50 and a closing balance of $430.50.
Campaign finance reports can be found on the website of the state Board of Elections at www.elections.state.ny.us under “campaign finance.”
Categories: Schenectady County
