A soon-to-be Starr's Mill High

School math teacher leads all other county commission candidates in raising

money for the Aug. 20 primary, according to campaign disclosure records

filed with Fayette County's election office.

Thomas Stephens, a sixth generation

Fayette native, has received more than $19,000 in contributions for his

GOP primary race against incumbent Post 4 Commissioner Linda Wells, who

has raised about $5,600, records show. Candidate Stephens lent his campaign

$5,000, the reports show.

In contrast, the third challenger

for that post, former Brooks Council member Caroline Smith, has raised

slightly under $1,000, $902 of which she lent to herself.

In the showcase race Chairman

Greg Dunn facing former Fayetteville Mayor Mike Wheat Wheat is leading

in contributions: $11,379 to Dunn's $8,096, records show.

Dunn raised $8,096 in new funds

form. Contributors listed by name include former commissioner Bill and

Martha Nigro of Peachtree City ($200), William Dunn of Kennesaw ($500),

Kathy Dunn Hunt of White ($200), Rosemary Beebe of Fayetteville ($200),

Ken Beebe of Fayetteville ($200), former county commissioner and state

senator Rick Price of Fayetteville ($250), local developer Randy Hayes

of Fayetteville ($1,000), current school board member Janet Smola of Tyrone

($125), former Peachtree City Council member Carol Fritz and her husband

Gene ($101), former commission Chairman Harold Bost of Fayetteville ($2,000),

Brent Wilkes of Peachtree City ($500), and current commissioner Peter

Pfeifer of Peachtree City ($150).

Dunn's opponent in Post 5,

former Fayetteville mayor Mike Wheat, reported $11,379 in total contributions

and $9,506.87 in total expenditures. Aside from a $3,000 loan he made

to his own campaign, Wheat reported donations from Fayetteville city attorney

David Winkle ($1,000), Peter and Jena Seckinger of Fayetteville ($250),

Jerry and Celia Barber of Fayetteville ($250), Fayetteville mayor Ken

Steele and his wife Debbie ($250), Dr. Tim Scarff of Fayetteville ($150),

J & R Clothing owner Richard Dumas of Fayetteville ($200), McRae Communications

owner Joe Snowden of Fayetteville ($250), Lawrence Davis of Fayetteville

($1,000), Earl Hanners of Brooks ($500), Fayetteville Council member Al

Hovey-King and his wife Lisa ($200), former Fayette County finance director

and current GRTA staff member Emory McHugh of Fayetteville ($250), Donald

and Lynn Farr of Peachtree City ($150), Charles Gallagher of Fayetteville

($250), Dr. Carlo Musso of Jonesboro ($1,000), and Hayes ($500). Hayes

contributed to both campaigns.

Wells, the incumbent in Post

4 running against Caroline Smith and Thomas Stephens, reported $5,626

in new contributions and $1,615 in expenditures. Her contributors include

Tony Laubernds of Fayetteville ($400), Mary Shaver of Fayetteville ($636

in magnetic car signs), James Brannon of Fayetteville ($530 for Wells'

filing fee), Gary and Laree Moore of Fayetteville ($200), and $100 from

attorney James Webb of Peachtree City ($100 in food and decorations for

a fund-raiser). Wells contributed $125 to her own campaign for postage

and letterhead.

Stephens reported $19,075 in

total contributions and $6,920.28 in expenditures. Aside from a $5,000

loan he made to his own campaign, he received contributions from the Committee

to Elect Scott Gilbert ($200), Gene Stephens Trucking ($200), GO Trucking

($200), Charles Harp of Fayetteville ($200), Charlie Harper of Peachtree

City ($200), Greg Henley of Atlanta ($1,000), Robert Jordan of Fayetteville

($120), Joe Lee of Fayetteville ($750), W.J. Livsey of Fayetteville ($580),

T. Mallory of Fayetteville ($200), Eileen Patton of Fayetteville ($300),

Ralph Ponder of Fayetteville ($1,000), Jackie Pratt of Fayetteville ($200),

Norman Williams of Fayetteville ($250), Dr. James Sams of Fayetteville

($150), Peter Sekinger of Fayetteville ($250), Stephen Waldrop of Fayetteville

($500), Walter Volmar of Conyers ($500), Walker Concrete owner Doug Walker

of Fayetteville ($250), and Robert Fowler of Buford ($1,000).

Smith reported $979.05 in total

expenditures, including a $902.85 personal loan she made to her own campaign.

The vast majority of expenditures

from the various candidates went toward postage, printing, signs, fund-raiser

supplies, and filing fees.

All contributors and expenditures

of $101 or more must be itemized on the disclosure forms, the first of

which for this election year were turned in June 30. Sitting commissioners

must file such forms at the end of every year. That's why Greg Dunn and

Linda Wells, the incumbents in their respective races, showed funds carried

over from last year.

The two races for seats on

the Board of Education this fall are uncontested; each includes a single

unopposed candidate.

Back

to News Home Page |