City Hall in the Park campaign organizers raised $334,701 in total donations in 2007, according to campaign financial statements — most of the funds came from retired Newport Beach businessman Jack Croul.
Croul gave the pro-Measure B campaign almost $300,000 last year, according to campaign records.
Meanwhile, Newporters Vote No on B managed to raise only $143,480 in total campaign contributions in 2007.
Architect and Lead City Hall in the Park proponent Bill Ficker says he resents what he calls the “cynical” critique of his campaign’s financial backers by Newporters Vote No. “We are all people who have lived here all our lives,” Ficker said. “The quality of the people we have is reflected in our efforts.”
Noted philanthropist and Steele family heir Audrey Steele Burnand has become the main benefactor of the Newporters Vote No — she gave the group $125,00 last year, campaign financial statements show.
What Newporters vote No on B lack in financial backing, they’re making up for in political clout. Four of the seven Newport Beach city council members have come out publicly against the plan — Councilman Keith Curry has been the most vocal against Measure B, but Councilwoman Nancy Gardner also wrote strong words against Measure B in her latest district newsletter. The group is publicly emphasizing their council members’ support as part of their campaign in the last few weeks before the election.
“I think it’s too bad that they have come out and support of this because we haven’t even approached the other three more seasoned council members that have the most experience,” said vocal City Hall in the Park supporter Ron Hendrickson.
Organizers on both sides of the issue say the opposing side is using faulty cost estimates and distorted numbers to further their messages.
