By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: March. 24, 2012
Rob Kirkham, Ron Sander, and Ted Prior were the three big spenders in last year’s council elections, campaign financial disclosure statements reveal.
Kirkham spent $10,000 on his election campaign, with contributions from some well-known names of this town.
To fulfill his dream, Ted Prior spent $10,669, although a large part of it came from his own pocket.
His campaign contributions were $13,380, out of which he put in $12,305 of his own money to win a place on the seat he has so desired.
Ron Sander took the third place on this list with a total election expense of $7599. His campaign contributions were $8,097.
Next on the list was Doug Race who spent $3,393 in his election campaign.
Mayoral candidate Auli Parviainen spent $5,402 on her campaign, $1,200 more than her total campaign contributions.
The contributor list reveal the political backing of the candidates, and to some extent their ideological leanings.
Mayor Kirkham was supported by some of the who is who of this town. Among the contributors were Owen Carney Ltd ($1,400), West-Barr holdings ($1,000), NBR Holding ($500), Triton Steel ($250), Cardinal Concrete ($500), Brent Mortenson ($100), Brian McIntosh ($200), and Paul Kindree ($100).
Auli Parviainen’s spirited fight to Rob Kirkham wasn’t fought alone either.
Among her backers was a Vancouver-based real estate agent named Rishi Dhir, who contributed $2,500 to her campaign.
Readers who attended the all candidates meeting might remember Rishi Dhir as the young man who took to the mike to voice his frustrations about the district of Squamish.
Doug Day also contributed $1,000 to Auli’s campaign.
Auli also received $500 from RSTRIPP enterprises, which is owned by Richard Tripp.
Ron Sander’s biggest contribution came from Clofani Resources ($2,000). Squamish Terminal contributed $500, Carney’s Waste Ltd pitched in $200, Black Mountain Logging gave $500, while Triton Steel contributed $150.
Expenditure by other council candidates
- Chris Wallace $2,200
- Brad Hodge $2061
- Patricia Heintzman $2,825
- Geoff Dyer $2,343
- Jeff Cooke $1,843
- Eric Andersen $1,480
- Balwinder Biring $3,194
- Mike Jenson $2,309
- Peter Kent $959
- Douglas Neville $625
- Susan Chapelle $966
- Nate Dolha $186
- Bryan Raiser $316
- Rob Weys $1108
- Debra McBride $100
Don Patrick says
Good article… always kind of wondered what the overall program was costing to apply for such a thankless job. Although appreciatiing every minute they give to the rest of us critics, the total cost has never really been revealed… this just adds to the appreciation and makes one wonder if the sign makers and all of the volunteers really realize the important part they play. Now please do not take this a support of those folks getting a higher renumeration… still many great minds on the street that can lead us to glory for the present renumeration.