Campaign Contributions: Who's Raised What?

With the exception of the candidate who's not accepting election contributions, the folks campaigning for a seat on the La Cañada Unified School District's governing board each have raised more than $8,000.

As of Sept. 24, incumbent Jeanne Broberg showed a slight lead in the campaign finance department, with total contributions numbering $8,872, according to documents obtained from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder in Norwalk.

Just behind Broberg is challenger Ellen Multari with $8,544.88 in total contributions, and Andrew Blumenfeld shows contributions received at $8,005.83. No finance documents were available for Ernest Koeppen, who told Patch he is not accepting contributions for his campaign. He is paying out of pocket and asks anyone who would like to support his candidacy to donate the money directly to La Cañada Schools.

Broberg's Donors

The first round of finance filings show La Cañada City Councilwoman Laura Olhasso having contributed $150 to Broberg, with Councilman Don Voss donating $100 cash and $250 worth of lawn sign frames left over from his re-election campaign to City Council last November. Councilman Michael Davitt also contributed $100. Other donors include a smattering of retirees and business professionals, with the highest one-time donation being $500 from Gordon Crawford, a senior vice president for Capital Group.

Multari's Donors

Davitt and Olhasso also tossed financial support to Multari, to the tune of $100 each. Also donating to Multari's campaign is Craig Mazin, an LCUSD parent, screenwiter and La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation representative. Mazin donated $500. The highest one-time donation for Multari, who's served on several PTA and site councils throughout the district, was $1,000 from Walnut Creek resident Jenny Crosthwaite. 

Blumenfeld's Donors

Some of the people who've helped the Princeton student raise $8,005.83 are business owners, judges, engineers, lawyers and homemakers. Ron Dietel, a former school board member and outspoken critic of several current board policies, contributed $250, and Kathy Hernandez, a social media strategist and former LCHS PTA president, kicked in $200. Blumenfeld's largest one-time donations of $1,000 each came from lawyer Brooke Wharton and consultant Dustin Buss. 

As for non-monetary givings, school board member Cindy Wilcox donated $434.60 worth of printing services, stationary and stamps.

Following the Board Race?

Don't miss the candidates forum at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at La Cañada High School auditorium.