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Stafford debates election finance

September 8, 2009 12:36 am

BY JONAS BEALS

When Paul Milde ran for the Aquia District seat on the Stafford County Board of Supervisors four years ago, his campaign was funded mostly by one local businessman--himself.

An $87,920 loan to his own campaign provided the bulk of the backing Milde needed to unseat incumbent Kandy Hilliard.

But this time around, Milde is having no trouble finding others to fund his run to re-election. The most recent campaign finance reports, filed July 15, show Milde has raised more than $50,000. That's almost $20,000 more than the combined total for the other 10 candidates running for supervisor in Stafford this fall.

Milde's opponents are trying to turn his fundraising prowess against him, questioning whether donors are seeking to influence his votes.

Some other supervisors, while not directly identifying Milde as the source of their concern, are pushing for a bylaw discouraging board candidates from seeking contributions from developers and others who might seek to influence land-use decisions.

Milde says the cash influx is a reflection of the service he has provided, especially in fighting a Business and Professional Occupancy License fee a majority of his fellow board members imposed last year.

He and other Republicans on the board say the bylaw suggested first by Democrat George Schwartz and later by independent Joe Brito is nothing more than a political stunt.

During last month's Board of Supervisors meeting, Schwartz proposed banning supervisors from taking money from persons, groups or businesses seeking a rezoning, proffer amendment or other land-use ruling until at least six months after the matter is resolved.

Schwartz copied the language of his proposal from Loudoun County, which instituted the measure amid a federal corruption investigation that started in 2007.

"Every locality should be concerned about it," Schwartz said. "Wherever there are elected officials, citizens should always be concerned about this."

After a discussion, Schwartz's proposal was reduced to one sentence by Supervisor Cord Sterling: "No candidate or member of the Board of Supervisors shall take an official action in return for a campaign contribution."

It passed 5-2, with Supervisors Brito and Bob Woodson dissenting.

Some supervisors found it to be toothless, pointless or even silly. County Attorney Joe Howard advised that board bylaws cannot apply to candidates who are not on the board.

Two weeks later, Brito proposed Schwartz's bylaw again. The board voted 6-1 last week to have Howard develop new language that would expand the list of scrutinized donors beyond the land-use realm.

Brito expressed concern about the amount of money flowing through supervisor campaigns this year.

"I just don't want to see elections being bought," he said.

On both occasions that the bylaw was proposed, Supervisor Mark Dudenhefer questioned the need for it.

"We have state laws that regulate this," he said. "They are adequate to provide protection to the public. Everyone is abiding by state law. Anything beyond that is a political ploy."

DISCLOSING DONATIONS

Ploy or not, at least one candidate is making disclosure a priority for his campaign. Paul Ortiz, who is running for Milde's Aquia seat, has made campaign contributions a major focus.

Ortiz has pledged to refuse any donations from development companies in Stafford. And his Web site features a "follow the money" link where users can view details of Milde's campaign contributions, as highlighted and explained by Ortiz.

State law requires candidates to disclose the source of any donation more the $100. Ortiz has volunteered to disclose all donor information, regardless of amount.

"Frankly, what they did in Loudoun makes an awful lot of sense," he said, referring to the bylaw there.

"I hear people say that they can't believe candidates are accepting money from developers and then voting," he said. "Whether that's true or not, that's only part of the problem. Perception is the other part. People become guilty by perception."

Plenty of local candidates receive campaign contributions from people and businesses associated with the construction, housing, development and real estate industries. Many of those donations exceed $100 and are listed in campaign finance reports.

Milde, for example, received $1,000 from the Realtors Political Action Committee of Virginia. Susan Stimpson, a candidate in the Falmouth District, has received donations from employees of Johnson Realty Advisors. Gary Snellings received $200 from a manager for Augustine Homes.

Ortiz, who had raised a total of $1,200 as of July 15, has asked his two opponents--Milde and Irene Egan--to join him in disclosing every campaign contribution, no matter how small.

Egan, who has raised $1,055, is doing so, although she doesn't share Ortiz's zeal for campaign finance reform. Milde is not disclosing his.

In the past year, Milde has received more than $10,000 in donations of less than $100--more than three times the amount of the next closest candidate.

Milde said he believes some of those donors would not want their names made public, and it would be time-consuming--and perhaps impossible--to track down everyone to ask permission.

BUSINESS BACKING

Milde believes his opposition to the BPOL tax is the main reason for the donations to his campaign, but he also cites successes such as the preservation of Crow's Nest.

The county used local, state and federal funds to purchase and preserve approximately 2,970 acres of delicate forests and wetlands between Potomac and Accokeek creeks. Milde was instrumental in closing the two separate deals for the property.

"I like to think it's because I've worked hard to serve my constituency," Milde said of his notable war chest. "People can see that I've done what I said I was going to do."

Egan agrees that Milde has built strong support among county business leaders.

"Money is tight for everyone right now, and I understand that," Egan said. "I'm lucky if I get 25, 50 bucks. Where I'm finding problems is in the local business community, where Paul [Milde] has a stronghold on business owners."

Milde also is quick to point out that he has yet to repay the loan he gave his own campaign four years ago. He said he has worked hard to make sure he has the money to run an effective campaign this year.

"I've raised money because I've gone out and asked for it," he said. "I learned four years ago how nasty and determined my opponents can be. Running an effective campaign can be quite expensive. This time, I'm prepared."

Some of Milde's campaign funding has come from local businesses and people who could potentially benefit from board decisions.

One such donation came from Bill Hoyt, who wants to put a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shelter on property he owns off Andrew Chapel Road. Hoyt donated $500 to Milde's campaign shortly before Milde asked for, and received, unanimous board support to sponsor a conditional use permit for the SPCA.

Some board members have since expressed regret for their support.

Hoyt is an avowed supporter of Milde, and Milde has been vocal in backing the SPCA.

Some neighbors and adjoining property owners have used the donation from Hoyt to question Milde's ethics. But Milde pointed out that he has also been a longtime supporter of the Stafford County Animal Shelter.

"There is no donation large enough to win my influence," Milde said. "My vote will never be for sale. I speak my mind and put my money where my mouth is. It's not about the money."

no guarantees

Milde is not the only supervisor who feels that the campaign finance system works as it is.

"Money doesn't lead the discussion," Dudenhefer said. "In this case, citizens are supporting people with the same basic views they have."

Supervisor Harry Crisp said he is concerned that the bylaw might not be effective. Still, he noted, "Our responsibility is to set an example."

Schwartz makes a similar point, saying even the amended version of his proposed bylaw is helpful.

"We can bring up the issue now," he said. "That's one thing that happened. It's enough to get the information out."

All supervisors and candidates agree on one thing: While money helps pay for signs, advertisements and other campaign tools, it does not guarantee victory.

"Just because a guy's got a lot of money doesn't mean he's the right guy," Ortiz said.

Milde agrees, but hopes that the number of donations he has received is a sign that many residents think he is the right guy.

"I definitely think people should contribute to campaigns," he said. "I think the rules work and they work well. My finances are an open book."

Jonas Beals: 540/368-5036
Email: jbeals@freelancestar.com