WHO ARE THESE “SUPER-DONORS” IN SALISBURY’S CITY ELECTION?

The candidates’ initial reporting for campaign financing has revealed a significant matter – a group of just 8 donors (counting joint donors as one) have provided a total in excess of $4,000 to Messrs. Boda, Dixon and Dryden. That’s about 40% of the total reported by all eight candidates. In the cases of Boda and Dryden, almost all of their funding has come from these super-donors, some of whom are from out-of-town and even out-of-state – here are the details:

Charlene Lococo, Berlin, MD - Dryden, Boda & Dixon – $200 each

Bret Hopkins, Fairfax Station, VA – Dryden, Boda & Dixon -- $150 each

Bryan and Harold Fox, Lexington, SC -- Dryden and Dixon -- $250 each

Paul and Sarah Allen, Lexington, SC -- Dryden and Dixon -- $250 each

Gabriel Investment Company, Salisbury, MD -- Dryden and Boda -- $250 each

Lauren and Keith Fisher, Salisbury, MD -- Dryden and Boda -- $250 each

Lynne Smith, Salisbury, MD -- Dryden and Boda -- $250 each

Susan and Arthur Spengler, Salisbury, MD -- Dryden and Boda -- $250 each

And here is a comparison, by candidate, of all their funds received from large or small contributions:

Boda - $1,635 from 9 donors ($182 each)

Dixon - $1,850 from 8 donors ($231 each)

Dryden - $2,100 from 9 donors ($233 each)

Ford - $310 from 2 donors ($155 each)

Spies - $2,360 from 45 donors ($52 each)

Cohen – $2,155 from 49 donors ($44 each)

Mitchell and Taylor did not receive enough money to require disclosure.

It’s very obvious that anonymous special interests – probably including SAPOA – are funding Boda, Dixon and Dryden, whereas Terry Cohen and Tim Spies have much broader support, mostly from local residents who appreciate their civic involvement over the years. The other candidates were absent from Council meetings until very recently (can you say “Louise Smith?).

Folks, we are just too busy right now to get all the details on these super-donors, so we ask that you send information about them to our e-mail address or post it as a comment to this report. Why, for instance have several persons from Lexington, South Carolina making large contributions to both Dryden and Dixon? Who is “Gabriel Investment Company”?

Inquiring minds want to know!