Council candidates spend more than $38K on election

By Jimmy LaRoue

Published: June 24, 2008

Waynesboro City Council candidates spent more than $38,000 during the spring campaign, according to recently filed campaign finance reports.
Five of the six council candidates in the contested Ward B and at-large races spent more than $6,000 on their campaigns, according to the reports. Ward B candidate Chris Graham, who finished second to Bruce Allen, spent more than $9,500. Greg Bruno, the other Ward B candidate, spent just $1,170, least among the candidates.
Candidates received almost $45,000 in contributions, including loans the candidates made to themselves. In the most recent filing cycle, at-large incumbent Frank Lucente brought in $2,575, tops among the candidates. At-large challenger Jeremy Taylor brought in $2,243 and Allen, $2,054.
There were two, $1,000 contributions to campaigns during the last cycle. Former councilman and Reo Distribution President Reo Hatfield contributed $1,000 to Lucente. Real estate developer and Wayne Theatre Alliance Chairman Bill Hausrath gave $1,000 to Taylor.
Allen and Lucente also received $500 contributions from Lesley Daley of Waynesboro and Armatac Industries of Lyndhurst. Taylor received $500 contributions from both nTelos executive Mary McDermott and Jean Roland.
McDermott led all contributors, donating a total of $2,500 to Taylor and Graham during the campaign. Hatfield contributed $2,000 to Allen and Lucente.
Egelston received just $249 in contributions. He has said he did not seek contributions. Instead, he loaned himself more than $12,000.
Four of the six candidates in the contested races listed no outstanding debts.
Lucente listed a debt of $2,148 and Egleston, almost $2,700.