Union donates to campaigns

OGDEN — City council candidates Bart Blair, Doug Stephens, Jesse Garcia and Susie Van Hooser recently received a major financial boost from a firefighter’s union, according to campaign finance disclosure reports.The four each got $1,000 from the Professional Firefighters of Utah during the most recent campaign reporting period that ended Sunday.

 The deadline for submitting campaign disclosure reports to the city recorder’s office was Wednesday.

The only reports that appeared on the recorder’s Web site Wednesday night were from Blair, Stephens, Garcia and council candidate Neil K. Garner.

Candidates Patrick A. Dean, Mark B. Hains and David Phipps said they filed their reports on time even though the documents didn’t appear on the city recorder’s Web site.

Van Hooser also turned in her disclosure report before the deadline, but it wasn’t posted on the Web site, said her husband, Dwane Van Hooser. Susie Van Hooser could not be reached for comment Wednesday night because she was out campaigning, her husband said.

Susie Van Hooser, who is running for At-Large Seat A, had $5,401 in carryover money and contributions during the reporting period and expenditures of $1,685, her husband said.

Hains, who is running against Van Hooser, said he raised about $3,000 and spent less than $1,000 during the reporting period, adding his campaign is still operating at a deficit. He began the campaign reporting period in the red.

However, Hains said he is optimistic he will be able to generate enough contributions to put his campaign in the black.

“I’m hoping for more. I want to erase the deficit so that I don’t have eat it all.”

Garcia, who is seeking re-election to a fifth term as the council’s Municipal Ward 1 representative, reported $4,215 in carryover funds and contributions and $2,652 spent during the reporting period, according to his disclosure statement.

The $1,000 contribution from the Professional Firefighters of Utah was his single largest donation.

Garcia said he appreciates the endorsement of the firefighters union and noted that he has received financial support from the organization during most of his previous re-
election bids.

Campaign expenses incurred by Garcia during the reporting period were primarily for campaign signs and mailers.

Garner, who is also running for the Municipal Ward 1 seat, had $2,767 in carryover funds and contributions and $343 in expenditures during the reporting period.

His only donation was $25 from Kay Mottishaw, of Ogden, while expenditures went for copying services and stakes for campaign signs.

Garner said he is pleased with his fundraising efforts.

“I’m grateful for the grass-roots, small donations I have received and the neighbors who came through to help me,” he said,

Blair, who is running for At-Large Seat B, reported $4,878 in carryover funds and contributions during the reporting period. His expenditures totaled $3,454 and were largely used to pay for campaign mailers and fliers.

Blair said he’s proud to receive an endorsement from the Professional Firefighters of Utah because of his commitment, if elected, to improving public safety in Ogden.

Phipps, who is challenging Blair, said he didn’t receive any contributions during the reporting period and spent about $1,000 on campaign signs and fliers.

“I’m feeling pretty good about my campaign finances,” he said. “Most of my money came up-front, which was good.”

Stephens, who is running for re-election to the council’s Municipal Ward 3 seat, received $1,945 and spent $1,434 during the reporting period. The Professional Firefighters of Utah was Stephens’ largest donation, while his expenditures went for campaign signs and advertising.

Stephens said he is satisfied with his campaign donations.

“We are still using our money wisely and effectively and achieving our goals and objectives,” he said.

Dean, who is challenging Stephens, estimated his carryover funds and contributions during the reporting cycle totaled about $1,050, while his expenditures were about $470.

“I think things are fine,” he said regarding his balance sheet. “We’re in good shape.”