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4- The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday September 22, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com WOW! Once Again... All of us at Mayor still accepting donations to pay off election campaign debt By Kim Arnott SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER 905-8441939 Extend our sincere THANKS for voting us Gold Winner 2006/2007 for Oakville's Best Accounting Firm and also voting Bianca Tino Gold for Best Accountant Thank you! JEWELLERY AUCTION GOVERNMENT CERTIFIED N.W.T. CANADIAN DIAMONDS AND OTHER IMPPORTED Trying to raise political cash? It appears to help if you're already elected to the mayor's job. While running for the town's top political position, Oakville Mayor Rob Burton collected just over $6,000 in donations toward his $87,000 campaign. Since his election, however, he has raised about three times that much in contributions. In an interim financial statement posted to the town's website, Burton lists $24,340 in campaign contributions, including $12,150 he raised by hosting a cocktail reception and book launch last spring. Details of how much money each candidate in the 2006 municipal election raised ­ and how they spent it ­ are available on the town's website. Most candidates filed a final statement last spring, but three of the top spenders for the mayor's job opted to keep their campaigns open in an attempt to raise cash to cover deficits. Former Town Councillors Chris Stoate and Janice Wright, who finished third and fourth respectively in the hotly-contested battle for the mayor's position, have now closed their campaigns. Wright, who raised about $25,000 toward her $61,000 campaign, appears not to have received any additional contributions since filing her first statement. Stoate, who spent about $87,000 wooing the voters, will have to cover about $70,000 out of his own pocket. A February fundraising reception raised $2,200 toward his expenses. Burton, who is legally allowed to keep his cam- paign open until the end of the year, says he intends to keep raising cash to cover his deficit. Along with his costs for this campaign, Burton spent more than $80,000 out of his own pocket in 2003, when he lost his bid for the mayor's job by a handful of votes. So far, the town's new mayor has collected donations from a number of town councillors, including Roger Lapworth, Mary Chapin, Al Elgar, and Tom Adams. Ward 1 Councillor Ralph Robinson, who officially backed former mayor Ann Mulvale during the election, has even donated $150. Burton has also received cash donations from former Town Councillor Renee Sandelowsky, Oakville Liberal MP Kevin Flynn, and a number of local residents known for their involvement in environmental issues. Even the Minor Oaks Hockey Association (MOHA) is among the donors to Burton's cause, having kicked in $300. Wayne Moorehead, a MOHA vice-president, says he isn't aware of the association making any political contributions in the past, but says Burton's candidacy was a special case. "Rob had been an active volunteer in our organization for a number of years, had served as a director, and we supported what he stood for," said Moorehead. The majority of the cash spent by all candidates went toward advertising, brochures and signs. The financial statements can be found on the town's website at www.oakville.ca by clicking the council tab under the Town Hall button. From the council page, choose election information, then 2006 election. DIAMOND JEWELLERY CUSTOMS CLEARED - IMPORTATION DUTIES PAID SEIZED - UNPAID - DEFAULTED AND MANY OTHER HIGH END GOLD AND DIAMOND JEWELLERY INCLUDING RINGS, EARRINGS, BRACELETS, NECKLACES BANGLES, ETC. EMERALDS, SAPPHIRES, RUBIES, PEARLS, TANZANITES, CITRIN, AMETHYST, ETC. 1.03ct. VVS-1, D Colour, Excellent cut diamond Engagement Ring. Estimated bidding: $3000 - $5000 ROLEX - CARTIER - PIAGET OMEGA - BREITLING Sunday September 23rd, 2007 Auction at 2:00 p.m. - Viewing from 1:00 p.m. Holiday Inn Bronte 2525 Wyecroft Road (Q.E.W. & Bronte) Proper photo I.D. required upon registration. All sales final. Terms: Visa, M.C., Interac, Cash, Certified Cheque. 15% buyers premium added. Some reserves will apply. Sale subject to additions, deletions, errors & omissions. Heritage International www.heritageinternational.ca