Campaign Finance Report Analysis to Start Friday

I had fully intended to start an analysis of local campaign finance reports today. It will have to wait until tomorrow. On Wednesday, I had a lengthy visit with my dentist From there, I was directed to go home and was even offered pain pills. But I laughed in the dentist's face. "I'm a bottom-feeding blogger, and I bring the pain," I shouted as he dialed 911 and his secretaries hid under their desks. Well, I did make it to the courthouse eventually. But was too late to look at campaign finance reports. I'll do that today. I'mknocking off a little early tonight to get some extra sleep. Hope you don't mind.

The Morning Call's Emily Opilo has a story about the money raised in the Allentown Mayoral race, but I want lots more details. How does Sam Bennett manage to dig an $83,000 hole so quickly? Who donated to Fed Ed, if anyone? What developer is that stupid? Who are the lawyers he paid?

You can examine Allentown campaign finance reports here, Bethlehem campaign finance reports here, and Lehigh County's here. Northampton County,which refuses to post the official email addresses of its council members, stopped publishing the campaign finance reports of county candidates. You have to physically visit the elections office to see why Council members like Seth Vaughn are so arrogant that they think they can skip important meetings without repercussion.

If you are familiar with any of these online reports, please feel free to share your observations here.This kind of participatory journalism makes for a better story.

Donchez Annual Report Reveals No Martin Tower Contributors

Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez, unlike NorCo Exec John Brown, did use his incumbency to rake in $32,500 during the last year.His annual report, filed Monday, reveals that he started the year with $92,000. He is sitting on a $120,000 warchest in a fairly obvious indication that he'll be seeking a second term when the time comes.  

His contributors include most of the crony capitalists who are willing to pay incumbents. People like banker Scott Fainor and Luke Cunningham ($1,000). But interestingly, he accepted no money from Martin Tower developers Lew Ronca or Norton Herrick. The only CRIZ developer who contributed was Dennis Benner ($1,000).  

Donchez' report also includes page after page of small donations from people who actually live in Bethlehem, from $50 to $250.

Donchez' most likely opponent,City Council President Willie Reynolds, raised no money after the primary. His campaign fund has nearly $30,000.