Kell Holds Financial Lead in Long Beach Mayoral Fight

If money is the mother’s milk of politics, then Ernie Kell owns the dairy.

The silver-haired mayor-councilman has maintained a commanding financial lead over the other eight candidates vying to become the city’s first full-time mayor, according to fund-raising reports submitted to the city clerk last week.

During January and February, when he had no major fund-raising events, Kell reported adding $4,954 in cash and in-kind services to his previous cash contributions of $171,525. He spent nearly $101,000, leaving his campaign bank account at $75,503.

He is the only major candidate who has not amassed unpaid bills with about six weeks left before the April 12 primary.

Councilwoman Jan Hall collected $43,001 during the period on the strength of a campaign kickoff luncheon in early February and a glittering dinner last week featuring Gov. George Deukmejian and Rep. Daniel E. Lungren (R-Long Beach).

Left With $16,878 Debt

But with the spending of $45,507 during the period and $20,114 on hand Jan. 1 when the reporting period began, Hall was left with $17,608 in her campaign accounts and $16,878 in debts.

Public relations executive Luanne Pryor received $5,393 in contributions during the period. That is in addition to the $9,891 she already had on hand. She spent $11,670, leaving her with $2,815 in cash and $10,933 in outstanding bills.

Kell’s total fund-raising in the campaign has reached about $242,000; Hall has raised $188,000, and Pryor has raised $20,000.

The other five candidates are expected to trail far behind in fund raising. E. W. (Bud) Huber, said he donated $36 to his own campaign during the two-month reporting period. He had no cash left and bills totaling $3,237. Richard Hallowell filed a statement that he will raise and spend less than $1,000. Other mayoral candidates had not filed their reports with the clerk’s office by the deadline Thursday.

Despite his financial strength, Kell’s report shows that he paid $692 out of his own wallet to buy the ingredients for weekend pancake breakfasts that he has been holding in city parks.

“The mayor wanted to show he genuinely appreciates people’s support, so he put his pancake mix where his mouth is,” said Kell campaign spokesman Jeffrey Adler.

The largest chunk of Kell’s spending--some $80,000--went to his Sacramento-based campaign firm, Directions. Among the campaign subcontractors were a Washington, D.C., company that received $20,000 for “voter contact” and a Santa Monica polling firm that was paid $14,500.

Kell, a 5th District councilman who has held the largely ceremonial title of mayor since 1984, plans a $250-a-plate fund-raiser under the Spruce Goose dome on March 15.

Largest Single Contribution

Hall received the single largest contribution of any candidate during the reporting period, $10,000 from Beverly Hills certified public accountant Seymour Kreshek.

And Hall, who is increasingly critical of the mayor’s policies toward the Port of Long Beach, drew a $50 contribution from Harbor Commission President David L. Hauser. He has given a total of $550 to her campaign.

Two fellow members of the Southern California Rapid Transit District board of directors continue to give to the Hall campaign. Atty. Marvin Holen of Los Angeles contributed $500 for a total of $1,000 to date. Architect Nick Patsaouras of North Hollywood tossed in $2,000, bringing his total to $3,000. Hall is president of the RTD’s governing body.

Among Hall’s unpaid bills was $10,000 to her former campaign organization, the Dolphin Group of Los Angeles, which helped propel Deukmejian to his first victory as governor. The firm left the Hall campaign in January, after receiving $48,000 from the Hall campaign.

Pryor’s largest payment was $2,500 to her San Diego political consultant, Larry Reamer. While her contributions and spending were modest compared to the two office-holding candidates, she said she will replenish her coffers through a $25-a-person fund-raiser at Details restaurant on March 15 and a $35-a-plate dinner at Chen’s restaurant on March 20.

She said Kell’s plans for another lavish fund-raising dinner are “greedy” and an example of “power politics.”

Largest Contributor

Pryor’s largest contributor during the two-month reporting period was from Atty. Norm Gottlieb, who gave $500.

Kell’s only contribution in excess of $500 during the same period came from civil engineer Kenneth W. Kummerfield of Long Beach, who pitched in $2,000.

Those giving $500 or more to the Hall campaign included AYLA-PAC of Los Angeles, $500; retiree Don Bradish of Long Beach, $550; pipe company executive Bob Braly of Long Beach, $530; Ed Dwyer of Long Beach, who is self-employed in real estate, $500; Frank Foster, president of The Fieldstone Co. of Newport Beach, $2,500; Metropolitan Stevedore Co. of Wilmington, $800, and Lew Hindley, Long Beach, of Cerritos Bahia Marina, $500.

Other major Hall contributions included treasurer Frank Hough, Long Beach, of the Edington Oil Co., $500; Timothy Kuhn, Santa Monica, of the Alamitos Bay Partnership, $500; engineer Garry Myers of Long Beach, $500; former city public works director Jim Pott of Long Beach, $500; mortgage broker Vincent Rinehart of Long Beach, $500, and retiree Al Taucher of Long