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ANAHEIM : Mayor Keeps Word, Declines Donations

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When Mayor Fred Hunter said earlier this year that he would not accept campaign contributions to his reelection bid, more than a few snickers could be heard in the background.

As one of the more successful political fund-raisers in city history, such a pledge seemed comparable to a three-pack-a-day smoker suddenly declaring he was quitting cold turkey.

But according to campaign finance reports filed this week with the city clerk’s office, from Jan. 1 to June 30, Hunter did not accept a single contribution. Hunter still had $6,101 remaining from his previous campaigns, according to finance reports. He raised more than $156,000 in 1988 and more than $160,000 in 1990, the years of his last two campaigns.

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“There was a lot of snickering when I said I wasn’t going to have any fund-raisers,” Hunter said Friday. “I was at a dinner with (Orange County Supervisors) Roger Stanton and Gaddi Vasquez, and they had read The Times story where I said I wouldn’t, and they were really giving me a hard time. So far, I’ve kept my word. . . . I think the voters are upset that it takes $200,000 to run for City Council or mayor. I’m just going to run a grass-roots campaign.”

Councilman Tom Daly, who may oppose Hunter in the Nov. 3 election while also seeking reelection to the City Council, raised $23,024 from Jan. 1 to June 30, according to his campaign finance reports. Daly was unavailable for comment Friday.

Councilman William D. Ehrle, who is also seeking reelection, raised $23,778. Daly reported having $89,868 in his campaign accounts on June 30, while Ehrle had $74,465.

Anaheim has a system for electing its mayor that is unique in Orange County. Whereas most mayors are elected annually by their colleagues on their city councils, Anaheim’s mayor is elected every two years by the voters, who make their choice among council members who desire the post.

In either case, the mayor is primarily the council’s chairman and holds no veto power or privilege that is not available to the other council members.

Hunter, whose council term expires in 1994, is the only official mayoral candidate thus far. Daly has said he will seek reelection to the council but is still considering whether to run for mayor. The deadline to file nomination papers is Friday.

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Daly had three $1,500 contributions, which were the largest he received. The contributors were the Walt Disney Co., the Apartment Assn. of Orange County and Lance D. Alworth, a Hall of Fame professional football player who now owns a string of self-storage yards.

Ehrle received $1,250 contributions from his employer, Hill Williams Development Co.; the Los Angeles Rams football team, which plays at Anaheim Stadium; and Disney. He also received $500 from lobbyist Frank Elfend, who represents several major developers in the city, and another $500 from Elfend’s firm.

Councilman Irv Pickler reported raising $9,950 during the first six months of the year, while Councilman Bob D. Simpson raised no funds. Both of their terms expire in 1994. Simpson has said he will not seek reelection.

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