HUNTINGTON BEACH : Kelly’s Unused Funds Given to Art Center

Nearly $9,500 that was left over from former City Councilman Jack Kelly’s fund-raising efforts in the 1990 city election was donated Monday to the Huntington Beach Art Center by Kelly’s campaign committee treasurer Leland Hendrie.

Nicole Kelly, daughter of the former city councilman and actor, said it was what her father would have wanted done with the money.

Shortly after her father died this month, Nicole Kelly had also suggested that contributions be sent to the art center in lieu of flowers. About $12,000, mostly in checks ranging from $25 to $50, has been received to date from that source, she said.

A check covering the surplus campaign funds was turned over to Mayor Jim Silva and Huntington Beach Art Center Foundation Chairman Bob Goodrich at a brief ceremony at City Hall.

Naida Osline, director of the community art center that’s scheduled to open late next year, said the money probably will go for construction projects.

“Jack was an artist, and it is fitting for him to be memorialized in this way,” Osline said.

Hendrie, who was treasurer in all three of Kelly’s campaigns--in 1980, 1984 and 1990, said Kelly had specified in campaign filings with the city that surplus campaign funds would be donated to charitable organizations.

Kelly died Nov. 7 at the age of 65 after suffering a massive stroke three days earlier.

The 11,000-square-foot former General Telephone building at 538 Main St. is to be converted into an art center at a cost of about $750,000. Bids for the remodeling are expected to go out to contractors shortly after the first of the year.

The center will focus on contemporary art exhibitions and educational projects. There will be three galleries, a small studio, space for classes, workshops, a stage for the performing arts, and facilities to show films and videos, Osline said.