IRVINE : Smith Still Has Monetary Lead

Greg Smith has maintained a substantial fund-raising lead over his two opponents in the race to fill a vacant seat on the City Council, according to campaign finance records filed this week.

Smith has collected $11,664.90 so far; Alireza Jazayeri has $7,676.78, and Marc Goldstone has $4,129. The amounts cover all contributions and loans taken in through Oct. 16.

Smith has also spent the most--$7,849.96 for advertising, printing and postage. Jazayeri spent $6,986.55 and Goldstone spent $2,070.22.

The latest filings indicate that the race for campaign contributions has narrowed somewhat since September. Financial records for that month showed Smith with more contributions than Jazayeri and Goldstone combined.

Goldstone, 37, is a planning commissioner and principal design engineer at Western Digital. Jazayeri, 47, serves as a community services commissioner and works as a management consultant. Smith, 44, is an Irvine school board member and owner of an auto parts distribution firm.

The winner in the Nov. 2 election will fill the one year remaining on the term of William A. (Art) Bloomer, who resigned from the council in July to accept a job in Virginia.

The candidates attended several forums this week, discussing issues ranging from the local economy to the conversion of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

At Wednesday’s Irvine Chamber of Commerce forum, all three candidates expressed support for the idea of creating an economic development office that would help attract and retain businesses.