Politics & Government

Downtown Investors Contribute to Hackworth's War Chest

Bob Hackworth amassed a nearly $35,000 war chest in his campaign against Mayor Dave Eggers. He has raised and spent more than any other candidate in the 2012 Dunedin city elections on Nov. 6.

Mayoral candidate Bob Hackworth has spent almost all of the donations mounted in his war chest.

Of roughly $34,840 he's received from campaign contributors, including more than $17,700 in loans and contributions to himself, Hackworth has spent $31,030 against Mayor Dave Eggers. 

On Oct. 17, Hackworth had just $3,805 left. A large chunk was spent on printing, polling and mailing.

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Hackworth, former Dunedin mayor, received sizable contributions from Commissioner Julie Scales' husband David Scales ($500); well-known developer Joe Kokolakis ($500), who owns vacant downtown land; and four Dunedin companies tied to established restaurateur Peter Kreuziger of Bon Appetit and Cafe Alfresco ($2,500), which includes a direct donation from his wife, Mary Kreuziger.

The city has plans for significant upcoming pedestrian improvements to the Marina waterfront, which is where Bon Appetit and the Kokolakis plot are situated. 

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Hackworth also received several contributions from The Dunedin Fine Art Center board of directors and advisory board members and the Dunedin Firefighter's Association. The Dunedin Fine Art Center recently  for a planned expansion of its West Wing.

Top Contributors:

  • Peter Smith, doctor, and Sabrina Smith, instructor, donated $500 each ($1,000)
  • John R. Stewart, $500, and Victoria Stewart, fine art photographer, $250; contribution from the same household ($750)
  • David Scales, husband of Commissioner Julie Scales. Julie Scales has a city appointment to the DFAC advisory board ($500)
  • Deborah Kynes, twice donated $250, and husband Allen Kynes, attorney, $250, both have DFAC board affiliation; contribution from same household ($750)
  • Bob Hackworth, publisher ($500)
  • Dave Dawson, general manager affiliated with Beso Del Sol Resort ($500)
  • Steven Sandbergen, insurance owner ($500)
  • Mary Kreuziger, restaurant owner at Bon Appetit and Cafe Alfresco ($500)
  • Joe Kokolakis, construction and developer ($500)
  • Bob Tankel, attorney ($500)
  • Greg Murtagh, retail media ($500)
  • Charles Gamble, DFAC board affiliation, twice donated $250 ($500)
  • Daniel de Caussin donated $250 and Martha de Caussin in the same household donated $250 ($500)
  • Irwin Entel, DFAC board affiliation, ($450)
  • Dr. Robert Entel, DFAC board affiliation ($250)

Contributions From Businesses or Organizations:

The biggest direct contributors to Bob Hackworth's campaign was the Dunedin Firefighters Association, a limited company registered to downtown restaurateur Peter Kreuziger, who operates Bon Appetit and Cafe Alfresco, and a limited liability corporation registered to Greg Murtagh. They each donated the maximum $500 contribution allowed under Florida law.

AdSharp and Tampa Bay Magazine, both of which were contributors to the Heather Gracy campaign, also donated in smaller amounts.

Here's a breakdown:

  • Dunedin Firefighters Association twice donated $250 ($500)
  • , owned by Bill Francisco, DFAC board affiliation ($100)
  • International Development Ltd, a limited company registered to Peter Kreuziger ($500)
  •  ($250)
  • Van Hook Properties ($100)
  • Olde Bay Cafe ($200)
  • Tampa Bay Publications, Inc. (Tampa Bay Magazine) ($100)
  • Murphy Business & Financial Services ($200)
  • LQM, LLC, business registered Greg Murtagh ($500)

In-Kind Contributions:

Hackworth received $2,572 in-kind contributions, almost half of it in the form of food. More than half of his in-kind contributions — $1,500 — came from three companies registered to Peter Kreuziger, owner of popular downtown restaurants Bon Appetit and Cafe Alfresco.

Bon Appetit is in an area that stands to benefit from upcoming Marina improvements, and Cafe Alfresco recently struggled for months to get the city to allow fencing and awning to be used for its outdoor dining area in Oak Tree Plaza.

Hackworth also accepted $378 in services from his family publishing company.

Some of his major in-kind contributions came from:

  • Dale Calvilli, carpenter, $150 for wood and screws for signs
  • Paradise Press, $494 for printing
  • Bon Appetit, registered to Peter Kreuziger, $500 for room and food
  • Cafe Alfresco, registered to Peter Kreuziger, $500 for food
  • Florida Beach Services, Inc., registered to Peter Kreuziger, donated $500 in-kind for food
  • H&H Publishing, Hackworth's family business, contributed $378 for web, email, printing
  • , owned by Bill Francisco, DFAC board affiliation, $50 for sign and frames

Spending:

Hackworth has spent roughly $31,030 of his campaign contributions, the bulk of which went toward design, printing, mailing, polling and consulting costs. 

Here's the breakdown of his expenses:

  • Design, printing and mailing: $15,257 at Campbell Communications
  • Polling and consulting fees: $12,500 at SEA Polling and Strategic Research
  • Signs: $1,823 at ABC Signs
  • Printing: $575 at Pioneer Media Works
  • Food for volunteers: $71 at Pronto Pizza and Chatterbox Family Restaurant

For Bob Hackworth's full report, visit his online Campaign Treaurer's Report.

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