In an effort to try and find out why Gahanna's elected officials are so willing to spend taxpayer money on Creekside, I did some research on their campaign contributions. The results are shocking. You can download their campaign finance reports right here in this page with the links provided. They were obtained from the Franklin County Board of Elections-they are public documents.
Councilman Tom Evers
Summary: since 2005, Mr. Evers has received 44% of his campaign contributions from people with close ties to the businesses working on Creekside for the City of Gahanna. Few are Gahanna residents.
2005
Total contributions: $1956
Contributions from Gahanna residents: $915
Public records show contributions from the following people with ties to businesses involved with the Creekside project: $700
1) Dioun Family (including Adam Trautner)-$350
4) Gerry Bird (Bird-Houk) $100
2007
Total contributions: $1980
Contributions from Gahanna residents: $1240
Public records show contributions from the following people with ties to businesses involved with the Creekside project: $1050
1) Dioun family (including Adam Trautner)-$700
2) Michael Carder (GGC Engineers) $250
3) Scott McComb (Heartland Bank) $100
Evers 2005 post-general election campaign finance filing
Evers 2007 pre-general election campaign finance filing
Evers 2007 post-general election campaign finance filing
Councilman Shane Ewald
Summary: since 2005, Mr. Ewald has received 63 % of his campaign contributions from people with close ties to the businesses working on Creekside for the City of Gahanna.
2005
Total Contributions: $1295
Contributions from Gahanna residents: $225
Public records show contributions from the following people with ties to businesses involved with the Creekside project: $700
1) Dioun Family (including Adam Trautner)-$350
4) Gerry Bird (Bird-Houk) $100
2007
Total Contributions: $1790
Contributions from Gahanna residents: $680
Public records show contributions from the following people with ties to businesses involved with the Creekside project: $1250
1) Dioun family (including Adam Trautner)-$700
2) Michael Carder (GGC Engineers) $250
3) Gerry Bird (Bird-Houk):$100
4) Tiney McComb (CEO of Heartland Bank and neighbor of Mo Dioun): $200
Ewald 2005 pre-general election campaign finance filing
Ewald 2005 post-general election campaign finance filing
Ewald 2007 post-general election campaign finance filing
Ewald 2007 post-general amended election campaign finance filing
Councilman Tom Kneeland
Summary: since 2003, Mr. Kneeland has received 36% of his contributions from people closely tied with the business associated with the Creekside project.
2003
Total Contributions: $1780
Kneeland 2003 pre-general election campaign finance filing
Kneeland 2003 post-general election campaign finance filing
Kneeland 2007 pre-general election campaign finance filing
Contributions from Gahanna residents: $960
Public records show contributions from the following people tied to businesses involved with the Creekside project: $420
1) Dioun Family (including Adam Trautner)-$320
3) Gerry Bird (Bird-Houk) $50
2007
Total Contributions: $1090
Contributions from Gahanna residents: $175
Public records show contributions from the following people tied to businesses involved with the Creekside project: $600
1) Dioun family (including Adam Trautner)-$700
2) Michael Carder (GGC Engineers) $250
3) Scott McComb (Heartland Bank) $100
Councilwoman Beryl Anderson
Summary: Mrs. Anderson first ran in 2007. She completely self financed her own campaign in 2007.