Gahanna's Mayor Becky Stinchcomb has been a strong supporter of Creekside. And, when you see the campaign finance information below its no wonder why.
But Creeskide is not the first example of pay to play in the Stinchcomb era. The CIty of Gahanna has a habit of entering into contracts with businesses who either donated to Mayor Stinchcomb's campaign, or after the contract was awarded they donated to the Mayor's campaign. For example:
1) RP Hughes. http://www.rphughesarchitects.com/.
The City of Gahanna entered into two contracts worth a total of approximately $51,650 with RP Hughes (an architectural firm). I have listed the links below for the information I obtained on the contracts when doing my research. The founder and principal owner of RP Hughes donated $1000 to Mayor Stinchcombs 2007 campaign.
2) MS Consultants. http://www.msconsultants.com/index.htm
Go to this link. http://www.gahanna.gov/mattersearch/index_with_design.aspx and search on MS Consultants. Since Mayor Stinchcomb became Mayor in 2001, the CIty has awarded contracts/appropriations totaling approximately $154,043. In 2007 the President of MS Consultants donated $400 to Mayor Stincomb's campaign.
Summary
In 2007, Mayor Stinchcomb received 30% of her campaign contributions from people tied to businesses working on Creekside. 42% of here 2007 campaign contributions came from people leading businesses that had recently won, or would win (post-election) contracts with the City of Gahanna.
Between the 2003 and 2007 elections, 17% of her campaign contributions were from individuals with ties to businesses involved with Creekside.
Mayor Stinchcomb received $1500 from Mo and Mina Dioun during the 2007 campaign. Mr. Mo Dioun is the President/ owner of the Stonehenge Company. Mina is Mr. Dioun's wife.
2003
Total Contributions $15860
Contributions from Gahanna residents: $4710
Public records show contributions from the following people with ties to businesses involved with the Creekside project: $1300
1) Dioun Family (including Adam Trautner)-$550
2) Gerry Bird (Bord-Houk) $250
3) Tiney McComb (Heartland Bank) $500
2007
Total Contributions: $11,684.66
Contributions from Gahanna residents: $1305
Public records show contributions from the following people with ties to businesses involved with the Creekside project: $ 3475
1) Dioun family (including Adam Trautner)-$2000
2) Michael Carder (GSC Engineers) : $250
3) Scott McComb (Heartland Bank) $125
4) Gerry Bird (Bird-Houk): $100
5) Tiney McComb (Heartland Bank): $500
6) Charles Unterreiner (Principal at American Structure point-a client of Bird-Houk), lives in Lewis Center: $500