Campaign disclosure statements show Soteras has spent $40,000

By Stephanie Bertholdo Acorn Staff Writer

In the race for two seats in the Agoura Hills City Council race, five candidates have raised an unprecedented amount of money, $57,051.

The figures were released in financial disclosure statements that must be provided by all candidates to the city clerk’s office.

Alex Soteras, president of the Agoura/Oak Park/Las Virgenes Chamber of Commerce, clearly has the deepest pockets. His year-to-date expenditures hit $40,381 as of Oct. 4. Soteras raised $4,224 in cash contributions from 34 individuals and/or companies and he loaned himself $13,000.

The campaign could personally cost Soteras more than $36,000 because most of it is his own money.

After personal loans, the next biggest contributors to the "Friends of Alex Soteras" campaign were two financial advisors, a mortgage broker, Reeds & Son Furniture Inc., one retiree from Malibu, an Agoura Hills real estate management company and another local business. They each contributed $250 toward his campaign, the maximum allowed under the city’s ordinance limit for campaign donations.

The lion’s share of the money—$25,605—is owed to AMAC in Redondo Beach for campaign literature and mailings.

"It takes a lot of money to run against an incumbent," Soteras said. He added that he’s spending his own money and that he won’t be influenced by special interests.

John Edelston was next in line. He raised $22,373, $11,000 of which was a personal loan. He’s spent $9,256 so far. Eighteen of the 50 contributors to Edelston’s campaign during the reporting period of Sept. 21 to Oct. 4 gave the maximum of $250.

Many individuals working for Caremore, a group of companies in La Habra, donated to Edelston’s campaign. Caremore Insurance and Caremore Medical Group each gave Edelston the maximum donation, as did an administrator from Caremore, the chairman of Caremore Medical Group and Caremore Medical Management Co.

Edelston owns a consulting firm, HealthPro Associates, and previously worked as vice president of operations and management for the Hospital Council of Southern California.

Attorney and Old Agoura resident Stephen Rishoff also raised substantial donations. Eighty-nine individuals and companies contributed $9,411 to Rishoff’s campaign. At the time of the disclosure, Rishoff still had $6,686 in unspent money available.

Several people contributed to Rishoff’s campaign in services. David Thornbury, a saddle maker, donated a "trick roping show" performance as part of a fundraising event, while Agoura Hills resident Larry Brown donated a musical performance.

Ten individuals and/or companies contributed the maximum allowed donation of $250 apiece. One was the organization "Save Open Space." The majority of Rishoff’s contributors were Agoura Hills residents, with the remaining individuals residing in neighboring communities.

Incumbent Mayor Pro Tem Dan Kuperberg’s campaign chest totaled $7,543, which included current donations during the most recent reporting period of $4,374 from 27 individuals and Save Open Space.

Non-monetary contributions listed in Kuperberg’s financial disclosure statement list $865 in food donations and advertisements.

Food donations were made by several Agoura Hills establishments, including Hamburger Hamlet, Kanan Deli, Moz Buddha Bar, Wood Ranch Barbecue, Latigo Kid and Virtual World Café. Michael Chulak, a lawyer, gave $250 in newspaper advertising for Kuperberg, as did Vida Vescera, an Agoura Hills resident.

Kuperberg has spent $1,416 for his campaign as of Oct. 4, $300 of which is his own money. A Los Angeles County public defender, Kuperberg is seeking a third term.

California Assemblywoman Fran Pavley (D-Woodland Hills) is supporting Kuperberg and Rishoff in their campaigns. She donated $75 to each of them.

George Thomas, 26, the youngest challenger for an Agoura Hills City Council seat, started out with $2,033 for his campaign, apparently all of his own money, and as of Oct. 4 had only spent $150 for copies of campaign literature made at Rite Aid in Agoura Hills. Thomas sells legal advertising.

Challenger Seymour Patnode launched her campaign with $500 and has spent $150 on voter registration. Patnode lists SPE as a $250 contributor, but the address is the same as her personal address. Patnode is an accountant and actress. The other $250 was a gift from GP Sound, whose address is the same as Patnode’s, except for the unit number.