Marion mayor hopeful raises over $18,000

MARION - Nick AbouAssaly, one of three candidates for Marion mayor, has raised more than $18,000 for his campaign, far outdistancing his opponents.

AbouAssaly, a Cedar Rapids attorney and Ward 4 council member, reported raising $18,265 in contributions.

Former mayor John Nieland raised $7,530, and Joe Spinks, who represents Ward 2 on the council, reported raising $245.

The amounts were reported to the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board.

AbouAssaly reported spending $14,974 on advertising and printing as of Oct. 24, the end of the reporting period.

His donors included $100 from Cedar Rapids City Council member Scott Olson; $250 from Linn County Supervisor Brent Oleson; $500 from local business owner Paul Matthews; and $500 each from the owners of Mooney-Engle Land Co., Dan Engle and Tim Mooney. Mooney-Engle Land Co. works with Marion on development projects, including the new YMCA planned on Tower Terrace Road.

While some Marion candidates reject donations, fearing donor influence on council votes, AbouAssaly said that's nothing to worry about.

'I have and always will remain independent and will do what is in the best interests of the city of Marion and its citizens,” he said.

Nieland reported spending $6,679 by Oct. 24, with $5,000 coming from John Castle of Palm Beach, Fla., whom Nieland identified as a longtime friend.

Though Spinks reported raising only $245, he spent $3,070, using his own money to pay for billboards, stickers and advertising. Spinks said not accepting much in campaign donations is a personal philosophy.

'I'm not one for going out and asking for money,” Spinks said. 'I figured that will keep me from being influenced by the businesses and people in Marion.”

By comparison, when current Mayor Allen 'Snooks” Bouska ran in 2011, he raised $14,342. His opponent, Nick Glew, a former City Council member and president of the Marion Economic Development Corp., received $9,910.

For the Ward 3 council seat, Realtor Will Brandt raised $1,648 from 22 donors and reported spending $1,215. His opponent, former council member Kay Lammers, reported spending $413 of her own money.

For the Ward 1 seat, incumbent Kim Etzel did not file a disclosure report, saying she didn't meet the $1,000 threshold where a report is required. She, too, said she is self-financing her campaign. Her opponent Dwight Hogan raised $400 and spent $138.