Better to Give
It's always better to give than receive, or so the saying goes. Oliver
Thomas, the two-term council member of District D, no doubt hopes his
fellow politicos and constituents will remember his campaign gifts last year as
he continues to build up a war chest for a possible race for an at-large
council seat in February 2002.
Thomas is precluded by city charter term limits from running for
his district council seat again. About 100 supporters recently paid $200 a head
to attend Thomas' annual fundraiser early last month at the Ashe Cultural Arts
Center on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard.
"The checks are still coming in," says council staffer Andrea L.
Mumford, who has replaced Douglas M. Evans -- chair of the Black
Organization of Leadership Development (BOLD) political organization -- as
Thomas' campaign treasurer. Thomas is a member of BOLD along with council
member-at-large Jim Singleton.
Prior to his recent fundraiser, Thomas reported receiving $265,340
in contributions over a two-year period, ending New Year's Eve 1999. Last year
alone, he reported $94,660 in various expenditures -- including $5,400 for
fundraising gifts of Waterford crystal in March 1999. In addition, Thomas spent
more than $10,000 in total donations to other political campaigns. Finally,
Thomas donated an additional $2,000 for BOLD's get-out-the-vote effort in the
November 1999 elections.
State ethics officials say it's legal for politicians to support
other campaigns as long as they adhere to the contribution limits and do not
make the donations "through or in the name of another person."
Meanwhile, Thomas also last year reported expenditures for airfare
and lodgings while on council business, often for the council utilities
committee. The big ticket item -- $2,919 for a trip to an
International Development Bank Conference in Paris. Thomas' campaign donors
also paid for his membership in the City Energy club, a private club frequented
by lawyers and business people atop the Energy Centre, 1100 Poydras St., and a
short walk from City Hall.
Ethics board attorney Kathleen Allen says campaign funds for
club dues is "appropriate" when used by a candidate or office-holder "to stay
in touch with your political constituency or to enhance your professional
standing."
Like other public officials statewide, Thomas last year used his
campaign fund to pay for tickets to church banquets; holiday greeting cards and
decorations; flowers for funerals of constituents; fruit baskets for public
housing residents; and ads in religious programs. Thomas donated $500 to Joseph
Clark Senior High for band uniforms. Last year, he also purchased $1,000 for
NOKIA Sugar Bowl tickets and $300 worth of college basketball tickets, all of
which treasurer Mumford says were donated by Thomas to "underprivileged kids"
with the help of youth-oriented organizations.
Thomas is required to file public reports for this year with the
state ethics board by Feb. 15, 2001.
Contributor: Allen Johnson Jr.
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