BUSINESS PAC GIVES $10,000 TO A PAIR OF COUNCIL HOPEFULS.

Byline: Sherry Joe Crosby Daily News Staff Writer

A Santa Clarita political action committee has poured about $10,000 into the campaigns of City Council candidates Gary Johnson and Laurene Weste, according to documents released Tuesday.

The Santa Clarita Valley Business Alliance contributed about $5,000 worth of campaign mailers to each candidate, according to independent expenditure reports filed with the Secretary of the State and the state Fair Political Practices Commission.

The contributions are by far the most generous given to any of the 12 candidates running for two seats in the April 9 election.

Johnson, a former Chamber of Commerce president, said he appreciated the group's financial assistance.

``It's the endorsement of my peers,'' Johnson said. ``It's no different from the endorsement I got from the Santa Clarita Valley Mobilehome Owners Association.''

He added: ``To be supported by the business-based community is what the alliance is all about. It represents the local established, vested business interest. These are people who not only have businesses but they live here too. They are endorsing an economic-based candidate.''

The alliance, made up of local businesses, is overseen by an 11-member board of directors. Formed last fall, it also has contributed $500 to George Pederson, who lost his bid for the 36th Assembly District seat, and about $250 to Assemblyman W.J. ``Pete'' Knight, R-Palmdale, who won the Republican primary for the 17th Senate District seat.

Hunt Braly, the group's president, said the alliance chose to endorse Johnson and Weste after an extensive interviewing process. He said the two were the ``strongest'' economic supporters for Santa Clarita.

Because the alliance's contributions are considered independent expenditures, they are not included in the candidates' finance statements filed with the city.

According to the latest city records, Johnson has received $13,797 in contributions. Of that, he has spent $9,455.99.

Weste, a city parks commissioner, has received $11,998 and spent $2,301.73.

Valencia High School teacher Frank Ferry has the biggest war chest with $24,206, and has spent $16,650, according to his latest campaign finance records.

Software distributor Kevin Keyes received $8,321 and spent $5,157. That includes a $2,500 loan he made to himself.

Councilwoman Jan Heidt, who lagged behind most candidates during the last filing period, has raised $6,520.33, including a $2,655.33 personal loan. Of that, she has spent $4,643.52.

Former Councilwoman Jill Klajic has received $7,386.13 and spent $4,495.98, while Larry Bird, a rental property owner, received $6,405 and spent $5,306, including $3,000 in personal loans. City Planning Commissioner Louis Brathwaite has received $5,230 and spent $2,502.92.

Candidates Andy Martin, Reinhardt Schuerger, Paul Bond and Timothy Boydston all raised less than $1,000 and were not required to file campaign expenditure reports.