CANDIDATES LOANING FUNDS TO CAMPAIGNS WAR CHESTS GROW BIGGER.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

PALMDALE - Mayoral and council candidates started building their campaign war chests primarily by digging into their own pockets and carrying over funds from previous races, documents show.

In the mayoral race, for the filing period between July and Sept. 22, the largest war chest for the Nov. 6 election belongs to Desmond Kester, a deputy county assessor, who lists total contributions of $21,240.

All of Kester's funds listed in the campaign's first contribution statements came from loans to himself, according to documents filed with the City Clerk's Office.

Jim Ledford, the incumbent, lists contributions totaling $4,993. The largest contributors, each at $1,000, were Hollywood Mortgage Inc., a Palmdale company, and a La Canada Flintridge couple, Samih and Diana Mounelmne. Among those contributing to Ledford's campaign was former Councilman Joe Davies, who gave $100.

Councilman Rick Norris listed $2,199.99 in contributions. All but $99.99 were in the form of loans to himself.

Mayoral candidate Drew Angel did not file a statement.

In the race for the two council seats, attorney Richard Loa has the largest war chest with $33,245. Of that total, $24,670 was carried over from previous campaign fund-raising efforts.

Loa's largest contributors were Vallarta Markets and businessman Johnny Zamrzla, who each contributed $1,000. Several notables contributed to Loa's campaign including Lancaster Vice Mayor Henry Hearns, Superior Court Judge Pamela Rogers, former Westside School District Superintendent George Reams, Antelope Valley Fair board member Ralph Bozigian, Palmdale Mayor Pro Tem Mike Dispenza, former Palmdale Councilwoman Shelley Sorsabal, and Frank Visco, former chairman of the California Republican Party.

The second highest total accumulated thus far is the $8,598 raised by Claudette Roberts. Of that total, Roberts listed $3,200 in loans to herself. Among Roberts' contributors is former Councilman Joe Davies.

Celeste Eckley was third in fund raising, gathering in $7,581, documents show. Of that total, $4,252 was in the forms of loans to herself. Contributors to Eckley's campaign include Lancaster's vice mayor, who provided $100 in cash and $345 in nonmonetary contributions.

Jim Root, an incumbent, raised $2,490, with $1,500 of that amount carried over from previous campaigns. Like Ledford, Root's contributors include Davies, who provided $100, and Hollywood Mortgage and Samih Mounelmne, who each provided $1,000.

Garry Cope filed a statement indicating that he did not raise more than $1,000 for his campaign.

Rod Penner, an incumbent, listed no contributions received during the filing period and a debt of $700.