[From the Thursday, March 9, 2023 Wakefield Daily Item]

WAKEFIELD — The “Yes for WMHS” campaign raised over $12,000 to fund its advocacy for the new Wakefield Memorial High School building project, although nearly one-quarter of the total amount raised came from one individual.

In campaign finance reports filed with the Town Clerk, the Committee reported raising $7,657 between July 15, 2022 and Dec. 31, 2022. A subsequent filing on March 3 reported another $5,220 raised between Jan. 1, 2023 and Feb. 23, 2023, for a total of $12,877.

In the first report covering July 15 to the end of last year, the largest contribution was $1,000 from the Committee to Elect Jonathan Chines. Chines, of 34 Hopkins Street also made an individual contribution of $100.

Ken Duval of 16 Pierce Ave. contributed $340 and Michael Scollo of 7 Swain Place gave $300 to the cause.

Several individuals contributed $250 during this period, including Robert Bradley of 4 Cedar Place, Andrew L. Bray of 3 Highland Ave. and Kara Cohen of 68 Plymouth Rd.

Zarah Miles Tringali of 38 Central St. gave $220 and Jared Gregory of 21 Aborn Avenue contributed $175. Angie Sciarappa of 30 Stedman St. gave $150.

There were a number of contributions of $100 reported from the following individuals: Rob Carino of 8 Highland Ave.; Katherine Cruise and Richard Greif of 25 Kingmont St.; Kim Hartman of 5 Highland Ave.; Jennifer Kallay of 25 Sylvan Ave.; Arianne Kidder of 115 Pleasant St.; David Klee of 96 Pleasant St.; Laura Livada of 28 Fox Rd.; Sarah Neal of 34 Curtis St.; Jamee Paolillo of 6 Swansea Rd.; Philip Renzi of 8 Morgan Ave.; Myra Sessions of 40 Richardson St.; Julie Smith-Galvin of 28 Grafton St.; and Susan Veilleux of 15 Aborn Ave.

Another $3,322 in combined contributions of $50 and under was also listed for this period.

Campaign Committee Treasurer Ken Duval of Swain Place filed the latest required Campaign Finance Report with the Town Clerk on March 3, eight days prior to the March 11 Special Election to vote on the new high school project.

The March 3 filing lists an ending balance of $3,560 from the previous report, plus another $5,220 raised between Jan. 1, 2023 and Feb. 23, 2023.

The largest contribution listed is $3,000 from Randy Brown of 18 Church Street.

Contributing $250 was Jonathan Chines of 34 Hopkins St. Another $250 was received from Anthony Guardia of 27 Davey Lane.

Barbara Laspina of 7 Montrose School Lane donated $260. Kathleen Scharf of 59 Pleasant St. contributed $200.

The following individuals contributed $100: Thomas Markham of Harrison Avenue; Amy York of Collins Road; Anita Daryanani Geary of Washington Avenue; Nicole Calabrese of Friend Street; and Benjamin Buer of Cedar Place.

Also listed were $760 in combined contributions of $50 or less.
Expenditures

There was $4,097 in total expenditures reported for the period covering July 15 to Dec. 31, 2022.

A sum of $396 was spent with Custom Ink of Fairfax, VA for “promotional clothing.” The committee paid $242 to Litho Craft of Winchester for bumper stickers. Another $2,520 was paid to Litho Craft for lawn signs.

Yes for WMHS paid $414 to “Online Candidate” of New York for website registration.

“Raise the Money” of Little Rock Arkansas was paid $315 for “processing fees.”

Staples of Reading was paid $11 for a sign and $24 for business cards.

A sum of $175 was paid to Sticker Mule of Amsterdam, NY for campaign buttons.

Several “in-kind” contributions totaling $748 were also listed on the report. Robert Bradley provided $497 worth of “hospitality.” Kim Hartman provided $33 worth of “printing materials.” Tania Loffreda of 5 Sophia’s Way contributed $123 worth of bumper magnets and Michael Scollo gave $95 worth of stakes for lawn signs.

The most recent report (for Jan. 1 to Feb. 23, 2023) lists another $4,980 in expenditures.

The Yes for WMHS committee spent $415 at Boyds Direct in Stoneham on Jan. 5 for palm cards. Another $426 was spent at Boyds Direct on Feb. 16 for “Dear Friend” postcards. More palm cards were purchased at Boyds Direct on Feb. 16 for $887, along with $409 for “stickers.”

On Jan. 25, 2023, the committee spent $389 at Connolly Printing in Woburn for “stand out signs.”

An expenditure of $15 went to Kim Hartman of 5 Highland Ave. on Feb. 3 for Facebook ads.

A sum of $119 went to “Raise the Money” in Little Rock Arkansas for “processing fees.”

On Feb. 9, $505 went to Sticker Giant in Longmont Colorado for lawn sign stickers, On Jan. 5, the committee purchased lawn sign stickers from Sticker Mule in Amsterdam, New York for $657.

On Feb. 22, the committee spent $864 at the Wakefield Post Office for stamps.

An expenditure of $117 went to Vista Print of Lexington, MA on Jan. 17 for banners.

The latest filing lists a balance of $3,800 as of Feb. 23, 2023.

The election to decide if the town should build a new high school at a total cost of $274 million takes place this Saturday, March 11 at the Galvin Middle School. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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[From the Thursday, March 9, 2023 Wakefield Daily Item]