Proposal 1 groups raise thousands

Election 2011

CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTORS

A sampling of contributors to groups campaigning for and against Proposal 1:

Donors to pro-ordinance Traverse City Equality include:

• Ross Richardson, Grand Traverse County commissioner

• John Shimel, promoter/owner of Meridian Entertainment

• Jim Carruthers, Traverse City commissioner

• T. Michael Jackson, Traverse City Downtown Development Authority board chairman

• Marjorie Rich, Traverse City Area Public Schools board president

• Gary Appel, Traverse City Area Public Schools board vice president

• Michael Estes, former Traverse City mayor and current mayoral candidate

• Paul Heaton, of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, and former public relations director at Northwestern Michigan College

• Michael Gillman, Traverse City commissioner

• Patrick McGuire, candidate for Traverse City commission

• Robert Donick, candidate for Traverse City commission

• Barbara Budros, Traverse City commissioner

• Grand Traverse County Democratic Party

• National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund , Washington, D.C.

• Marsha Smith, executive director of Rotary Charities of Traverse City

• Mary Ann Moore, Traverse City commissioner

• Diana Ketola, Grand Traverse County Democratic Party chair

• Chris Bzdok, Traverse City mayor

• Michael Dettmer, attorney

• Harry Major Machine & Tool, Co., Clinton Township

Donors to anti-ordinance No Special Rights Discrimination include:

• Matthew Schoech, Traverse City

• Douglas Bishop, attorney and Northwestern Michigan College trustee

• Raymond Dornbusch, owner of Espresso Bay coffee shop

• George Galic, Traverse Area District Library board

• American Family Association of Michigan, Midland

• William Marsh, former owner of Bill Marsh Automotive Group

Related Photos

Record-Eagle/Keth King

November 2, 2011

By VANESSA McCRAY vmccray@record-eagle.com The Record Eagle Wed Nov 02, 2011, 07:59 AM EDT

TRAVERSE CITY — A campaign group that supports Traverse City's non-discrimination ordinance raised about four times as much money as its opponents.

Traverse City Equality generated more than $25,853 in campaign contributions in its effort to urge a "yes" vote on the Nov. 8 city ballot Proposal 1. A "yes" vote would keep intact a city ordinance that prohibits housing and employment discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The group No Special Rights Discrimination, which opposes the measure, raised $6,459 thus far, according to documents filed with the Grand Traverse County clerk.

"We've actually been hugely surprised at the checks that have come in," said Ann Laurence, of Traverse City Equality. "You don't take chances. You work the hardest you can to accomplish what you have to accomplish."

Its largest contributor, and the largest donor on either side of the issue, is Washington, D.C.-based National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund. The fund gave $10,000 to Traverse City Equality. Laurence said the donation was unsolicited.

The No Special Rights group's biggest donor is listed on campaign reports as Raymond Dornbusch, owner of downtown Traverse City coffee shop Espresso Bay. Dornbusch gave $3,000 and could not be reached for comment.

Numerous Facebook users expressed disagreement with Dornbusch's donation on Espresso Bay's social media page.

Despite the funding disparity, No Special Rights is "still getting the message out there," said Matthew Schoech, of Traverse City, another top donor to the group opposed to the ordinance.

"We've certainly faced the challenge of funds," he said, but the group believes "in fighting right up to the end."

Schoech said some who oppose the ordinance are too intimidated to publicly join the campaign.

Local attorney and Northwestern Michigan College trustee Douglas Bishop donated $50 to the ordinance opposition group. His law firm Bishop & Heintz also gave $150.

"I simply don't think it's a necessary ordinance. I think that everyone is protected right now, and I think it extends protections beyond what are necessary," Bishop said.

Among elected officials contributing to the pro-ordinance group are a number of city commissioners, including Jim Carruthers. The gay-rights advocate is running for re-election and donated $550 to Traverse City Equality.

Carruthers believes the ordinance will help create a "fair and level playing field" and a welcoming, tourist-friendly, "open, caring community."

"None of us wanted to raise money and spend all this money to do this, but that's what you have to do in a campaign," he said.

City commissioners Mike Gillman, Barbara Budros, Mary Ann Moore and Mayor Chris Bzdok also donated to Traverse City Equality, as did Michael Estes, the former mayor who is running for the spot again in this election.

City commissioners last year unanimously approved the ordinance, but detractors gathered petition signatures to force next week's vote. Commission candidates Robert Donick and Patrick McGuire also gave money to the pro-ordinance group.

Traverse City Equality spent more than $14,600 on its cause so far, and hired a campaign manager, rented office space and paid for bulk mailings, a website and yard signs. No Special Rights Discrimination spent more than $2,600 on items such as printing and stamps.

Another round of campaign contribution statements must be filed 30 days after the election.