Campaign finances are out

The city Campaign Finance Board produced the latest campaign filings today.

According to city records available online, incumbent City Councilman Oliver Koppell has been busy, raising nearly $66,000 since October. He's raised $106,000 and spent about $54,000 on the 2009 election, according to city records.

This is a pretty significant swing, since Mr. Koppell actually started fundraising after the other two candidates.

Then again, he is an eight year incumbent who has been getting elected out of Riverdale for decades.

Ari Hoffnung raised no money in the same time period.

Mr. Hoffnung said he couldn't recall when he last raised a dime, but it's been a while.

"This is not a time to knock on doors," he said, referring to the dismal economy.

Also, his campaign kitty is full anyway — at $81,000 — and matching funds, which match dollars raised by contributors in the city with taxpayer dollars, kick in this year. He said he'll try to raise a little more closer to the election.

Tony Cassino has been active and now has nearly $94,000. He's spent about $58,000 of that.