If superior fundraising will dictate the finish in tomorrow’s three-chair School Board election, here is an early peek:
1. Incumbent Kathy Paspalis.
2. Incumbent Karlo Silbiger.
3. Dr. Steve Levin.
[img]1805|right|Kathy Paspalis||no_popup[/img]Ms. Paspalis, in a surprise, has emerged as the dollar champion entering the final hours, nosing out the strongly favored Mr. Silbiger by pennies, $16, 180 to his $16, 123, according to the County Registrar of Voters.
Among the four freshman candidates in the seven-way field, Dr. Levin – needless to say, the only astrophysicist contender – roared home with an impressive $11,175.
Sue Robins, picked by many to place in the top three, ran fourth in the Dollar Derby at $8,624.
Claudia Vizcarra ranked fifth at $7,704, nosing out Robert Zirgulis who reported that he has raised $7,375.
Vernon Taylor did not file a form, saying that he expected to collect less than the $1,000 minimum.
What Is the Difference?
Four months ago, hours after Mr. Silbiger had stunned the community by spearheading a sudden stoppage of the seemingly unstoppable embryonic bond measure campaign, ardent bond advocates, furious, vowed to defeat him at the polls.
That does not appear to be even close to what has happened.
As forecast from the day he announced his candidacy last April, Mr. Silbiger is expected to be the top votegetter tomorrow when the polls open at 7 a.m.
After an early flurry over the bond measure, the once sizzling issue settled into the crevices, along with almost every other debatable point.
Weeks ago, the race resolved into a fairly gentle comparison of individual qualifications rather than an argument over stances on issues – because there appears to be scant disagreement.
Given that configuration, insiders say that the race is for second and third places among Ms. Robins, Dr. Levin and Ms. Paspalis.
