The biggest source of campaign funds in the upcoming Nov. 4 City of Manteca municipal election is from the development community — with an asterisk.

Development community donations as of Sept. 30 to Manteca council and mayoral hopefuls is at $15,800. But if you took away farmers that have land and who are actively involved in development projects moving forward, the development community donations would drop into second place behind farmers and agricultural concerns. Ag-related individuals and concerns have pumped $13,800 into Manteca municipal races so far.

It underscores the fact that while farmers want to protect agriculture they also want to make sure they can sell their land if needed. Many farmers that have been caught up in Manteca  growth for the past 40 plus years more often than not take the proceeds from the sale of the land and buy a larger piece of property farther away from future growth and continue farming. A few use the land sale to fund their retirement.

In the 2010 Manteca council and mayoral races, the biggest  segment of contributed was the Punjabi-American business community. Few developers were active four years ago.

This time around the Punjabi-American business community accounts for $3,700 of all donations.

The third largest source of campaign money this fall is the overall small business community with $10,550 contributed to various campaigns.

It is within this category you’ll find the biggest single source of money for candidates — TX3 Enterprises. The firm specializes in business services. Business is going strong enough that the firm located in the 600 block of North Main Street has been able to give $4,150 to so far to various candidates.

Coming in at $3,880 are those concerns connected with the construction industry.

Next on  the list are other politicians that have made donations totaling $3,000. The list includes the likes of Assemblywoman Kristen Olsen and San Joaquin County Supervisor Ken Vogel.



Wrong time

for Dickey’s BBQ

opening Thursday

Wednesday’s Around Town had the wrong time for opening of Manteca’s Dickey’s Barbecue Pit today next door to Chipotle’s near the southeast corner of East Yosemite Avenue and Commerce Avenue.

It opens at 11 a.m. and not 9 a.m. as previously reported.