Wasserman, who is the only candidate to have accepted contributions and made expenditures prior to July 1, has spent a total of $14,279.70 this calendar year. According to Wasserman's campaign disclosure statement, filed on Oct. 7, the amount is $3,675.19. Wasserman's wife, Kim, his campaign treasurer, said, however, that she had mistakenly failed to include non-monetary expenditures and made the adjustment on Oct. 11.

Wasserman has raised $15,634.51, both in monetary and non-monetary contributions, to date.

Next in line is Barry Bakken, who has expenses totaling $13,962.55, out of the $20,405.06 that he has raised. Almost half of Bakken's contributions are in non-monetary donations. Bakken leads the five candidates in funds raised.

Paul Dubois is third in most money spent but last in most money raised. Dubois' expenditures total $6,832; he has contributions of $7,272, almost $6,000 of which is money that he loaned himself. In contrast to Bakken and Wasserman, Dubois has had no non-monetary contributions or expenses.

Diane McNutt and Joe Pirzynski have raised similar amounts in contributions, but diverge on money spent. While McNutt has spent $4,562 of the $13,490 that she has raised, Pirzynski has spent a fraction of the $11,253.19 that he has raised—$2,090.56. Neither have loaned themselves any money; Pirzynski has $75 worth of non-monetary contributions, while McNutt has none.

The non-monetary contributions in Wasserman's records include $6,298.68 in campaign literature, signs and Los Gatos Weekly-Times ads, paid for by San Jose handyman Steve Bufalini. Also included is $1,436.93 in the design and printing of brochures by Pam Wilkerson, whose son was coached by Wasserman, website creation by Jan Sniderman, and refreshments and entertainment for Wasserman's campaign kick-off event over the summer.

Wasserman's biggest cash contributions come from his father, Charles, who has donated $2,000 this year, and $500 each from Little League board member Tom Connelly and the Tri-County Apartment Association.

Wasserman said his contributors all offered to donate services or cash. "I haven't asked a single person for a penny. Each person kept going, 'Here you go, here you go, here you go, here you go,' " Wasserman said. "I have so many wonderful, generous friends."

Almost all of Wasserman's $3,675.19 in spending has gone to campaign literature and paraphernalia.

Bakken, on the other hand, has spent money on everything ranging from paraphernalia—such as T-shirts and baseball caps—to office supplies to fundraising event materials to literature and advertisements.

Two acquaintances offered to handle some of Bakken's campaign literature and signage as well as his website design, totaling $9,700. Bakken said the more than $10,000 in cash contributions were from a combination of neighbors, parents of kids he has coached in soccer and baseball and parents he has met through various school organizations.

Bakken said he was surprised by the people who have wanted to help his campaign financially, who include neighbor and C.B. Construction founder Chris Bearden, Sobrato development architect and fellow Little League coach Ken Rodrigues, Joe Zanardi and fellow New Millennium Foundation board member Gloria Elder—each of whom gave $1,000 or more. Among Bakken's smaller donors are San Jose City Councilman John DiQuisto, sports commentator Roger Maltbie and Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company owner Teri Hope.

"I sit back and think, 'Why would these people want to give me money?' " Bakken said.

Most of Dubois' funds come from his own financial resources. "I believe in putting my money where my mouth is," Dubois said, adding that he thinks he should be financially responsible for his own campaign. While Dubois is accepting donations—from Neighborhood Alliance members Kyle Lanza, Joanne Rodgers and Sue Anawalt so far—he said, "We have not been out actively soliciting campaign funds."

Dubois said he is on target to meet his goal of raising $12,000 before Nov. 5. To date, he has spent most of his money on advertising, paraphernalia, website development and sponsorship of the Los Gatos Shakespeare Festival.

Dubois said he learned his lesson from his failed bid for town council in 2000. "I think I was one of the largest spenders in the last campaign, and I realized it wasn't worth it. It was a waste of money," Dubois said. "I just can't see me spending $20,000, $30,000. People need to hear me and meet me, not read what I'm sending."

McNutt has a different approach to fundraising. "I can write a check for the whole amount, but to me, that's pretty much buying the election," McNutt said, explaining that she views contributions as community support. "Every $25, $50, $100 means they care enough to give money, and they're going to vote for and support you," McNutt said.

McNutt's supporters include those she has worked with on the Town of Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce—Phil Johnson, Kurt Lemons, Bill Cilker, Margaret Smith's husband, Paul Shepherd; former Green Valley Disposal owners Jim Zanardi and Dennis Varni; local businesses such as Los Gatos Cinema and John Moore of Moore Buick-Pontiac-GMC Trucks; and residents, including attorney Andy Faber, Los Gatos Planning Commissioner Phil Micciche and architect Ken Rodrigues. Micciche also serves as McNutt's campaign treasurer.

Almost all of McNutt's expenses have been for campaign paraphernalia or advertisements in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times.

Pirzynski said he has spent only $2,090—on postage, brochures and lawn signs—because he is planning to save his funds for another mailing and a newspaper advertisement. Pirzynski said his sole non-monetary contribution, $75 in gift certificates from Sweet Pea's owner Michael McBride, is not included as an expenditure because he has not yet redeemed it for food.

"I'm not a big fundraising guy. I want to pull in just enough money for my campaign for what I want to do," Pirzynski said. "That really was the focus, and I did not accept any contribution of more than $500."

Pirzynski's list of supporters is almost entirely comprised of Los Gatos residents or business owners. That includes Ed Rathman, manager of Willow Street Wood-Fired Pizza, Campo di Bocce owner Tom Albanese, Antiquarium owner Shirley Henderson, Yuki Farms owner Tom Yuki, Los Gatos Parking Commissioner Gladwyn d'Souza and car dealers Bob Swanson, Jim McHugh and John Moore. Pirzynski also has the support of Santa Clara City Councilman Rod Diridon Jr., with whom he serves on a Valley Transportation Authority committee.

All of the candidates said they are planning future mailings and more advertising before election day. An updated campaign disclosure statement is due Oct. 24.