City council candidates across the Tri-Cities are running out of time to file their campaign expenses before the deadline of March 19.

However, a handful of candidates have filed their expenses, and in Coquitlam, some big money was being thrown around last election, with a pair of councillors topping the $30,000-mark.

According to financial-disclosure statements listed on the City of Coquitlam's website, Coun. Craig Hodge spent $30,984 on his way to a second-place finish in last fall's civic election. The rookie councillor received the same amount in contributions, including notable donations from CUPE 386, the Coquitlam Civic Employee Union, for $7,500, Great Canadian Casino for $750 and the Townline Group of Companies for $250.

Long-time councillor Lou Sekora spent $30,351 on his re-election bid, taking in another $26,950 in campaign contributions.

He received notable contributions of $750 from Great Canadian Casino and Polygon Homes.

On the cheaper side of the race, Coun. Terry O'Neill spent $21,262 on his campaign, receiving another $21,240 on his way to a seventh-place finish in the 2011 election.

He received notable contributions from Burke Mountain Homes for $1,500 and $250 from Townline.

Coun. Mae Reid used a similar amount of cash on her campaign, spending $21,190 while receiving another $21,650 in contributions, including $750 from Polygon and $250 from Townline.

Coun. Brent Asmundson spent $18,934 on his campaign and received another $16,600 in contributions, including $1,500 from Infinity Properties and $750 from Polygon.

Topping the polls on a slimmer budget was Coun. Selina Robinson, who spent $17,369 on her campaign, while receiving $19,680 in contributions. Notable contributions to the two-time councillor include $7,500 from CUPE 386 and $750 from Polygon.

Mayor Richard Stewart and Couns. Neal Nicholson and Linda Reimer have yet to file their expense forms.

The civic races proved cheaper in Port Coquitlam and Port Moody.

In Port Coquitlam, Coun. Mike Forrest spent $6,253 on his campaign, but relied on zero contributions.

Coun. Darrell Penner spent $5,253 on his campaign on his way to a second-place finish, while he received $1,500 in contributions, including $1,000 from Port Coquitlam Firefighters Local 1941.

Coun. Dean Washington spent $7,045 on his campaign, while receiving $2,750 in contributions, including $1,500 from CUPE Local 561.

Coun. Michael Wright ran a fairly frugal campaign, spending $2,805 and raising just $50 in contributions.

Mayor Greg Moore and Couns. Glenn Pollock and Brad West have yet to file their campaign expenses.

In Port Moody, four-term councillor Bob Elliott spent $3,707 on his election campaign, but raised no cash in contributions.

Coun. Rosemary Small also received no contributions, but did spend $6,971 of her own money on her campaign.

Coun. Rick Glumac spent $7,536 on his campaign and received $7,627 in contributions, including a $2,000 contribution from CUPE Local 825, another $1,093 from the New Westminster and District Labour Council and $666 from the Canadian Labour Congress.

Coun. Zoe Royer spent the most of all the councillors who have filed so far, hitting $10,142, while she received a notable donation from CUPE Local 825 for $3,000.

Mayor Mike Clay and Couns. Diana Dilworth and Gerry Nuttall have yet to file their expenses.

Candidates have until March 19 to file or pay a $500 fine. They get an additional 30 days to file but, if they miss the second deadline, won't be eli-

jdeutsch@thenownews.com