Natchez candidates have been spending their campaign contributions on everything from media advertising and signs to rallies and yard work. The Natchez mayoral and city clerk races appear to be the most expensive.

Candidates running in the primary election turned in their campaign finance reports itemizing contributions and expenses Tuesday. Independent candidates running in the June 6 general election did not have to turn in reports. Candidates did not have to itemize contributions which are less than $200. They listed contributions and expenses complete through April 22.

Most expenses were typical – newspaper and radio advertising; billboards and signs; ward maps from the city clerk’s office. But a few candidates reported more creative items. City clerk candidate Billy Geoghegan reported spending money for hand fans and door hangers, while alderman candidate Gail Healy and city clerk candidate Fredericka Cain Todd paid for food for political rallies. Alderman candidate Art Fesmire reported $65 to &uot;spruce up (his) yard&uot; for a television commercial.

Mayor Larry L. &uot;Butch&uot; Brown has spent $20,519.96 in his bid for re-election to a third term. He reported $30,110 in contributions from businesses and individuals. The largest itemized contributor is David and Betty Paradise with $4,000. Businesses contributing to Brown’s campaign include HICO Inc. of Jackson, J.M. Jones Lumber Co., Isle of Capri casino, Louisiana Coca-Cola Bottlers of Zachary, La., and OB-GYN Clinic, all with $1,000 contributions.

Mayoral candidate F.L. &uot;Hank&uot; Smith reported $10,700 in contributions and $8,531 in expenses. His largest contribution came from Bernard Wood, an individual who gave $1,000. Smith has also contributed some of his own money to his campaign.

Mayoral candidate John &uot;Pulley Bone&uot; Pullen reported equal contributions and expenses of $4,150. Pullen’s restaurant, Pulley Bones Inc., was itemized as the largest contributor with $444.

In the city clerk’s race, Fredericka Cain Todd reported the most contributions with $10,246, but none were itemized. She has spent $6,167.

Peter Rinaldi, who faxed his official notice of withdrawal to the city clerk’s office this week, reported contributions of $8,020 and expenses of $7,776. His largest contributors were TV Partners with $3,000 and himself with $1,800.

Donnie Holloway reported contributions of $2,585 and expenses of $1,905. His largest contributions came from Car Care Center, with $360 and Robert Johnson, $400.

Billy Geoghegan reported contributions of $1,756.14 and expenses of $4,147.28. Contributions included $1,000 from Bobby L. Cox and $756.14 from Betty E. Murray.

In the Ward 1 alderman race, Joyce Arceneaux reported contributions of $2,565 and expenses of $2,288.52. The largest itemized contribution, $2,500, came from herself. Gail Healy reported contributions of $3,575 and expenses of $2,084.70. The largest itemized contribution came from Vidalia Dock and Storage with $1,000.

In Ward 2, James &uot;Ricky&uot; Gray reported equal contributions and expenses of $1,983.78. The largest contribution came from the James &uot;Ricky&uot; Gray Campaign with $1,398.78. George Harden reported contributions of $1,895 and expenses of $2,450. The largest contributions came from Harden, with $500 and Robert Johnson, with $350.

In Ward 4, Joe Eidt III reported contributions of $2,432 and expenses of $2,090. Eidt listed no itemized contributions. Theodore &uot;Bubber&uot; West reported equal contributions and expenses of $841. The itemized contribution of $841 was from West. Bettye Bell, who has dropped out of the Ward 4 race, reported equal contributions and expenses of $35.

In Ward 5, Art Fesmire reported no itemized contributions and expenses of $1,687.49. David Massey reported contributions of $1,500 and expenses of $1,250. Contributions came from David New Oil Co. with $1,000 and James Biglane with $500.