By Nate Jones

Staff Writer 

As treasurer for the South Portland Dog Owners Group, Peggy Stewart is learning a lot about what it takes to organize a political action committee.

“There’s really a lot to it,” she said. “I’ve never known about any of this before.”

The South Portland Dog Owners Group is expecting to file as a PAC with the city sometime next week in anticipation of raising more than $1,500 for its campaign to preserve dog access to Willard Beach, Stewart said. 

Crystal Goodrich, president of the group, said funds raised through donations will be used to purchase promotional materials – including signs and citywide mailings – to encourage residents to vote “no” on a November ballot question that could prohibit dogs on Willard Beach during summer months. 

“It’s going to be a real campaign,” Goodrich said, adding that costs could also include professional photographers and political advertisements.

“That stuff is expensive,” she said.

Jeremy Brown, PAC, party, and lobbyist registrar for the state, said the South Portland Dog Owners Group is legally required to register with the city within seven days of either collecting or spending $1,500 for its campaign. If the group fails to register or registers past the seven-day deadline, he said penalties could range from $250 to more than $5,000 depending on how financially active the group is.

“There’s a cap of $5,000 but it could always be more if there are certain circumstances,” he said. He cited the case of Scarborough Village Partners – a PAC that rallied for approval of a racino in Scarborough last fall – that was fined more than $12,000 for late filing.

Brown said the state also allows non-politically based organizations focused on influencing a single ballot question to file as a “ballot question committee” with the state once they have raised or spent $5,000. Brown said nonprofit groups and neighborhood associations originally formed for reasons other than political influence are typically considered “ballot question committees.”

Stewart said the South Portland Dog Owners Group would most likely fit the state’s definition of a “ballot question committee,” and it does not expect to raise more than $5,000. 

Although applying for “ballot question committee” status could allow the group to avoid disclosing its financial activity, Stewart said the South Portland Dog Owners Association has still chosen to register as a PAC.

“This is really a community issue, not a [South Portland Dog Owners Association] issue. We’re trying to reach out into the whole community,” she said. “It’s a lot more transparent this way. We’re believers in transparency; it’s a good thing.”

On the other side of the Willard Beach issue, former Willard Beach Task Force member and “Save Willard Beach” organizer Gary Crosby said the “grassroots” organization does not expect to spend or raise more than $1,500 and will avoid having to register. Since forming in October 2008, Crosby and others associated with “Save Willard Beach” have spoken against allowing dogs on the beach for safety and health reasons. Earlier this month, the group collected enough signatures to put a question on the November ballot that could prohibit dogs on the beach in summer months. 

Unlike the South Portland Dog Owners Group, Crosby said the “Save Willard Beach” group has no “real fundraising effort” and no membership process.

“We’re not going to be doing a whole lot that involves spending money. The only thing I pay for is the Web site, which is like $10 or $15 a month,” he said. “We’re just a loose group of people.” 

Dogs are currently allowed on Willard Beach between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. from Sept. 30 to May 1. During summer, dogs are allowed on the beach between 7 and 9 a.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. If Crosby’s proposal passes in the referendum, dogs would not be allowed on the beach between April 15 and Oct. 15.

   Staff Writer Nate Jones may be reached at 282-4337 ext. 233.