Ambulances chase politicos

AMR San Diego, an ambulance outfit in the race for the city’s paramedic contract, has just amended its fourth quarter 2012 lobbyist disclosure statement to reveal $1000 contributions to failed GOP mayoral candidate and ex–city councilman Carl DeMaio in September and November from company president Mark Bruning and parent company CEO William Sanger, both of Greenwood Village, Colorado. Bruning subsequently departed AMR without explanation in January. In addition to its support of DeMaio, AMR also kicked in $5000 for the GOP Lincoln Club on October 31, records show.

Another out-of-town ambulance firm has taken a slightly different tack, making a big push for Dwayne Crenshaw’s bid for city council against union-backed fellow Democrat Myrtle Cole in the District 4. According to a March 22 campaign filing, a political committee called Californians for Quality Paramedic Services, sponsored by Rural/Metro Corporation, spent $15,321 on a mailer on Crenshaw’s behalf. On April 9, the PAC spent an additional $2000 on a poll for Crenshaw, according to a subsequent filing. The controversial Scottsdale, Arizona-based firm, which was previously called out by the city auditor in a critical report that launched the present bidding war, has the current paramedic contract with the city and is attempting to win the next one.

Besides spreading around campaign cash, Rural/Metro hasn’t been above employing other devices to butter up the hearts and minds of the city council. According to her most recent statement of economic interest, filed earlier this month, city councilwoman Sherri Lightner, the La Jolla Democrat, last year received “congratulatory flowers” and a “tower of sweets” worth a total of $64 from the paramedic provider. Earlier in the year, competitor AMR had come up with a $95 Roosevelt Dinner ticket for the councilwoman.