McDavid event raises $5,000 for mayoral race

From left, Melody Perry, auctioneer Greg Croll, Bob McDavid and Don Stamper sort out the details of the last item up for auction at McDavid's mayor campaign fundraiser held at the Eagles Lodge on Tuesday evening. The event raised at least $5,000 from the auction alone, not including ticket sales and donations at the door.   ¦  Erin Schwartz

COLUMBIA — Ray Boothe paid $300 for a cherry pie Tuesday night.

“(Bob) McDavid is going to make the city safer,” Boothe said about his decision to spend $300 at a live auction fundraiser for McDavid's mayoral campaign.

The pie was one of several items auctioned off at a fundraising event for McDavid Tuesday night held at the Fraternal Order of the Eagles. His wife, Suzanne McDavid, said they raised about $5,000 during the auction.

The campaign also raised money through $10 ticket sales, which got supporters into the live auction and dinner.

Several members from the public safety community attended the event. Karen and Adam Taylor of Keep Columbia Safe, which advocates for the downtown camera initiative Proposition 1, spoke at the event.

The Columbia Professional Firefighters announced their endorsement of McDavid at the event.

“We looked at them with a very critical eye, and Bob McDavid impressed the hell out of us,” said Brad Fraizer, the group's president.

Boone County Sheriff Dwayne Carey also said at the event he supports McDavid.

“The thing for the county is that anything in the city of Columbia affects how we do business,” Carey said. ‘”I work well with the city manager and the chief (of police), and the mayor is an integral part of making that communication work."

McDavid addressed the crowd about halfway through the event and expressed concern about economic activity and the crime rate in Columbia.

“Columbia is a great town, a great sell,” he said. “We’re going to change the direction of Columbia and move it forward.”

Valerie Barnes, one of the volunteers at the event, said she thought McDavid would be a good transition from Mayor Darwin Hindman. Barnes ran for the Sixth Ward council seat in 2006.

“He’s well respected in the community,” Barnes said. “And I’ve heard his name around Columbia forever, so I decided to get involved with the campaign.”

Missourian reporter Erin Schwartz contributed to this report.