Street Bond battlers Gerges Scott of the Rick Johnson Agency and Eli Lee of Soltari consulting are battle-scarred, world weary politicos, just the kind of guys you want in the trenches in the final days of an expensive, down and dirty fight for the future of ABQ's soul. The two hardened, street-wise vets make no apologies for their toughness or their attempts to spin all media in their orbit--including this weblog. The nearly $200,000 battle over the Street Bonds has them swinging some of the hardest punches of their respective careers. Here's the Bond Advocacy Group's Scott with his latest analysis and roundhouse at Eli's 'Stop Tax Waste' group:

"The majority of the opposition is in District Six, and the Downtown section of District Two. The westside will carry the day. We registered a bunch of new voters...and the westside group sent out mail that highlights what District Five will receive in the bond election. We sent out four direct mail pieces, one citywide, one to District Four, one to District Two and one to District Six. I believe that District Four will support all the bonds; the vote will be split in District Six and District Two. I noticed several "Stop the Tax Waste" signs in Six. Funny, in the corner of the sign in small print it says 1000 Friends. Why are they hiding their involvement? Because they know Albuquerque voters are weary of their obstructionist policies!"

Eli, appearing in the same KOB-TV piece with me last night on the bond issue wasn't giving an inch. He said the heavy TV spending by his group is to "keep up" with the mayor, who is featured in the pro-street bond TV. Eli also took issue with my spin and that of Journal cartoonist Trever that the anti-street bond movement was aimed at the Paseo extension, but his forces were trying to defeat it without mentioning it because most voters favor the project. Former State Rep. Kurt Lohbeck joked: "That's called 'politricks,' not politics."

Retorts Eli: "You are a bit too clever with that, Joe. This is fundamentally about fairness. The westside is getting over 50 per cent of the street bond funds. That's a slap in the face of the rest of this city, and the mayor is leading the charge for his developer ABQPAC contributors." Eli also disagreed with Gerges about the northeast heights. "Rank and file Republicans are breaking our way. They know this bond issue could very well lead to a tax hike and is fiscally irresponsible." And Eli is in Gerges' face over support from the environmental community, including 1000 Friends, telling me earlier that his group would proudly accept money from such groups, which he believes are fighting to make the city more livable.

And there gentle readers you have some of the no-holds-barred combat taking place in our fair village. These two will duke it out right up until 6:59 p.m. October 28th. But at 7 p.m., when the polls close, they will wish each other well, and perhaps prepare for a future duel that will again demand thick wallets and thick skins.