Bernalillo County Clerk Mary Herrera says she will start mailing out ballots for the November 4th city-county Unification Election next week. But we've heard hardly a peep about the election, except for the occasional lawsuit being filed against the chosen method of conducting the election. Opponents are convinced a mail-in ballot gives passage a better chance than the usual walk-up on Election Day and vote method. They are probably right. But a big factor AGAINST passage is the silence of the Republican Party.

Bernalillo County GOP Chairman Ken Zangara was on the Unification Commission and voted for it, but he has hardly started a stampede of support among his fellow conservatives. The State Republican Party Executive Committee, reports member Seth Heath, decided to not take a position on the proposal. State House Minority Leader Ted Hobbs of the Four Hills area quickly dashed rumors I heard that Republicans would support unification because they believe it would boost their chances of capturing elective offices. He added that he is not personally in favor of the unification and that the many northeast heights Republicans he talks with are not talking about the election. If neutrality is the response of the GOP, the charter is in trouble.

The South Valley does not want to be part of the city, east mountain residents are firmly against it, the city-county unions are not raising the pro-unification banner, so who is left to get the darn thing approved? Well, the major newspapers, some top elected officials and some downtown and mid-heights precincts is about it. South Valley County Commissioner Steve Gallegos is for it, but that stance goes against most of his constituents so don't expect him to carry the flag high. Governor Bill has been advised to stay out of the public battle.

However, several groups have organized against the proposal and County Commissioner Michael Brasher, a Republican from the far heights, plans to actively campaign against it. So far, the unification election appears similar to the upcoming special session of the Legislature: It started with a big buzz, but is fizzling fast as it approaches. No doubt, the October 28th city election and the recent special state election hid the unification battle from view, but with ballots in the mail, the pro-forces may be waiting too long to step up to the plate. Maybe they figure the great unwashed masses who normally don't vote will cast ballots when presented with them at home and they don't (God forbid!) have to actually get out of their lazy-boys to vote. True, a couple of years ago Mayor Baca won passage of a transportation tax increase by a slim margin when he managed to get a mail-in vote. But this is a much bigger issue, and with noone proudly yelling how this will save conservative Republicans a bunch of money, it's hard to see how it wins.

How about this theory to explain the general blahs about the unity election: Senator Manny (Aragon, for you newbies) and Governor Bill stripped the city of Albuquerque of significant zoning power and authority over its water system in the last legislative session. The fear that an anti-growth city council was on a runaway train has been dampened by the legislation, and therefore, when it comes to unification, what's the rush? Just a theory, mind you. But in politics you "follow the money" and right now the big economic interests are NOT stepping up to the plate to fight for unification. Manny and Big Bill used the zoning and water bills to put out the slow-growth brushfire started by Councilors Cadigan, Gomez, Griego and Yntema. Maybe the message is that within the city limits you may have your slow-growth fights, but in the metro area there WILL be growth--big time.

Don't' buy it? Ok. What would you do if you were running for president or vice-president and wanted to show America how you created high-paying jobs and economic growth? Just a theory, mind you.