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.

So writes one political activist, and I am hard-pressed to disagree. Battle-lines are being drawn, emotions are running high and the money is starting to flow like the Rio Grande used to. City Council candidates are worried if a wave of down and dirty negative attacks is coming, but right now it's the $52 million street bond issue taking center stage and keeping the candidates in the back row. Here's the latest:

---The street bonds containing Paseo extension money threaten to overshadow the entire city election. Sources tell me total spending on the issue could near an incredible $175,000, with both sides almost equal in their fundraising. Ace PR man and CBS News veteran Gerges Scott is in the war room with the Bond Advocacy Committee and they plan to fire with both barrels in a TV ad campaign in response to the anti-street bond TV spots unveiled by Stop Tax Waste, the anti-bond committee. His spots, Gerges says, will not be negative but will make clear your taxes won't go up if you vote FOR the bond. Scott also breaks the news to us that he's planning to hold a rally downtown in favor of the street bonds late next week. How many times have we seen a rally for bonds, usually the least sexiest item on an election ballot?

---Eli Lee, one of New Mexico's top political strategists, is manning the battle lines for the anti-street bond forces. He popped surprise TV ads against the measure this week forcing Gerges and his crew to get busy in the TV studio, something they did not plan on. Eli responds to Gerges' claim that national environmental groups may be flooding ABQ with money at the last minute to defeat the controversial westside road. "Seventy five per cent of our donations are from people giving $10 or $20. People are upset with the way the Paseo extension is tucked away with all the other street bonds and they can't vote on it separately." He also told me he would WELCOME out-of-town environmentalist money in the closing days and states that they have not seen any such big donations yet. Scott says his bond group is proud that all of their donations are "coming from people who live here and who value people over the minnow." Don't know how we got on the fish, but Eli comes back with a blast of his own: "Joe, take a look at their contributors, it looks like a charter group for urban sprawl!"

The good news is that both sides tell me they will continue to fully disclose all contributions, with the next filing date on the Friday before the Tuesday election.

ANALYSIS: This could be a close election. The pro-bond forces have the edge because of the natural bent of the electorate to support such issues. But the possibility of an upset is there. Insiders estimate that the anti-street bond forces have made an initial TV buy of about $15,000 on two of the network affiliated stations. The "free media" coverage of voters upset because they can't vote on the Paseo extension and must vote up or down all $52 million in street bonds is giving the anti-forces a good hook. Hey, you can be FOR the road and still be mad about how it's presented and vote no. But in most public opinion polling in recent years a clear majority of Albuquerque voters FAVOR Paseo. Voter turnout will be key. Westside voters who heartily support Paseo, but have no council candidates on their ballots will be especially critical to the issues success or failure. This may be the last stand for foes of the most controversial public works projects in the history of the city of Albuquerque. (Yes, bigger than Montano). It is a defining battle that will set the tone for development here in the 21st century. With stakes that high, no wonder all the stops are being pulled out at the last minute and the council candidates are being overshadowed. But don't worry we'll catch up again soon with our brave warriors and update you on key events in the final crucial days. Meanwhile, look out for those falling bombs.