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City, water board cannot tap taxpayers in ballot fight Page 2 of 2 <br /> Water Board President Vera Ortegon said the board has not given much thought yet to encouraging a <br /> citizens' campaign committee in this current dispute. The water board hopes to persuade council to reject <br /> the proposed ballot initiative. <br /> "Our intention is to defeat this idea on July 8, and we're not really looking beyond that yet," she said <br /> Friday. "If we are not successful, then we'll consider other options." <br /> Council President Mike Occhiato also downplayed the idea of an expensive political campaign on behalf <br /> of the ballot initiative. <br /> "Our plan at the moment is to have a public hearing on July 8," he said. "lithe ballot question is <br /> adopted, then we will go ahead and explain to the voters what the issue is and let the public decide the <br /> master. I think ( voters) understand the importance that water plays in Pueblo's future." <br /> Council will have one advantage over the water board. Council televises its weekly meetings and <br /> members will probably repeat their position on the ballot question whenever possible. <br /> The water board isn't without its own tools, though. It currently has a series of print and radio <br /> advertisements running in the Pueblo area that urges residents to conserve water during this drought. <br /> While the ads do not address the quarrel with council, they do remind the public of the water board's <br /> role in managing the city's water supply. <br /> ©1996 -2002 The pueblo Chieftain Online <br /> http: / /www. chieftain. com / print /archive/2002 /june/29 /ni4.htm 7/7/2002 <br /> 9 'd 82T809261L Ia lsTW '3 PIo -1eH eO4.:6O 20 80 Iot <br />