If the Council votes not to buy the water company here is why:

1. Spears won't vote for it, because he is afraid that Dave Koehler might use it against him in a Democratic Primary for State Rep, that Spears would vote against 82% of his constiuents. Never mind that he would be voting to reduce by 65% the next rate increase by ILAWC.

2. Spears won't vote for it because he is afraid that Aaron Schock might use it against him in the general election for State Rep, that Spears would vote against 82% of his constiuents.

3. George Jacob won't vote for it, because Spears is the one, without leaving fingerprints, just political and family DNA, all over getting the legislature to make it okay for an elected official to own an alcohol distributorship. Actually that is not the reason. If George wanted to be a stateman, he would vote for it and go against the conventional (chicken shit politician) wisdom, but having gotten a taste of the political limelight, George may not think he should gamble this vote into becoming a "half-termer."

4. Eric Turner won't vote for it, because he too is "afraid" of voters. All these guys can count is votes. For budgetsake, we wish they could count other figures. But votes seem to be the only figures they were ever afraid of. Funny, no problem when it was giving dollars to big developers, but to actually make a purchase that would benefit everyone in Peoria who pays a water bill, he can't figure that one.

5. Morris, is also torn, between the Chamber of Commerce which supports the buyout and the 82% of voters in the referendum.

6. Nitchting is supposedly, philosophically opposed to taking the water business away from private enterprise. But until he is on record supporting the rest of us drilling wells in our back yards, he is infact supporting a raping of consumers, by a government created monopoly that would make Nikita Krushev proud.

7. Ardis has always been against. Maybe he can be a real leader and change his mind.

An ironic look to all of this, is that had the biggest supporter of the Water Buyout, David Ransberg, not been such a little liar on all kinds of piddling crap, the buyout would have started with a much higher level of credibility. But like the boy who cried wolf, too many did not trust him, when he was finally telling the truth. Not about what he thought the price would be, but rather the financial sense of buying rather than being a captive, monopolized consumer. Likewise with Thetford and Teplitz.

We are betting there is a distinct change in that 82% from last Spring, and if some poll numbers would show those in favor within a striking distance as in the low 40%, the four "campaigners" on the council that are watching the polls just might switch their vote.

Or maybe some could talk to Davey and Aaron and get them to agree (in writing) not to make this an issue in the election for Billy.