"Union affiliation, absolutely," she said. "We're proud of what firefighters do for our nation and for victims. We're very proud to have them contribute to our campaign."

Billings had previously said some in the city were spreading rumors that Bailey would try to unionize City Hall, something he did not repeat Thursday, but which Mary Bailey denied again.

Billings chafed over a report that the Bailey campaign was telling voters Provo is not a part of UCAN, a sophisticated and expensive radio communications network that links public safety and other officials throughout the state. Billings said Provo does have its public safety officials on the network but saves hundreds of thousands of dollars a year by putting its public works and parks employees on a separate radio network it shares with Utah County and Brigham Young University.

Such quarrels could spark spending.

"Our approach is going to be to not engage in personal attacks," Billings said. "But we will respond. We will respond with facts."

Signs with Billings' slogan, "Provo. Better than Ever," and Bailey's "Contract with Provo" probably won't be enough to do that. Responding to one another's statements might become the most expensive part of the campaign as the candidates make media buys and print fliers.

But that apparently is just the price of running for mayor in Provo these days.

"I don't like the fact it costs so much to be a citizen-candidate," Billings said. "But costs escalate."

---

E-mail: twalch@desnews.com