Billings to face rematch

PROVO — Louis vs. Schmeling. Ali vs. Frazier. Tyson vs. Holyfield.

Why not Billings vs. Bailey?

All of the most exciting boxing matches cry for a rematch, so why not the intriguing political bouts? Provo's surprisingly close 2001 race for mayor certainly qualified for a sequel.

Well, let the pre-fight hype begin. Mayor Lewis Billings told the Deseret Morning News he will seek a third term this fall. Dave Bailey had already announced his intention to take a second swing at Billings, who won the first contest between the two by 362 votes.

The slim margin was enough to give Billings four more years but not enough to keep alive the momentum some thought might put him in the race for governor in 2004.

Throughout the 2001 campaign, Billings faced questions about whether he would finish a full term if he won or leave to run for the governor's mansion. But three years after the close call with Bailey, Billings sat alone in the back row of the McKay Events Center during the 2004 Utah County Republican convention as nine other candidates courted his party's nomination for governor.

The rematch has all the makings of a knock-down, drag-out fight. The natural contention between political opponents was exacerbated during the last election by Bailey's position as an employee working for Billings as a captain in the city fire department.

Bailey retired three months ago, but that doesn't mean the second race will be less contentious. Billings implied that a Mayor Bailey would unionize City Hall, which drew a strong response from Bailey.

"People have been concerned that since the '80s there have been forces at work who would like to unionize City Hall," Billings said. "Many of his campaign contributions came from union sources. The things he's promising would hurt our city financially."

"It's absolutely not true," Bailey said. "I've been a member of the firefighter's union, but I'm not for unionizing the city. Lewis Billings needs to get his facts straight."

Bailey said he decided before the last election that if he lost then, he'd run again.

"It was a tough loss, but it was also a victory considering I came out of obscurity with good plans for the city and ran so well against the former chief administrative officer of the city, before he was mayor," he said. "It showed the people appreciated my view on city issues."

To win, Bailey said he needs to spend more resources getting his message to people who vote. He also has homework to do.

"I've been talking to people, trying to get up to speed on the details of city issues," he said.