Enlightening Payoff : Inglewood Mayor All Aglow Over Laker Bet

Inglewood Mayor Edward Vincent basked once again in the glow of victory this week, as the mayor of Pontiac, Mich., paid off the second installment of the “Great Lakers-Pistons Bet.”

The 500 light bulbs delivered to the Inglewood City Hall are manufactured by Diolight Technologies Inc. of Pontiac, Mich., where the Detroit Pistons played their home games last year.

Vincent won the bulbs from Pontiac Mayor Walter Moore when the Lakers beat the Pistons in June to clinch their second consecutive NBA championship. Moore promised he would provide enough bulbs to light up Inglewood City Hall.

Surrounded by cartons of light bulbs as he sat in his office Tuesday, Vincent joked: “I said, Miller Lite.”

Unfortunately, the 60-watt light bulbs won’t fulfill Mayor Moore’s promise because City Hall is equipped with energy-saving fixtures that do not take 60-watt bulbs.

But the bulbs do fit two table lamps in Vincent’s office.

Free Use of Car

In June, Moore promptly delivered on the first part of the bet by providing Vincent with free use of a 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix SE for two weeks.

Vincent so loved the sporty sedan that he decided to buy it.

“The car’s holding up great,” said Vincent, who had promised Moore that he would present the Lakers’ “Just Say No” anti-drug video and a basket of California fruit to the Pontiac City Council if the Lakers lost.

While Vincent declined to “be a Pat Riley” and predict a third consecutive championship for the Lakers, he said that, barring injuries, the Lakers will be outstanding once again this season.

Although the usefulness of the bulbs appears uncertain--other than providing centuries worth of illumination for the mayor’s office--Vincent said he appreciates the gesture by Moore, who apparently has another bet and a rematch in mind.

Vincent said that Moore told him, “Wait till next year.”