Who Are You Calling a Pig? That’s <i> Hog</i> , With a Capital P for Profit

Waterhog Goes Big-Time. Or: So you thought there was no way to make a buck from the drought?

The San Diego County Water Authority, dedicated to the eradication of long showers and gushing hoses, may soon unleash its spokescharacter/symbol/bad example on a parched world.

Waterhog’s porcine snout and grunt have been featured for months in the water authority’s radio, television and newspaper spots, as in “Don’t be a water hog.”

Now the authority may allow the San Diego advertising agency that created Waterhog to try to sell the campaign to thousands of thirsty cities and water agencies across the country.

Inquiries have already been received from Virginia, Connecticut and Washington. The ad agency and the water authority would split the proceeds 60-40.

A Waterhog price list is at the ready.

A city or agency could buy the fixings for a full newspaper blitz for $11,000. Five radio commercials (including one featuring the San Diego Opera): $10,000.

People in the local water fight get emotional about Waterhog. They love the little porker, like stage parents who feel they’ve birthed a star (and moneymaker).

Judge for yourself whether they’ve taken too many trips to the reservoir in the midday sun without wearing a hat.

“It may be grandiose, but we think the Waterhog is good enough to be a national symbol of water waste--like the Litterbug,” said water authority spokesman James Melton.

Waterhog is assertive. Waterhog in-your-face. Waterhog is street-wise and flow-restrictor tough.

Waterhog is no wimp. He’s as macho as Smokey Bear, as hip as Bart Simpson.

“There are a lot of little water-type characters around,” Melton said. “Most are nice or cute. But Waterhog is uniquely confrontive.”

Melton bristles when you call Waterhog a pig.

“ Hog ,” he corrects. Well, excuuuuuuuuse me.

Crossing His Tees

The body politic.

* Tee time.

Carlsbad Councilman John Mamaux is the driving force behind plans to build municipal golf courses east of Palomar Airport and near Calavera Lake.

He’s also seeking a second term. And he figures golfers should remember who loves ‘em at election time.

He’s distributing 10,000 golf tees printed with Re-Elect Mamaux.

* North County bumper sticker: Read Our Lips. No New Taxes.

* Family (un)ties.

Assemblywoman Sunny Mojonnier (R-Encinitas) was an easy winner in June’s primary. But she failed to get support from her stepson Dan, the son of her ex-husband, Irwin Mojonnier.

Dan Mojonnier contributed $500 to former Del Mar Mayor Ronnie Delaney, who finished second.

* Picky, picky.

An attorney for Rep. Jim Bates (D-San Diego) is demanding a correction from Washington-based Campaign magazine for reporting that Bates was “reprimanded” by the Ethics Committee for allegations of sexual harassment.

Actually, Bates received a letter of “reproval,” a lesser form of punishment, said Washington attorney Stan Brand.

The magazine will carry a letter from the article’s author, San Diego public relations consultant Ann Shanahan-Walsh, noting that the dictionary says reproval and reprimand are synonymous.

Send in the SEALS?

Life imitating art?

In the movie “Navy SEALS,” the military brass is worried about American-made Stinger missiles being in the hands of Arab terrorists. A decision is made to send in the SEALS, the Navy’s commandos.

After the real-life Iraqi takeover of Kuwait, the military brass is worried that American-made Stinger missiles, sold to Kuwait, are now in the hands of Arab terrorists.

The Pentagon won’t confirm or deny that SEALS are part of U.S. forces sent to the region.