CHUCK WATSON READY TO SHOOT AEROS AT HOUSTON ARENA PLAN

          IHL Aeros Owner Chuck Watson said yesterday that he
     "will contribute campaign money" to oppose Houston's
     downtown arena referendum, according to John Williams in a
     front-page report in the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Financial
     contributions to the anti-arena campaign have been "meager"
     compared to pro-arena efforts, "which are expected to raise
     more than" $2M.  But Watson, who is CEO of TX-based Dynegy,
     "could have a big impact on the referendum, which already
     trails in the polls."  Anti-arena ads have begun airing on
     local TV stations, and sources around Watson "had speculated
     that he might spend $500,000 fighting" the arena proposal. 
     However, Watson would not say how much he intends to
     contribute and said, "I don't have any economic advantage to
     put $500,000 into any campaign."  Watson did not "elaborate"
     on why he opposes the deal: "If I thought all issues were
     fully aired, I would feel fine about this.  But I don't
     think that has happened" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/15).