Governor Easley emerges from the Mansion to tell municipal officials we’re facing a drought emergency, but he doesn’t declare a state of emergency.

City officials say they’re already taking action.

Raleigh’s City Council waits until after the elections to take up a ban on all outdoor watering.

Meanwhile, the sprinklers and hoses keep running. And the lakes get lower.

Which is the bigger crisis: the shortage of water, or the shortage of political leadership?

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