Featuring radio ads that claim Barrie wants to double its population and take over thousands of acres of prime Innisfil land to do it, the Fair Growth campaign also includes an e-mail component, in which individuals can personalize letters to Barrie councillors and other politicians.

"This has degenerated into an us-against-you battle. It's seemingly getting worse," said Barrie Coun. John Brassard, who serves on the city's boundary working group and has participated in provincially-facilitated talks, which failed last year when Innisfil walked out.

One of the least-emotional letters Brassard received was from Beverley Neilson, who lives on Lockhart Road.

"The province should not step in and make a final decision. They could mediate; they could facilitate discussions, but it is not their place to make the decision for the City of Barrie and the Town of Innisfil," she said.

Ever since talks failed in February 2008, Municipal Affairs Minister Jim Watson has repeatedly tried to get Barrie, Innisfil and Simcoe County talking.

Now everyone's bracing for a provincial ruling on the issue, especially since the province has so far refused to approve Innisfil's official plan - which calls for the conversion of prime agricultural land to industrial - and the county's official plan, which supports it.

In an e-mail, Enrico Forlini said he would support legal action, such as a class action lawsuit, against Barrie and Ontario. Other e-mails encourage the destruction of annexed property and use profanities.