Ask those other contractors what it takes to "get along with him", if they say hes a "Good ol' boy", try that approach. If they say envolopes of cash, sick the dogs on him, call the FBI fraud unit, and burn the town hall down, figuratively.....
Just make sure your stuff is completely up to snuff, and give him nothing to say to you.
[This message has been edited by e57 (edited 04-10-2005).]