THE SPYGLASS: Bruce says help with enterprise petitions dried up when he left

   Time is running out for tax-cutter Douglas Bruce to collect signatures for two ballot measures that would overhaul the city's enterprise funds.

   Seems that while Rep. Bruce was in Denver, his helpers were asleep at the switch.

   "In the four months I was in the Legislature, if they had done a fraction of what they promised to do, we would be in fine shape. They did nothing."

   Bruce's measures would make enterprise fees voluntary, except those levied by Memorial Health System, and nix payments between enterprises and the city.

   The Stormwater Enterprise, which assesses fees enacted by the City Council starting in 2007, gave rise to the proposals.

   Some people, Bruce among them, contend the fee is a tax, meaning voters should have been consulted under tax limitation laws.

   Bruce said 75 to 80 people said they'd carry petitions. "As is usually the case, people volunteer to do things until the moment of truth," he said.

   Bruce has until June 16 to collect 11,500 signatures on each petition.

   "Mr. Nice Guy" is offering $1 per pair of signatures for the two ballot measures. "I'm paying people to lower their own taxes," he said. "Such a deal."

   More on the drive is at www. cityreforms.com.

To leash or not

   Dogs belong on leashes, or so say 14 of the 20 people who e-mailed The Gazette about the prospect of beefed-up enforcement.

   "Not only are many dog owners not obeying the law, but they are often argumentative and aggressive when confronted by other hikers," Ronald Cartellone wrote.

   Laura Kemp said one of her neighbors pulled a gun on a dog-walker when the pet did his business in a yard. "I guess they were tired of the HOA or the city not doing anything about the problem," she said.

   John Kimmel said simply, "The way I see it, we either enforce the law by some means or get the law off the books!"

Staying home

   At a time when members of Congress jump on jets bound for exotic places, compliments of lobbyists, take heart. Our City Council doesn't make the A list.

   According to recently filed disclosure forms, Councilman Scott Hente is the only one going places on other people's money. He got $675 worth of tickets to an awards dinner and an Air Force football game and entry fees to two golf outings.

Hanging around

   A reader wanted to know how much the city shelled out for six fancy banners welcoming the U.S. Olympic Committee.

   "Anyone who lives here already knows," he said. "And anyone who doesn't live here doesn't care."

   Turns out, LandCo, the developer providing the USOC office space, paid the bill. The gigantic banners were hung May 11 and will move to other downtown locations on Sunday.

   CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0238 or pam.zubeck@gazette.com