Bruce initiative added to ballot; anti-tax crusader challenges council to debate

The most recent feud between Douglas Bruce and city officials was bitter to the very end.

The City Council today forwarded Bruce’s latest initiative to the November ballot, but not before the anti-tax crusader raised objections to the ballot title language, saying it violated the city charter and was a veiled attempt by the city to confuse voters.

Bruce also challenged council members to a debate, announcing that he would gladly take one or all of them on, as long as they had equal time and the media was invited.

“It can be the most favorable audience you want,” Bruce teased.

Even after the special council meeting had been adjourned, Bruce got into a verbal altercation with Mayor Lionel Rivera in council chambers.

“Quit complaining,” the mayor told Bruce, who was wrapping up media interviews.

“All you’re trying to do is draw attention to yourself. You get your way, and you’re still complaining,” Rivera said before walking out.

If approved by voters, Bruce’s initiative would phase out fees collected by city enterprises, starting with the controversial Stormwater Enterprise fee.

The ballot measure, which mirrors an initiative that voters rejected last fall, has been mired in rancor, the most recent being a last-minute decision to verify signatures.

When Bruce took out petitions in May, City Clerk Kathryn Young gave him until Aug. 3 to submit at least 11,470 signatures of registered city voters to place his proposal on the Nov. 3 ballot. When Bruce didn’t meet her deadline, Young maintained that he would force a special election, estimating it would cost nearly $500,000.

Council members eventually bowed to pressure and ordered Young to expedite the signature verification.

After Young determined that Bruce had collected enough signatures, the council had only two options with his proposal: adopt it or forward it to voters.

The first option wasn’t even on today’s agenda. After the council voted, Councilman Bernie Herpin requested a resolution opposing Bruce’s initiative.

Also today, the council certified the ballot titles of the municipal election, which includes a property tax increase question sponsored by Councilwoman Jan Martin.

For more city government news, visit my blog, City Desk, at http://citydesk.freedomblogging.com/