Colorado Springs – Three of the five El Paso County commissioners have voted to oust fellow Commissioner Douglas Bruce from his role as liaison to the county health department, citing in part his abrasive style.
Bruce, author of the state’s Taxpayers Bill of Rights amendment limiting governments’ ability to raise and spend money, blasted the move, saying he hadn’t been given advance notice.
“That shabby, inconsiderate, back-stabbing treatment is inexcusable,” he said.
Each of the five commissioners is assigned as liaison to various county departments. Bruce still is liaison to the district attorney’s office.
Commissioner Sallie Clark, who initiated Bruce’s removal, apologized for failing to notify Bruce before the vote, but said he was shirking his role. She said he rarely attended department board meetings and unfairly confronted staff members over a trash-removal problem.
Bruce said while he skipped most meetings, he reviewed records and kept in touch with staff members. He also said the trash-removal conflict was overblown.
“All I did was ask a question,” he said.
