The gaffe - and the irony - almost went unnoticed.

But after perusing a packet of budget numbers that outlined Salt Lake City's expenses on sustainability efforts, Councilman Soren Simonsen scolded the staff.

The document, he detected, was printed on single-sided paper - drawing murmured laughs from the gallery at City Hall.

"I'm hopeful we can find ways to ratchet that down in the budget," Simonsen said, straight-faced.

Earlier, Simonsen questioned fleet officials for requesting another gas-hogging Jeep to assist with parking enforcement. A right-sided driving model of the politically passable Subaru, he learned, has become passé.

Buhler's spin zone

When you've decorated the capital city with whimsical "I Like Dave" campaign signs - some love the simplicity, others call them juvenile - what do you do for an encore?

Salt Lake City mayor hopeful Dave Buhler has turned to the Web to expand his brand. Launched this week, Buhler's Web site includes a talking likeness, or "avatar," who leads viewers through a campaign tutorial. Between segments that describe policy positions and how to donate, "Buhler" spins in his dark suit and red tie.

"Bringing political spin to a whole new level," the city councilman joked.

The site, which burps "Buhler" with a nod to the movie comedy "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," also includes a video segment. The first entry shows the candidate in a black wig with black sunglasses and a tie-dyed T-shirt. As hippie-Dave strips the props, he predicts voters don't want a liberal radical as Salt Lake City's next mayor. The line, while safe, is likely a dig at the current crusader, Rocky Anderson.

Buhler's site, designed by P.R. backers Love Communications, can be seen at www.daveformayor.org.

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