The Region : Council’s $4,000 ‘Retreat’ Eases Strife

At least two members of the strife-ridden West Hollywood City Council said they derived considerable benefit from a group therapy “retreat” attended by all five council members at the Santa Barbara Sheraton Hotel. “I think things will operate more smoothly now,” said John Heilman, the avowedly homosexual councilman whose widely-publicized squabbles with Valerie Terrigno, the nation’s first openly lesbian mayor, were partially responsible for the decision to set up the psychologist-led weekend counseling and group encounter session, which cost the city about $4,000, according to Councilman Stephen Schulte. Heilman and Terrigno have been involved in a tug-of-war over the largely ceremonial position of mayor. Heilman said he left the session with the impression that “Valerie and myself are going to work on improving our relationship.”