Fading Back for the Sporty Phrase

Brian Bilbray, the youngest and most vigorous member of the county Board of Supervisors, seems to work a sports metaphor of some kind into just about every discussion. But now Bilbray may have set a record: three metaphors in a single news conference held recently to unveil changes in the county Department of Health Services.

First, Bilbray likened the hiring of former Navy Surgeon General J. William Cox as director of the Department of Health Services to the selection of a new quarterback for the county’s team of health-care professionals.

Then Bilbray explained how the county recruited Cox, rather than advertising the position and accepting applications:

“You don’t cast the net, you lay the lure right in front of the big fish you want.”

Finally, Bilbray, who is a friend of noted San Diego skipper Dennis Conner, said the creation of a new planning and evaluation unit for the Health Department was akin to giving a wayward ship someone to set its course.

“We’ve had plenty of people who could run the ship, but we didn’t have anyone navigating,” Bilbray said.

Chief Takes a Bite Out of Crime

A review recently of Police Chief Bill Kolender’s expense accounts turned up a few tidbits:

The records show that Kolender used his city credit card to pay for nearly $3,800 in meals and travel in connection with his official duties between 1982 and early 1986. One of the bigger charges was a $288.44 meal in March, 1984, at the Hyatt Regency at Waikiki; guests were the Honolulu police chief, his wife and his assistant.

Another charge was a $145.70 dinner at Lubach’s, the fashionable downtown restaurant that is a favorite for many of San Diego’s elite. Eating at city expense was a party of four: Kolender, his wife, San Diego Union Editor Gerald L. Warren and Warren’s girlfriend.

The purpose, as stated on city forms: “Discuss Citywide Community Problems--Rode around various areas of the city.”

Warren said that he recalled the dinner with the chief, but couldn’t say whose idea it was. He said the foursome took the opportunity to discuss “crime, the homeless, the downtown problem, the Gaslamp problem, the problem with prostitution. . . .”

The Union editor said he thought it was a good idea for the chief of police to meet periodically with the heads of local media and others, even at taxpayers’ expense.

“I would think that the city taxpayers would want the police chief to involve representatives of the newspaper, representatives of business in how the city is being patrolled at night and what the problems are,” Warren said.

Building Up Builders’ Image

On the heels of an expanded political effort in the fall elections, the county Building Industry Assn. is set to unveil plans Monday for an ambitious public relations campaign aimed at turning around the industry’s less-than-shining image.

After an extensive survey of public opinion, the BIA has budgeted $110,000 for the first year of what is to be a five-year effort. The Berkman & Daniels public relations firm has been retained to run the campaign.

Golding Gets Gone-the-Most Title

A look by The Times at the county supervisors’ votes over the past year shows that Supervisor Susan Golding missed more votes by far than any other supervisor.

Of the board’s 2,571 votes between Dec. 1, 1985, and Nov. 12, 1986, Golding missed 612, or 23.8%. Next was Leon Williams, who was absent for 16.2% of the board’s votes. Paul Eckert missed 13.8%, and George Bailey missed 8.1%. Supervisor Brian Bilbray was the board’s most prolific voter. He missed only 182 votes during the year for an absentee rate of 7%.

Golding said she thinks her ranking at the bottom of the heap might be due to a tendency to miss the vote on the “consent calendar,” when 30 or 40 non-controversial items are often approved in one swoop.

“If you walk in two minutes late, you’ve got 35 votes you weren’t there for that everybody else voted on,” Golding said. “What happens is that even though the other people might be out of town during entire board meetings, if you miss the consent calendar but you’re there the rest of the day, you’re only there for three or four votes.”

Battle of Mayoral Airwaves

Promoting Mayor Maureen O’Connor’s monthly call-in show, KFMB radio couldn’t resist taking a swipe at former Mayor Roger Hedgecock, who entertains calls on competing station KSDO every weekday.

KFMB, the line goes, is “the only station that gives you a chance to talk to the real mayor.”

Eckert Eases Transition for Aide

Nancy Allen, who ran Supervisor-elect John MacDonald’s successful campaign for the 5th District post, is officially on the staff of defeated Supervisor Paul Eckert.

Not to worry. Eckert “hired” Allen as a courtesy to MacDonald, who has named the Escondido political consultant his top aide and wanted her to begin work on the transition. Allen, who was put on the county payroll Nov. 25, will earn $36,400 a year.

Eckert, meanwhile, has already moved out of his third-floor suite and is spending less time with his colleagues as he winds down from eight years in office. On Nov. 25, he was in his office most of the morning but skipped the supervisors’ Tuesday board meeting.