‘Getting to Know You’ Will Be Theme of Council, Staff Gathering

San Diego City Hall has seen a lot of interesting things over the years but nothing akin to what’s going to happen next week.

The City Council’s Public Facilities and Recreation Committee plans an all-day session next Wednesday

with specialists from the city’s Organizational Effectiveness Program.

The goal: to learn how to stop fussing and feuding and begin to work together.

It’s the idea of committee chairman Bob Filner, certainly no slacker at councilmanic infighting. He organized a similar study session when he was president of the school board.

Originally he wanted the committee session to be

closed to the public. Deputy City Atty. Hal Valderhaug said that would be fine if the only topic being discussed was how to get along.

However, lest he be accused of running a “secret” meeting, Filner decided to open the meeting to all, although only the council members and the city staff will be allowed to speak.

It’s a trade-off, Filner says. There is virtue in openness but it probably means the committee members (Filner, Hartley, Henderson, McCarty and Wolfsheimer) will be less likely to reveal what really bugs them.

The session will cover how to function as a group, how to set goals and reach a consensus, how to tolerate opposing opinions, and how not to step on the other guy’s tongue.

The first proposed site was the Horton Grand Hotel, with a catered lunch. That’s been scaled down to a Water Utilities Department conference room and brown bags.

Filner says the session is a sign that the council is finally availing itself of the group dynamics training that is commonplace in the corporate world. He wants the idea to spread to the entire council.

What about the notion that grown-ups shouldn’t need this stuff and that parliamentary procedure and common courtesy should suffice?

“You go to a private company and tell them that,” Filner said, “and they’ll think you’re crazy.”

They’ve Got Their Marching Orders

Now hear this: You will go to the party and, mister, you will have fun.

Assistant Sheriff R.W. Reed just sent a strongly worded memo to all deputies suggesting/encouraging/exhorting them to march alongside Sheriff John Duffy in the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day Parade as a show of solidarity.

“To be sure,” Reed writes, “we have all been sickened by Sheriff Duffy’s detractors seeking to weaken him by attacking all of us.”

Reed notes that Duffy has been part of the San Diego parade for nine years, flanked usually by “a few volunteers” from the department, plus reservists, a Dixieland band, and members of the Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Assn.

“It occurs to some of us that this might be a good time to join the Sheriff in this, his last St. Patrick’s Day Parade as Sheriff, and enjoy each other’s fellowship at the reception afterwards,” the memo states.

“More importantly, some of us who have been struggling with the issue of sagging morale in the face of relentless criticism, think that this might be an opportunity to show the public that after a tough two years . . . WE’RE STILL HERE!!”

Attire for the March 17 parade is the Class A uniform.

“It may be the only time your kids will ever see you in a parade. That may not be a big thing to you, but it might be thrilling for them.”

Reed, who contributed $250 to Duffy before his no mas announcement, ends by saying that deputies interested in “helping stir up some support for this idea” should give him a call.

On the Road to Better Things

Words, words, words.

* Bumper sticker on a pickup truck in Allied Gardens: “My Mother Was Inmate of the Month at Las Colinas.”

* Cop-novelist Joseph Wambaugh says he’s moving to Rancho Santa Fe. He’s tired of the drugs and flashy life style of Newport Beach.

* Housing ad in The Reader:

“La Jolla. Walk to Windansea Beach. Studio apt., $395 mo. Sorry, no kitchen. “