Valley Bades Fond Goodby to Longtime ‘Mayor’ Dodo : Tribute: Although Tom Bradley’s liaison has been transferred downtown, ‘Don’t get the idea that she’s leaving,’ he says at a luncheon attended by 200.

The often-tardy Mayor Tom Bradley showed up 15 minutes early for a luncheon Friday honoring Doris (Dodo) Meyer, a subtle tribute to the woman considered the San Fernando Valley’s unofficial mayor for the past 17 years.

Bradley was joined at the Warner Center Hilton Hotel by more than 200 of the Valley’s business and civic leaders, who applauded Meyer’s tenure and her transfer to a new job working on special projects at City Hall.

Bradley portrayed Meyer’s transfer, part of a widespread shake-up in his liaison staff, as far from a demotion. “Don’t get the idea that she’s leaving,” Bradley said. “She’s here to stay.”

On June 1, Meyer, 65, was replaced as the mayor’s Valley liaison by 36-year-old Richard Alarcon, a former City Hall analyst. Deputy Mayor Mark Fabiani said the change was part of a citywide effort to “bring new blood and new energy” into the mayor’s relationship with his constituents.

At the luncheon, Meyer received two standing ovations, numerous resolutions and a Waterford crystal desk set. She quipped that the simplicity of her new City Hall office does not merit such a fancy desk set.

Among those attending were representatives of major Valley corporations such as Sepulveda-based Galpin Ford and Marquardt Co., a Van Nuys aerospace company; social service organizations including United Way and Project Heavy; and chambers of commerce from communities stretching from Woodland Hills to Mission Hills.

“She’s become part of our Valley heritage, our public persona. To put it simply, she is the Valley,” said David Fleming, chairman of the Valley Industry and Commerce Assn., which organized the fete.

Initially, the gathering was planned as a roast, but it later changed to a tribute, apparently because speakers couldn’t think of anything bad to say about Meyer, said Herbert (Bert) Boeckmann, owner of Galpin Ford.

Bradley said he was relieved at the agenda change because he has sworn off attending roasts, after having received and delivered several of the backhanded accolades.

Speaker after speaker described Meyer as mentor, organizer and inspiration, and as capable of solving problems ranging from trash to traffic lights, from potholes to delinquency. She was celebrated with a song, a poem and a mock magazine cover, all created just for her.

She was credited with being the key to success for the dozens of organizations to which she belongs.

“She’s the connection in Juvenile Justice Connection, the foundation in the Cultural Foundation, the unity in United Way,” said Ross Hopkins, a former chairman of the Valley Industry and Commerce Assn.

Explaining her energetic contributions to Valley life, Meyer said she just “can’t say no to any worthwhile cause.” She said she had spent the 17 years “smiling politely and nodding at appropriate times, sometimes with stuffy, boring people” and had diligently attended a numbing number of public events, including 18,100 breakfasts and 72,800 dinners.

“And guess what,” she said. “I now have an office without a window.”