Official-Looking Mailer Prompts Foe to Question Peter’s Principles

You run to the mailbox.

Lookee here, it’s a letter in a business-size envelope that looks kind of important.

In the left-hand corner is the seal of the city of San Diego. Across the top, in big red lettering, all-capitals: “OFFICIAL CITY OF SAN DIEGO ELECTION PETITION ENCLOSED.”

Below it, in black lettering, also all-caps: “PLEASE RETURN WITHIN 48 HOURS.”

And then the instructions: “Please complete the enclosed documents in accordance with section 27.2502 (to) 27.2531 of the San Diego Election Code, and return within 48 hours. “

Looks like something from the government, no? No.

You’ve overlooked a disclaimer in tiny print saying that the missive is from Prevent Los Angelization Now! (PLAN!), the slow-growth folks.

The city clerk received several citizen complaints saying the mailer is trying to deceive people into opening the envelope and signing the petition.

In response, the city attorney ruled that the seal is wide-open for use in political campaigns. Ditto the word “official.”

The clerk then told the complainants that, the law aside, every man can decide for himself whether PLAN! is guilty of unethical conduct.

PLAN! leader Peter Navarro says concern over the mailing is being drummed up by developers who don’t want his slow-growth plan on the June, 1992, ballot:

“This is a SCUD missile attack at us by developers. It (the mailer) is an official petition we published with the city clerk.”

Bull, counters John Kern, a political consultant aligned with business interests:

“Once more, Peter’s Principles take a back seat to his eternal drive for political power. The envelope verges on moral fraud. My 73-year-old mother thought it was from the government.”

I could tell you more, but I also got an envelope with Ed McMahon’s picture and big print informing me that I may have won $20 million in some sweepstakes.

Do you think Ed is slow-growth?

Dress Code Gets the Business

New frontiers in journalism. Or: Madonna need not apply.

The San Diego Daily Transcript, the downtown legal and business newspaper, has now gone where few newspapers dare to tread: a dress code.

For men, suit, tie and “business shoes.”

For women, no mini-skirts more than 4 inches above the knee, no jeans, no T-shirts, no tank tops, no sweats, no gym clothes, no leggings, no halter tops, no backless blouses, no bare midriffs, no slits up the thigh.

In sum: “Clothes should not be extremely low-cut or tight-fitting.”

A notice last week to employees warned that scofflaws will be “asked to pay closer attention to their appearance” and may be sent home to contemplate the error of their attire.

This in a profession where generally the closest thing to a dress code is the admonition not to wear anything that would scare children or spook horses.

Transcript editor Martin Kruming says he thinks the code may spiff up the paper’s public image.

Compliance to the letter of the code has been good. Less so to the spirit.

One employee came to work in a white tuxedo with tails and pink trim. Another, Herbert (Woody) Lockwood, 73, the paper’s irascible writer of pointed prose, wore a tie with enormous yellow, blue and burgundy stripes. Loud enough to shatter glass at 20 paces:

“I got the tie from Goodwill. I’m protesting by conforming.”

Conservationist, to the Corps

Believe it.

* A few good birds.

There’s a mini-flap at Camp Pendleton over the no pets rule for a new 600-unit family housing complex.

The Marine Corps says it has no choice: that dogs and cats might eat the endangered and federally protected species of birds that roost on base.

* Yes, there is a downtown restaurant with a Susan Bray Sandwich. From her days as a city planner for the Gaslamp Quarter.