BONE TO PICK: Government in action seldom...

BONE TO PICK: Government in action seldom gets feistier than at city council meetings in smaller cities. In Buena Park, for example, the police and fire unions come to every council meeting to make contract complaints, despite the council’s insistence that it’s now a closed issue. . . . Councilman Donald L. Bone says he just can’t take them any more. If they show up at the Aug. 2 meeting, Bone vows, “I’m getting up and leaving; I’ve had it.” They plan to be there.

DADDY’S HELPER: Tempers get even hotter in Brea. The city has just 33,000 people, but council meetings are teeming with controversy. After weeks of one resident after another accusing various council members of being liars or cheats, a lone voice spoke up Tuesday on the City Council’s side. Resident Mark Dunlap praised the city and apologized for “a few ugly attitudes. . . . If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” The emotional speech did bring a few snickers. His dad is the mayor, Burnie Dunlap.

REAL QUACKER: Emilio Estevez, above, plays the Mighty Ducks coach in the sequel “D2: The Champions” that has been filming at Anaheim Arena. . . . He crossed paths recently with Ron Wilson, the man who has had to answer to friends’ taunts of “Emilio! Emilio!” ever since he was named the first coach of the NHL expansion team. “I walked right past him,” Wilson says. “I knew what I wanted to say. ‘Hey, Emilio, I’m the real coach.’ ”

NO SPLENDID BLENDED: It’s been a struggle for the American male since Colonial times--their love-hate relationship with wearing suits to work (E1). But Steve Reyes, general manager at David Rickey & Co. in Costa Mesa, says attitudes would change if men would invest a little more in quality. . . . “A cheap suit is hot and uncomfortable because of the blended fabric,” Reyes says. His comparison: “A Hyundai will get you from Point A to Point B. But it’s not a Mercedes. Wouldn’t you rather drive a Mercedes?”