Two for One — A Good Idea?
Mr. Corlin’s winning suggestion — endorsed 5 to 0 — provided an uncomplicated outcome to a complex problem that still may not be fully resolved. Under the rules of USA-Swimming, the governing college/Olympic feeder group to which both Royal and Edge swimmers belong, two teams are not supposed to share a single pool. Basing its policy on a reading of the history of the world, USA-Swimming determined that constant closeness between rival teams often leads to nasty and lasting interchanges. The Council left it up to the staff of Parks and Recreation Director Bill LaPointe to sort through the details of scheduling. As an irresistable fillip, Mr. Corlin threw in one piece of calorie-laden dessert to “hopefully” simplify the distribution of practice times. He reminded both teams the Natatorium, an indoor pool, also could be made available, with one caveat. Since the School District says the Natatorium is too expensive for it to regularly operate, Mr. Corlin suggested swimmers could participate in a fundraising scheme. This fresh revenue could be used, he said, to absorb the costs of opening the Natatorium for more than one day a week. The Vice Mayor called for the principal parties to huddle on fundraising “by the end of next week.”
The Vice Mayor’s Distinctive Move
What made Mr. Corlin’s strategy so striking was that, up to the time he spoke, the Council was headed off in at least two other directions. Before either the public or his City Council colleagues had spoken, Steve Rose forged a strong bid to postpone the whole discussion. He wanted to scope out and study nuanced details concerning the financial operation of the rejuvenated Plunge. After Scott Malsin seconded Mr. Rose’s unusual motion, Mayor Gary Silbiger, briefly surprised by the unorthodox move, instinctively resisted, consulted and then renewed his resistance. Gaining spiritual if not vocal support from Mr. Corlin and Carol Gross, Mr. Silbiger kept talking until he was sure he had the majority with him. Then he proceeded as planned. Mr. Rose, who swung back initially, did not sustain his fight. After the swimmers had aired their views along partisan lines, Ms. Gross opened the Council discussion by recommending the Edge be selected on the grounds the team welcomes all comers, rejects no one. By then, it was Mr. Corlin’s turn to gallop to the rescue of his disparate teammates.
The Children’s Hour
It was one of the amazing evenings in Council Chambers in the last several years. Edge vs. Royal attracted a record crowd, perhaps 250 persons, many of them lined along every wall except the one behind the dais. Record crowds have a reputation for breeding rowdiness. This gang was just the opposite. The children were exceedingly disciplined – and they still had fun. They sat through a dry, boring hour of 7 commendations without displaying revealing their boredom. The most demanding, narrow-minded parent would have applauded their extraordinary conduct, their impeccable self-control. Many of the 26 speakers were student swimmers. As a group, the swimmers were more articulate than college or professional football players. Succinct, sincere and charming, their addresses to the City Council showed they came from good homes, good coaches or both. Here is why. Both sides, outfitted in colorful team tee-shirts, badly wanted to win more or less exclusivity at The Plunge, whether for prestige, for convenience or both. You know how adults say that kids can be uncomfortably meanspirited toward their peers? Not these children. Their training glowed through their presentations. Not a negative word was uttered about their rivals who might beat them out and wanted the same agreement just as strongly. Eschewing hyperbole, the kids spoke enthusiastically about how they, and in some cases their siblings, had benefited from swimming with Royal or Edge. By 10 o’clock, long past the Homework Hour, they sleepily but happily filed into the warm Southern California night air.
COUNCIL NOTES — Sources said that City Manager Jerry Fulwood sailed through his first evaluation-by-Council since starting his new 3-year contract. He returns next Monday for Round 2…U.S. Rep. Diane Watson (D-Culver City) made a rare appearance in Council Chambers. The years in Washington have been good to her. Smoothly articulate, confident, physically impressive, the scowling face that has been a trademark was not in the house last night. Her favorability rating probably shot up…Seven presentations was 6 or 7 too many, in the view of some Council members, except it would have been difficult to decide who to eliminate. On the eve of the rainy season, tears flowed several times. The mere appearance of the Disability Commission routinely evokes warm feelings. They posed for pictures on 2 separate occasions with the City Council, once when the busy activist Neil Rubenstein was honored. He was cited for “Outstanding Contributions to the Disabled by an Indvidual.” Michelle Christy Adams, who founded “No Limits for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children” 10 years ago, brought 11 students to the front of Chambers to share her award. Delivering the most touching talk on an evening full of them, Ms. Adams talked about her founding motivation. “I wanted every child to have a chance to speak,” she said while the audience was treated to a chorus of beaming children who heard every word, even the little girl on the end who needed to adjust her hearing aid. Ms. Adams said that hearing aids cost $4,000 to $6,000. Batteries are $1,000 for a year’s supply…Newly arrived computer giant Symantec, which is building a campus in Fox Hills, presented City Hall with a $30,000 check to buy a new BMW motorcycle for the Police Dept. …Jenelsie A. McLendon, one of the popular ladies of City Hall, where she has worked in the City Attorney’s office since the 1980s, earned a salute. Upon her retirement from the U.S. Air Force Reserve, M/Sgt. McLendon was honored for 23 years of service…
