City Hall bids a Forde farewell

Mathis Winkler

NEWPORT BEACH -- Until last year, Kathy Forde had a great excuse when

her husband, Doug, would suggest that she should retire from her job as

executive assistant to the Newport Beach city manager.

She’d have to be 50 before she could do it, she’d tell him, because

the city’s early retirement option wasn’t available before that age.

But then came her 50th birthday, and her 51st earlier this year, and

Forde finally agreed to spend more time gardening and golfing with Doug.

During a farewell party at City Hall on Wednesday, 12 years to the day

after she began her job, City Manager Homer Bludau said he had been sad

about Forde’s decision and tried not to think about her departure until

that very day.

After all, he would usually detect a look of disappointment on

visitors’ faces when he’d come out to greet them after running late.

“They wanted to talk more with Kathy,” he told dozens of city

employees who had gathered to join Bludau in wishing Forde well.

Her ability to make people feel comfortable was one of the main

reasons former City Manager Bob Wynn hired Forde, he said.

“She just was the best applicant,” Wynn said, adding that more than 50

people had applied for the position. “I felt she fit the mold better than

any other.”

Forde, who had worked with private companies before coming to City

Hall, said her last job had definitely been the best.

“I love the passion of the residents,” she said. “I just love the

people that work here.”

Apart from golfing and gardening, she’ll also spend more time

volunteering at a hospice, Forde said, adding that she had only managed

to spend about two hours a week there so far.

Her daughter, Amy, just married in April. But so far there’s no sign

that Forde will be taking care of grandchildren any time soon.

“Who knows what life choices [Amy and her husband] will make,” she

said.

But one thing’s for sure. Forde, who lives in Corona del Mar, will be

around and not hesitate to call her former colleagues when she’s got a

complaint.

“That’s why they’re kissing up to me right now,” she said, laughing.