A little independence from City Hall

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- City employees got a chance to dress down and take part

in a patriotic Fourth of July celebration a day early on Wednesday

The annual event -- complete with two long tables filled with fried

chicken, salad, baked beans, hamburgers, hot dogs and an entire table

just for desserts -- is an opportunity for about 600 city employees to

emancipate themselves from the harsh fluorescent lights of City Hall and

bask in the sunlight on the lawns of Vanguard University.

Telecommunications manager Jerry Verwolf looked right at home with a

spatula in hand and under the warm California sun as he handled the

barbecue -- a task he has volunteered for every year.

“If I can’t communicate, at least I can barbecue,” Verwolf said, as a

large puff of smoke blew his direction, causing him to wipe his face. “It

brings a tear to my eye.”

High-ranking department heads freed themselves from the confinement of

professional garb and opted for casual, summer ensembles -- suitable for

a picnic of this magnitude.

City Manager Allan Roeder was dressed in faded jeans and a collared

polo shirt. Despite his many appointments for the day, he said he would

not attend the barbecue in a suit and tie under any circumstance.

“No way, no how,” Roeder said. “The verbal abuse alone makes it not

worthwhile.”

Costa Mesa Police Chief Dave Snowden traded in his traditional wool

uniform for a light Hawaiian-print, button-down shirt and khakis. Costa

Mesa Fire Chief Jim Ellis totally liberated himself from any sort of

dress code and donned an outfit worthy of an award.

Ellis wore a large straw hat, sunglasses, a T-shirt with an eagle

holding a banner that read, “Land of the free, home of the brave,” and

red, white and blue shorts that can best be described as having a

graffiti-style pattern to them. The city’s top fire official was nearly

unrecognizable as he heaped large servings of pasta salad to hungry

employees.

“See how easily I can blend right in,” Ellis joked.

About 300 city employees attended the picnic and were treated to ice

cream and lemonade from the Orange County Market Place. A live band also

offered melodic tunes for people to dine by. And those who were truly

brave of heart even participated in the three-legged sack races on the

east side of the lawn.

Roeder said the picnic was a great opportunity for employees to get

together for some good face time. Oftentimes, many staffers communicate

with each other over the phone, or via e-mails and memos, but rarely get

a chance to meet and talk, he said.

Mayor Linda Dixon and Councilman Chris Steel were also on hand to meet

and greet the various people they work with. While the picnic was a break

for most, Steel was put to work.

“They made me judge the desserts,” said Steel, who gave no indication

that he put up much of a fight.