THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 9, 1995 TAG: 9507070131
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Bill Reed
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
That old saw about attracting more flies with honey than you can with vinegar applies to a campaign now under way by a group representing city police.
The issue is a pay raise for the city's finest.
This particular lobbying group apparently has paid a local banner-towing company to fly over the resort beaches, trailing this message: ``Crime pays, City Council doesn't.''
Then, leaders of this same lobbying group get on TV and in the local newspaper, saying how Virginia Beach cops are badly underpaid and under appreciated by a bunch of yahoos on the council and maybe even the public at large.
These guys didn't exactly go to the Georgetown University School of Diplomacy, did they?
So far, their strategy is guaranteed to bring out mulishness in even the most sympathetic and gregarious of council members.
If you're an average bloke - even if you're a council member - messages like that tend to send your blood pressure into orbit.
In other words, it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that a little behind the scenes schmoozing and some positive public promotion will pay dividends far quicker than beating folks - especially folks who vote on your pay raises - over the head with negativity.
But hey, it's the nature of cops the world over to eschew mincing words. I mean, have you ever heard of a cop saying, ``Would you please snuggle up against the wall, sir, while I frisk you?''
Nah. Directness is their strong suit. Get to the point. Ten-four. My way or the pokey, buddy. Book 'im, Dan-Oh.
Great way to nab bad guys or clear the streets of punks, but it doesn't always pay off when you are in the political arena and your pay depends upon how willing the taxpayers are to shell out more money for a raise.
As a matter of fact, if confronted with an in-your-face banner or sound bite, the average taxpayer might just tell the guys who were responsible to take a long walk off a short pier - with an anchor attached to one leg.
What is needed to accomplish the goal of upping the old monthly take-home pay are leaders with a little savvy, a little finesse in the art of dealing with people.
You know, non-confrontational stuff, like talking with lowered voices and listening. A little muffled-volume give and take might produce the desired results.
Of course, there's no guarantee city cops will get what they're asking for, no matter how diplomatic they may be.
If council members say ``OK,'' they leave themselves open for some loud demands from groups representing teachers, firefighters, trash haulers, social workers, lifeguards, street maintenance folks and on and on.
All those people feel they deserve raises, too. Don't we all?
But times being what they are, with the government and industry cutting back on manpower and expenses, raises - especially those of the 6 percent variety and up - may be a thing of the past. That doesn't include CEOs and big execs who are accustomed to dealing in figures with six or more zeroes behind them.
Two, three and four percent burps are more likely. Generally, the working stiff is glad to get any kind of a raise, what with layoffs and hiring freezes now in vogue.
It beats unemployment. by CNB