THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, July 8, 1996 TAG: 9607060015
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Another View
SOURCE: By ALEXANDRIA BERGER
LENGTH: 67 lines
Memorize this hot phrase: ``This is the first I've heard about that!''
If you say this to every question you're asked, no matter what the subject, you too can be city employee, mayor or president of the United States.
For the past few weeks, Clinton staffers have been claiming they ``just heard about,'' a U-Haul-load of confidential FBI files sent to the White House.
The technique is called ``gaslighting,'' and it's the current tool of choice being masterfully used on all levels of politics. Its object is to sideswipe our perceptions and switch our realities.
Case in point: the city of Virginia Beach.
Recently I attended a meeting hosted by the Virginia Beach Mayor's Committee for the Disabled. Subject: the amphitheater.
First, representatives from the Endependence Center (the disabled version of ``Crime Watch'') presented violations: The lawn is inaccessible; wheelchair disabled can't sit in all areas; parking is still not identified ``Handicapped.'' Next, Mayor Meyera Oberndorf took the floor: ``Until last Friday, I didn't know there were any problems. This was the first I'd heard about it.''
Continuing, the mayor acknowledged, ``An original offer was made by the `Center' to consult, for a fee, with the architect. (The city turned down the offer.) The city gave the `Center' $32,000 this year in support, because the work it does is so important.
``Since the `Center' receives consulting fees for services, I will have to ask the city's attorney whether, under the circumstances, we could pay such a fee.''
Now the mayor was trying to negotiate. Clearly a case of too little too late.
Indignantly, The ``Center'' declined consulting with the city under any circumstances, killing a chance to resolve amphitheater problems for the disabled.
``The city will do everything to fix the problems,'' Mayor Oberndorf stated, before leaving to fix a ``serious problem,'' the Lake Gaston pipeline dispute.
Mark R. Wawner, project-development manager for the amphitheater, topped off the mayor's intent, reading a letter maintaining - inaccurately - ``the city is in full compliance of the ADA.''
Mike Tabor, the only hero in this mess and local general manager for Cellar Door, the leasee of the amphitheater, reiterated Cellar Door's proposed changes which are an effort to correct the problems. Currently, Cellar Door is paying for the changes.
``Shouldn't the city and project architects pay this?'' I asked.
Silence.
Finally, the mayor's committee members said they, too, had offered their services, gratis. They, too, were ignored by the city and mayor.
I had eaten all the buck-passing pate I could stomach.
To the Honorable Mayor Oberndorf: It is called the ``Mayor's Committee for the Disabled'' because, whether volunteer or paid, they are your experts, trusted advisers, acknowledged specialists, whom you are supposed to consult when city projects involve the disabled.
City inspectors, economic-development personnel and project architects have acted like the ADA guidelines aren't part of their job. They are.
The city of Virginia Beach has acted only when forced by media pressure.
Mayor Oberndorf, take responsibility. Now. Order action. MEMO: Alexandria Berger writes ``The Imperfect Navigator.'' It appears
Sundays in the Real Life section. Write her c/o The Imperfect Navigator,
The Virginian-Pilot, 150 W. Brambleton Avenue, Norfolk, Va. 23510. by CNB