San Diego’s New Business Leader Operates at a Deficit in Mexico City

Here’s what I know.

* For all the hoopla about the appointment of Gilbert Partida as president of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, you’d think one man can improve San Diego’s economy all by his lonesome.

Boosters point to his youth (30), Lation heritage and skills as an attorney specializing in international trade.

Yes, but what happened in Mexico City last spring when he was part of a city-county delegation to talk to Mexican officials about a binational airport?

The Mexicans reportedly were not at all pleased with Partida’s assertive/youthful manner in lecturing them on business matters. They let the San Diegans know of their displeasure.

Which contributed to the decision not to include Partida in the meeting with Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari.

Now, it’s true that cross-border relations can be a touchy matter, and it’s possible for even the best-intentioned American to offend Mexican sensibilities, given the political and cultural chasm between the two countries.

Still, if one is considered a specialist in international trade, those kind of difficulties should be anticipated, no?

For the record: Partida did not respond to requests last week and this week to discuss what went wrong in Mexico City and what, if anything, he’s learned.

* Write if you get work.

The Society of Professional Journalists plans a mixer Dec. 15 (6-8 p.m.) at the Loma Theatre Bookstar for anyone desirous of conferring with a literary agent about writing a book. Ten agents will be there, all women.

* Susan Bray is shopping for an attorney to handle the appeal of the measly $28,150 judgment she won against the city of San Diego (she had wanted $1.15 million).

Her trial attorney has decided to bow out of the case.

Although the city may have gotten off cheaply in the judgment, legal bills are another matter.

The city’s legal bills are expected to be around $400,000 for hiring private counsel to defend against the Bray and Robert Spaulding suits stemming from their City Hall love tryst.

(The Spaulding suit was thrown out of court but is on appeal.)

Acrimony Will Out

Here’s more.

* Bob and George, but not Harry.

Police Chief Bob Burgreen and Councilman George Stevens held a press conference this week to show that all is forgotten after an Aug. 30 incident at a city park where Stevens clashed with cops trying to prevent a riot.

The two smiled brightly and said everything is fine (as well as announcing a drug crackdown in Skyline).

But despite the show of unity between the chief and the councilman, the Police Officers Assn. is not ready to kiss off the park incident.

Last week the city attorney’s office, in response to a complaint from the POA, announced that it would not file any criminal charges for interfering or inciting.

Not mollified, POA President Harry Eastus plans to file a second complaint with the city attorney alleging that Stevens at least was guilty of violating the City Charter for trying to boss the cops around.

“We’re not done with this issue yet,” Eastus said. “We’re going to run it up the flagpole once more.”

Stevens says that if Eastus has a beef he should call him, not deal through the press or city attorney.

Berman in ‘Paradise’

Here we go.

* Comic Shelley Berman has agreed to star Jan. 10 in a celebration of the posthumous publication of Rabbi Samuel Penner’s book “The Four Dimensions of Paradise.”

To be held at UC San Diego’s Mandeville Auditorium. Produced and directed by Kit Goldman of the Gaslamp Quarter Theatre.

* Ron Hahn, new operator of the 26-year-old San Diego Sports Arena, explaining why it will be difficult to lure another professional team without a new arena:

“We have a 1965 Chevrolet. People aren’t buying 1965 Chevrolets anymore.”

And an Elvis Sighting on Page 54

San Diego UFO spotter Michael Orrell says he’s spotted something in the “Arizona Highways” magazine.

Look on Page 53 where there’s a picture of a woman with her right foot on a boulder. Orrell says the boulder looks just like an extra-terrestrial’s head.

But you probably already came to that conclusion yourself.