ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS

March 24, 2004

Recalling Roy Romer: Helen Williams, who was scheduler and mansion superintendent for former Gov. Roy Romer, has put together a highly entertaining book of recollections about her old boss, now the Los Angeles school superintendent.

Entitled Roy Romer Is Alive and Well and Living in California, it includes the remembrances of 50 friends and former aides. It's crisply edited, handsomely designed and printed and includes many photographs.

Among the anecdotes: Colorado State Patrolman Brent Sprague tells the famous story about Romer being seated next to Martha Stewart during a banquet. "Tell me, Martha, what line of work are you in?" asked Romer, whose ignorance in some fields was almost as broad as his knowledge in others. "Oh, I have a little TV show," she said.

"I've not had the pleasure of seeing it," said Romer. "Is it some kind of comedy show?"

On a flight to San Francisco, Romer realized he'd forgotten his wallet, recalls policy office director Bill Porter. So he strolled the aisle hitting up fellow passengers. "Hi, I'm Roy Romer, the governor. Can I borrow some money?" He collected almost $100.

The late Sue O'Brien, his 1986 campaign manager, recalled that Romer wanted "Tough, smart, gentle" to be his slogan. But his spelling wasn't too good. On his pad he kept doodling "Tough, smart, gentile."

"Deep-sixing stuff like that is what campaign managers are for," wrote O'Brien.

In an anecdote entitled "Roy the Dumpster Diver," political adviser Jim Monaghan tells of Romer's unhappiness with a local restaurant which he believed had served him a different kind of meat than he had ordered. After being stalled by the staff, Romer went out back, climbed into the trash bin and began looking for meat cartons that would back up his claim. But the Denver police interrupted the search and he had to prevail upon District Attorney Dale Tooley to help him escape a trespass charge.

The volume may be in bookstores sometime but for now you can order it by writing Helen Williams at P.O. Box 1177, Walden, CO 80480. And enclose a check for $15, which includes shipping. That's a steal.

blakep@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-5119.