Mayor’s race heating up

With word that Mike Aguirre might enter next year’s mayoral race, San Diego is facing one of the most crowded races for mayor in our city’s history!

‘My Princess Boy’ author to be honored

The Kilodavis family is coming to San Diego and will be honored at the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast on May 20.

Yes, author Cheryl Kilodavis and her book My Princess Boy has received major national media attention and has been featured on countless talk shows. Especially during these times spotlighting bullying and youth suicides, this book is about love, family, acceptance, compassion and unconditional friendship. It’s a story about a mom accepting and embracing her 4-year-old boy who likes to dress up like a princess (myprincessboy.com)

The Kilodavis’ are a proud African American family and Mr. Kilodavis is a military veteran who was stationed in San Diego and now they all live in Washington. The Kilodavis’ will be attending the Milk Diversity Breakfast with both of their little boys. This award presentation promises to be a very moving part of this event. As you know, more than 800 tickets have already been sold for the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, so get your tables and tickets today as it will be another sold out breakfast.

Will DeMaio really give up his seat?

Openly gay City Councilman Carl DeMaio has a big decision to make for 2012: to run for re-election to the city council or for mayor, as he can’t do both. Some are asking why would DeMaio give up probably a very good chance to be re-elected to the council versus a big gamble running for mayor, though two candidates have already filed to run for his council seat. The truth is DeMaio was talking about wanting to be mayor to friends four years ago when he was running for council, but I don’t think he thought he would be facing such popular candidates as District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and State Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher.

However, everything points that DeMaio will indeed gamble his council seat away to run for mayor.

Atkins will not seek Senate seat

Word is that State Assemblywoman Toni Atkins (76th District) has decided not to run for the open state Senate seat in 2012. Though many democratic leaders were pushing her to run for the open seat, word is Atkins has decided that she will stay right where she is. Filling Christine Kehoe’s open Senate seat (she will not seek re-election due to term limits) is looking like a race between former Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña (76th District) and current Assemblyman Marty Block (78th District). Now that Atkins has decided to seek re-election to her Assembly seat, this development puts the Lorena Gonzalez campaign for the state Assembly on hold for now.

The two faces of Doug Case

Give us a break Doug Case. You are attacking Bonnie Dumanis. First, you issue a city-wide press release within 24 hours after Dumanis announces that she is running for mayor blasting her, then you again attack her candidacy in your monthly San Diego Democratic Club newsletter, then you write a guest commentary in Gay San Diego blasting her once again, and all you can come up with is that she did not endorse Jerry Brown for governor.

It is you, Doug Case, who is trying to make a non-partisan race partisan. In your attacks on Dumanis, you fail to mention you have already endorsed a candidate, that being Chris Kehoe (who has not even decided if she is going to run).

What is very upsetting to many of us is that it was a member of our community to first attack Bonnie. While you have made it clear that you are supporting Kehoe and are planning to also attack Carl DeMaio when he “officially” announces, does this mean you will also be issuing a negative press release when gay allies Nathan Fletcher, Kevin Faulconer, etc. announce? What about the possible candidacy of gay rights supporters Bob Filner, Scott Peters or Mike Aguirre?

You were just elected SDDC president. Is this a sample of the nasty negative politics your year will be all about?

In the more than 100-year history of San Diego, our city has only elected two women mayors. Why would you jump at the chance to issue a negative press release on the first woman and Jewish person ever elected as our district attorney?

You, Doug Case are talking from both sides of your mouth. The facts speak for themselves.

Wanted: Easter baskets!

You’ve seen them all up in Rite-Aid, Walmart, CVS etc. – children’s Easter baskets. We need hundreds of them for this year’s 8th annual Children’s Easter Egg Hunt at Trolleybarn Park in University Heights. Last year, more than 500 kids and their families showed up. This year’s event is being sponsored by the office of City Councilman Todd Gloria, The Center and the Imperial Court. Feel free to drop off your baskets at The Center (downstairs) or phone 619-692-1967.

Just legalize Marijuana

The facts are that people have indeed taken advantage of “compassionate Marijuana use.” There are now more pot stores in Los Angeles than Starbucks stores! I know people (and we all do) who have Marijuana cards that are just plain pot smokers, and really have no illness whatsoever.

I have and always will support compassionate Marijuana use, but the reality is it’s gotten way out of hand and is now turning into a big joke.

I say our state should just legalize Marijuana … plain and simple, and get it over with.

Michael Mack and Judy Tenuta: April 18

Mark your calendar for Monday, April 18 at Eden Nightclub, 7 p.m. for That’s What Friends Are For, a benefit to help long time community activist Michael Mack who is going through some hard times and health.

Special guest stars will be comedienne Judy Tenuta, impersonator Chad Michaels and the Dreamgirls. It’s a night of comedy and friendship with some really great surprises. For more info, call 619-807-7324 or 619-692-1967.

Nicole Murray Ramirez has been an award-winning columnist since 1973, and a Latino and gay activist for well over 40 years. He is currently a City Commissioner and has served the last five mayors of San Diego. He is also a national board member of the Harvey Milk Foundation and Chairman of the International Court Council of the USA, Canada and Mexico. Nicolemrsd@aol.com.