Well, I’m in town this weekend but will be in Houston, Texas next weekend, then off to Atlanta, Ga. with Stuart Milk to attend the 20th annual Creating Change conference, sponsored by the N.G.L.T.F. and with more than 3,000 GLBT activists and leaders from all across the USA expected.
It’s been a month for Mayor Filner
In just one month our new mayor, Bob Filner and our first lady, Bronwyn Ingram have brought major changes at City Hall just by their actions, visibility and commitments to make San Diego a better place to live and a city that truly celebrates its neighborhoods and diversity … and gives voice to the voiceless.
This is the first time in the history of San Diego that the mayoral staff is half women and one third Latino. To know Bob Filner as I have for more than three decades is to know Mayor Filner will indeed walk his talk!
Filner’s mayoral staff is getting lower salaries than those of our last mayor.
Hard-working Vince Hall has been welcomed by almost all civic and business leaders as an outstanding choice as “chief of staff.” (Love this guy.) And, of course, the ever-popular Donna Frye as “director of open government” is most welcomed back to City Hall.
GLBT community activist Linda Perine, who worked especially hard on the Filner campaign, deserves her appointment to Filner’s 24-member staff.
We all look forward to Mayor Filner’s “State of the City” address next Tuesday, Jan. 15 at the Balboa Theatre.
As for me, I will be continuing to advise our new mayor, as I have his last five predecessors, and serve him as a city commissioner; but my major priority will now be, as it has been this last month, to support and advise my good friend, Bronwyn Ingram, the “first lady of San Diego.”
Will Carl DeMaio run for Congress?
This column was the first one to bring up the possibility that former Councilmember Carl DeMaio could take on freshman Congressman Scott Peters in two years.
Now other media sources are also mentioning this real possibility.
After all, Scott Peters spent about two million dollars of his own money to first defeat primary challenger, former state Assemblymember Lori Saldana, by only 300 votes. (Yes, I endorsed Saldana.)
He then barely beat his general election opponent. Peters’ district is considered a tough “swing district” with a lot of Republican and Independent voters.
Many believe that Peters will do what his party leaders tell him and will try to keep a low profile while trying not to give his opponent too much of a two year voting record that will be controversial. But Scott Peters will be forced to toe every aspect of his party’s lines as a freshman.
The next congressional election will not be during a presidential one which usually means a lower Democratic voter turnout.
If Carl DeMaio returns to his true self as a “moderate” and repairs some damages he has made in the GLBT and Latino communities, most political analysts agree that DeMaio could give Peters a run for his money and could be elected to Congress.
Yes it’s true; I did not endorse either Peters or Bilbray this past election.
Is there now a possibility that I would endorse DeMaio in the future? No comment.
Will Dwayne Crenshaw’s campaign succeed this time?
This will be Dwayne Crenshaw’s third campaign for the 4th District Council seat and this is the No. 1 question that I am being asked.
And the answer is that indeed he has a solid shot to win this time in a “snap election” with a possible 11 candidates and an expected lower turnout in this special election called to replace the popular Tony Young.
Will Crenshaw being a very visible LGBT activist help or hurt him in District 4? Well, though a majority of this council voters went yes on Prop. 8 he still has high name recognition that made him get into the past District 4 general election run-offs.
I have been busy meeting with many of the possible candidates.
41st Coronation Gala: Feb. 2
For more than 40 years the GLBT community has been able to count on the Imperial Court de San Diego and all they ask is that organizations and causes that its membership has helped to attend their annual Coronation Ball set for Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Marriott Mission Valley Hotel.
Representatives from Imperial Courts from Canada, Mexico and across the United States are expected to attend and the entire community is invited to attend an evening of pageantry, outstanding entertainment and thank Emperor Tom Dickerson and Empress Ajax for a productive year of fundraising.
For more information and tickets: imperialcourtsandiego.com or 619-300-1232 or 616-254-6372.
In memory of Murray Galinson
Having lived in San Diego now for almost 50 years and, yes, having the honor of advising and serving the last six mayors of San Diego I have met countless of our city’s “movers and shakers” and civic and political leaders.
Murray Galinson, who recently passed away, stood above almost all of them in so many ways; a decent, honest man whose integrity was unmatched.
A former president of San Diego National Bank, he was a most respected leader and most influential force in our city’s political, business and philanthropic worlds for many decades.
He always made a stand against racism and homophobia. Our GLBT community could always count on Murray Galinson and every time I’d interact with him he always had a smile. If you looked up the word “gentleman” in the dictionary I’m sure you would find his picture right next to this word.
Both Democrats and Republicans loved and respected this man and as City Commissioner Robert Gleason so rightfully told me, “Leaving his memorial made you want to be a better person.”
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, his children and the entire Galinson family.
Nicole’s quickie movies review
Les Misérables: It should be called “More Miserable” as this is how you will feel after this long 3-hour boring movie.
Hitchcock: Outstanding and a sure Oscar contender. Anthony Hopkins becomes Hitchcock 100 percent and finally Mrs. Hitchcock gets her rightfully-earned credit in movie history.
Hyde Park on Hudson: Well I didn’t like one of our most beloved and only three term elected presidents getting a “hand job” by his cousin in the first 20 minutes of this film!
It seems this movie was more concerned about the president’s sexual affairs. The British royals were funny but Bill Murray did not remind me of Roosevelt – even 1 percent. He belongs back on TV’s Saturday Night Live than the big screen.
Django Unchained: Authentic and very real portrayal of the South and its treatment of its black slaves. One of the best movies of the year and while it’s both humorous and dark at times, you soon start rooting for Django to get the better of all those hateful and cruel white masters.
Not Fade Away: You’re better off staying at home and straightening out your sock drawer – it will be more entertaining for you than this bomb of a movie.
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 six 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. Nicolemrsandiego@aol.com
The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Nicole Murray Ramirez
FDR was elected four times. 1932, 1936, 1940 and 1944. He died three months into his fourth term.