Mayor Kevin Faulconer made history again by appointing long time Latino/gay leader, Larry Bazza as the first person of color to become chair of the city’s prestigious and influential Art’s Commission. Baza is a true San Diego native whose family are fourth generation Californians; they are well known and respected leaders/activists within the people of color communities and Larry Baza is also a highly respected Democratic leader and past president of Democrats for Equality and was a strong supporter of David Alvarez.
I first met Larry when he served on the board of directors of the Chicano Federation (first openly gay member). I admire and respect Larry for his dedication and passion for the Latino, GLBT community and the arts; he is a true gentleman and an advocate and supporter of social justice and equality. Larry has been with his life-long partner Tom Noel for over 30 years and is well qualified and will make an outstanding chair. Your community is proud of you Larry. Congratulations!
Since being elected our mayor, Kevin Faulconer has beaten every mayor’s record of appointing more diverse San Diegans to our city’s boards and commissions in a year than any other. And a majority are Democrats. Mayor Faulconer has kept his promise that his appointments would reflect the true diversity of our city, communities and neighborhoods. For Kevin “One San Diego” is not just a nice slogan, he believes in bringing everyone to the table and making sure that they have a voice.
Among the gay San Diegans that Mayor Faulconer has appointed in leadership positions are: Atty. Bruce Abrams, chair of the International Affairs Board; Bill Kelly, chair of the city’s Senior Advisory Board; and he has re-appointed Robert Gleason, chair of the powerful Regional Airport Commission . Bob Nelson also serves as chair of what many consider the most powerful board, the San Diego Port Commission. All of these people are, by the way, Democrats. Soon Mayor Faulconer will be announcing the appointments of two lesbians to some influential city commissions.
As a Latino and gay man I am very proud of our mayor’s outstanding record of appointments in just a year and I am proud to serve as co-chair of his Mayoral Advisory Board. By the way, Mayor Kevin Falconer was not only one of the first public officials to offer his support for the proposed Sen. Christine Kehoe Elementary School but had an official letter read at the community meeting held this past Wednesday at Florence Elementary School. He will be soon naming the members of the new San Diego Aids Memorial Task Force which his wife, our city’s first lady, Katherine Faulconer, has agreed to co-chair.
And let me say, that with all communities and neighborhoods that I interact with in San Diego people are telling me what I have always known: that Kevin is one of the most down-to-earth, nice mayors our city has ever had. With Kevin Faulconer you would not only like having a beer with him … you would make a party and keg out of it!
****
Nicole Murray Ramirez has been an award-winning columnist since 1973, and a Latino and gay activist for more than 45 years. He is currently a city commissioner and has served the last seven 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. In 2013 Murray Ramirez was named “Mayor of Hillcrest” by a City proclamation. Nicolemrsandiego@aol.com
