The annual “State of…” speeches by presidents, governors and mayors have become an American tradition when they inform citizens what their priorities, mayoral projects and goals for the year will be. City Council candidate Chris Ward picked me up and we went to hear Mayor Faulconer’s first such address.
It was a good, solid, well delivered speech and I was very happy to hear about such priorities as his focus on East San Diego, more jobs, street repairs, expansion of the Convention Center and our libraries and neighborhoods. Mayor Faulconer has only been in office for 10 months and he has already accomplished a lot and is getting approval ratings from throughout San Diego. Indeed, our city is in steady, solid hands.
It was nice seeing former Councilman Byron Wear. On the applause introduction meters of our councilmembers, Gloria came in first with Cate a close second. And I say Steve Cushman’s (Mr. San Diego) appointment as chair of a convention center expansion committee was an outstanding choice!
Politics, people and opinions
A very proud papa to be, former Mayor Jerry Sanders told me that his popular daughter Lisa, who is five months pregnant, is doing just fine. But let us all keep Lisa and her spouse Meaghan in our thoughts and prayers. The San Diego GLBT community will always have a place in our hearts for the entire Sanders family.
While Chris Ward starts out 2015 as an even stronger clear frontrunner for City Council seat No. 3 in 2016, Anthony Bernal says he is still staying in the race and Laurie Coskey tells me she is still a “possible” candidate. Former Marine Captain Jacque Atkinson, who recently returned from a Victory Fund GLBT candidates’ conference, looks like she would be the only candidate from our community for Toni Atkins’ assembly seat as the other two strong possible candidates while pro-gay, are heterosexual.
We lost a gay assembly seat up north recently. Are we giving up another one when it comes to the 78th District seat? This is why many are asking Todd Gloria to not totally rule out a run for the State Assembly and last week he told me he isn’t.
I had lunch with popular State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez who has quickly become the main voice of the progressive liberal wing in our state capitol and has gotten quite a few of her bills signed by the governor.
With some ongoing fighting within the local Democratic Party leadership and recent Democratic City councilmembers backstabbing there is a very good chance that the Republican Party could control both the mayor’s office and have a GOP majority on the Council in 2016.
Commissioner Bob Nelson has just finished a very productive term as chair of the Port Commission and is continuing to be an influential and respected voice in our city.
And I say the bigger the proposed Ferris wheel on the bay is, the better!
A recent Union Tribune editorial was entitled: The Good Todd Gloria … and the Bad Todd Gloria; here is how I would have written it: The good and great Todd Gloria is his leadership on the minimum wage and parking meters issues; the bad is those stupid unused bike lanes – get rid of them all!
Word is Sara Boot will announce her candidacy for the State Assembly 78th District seat with a lot of the major Democratic leadership and activists backing her.
The appointees of the Mayor Faulconer “AIDS Memorial Task Force” will be announced early next month.
During the recent Republican National Committee meeting in Coronado a presidential candidate saluted Kevin Faulconer’s record on job growth. Interestingly, many top officials have already put our mayor on a short list of possible vice presidential nominees and future governor lists, but Kevin has told everyone he continues to be focused on the city he loves – San Diego!
About respecting the Imperial Court
Yes, I am going to give a royal sound off. For 43 years the members of the Imperial Court de San Diego have been raising and contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to countless GLBT organizations and causes and never do they ever even get a “thank you” note or any sign of appreciation.
This year Emperor Robert Rodriguez and Empress Pearl have raised over $100,000 and will our community organizations send representatives to Coronation 43 “A Military Affair” next Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Lafayette Hotel?
I’ll be looking – I can promise you that. For ticket information call 619-254-6372.
Harvey Milk family: A role model for all
The recent birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. brought forth many media articles concerning how his children have made over $50 million from their father’s legacy, selling his image and words to AT&T, Apple, Chevrolet, Mercedes, etc. The family demanded $761,000 to use King’s words and likeness on the National Memorial in Washington!
I agree with a recent USA Today editorial which stated, “Perhaps most appalling was the children demanding to be paid when their father was honored with a statue on the National Mall”. The Daily News stated, “The King family makes a mockery of his legacy and turns his dream into a scheme.”
Thank goodness that this is not the case with the Cesar Chavez and especially the Harvey Milk family heirs. With the Harvey Milk family almost all proceeds, if any, go to the Milk Foundation which does remarkable global civil rights work and education. I can tell you that Stuart Milk lives in a small residence with his cats and his total passion and love is for his uncle’s legacy and global GLBT equality, not wealth or fame.
I have had the honor to meet Harvey Milk’s sister and other family members and they too have Stuart’s down to earth and humble outlook. It’s really sad to hear what’s going on within the King family.
“For 43 years the members of the Imperial Court de San Diego have been raising and contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to countless GLBT organizations and causes and never do they ever even get a “thank you” note or any sign of appreciation.”
I call BULLSHIT! I not only was a member of the Imperial Court for a few years, I even served on the Board of Directors for a short time. Organizations and individuals who receive donations from the ISD ALWAYS express their gratitude, for Nicole to say otherwise is not misleading, it is WRONG.
The Harvey Milk Foundation has leased rights of the likeness and name of Harvey to a defunct Restaurant and clothing company among others. While Stuart travel’s the world, his accommodations for Hotels and travel are paid by the foundation. Yet, they want everyone else to volunteer their services. The writer of this article seems to never let a column go by without preaching Harvey’s name! On his trips with the foundation… I am sure they pay for Ms. Ramirez.
Jerry Pritikin you are a petty and small minded liar. Anyone can look at the Harvey Milk Foundation financials – I just did – yes, Stuart Milk has traveled the world and he has NEVER been reimbursed for hotel or a flight! The total money from the Milk Foundation to Stuart Milk in the last 4 years is ZERO. Then again the truth has never stopped your jealous attacks on both Milks, Harvey and Stuart! Hope will still shine from that family and I was lucky enough to meet one of them twice now – a articulate and
humble soul and true hero!