Washington, D.C. Republican political rumors are that former President Bush’s United Nations spokesperson, Ric Grenell (a top foreign policy expert) is still being considered for a top spot in the Trump administration. Openly-gay Grenell, who was a press secretary for Mayor Susan Golding, has a lot of support among some top Republican national leaders. I spoke with Grenell last week (he has a home in Palm Springs) and he told me that he is keeping his options open. Grenell would make an outstanding presidential appointment. And yes, it’s true, former San Diego mayoral candidate, Peter Navarro could be in line for an appointment by Trump.
Now that Todd Gloria is off to Sacramento representing us in the State Assembly, word is that some top political movers and shakers are urging Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman to consider a run for mayor in 2020. Other names being mentioned are Chris Cate, Scott Peters, Toni Atkins and Lorena Gonzalez, and yes, Todd Gloria remains at the top of many lists.
Dave Roberts was an outstanding county supervisor, and he will be greatly missed by many. The Fourth District most mentioned supervisor candidates continue to be Nathan Fletcher, Lorie Zapf, Bonnie Dumanis and Laurie Black. I have spoken to all four, but all conversations have been “off the record” for now.
Rumors are that openly-gay HRC Chairman Dr. Joel Trambley may also be considering tossing his hat in the ring. I think Myrtle Cole would make an outstanding city council president. She has my full support.
Many people felt that Chris Ward’s Facebook remarks about Todd Gloria’s Toast/Roast Community Celebration were petty and unwarranted, especially those close to Gloria.
A certain gay deputy sheriff is all of a sudden turning up at LGBT events and reaching out to community leaders about a possible run against our popular sheriff, Bill Gore. My question is where in the hell have you been for these last few decades?
Our city’s oldest LGBT organization, The Imperial Court de San Diego, will celebrate its 45th anniversary Feb. 4. Mark your calendars!
Pride Board taking the right steps
After months of controversy and protest, the Board of San Diego LGBT Pride is heading in the right direction. They have removed that infamous board member who harassed a beloved handicapped woman volunteer, and was a drunken mess at times. They are now regularly posting board meeting minutes and have implemented a “board of conduct” which was long overdue. They have established a Community Advisory Board, and have seated new board members.
Are things perfect? No, but at least they have made these important changes that many community activists had called for. I still think that they should not have let Stephen Whitburn go, and owe him a public apology for how they handled it.
I also think they should have named Sarafina Scapicchio and Fernando Lopez as interim directors. Contrary to some rumors, San Diego LGBT Pride will be getting the city permits needed for this annual event, period. It’s time to move forward, and I sincerely thank Will Rodriguez Kennedy who was the major leader who led San Diego activists to make the Pride Board more accountable and transparent to the community they serve.
Mayor Faulconer and family volunteer at Thanksgiving dinner
This isn’t the first time that Mayor Kevin Faulconer, his wife and two teenage children have spent part of their Thanksgiving volunteering at the annual Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Dinner held at our LGBT Center hosted by the Imperial Court de San Diego. Also helping out were Sen. Toni Atkins, Assemblyman Todd Gloria, Councilman Chris Ward and School Boardmember Kevin Beiser.
