Again, it has always been the policy of the Gay & Lesbian Times, both to the spirit and to the letter, to allow readers and guest commentators to express their views authentically and unedited per our guidelines.

With all that being said, we still await Stepping Stone’s action plan for showing the integrity to own up to its mistakes and follow through on its word as discussed in a hurried meeting in hopes to hush our original editorial “Coming clean,” printed on April 16 (see www.gaylesbiantimes.com/?id=14431).

The decision to excerpt the letter to the editor response from Stepping Stone, CEO, John de Miranda, to fit commentary style – that is, by definition a systematic series of explanatory notes or clarification of situation – had no mal intent.

But, while we’re on it, let’s clarify a situation.

In fact, Publisher Michael Portantino made several – but unsuccessful – attempts to reach Bill Hargraves, Stepping Stone’s president of the board of directors on Friday to apologize for only printing an excerpt of John de Miranda’s letter.

Portantino, who in an attempt to reach somebody at Stepping Stone called every number at the organization several times, until finally, he reached someone who connected him to de Miranda himself. (Apparently, trying to get through to someone at Stepping Stone Recovery Center is a tough thing to do.) Portantino profoundly apologized explaining the error had been corrected on the Web and would appear in print this week.

It seems that was not enough for de Miranda who hours later posted the full letter on the front page of the organization’s Web site, stating “after [they] protested this censorship the Times agreed to correct the edits on [our] Web site and in a subsequent publication.”

There was never any intent to censor what de Miranda wrote, as a matter of fact the editor’s note calls to attention that it is excerpted. The point de Miranda made in what was addressed Publisher/Editor, was in print on page 11 of the “letters to the editor” section of last week’s issue in a letter from Stepping Stone’s Board of Directors – a letter we gave them the opportunity to re-write so that it would fit our letters policy of a 500 word count and make it to print.

This convenient guise of so-called “censorship” might steer sight from the letter printed and signed by the board of directors – or the fact that yet another leader who gave years of service to the organization has resigned. Beverly Fisher, who held people at the agency accountable and saved thousands of lives, will likely be thrown under the bus as she walks out the front door on Friday. But it doesn’t divert the ongoing investigation we will continue to perform on the agency. It also doesn’t distract the fact the Gay & Lesbian Times is not afraid to follow through and admit to, correct or apologize for its mistakes.

Mr. de Miranda this is something you could learn from. Remember, “To thine own self be true.”

It appears that Stepping Stone under your leadership continues to make grave errors, yet tries to cover them up. You have done everything you can to show a lack of empathy, compassion and basic human kindness – something Stepping Stone was built upon.

People in the recovery community deserve a strong honest leader, but your services are no longer needed here in San Diego.

Strength, honesty, integrity and leadership is what Stepping Stone needs, you sir lack all four of those qualities.

Oh, by the way, we hope you’ll put this in your “news” section on your Web site!