A big thank you to all of you supporting the community toys for kids drive and please continue to drop those toys in those big boxes… and thank you for also supporting the blanket drive!

State Assemblymember Chris Kehoe has endorsed and is pushing the campaign of Heidi von Szeliski to succeed her.… Many of us have endorsed and are working for Vince Hall. This past Saturday was the official endorsement meeting of Democratic Party officials, state committee members, delegates, etc. and by all accounts it turned at times very negative and very ugly.

Assemblymember Kehoe appointed me to the State Central Committee… I serve at her pleasure. After many heavy discussions/arguments, and yes, over my objection, I cast my vote for the candidate she directed me to.… I felt bad and still do because Vince Hall is not only the candidate I support but a long time friend. Yes, I wish Chris would have let me vote my choice but as her appointee I follow her wishes. As a past appointee of State Assemblymember Pete Chacon, then State Chair of the Hispanic Caucus, I know the politics and directives of such appointments.

While Chris Kehoe and I disagree on candidates we must all remember that she is now in a leadership position in the state capital (Speaker pro Tem) and has to be concerned about losing our Democratic majority. She and others feel that Vince’s loss in the 78th race last year and his strong ties to Governor Davis will make him a weaker candidate. True or not, Chris and some party leaders feel this way.… Chris is doing what she feels is best for the continuation of our progressive agenda and the Democratic Party. Though we may disagree with her, she does not deserve the treatment and divisiveness that she is being subjected too (almost losing the party’s endorsement by two votes). Chris Kehoe is the same individual who you all worked night and day for to make history over a decade ago.… Let us agree to disagree, but let us not tear down a woman who has fought for us all her life… she deserves better. I also received a call from Senator Dede Alpert, who also has an outstanding record of support for us and is a good friend. And yes, she too has endorsed Heidi for the same reasons… to keep the 76th district in Democratic hands. Senator Alpert deserves our respect and support though we disagree on candidates.… Let those of us who support Vince Hall work even harder and get him elected and prove to these two outstanding public servants and our friends that they were wrong.… Thank you.

Congressmember Bob Filner has been one of the, if not the, GLBT community’s longest time supporters and friends since his days way back on the San Diego School Board, when we were referred to as “homosexuals.”… Bob has been a fighter for the equality and civil rights of all Americans since his student days, when he went down south to help register “Negro Americans” to vote and was arrested. As a councilmember he was the first to hire a gay staff member and to fight for AIDS funding. We have been friends a long time and had a great lunch at California Cuisine.… there is still talk by many for Bob to run for Mayor in 2008. By the way, Congressmember Filner will be receiving a “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the annual Nicky Awards in April of 2004.

This past Sunday, our Center held its annual “Community Holiday Party.” It was a great success, with a huge turnout and outstanding entertainment. Co-sponsored by APICAP and Bienestar, it was one of the nicest warm feelings of a community get-together I’ve felt in a long time… lots of good feelings, friendship and community spirit.… Thank you Delores, Shawn, Summer, Robert and everyone at The Center for bringing us all “home” for the holidays.

For years, Bruce Reeves and the award-winning Ace Hardware in Hillcrest have had an outstanding reputation for customer service, sales and community generosity.…

Hillcrest Hardware has been running a fun, campy TV commercial with some “drag queens” from the popular Lips Restaurant.… Well, recently Bob Meanley of the La Jolla Ace Hardware Store sent a hateful letter to the corporate office and all 5,000 Ace stores in the nation, attacking the TV add as “promoting homosexuality,” among other things. So I call upon our community to support our friend Bruce and Hillcrest Ace Hardware and shop ‘til you drop and let Mr. Bob “Meany” Meanley of the La Jolla store know how you feel!