In his editorial of July 1, your publisher wrote, “Ralph Denney is full of it... Ralph Denney is a nobody with zero community support... His list of accomplishments is ZERO... Ralph Denney is a blowhard trying to ride the anti incumbent wave into office... “ At the sound of the bell, bitches come out slapping!

At first I asked myself, why would the alleged voter discrepancy have not been caught before publication of the original poll? The obvious answer would be lack of professionalism, (imagine that.) But then it occurred to me, what if the entire incident was designed to embarrass Mr. Denney? What if it was done by an Atkins supporter and or someone who just wanted to create fodder for yet another character assassination for which this publication famous. Portantino offered no proof that Denney had anything to do with the alleged 46 votes coming from the same alleged IP address, he only went on a childish attack. This is yet another example of a person in a position of trust in this community who seems to operate according to his own personal agenda while claiming to have the support of the “entire community.”

There has never been any follow-up on the alleged changes made after the overdose and death of a resident at Sunburst Youth Housing Project, all we have is the word of a gossip columnist. Keehoe never explained why the local pride organization debacle was state business, and the interim board appointed by her and her bodies has yet to do an official audit. There appears to be no ongoing investigation of the alleged fraud at Auntie Helen’s and the non-profit miss nickey warned us about on June 17, issue 1173, has never been identified.

I will not be “delusional or self aggrandizing” by speaking for the entire community, but I will say, no lil’ mickey, it is you who hasn’t “fooled” me. “Let’s [do] get it straight,” seems there are many other issues of true import you and “your” community continue to ignore.

Kevin McCarthy

Regarding Toni Atkins and 301 University I do not understand why a few in this community have to demonize Toni Atkins simply on one issue that being 301 University. John Taylor, Rick Wilson and I started the campaign against the 14 story development at 301 University, later known as No On 301. We were joined by so many others in the community; and collectively we were able to stop the project. Toni came out on the wrong side of what many in the community saw as an affront to the village. Yes, I was disappointed in her decision on this project. But in public office hard decisions have to be made and we may not like some of those decisions. But at the same time I feel it is not a reason for some in the community to demonize her.

The main question this community should be asking is why anyone, particularly her opponent, is a member of a political party that continues to so openly persecute our Gay, Lesbian and Transgender community. That is one of the many issues this community needs to focus on and ask of her opponent.

One of Councilmember Atkins’ key accomplishments on behalf of the LGBT community was her work to persuade the City Council and the Mayor to add the City of San Diego to a friend-of-the-court brief in support of marriage equality in 2007.

As Councilmember Toni was considered a leader in the areas of affordable housing, workers’ rights, and neighborhood services and revitalization. She helped push through the City’s first inclusionary housing policy; led the Council to approve a Living Wage Ordinance. Remember, Toni has, for many years, championed this community’s middle and lower income individuals and families.

This election is more than one issue and for that reason I will be supporting Toni Atkins for the Assembly

George Wedemeyer