Well, I hope everyone had a happy Chinese New Year celebration, as my fellow columnist Coco Lachine and I got together for a great Chinese lunch…. Happy Year of the Rooster!

When Mike Aguirre ran for office, his slogan was: “A city attorney for us.” I’ve been friends with and have supported Mike for well over two decades, and served on his campaign’s executive committee from well before the primary to his election. This past Monday morning, I had about a two-hour meeting with our new city attorney at his office right next to City Hall. While much of our conversation was confidential, I can say that before we rush to judgment on any of our elected officials, we should wait until all the investigations are final, and I do believe there is a lot more information and reports to come. This has been a very difficult and yes, uncomfortable, situation for many of us who are friends with our mayor, council members and city attorney. I would hope that everyone involved would conduct themselves more professionally and agree to disagree on issues, but try to work for the betterment of our city.

As for City Attorney Mike Aguirre, I continue to have full confidence in him and believe that he has the best interests of the citizens of San Diego at heart. At the same time, let’s slow down the constant news conferences…. That’s all I will comment on at this time.

As many of you know, this is Black History Month…. In San Diego, we have many outstanding GLBT black activists/leaders, such as Dr. Pat Washington, Vertez Burke, Ken Riley, Tracie O’Brien, the Rev. Charles Nier, John Quinn, Mama Wheels, Jimmy Lovett and many more. Our community is fortunate to have these outstanding members.

Please support Ebony Pride’s third annual film festival on March 12 at the Malcolm X Library. For more information, visit this article online at www.gaylesbiantimes.com for a link to Ebony Pride’s website.

It’s also about time that ground will be broken late this year in Washington, D.C., for the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial…. All civil rights movements have come from the black civil rights movements.

I urge our Los Angeles readers to cast their vote for longtime GLBT civil rights supporter, the former speaker of the state Assembly and current City Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa to become the next mayor of Los Angeles in your upcoming election. There are five candidates for mayor, and incumbent James Hahn and his administration are facing a federal corruption investigation. Vote Villaraigosa for mayor of L.A. and bring true leadership and integrity back to this important office.

I most strongly urge our readers in the city of West Hollywood to re-elect Mayor John Duran and City Councilmember Jeffrey Prang in the upcoming election…. Both have outstanding public service and GLBT community activism records, for many years. The recent smear campaign concerning longtime friend Mayor Duran’s health is a disgrace and an outrage, and most certainly will backfire. I urge West Hollywood voters to re-elect both Duran and Prang.

Bigger and better than ever, the annual Hillcrest Mardi Gras brought out the biggest, most fun and festive crowd ever…. This past Hillcrest celebration marked a growing and more colorful Mardi Gras celebration tradition that most certainly will get bigger and more festive every year. Congratulations to the hard-working committee, the GSDBA Charitable Foundation, Hillcrest Business Association and all the outstanding entertainers and volunteers…. A nice chunk of money was raised for student scholarships…. Great job and even greater event.

In the 33-year history of the Imperial Court de San Diego, there has never been an election of emperor, empress, prince royale or princess royale that resulted in two candidates tying. Well, this past Saturday, over 300 people attended the annual Royale Ball and election (I was not in attendance because of illness) and contrary to official rules, there was a close election for prince royale. The votes were only counted once and the winner was announced. In a close election, the ballots must be counted two more times. (In the election for emperor VI, the winner won by just one vote out of 935 cast!)

After an official call for a recount of the ballots for prince royale (with both candidates present), the results were an absolute tie.

According to the bylaws of the Imperial Court de San Diego, Inc., the board of directors must hold a special meeting and break the tie.

In a vote Monday night, 24-year-old Adrian Rodriquez was elected prince royale by a 7-1 vote. The board of directors of the Imperial Court apologizes to all the candidates and those in attendance for the unintentional and unfortunate mistake in not immediately recounting the ballots on the night of the election, after such a close election for prince royale.

Next Friday, Feb. 25, is the seventh anniversary of the popular, Los Angeles-based In Magazine, which covers and goes all over Southern California (yes, I’m their San Diego writer). There will be a gala anniversary party at the beautiful Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood.

I, sadly, will not be able to attend because I will be at the Congressional Dinner honoring popular Congressmember Bob Filner… but I wish to offer my very heartfelt congratulations to my colleagues at In Magazine, especially publishers and co-founders Mark Hundahl and David Stern, editor Jeremy Kinser, Jacci Ybarra and everyone at In Magazine.

Coming up on Feb. 25 will be the annual Mr., Miss and Ms. Gay Latino California Pageant…. It will be held at The Center at 8:00 p.m. sharp! Interested contestants should call (619) 294-8430.