Dear Editor:

After more than a year speaking with you regarding what I believe to be this paper’s hypocrisy, I find myself completely worn out. I had given myself a year to see if I could influence attitudes regarding HIV infection in the local media and amongst our city officials. I must now accept the reality that AIDS will always be an integral part of the gay community. The most cynical part of me understands the industry of the disease has become too powerful and too lucrative for those who represent our community.

In January ’05, this paper reported that there was a new owner and new management at the former Mustang Spa. “A new staff of nine people was hired by [Bob] Smith to operate the bathhouse, with John Smith as acting general manager.” Represented as “city commissioner and chair of the Chief of Police Advisory Board,” Mr. Ramirez-Murray lent credibility to the article stating he was responsible for “alerting” Bob Smith, “initiating Smith’s subsequent ownership and renovations.”

The article failed to mention a third proprietor, Mark Carter, the former general manager of the Mustang Spa. I believe he had worked there for at least 2 years until the day it closed. It would be during this time unprotected sex was allowed in the common areas, the staff sold crystal-methamphetamine and there were 2 drug related deaths. If a new staff had actually been hired, I would appreciate that Smith “has a solid record of contributing to AIDS agencies.”

Mr. Ramirez-Murray has made a living raising money for AIDS charities. His editorial and commentary continues to be hidden as a gossip column promoting individuals and businesses according to how much money they donate. He has “confidential” and “off the record” meetings with city officials, business owners and their attorneys representing who knows what, to who knows who. It is my opinion this issue is a pragmatic example of how those very same city officials and business owners actually behave on issues regarding HIV and AIDS.

I agree in part with Mr. Macready’s letter, “Even if you are not [a] patron of the gay bathhouses support those that fight for our right to have them.” In fact, I was one of the original volunteers for the San Diego AIDS Project in the early 80’s. I am one of those who fought to keep the baths open. At that time the community demanded clean, safe and healthy environments, educating by example, not just by posting stuff on the walls. However, the day before a sign was posted on the door at 2200 informing patrons the club would reopen soon with a new name, it was an example of everything I will not support.

I can only wonder for how long the new club will stay clean, and I have no dilutions it is being operated in a “safe and healthy” manner.

Kevin McCarthy

Dear Editor:

With regard to last week’s letter from Abelardo Bernal regarding public transportation, I would agree that our current transportation system does not fully meet the needs in my district, the city, nor in fact the region, which includes 18 cities of which San Diego is the largest. That is why I fought to be an alternate on the San Diego Association of Government’s (SANDAG) Transpor-tation Subcommittee and continue to serve as a board member of the Metropolitan Transit System.

It is important to understand that we have less control at the local level than is desirable in terms of how our transit operations are funded. Like we see with so many public programs, local jurisdictions rely on funding from the state and federal governments for transit funding. Local initiatives, particularly TransNet funding, are also vital to sustain transportation projects. However, all these projects – buses, trolleys, regional trains, roadways and expanded freeways – compete for these precious dollars. There’s just simply not enough money to fund them all, so it becomes a question of priorities.

In my position on SANDAG’s Transportation Subcommittee, I continue to advocate for increased funding levels to operate our bus system throughout the region. I support the concept of making public transportation operations a greater priority than capital improvement projects – such as freeway widening and new roadways – which often get the lion’s share of attention and funding. Local officials will need the help of the community to shape the discussion for these priorities, and I encourage citizens like Mr. Bernal to continue to stay engaged in advocating for increased funding for local transit operations.

I will continue to lobby aggressively at all levels of government to ensure that San Diego gets its fair share of transit dollars and that a higher percentage of these funds be directed toward public transit. Providing efficient transit for San Diegans continues to be a top priority of mine.

Sincerely,

Toni Atkins

Councilmember, Third District

City of San Diego

Dear Editor:

Regarding the eight year four month sentence for Randy Cunningham: Considering the totality of the committed crime within a social context together with the perpetrator’s personal constitution this sentence was excessive. What is the difference between legalized personal and institutional greed as opposed to a manipulation of the free market. There is little doubt that our society draws a connection between material wealth and success. Nothing could be more fallacious and folly. But, We Americans, perhaps more than any nation on earth make this ignorant distinction. Our popular culture prostitutes our very desires in order to instill a sense of value within our society. And, we capitulate as sheep in following the so called crowd. After all, we all fear not being part of this movement, this wave of societal morons. So, Mr. Cunningham was addicted to greed. Are not we all. Mr. Cunningham broke the law so the brave among us call for extended punishment. This is laughable. Spectators are always brave at least in their fearful minds. Senator Robert Kennedy of New York once said, “Moral courage is more rare than courage on the battlefield.” Randy Cunningham had both but only through the human condition fell prey to the vagaries and uncertainties of life.

Daniel J. Smiechowski

Dear Editor:

It’s been reported in the Gay and Lesbian Times that the late Jose Sarria was the first openly Gay person to run for office in the United States in 1961. For this honor a street in San Francisco was recently named after him. This, however, is inaccurate. The famous gay author Gore Vidal ran for Congress in the 29th Congressional District in New York in 1960, the year before Sarria. He told me that he ran and lost when I interviewed him in 1981. Vidal wrote the first openly gay American novel The City and the Pillar in 1948 and his grandfather was a Senator from Tennessee. Jackie Kennedy was a relative of his.

In the light of this information, the city officials of San Francisco may wish to amend their decision for the sake of history.

John Primavera