The recent news that our local Marines’ detention and security has been eased is good news indeed. What happened to innocent until proven guilty (regarding the killing of civilians in Iraq)? Let justice be done and let these men be treated fairly – not with leg irons and ill treatment.

Mayor Jerry Sanders was a special guest speaker at The Center’s monthly Community Coalition Breakfast, which was very well attended.

As usual, Mayor Sanders gave a blunt and honest report on the state of our city.

Sanders, thank goodness, has never been a politician but just a down-to-earth “public servant.”

Finally our city has a budget. The mayor’s recent trips to Washington (next week he’ll be meeting with the governor) have been very productive. In fact, San Diego will be hosting the National Conference on Homeland Security.

The mayor is doing a solid job in a very difficult time… the worst time in our city’s history. He has by far earned everyone’s continued support.

Longtime community leader Rick Kerman, an attorney, was honored by Mayor Sanders and the City Council this past Tuesday when they officially proclaimed Tuesday “Rick Kerman Day” in the city of San Diego. Close friends and family showed up at City Hall for the ceremony, which was led by our popular Councilmember Toni Atkins.

Rick served 10 years on the prestigious Civil Service Commission (three as chair) and also served on the Blue Ribbon Task Force to pick our new fire chief.

Rick has a long history of community involvement and contributions, including his tireless involvement during those dark, early years of AIDS in the 1980s.

Among those I saw in attendance at the ceremony were: Ben F. Dillingham, Dr. Bill Beck, Ken Bullock and Big Mike. Rick has two beautiful sons with his best friend, attorney Patty Meyer.

When he addressed the City Council, Kerman reminded them that this important commission for the last 15 years has had a member of the GLBT community serving on it. And now we will not.

I remember lobbying Mayor Susan Golding for Rick’s appointment. Let us continue to lobby for a position on this commission, with Dr. Bill Beck being at the top of our list.

I found Gloria Johnson’s recent letter to the editor somewhat hypocritical. First of all, Councilmember Kevin Faulconer’s stand on the Boy Scouts issue is the same stand former President Bill Clinton and former Gov. Gray Davis have taken, yet your were their number-one fan.

Gloria, our City Council and County Board of Supervisors races are nonpartisan, and the San Diego Democratic Club has endorsed Republicans, including former Mayor Roger Hedgecock. Your club’s endorsement of Mr. Kaeder, who dropped out of the race, was a slap at Councilmember Faulconer. Gloria, we need five votes to get things done at City Council. Kevin Faulconer will listen and stand for equality and other important issues, but sometimes he will not agree with us on every issue. And, Gloria, I cannot say what issues are “priorities” in our diverse community, and neither can you. (For many people, marriage and the Boy Scouts are not priority issues, while the military and hate crimes in public schools are.) And, finally, in all the decades I’ve known you, your letters have always been negative about me, yet you have never publicly thanked me, as you do in private, for the things I’ve done. Hum.

I recently read your column in Rocket magazine where you wrote about your visit to a straight bar (Lancers on Adams Avenue). You said you and your entourage wanted to see how you were treated in a straight bar, and then you went on to say that your group “began drinking, laughing and poking fun like we always do.” You stated you felt you were not treated well at Lancers and felt uncomfortable, so you talked louder and then left.

Well, Mr. Smith, may I in all due respect tell you that some of our own gay bars treat lesbians, people of color, seniors and, yes, straight friends with disrespect, and make many of them feel very uncomfortable and unwelcome. Let’s clean up our own backyard before we start criticizing Lancers and other straight bars.

Yes, some of those hunky football players will be auctioned off this coming Saturday night at Flicks, beginning at 9:00 p.m. There will be Jell-O shooters and 50/50 raffles, and you could win a date with one of these hot guys. See you all at Flicks this Saturday night!

Hancock Street has been the home of West Coast Production Company and Club Montage, and now, next weekend the “new” Club Montage will open.

I remember all these clubs, and wish the new owners of Club Montage the very best. I especially admire their very strict no-drugs policy.

Hundreds of people showed up for their job fair at Baja Betty’s last week.

I have a lot of fond memories of WCPC and the “old” Club Montage. I also remember how I had to lobby the mayor and the entire City Council to get the club’s license reinstated when it was pulled!

But a little advice to the owners, as I’ve never received so many phone calls from other bar owners, angry about the fact that some Club Montage staff members were passing out T-shirts, hats and lighters in their bars! This is not done in San Diego, and for many club owners, it is definitely crossing the line. Just a word to the wise.

In the meantime, I’m sure the new Club Montage opening will be wall-to-wall, with everyone having a great time. Welcome back, Club Montage!

This coming Saturday and Sunday, June 24-25, from 12:00 noon until 4:00 p.m., there will be a GLBT open house at three great locations. And just for dropping by you’ll get Sunday brunch for two at Hamburger Mary’s.

All three places are only minutes away from Hillcrest and priced $100,000 less than homes in Hillcrest! The three places are located north and south of El Cajon Boulevard, and you get a free $5,000 decorating certificate! For more information, phone (887) 345-2300 or visit www.premiercoastal.com.

Four candidates have filed for the positions of Imperial Court de San Diego emperor and empress. Robi Cox, past emperor and co-owner of Bacchus House, and Daddy Don, Mr. International Leather Daddy, are the candidates for emperor. Norman, Princess Royale, and Justice, Miss Gay San Diego, are the candidates for empress. The election and the Coronation will take place Aug. 5 at The Center, and the entire community is invited. There will be visiting courts from the U.S., Canada and Mexico at the event. For more information, phone (619) 993-8315 or (619) 741-1042.

Longtime community activist and fund-raiser John Laird, a member of The Center’s board of directors, has been in intensive care for more than two weeks after his heart operation. He can’t have any visitors, but his partner is giving daily updates to John’s many friends. Please keep John in your thoughts and prayers, as he has been in mine.

This coming Sunday, June 25, there will be a fun Cut-A-Thon at the very popular Salon 4646, located at 4646 Park Blvd. The event is a benefit for our friends and families living with HIV/AIDS.

The Cut-A-Thon will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and the cost is $25. Top hair stylists will include Alberto, Alex, Marco, Miguel, Roberto and, of course, Beto, the fabulous owner of Salon 4646.

Appointments and walk-ins will be accepted. For more information, phone (619) 296-4890.

I urge all of you to support Beto and his salon in this most worthy cause.

Ito Girard & Associates invites everyone to attend the grand opening of Palisade Gardens, located at the corner of University Avenue and Utah Street, two blocks from the newly renovated North Park Theatre. The grand opening celebration takes place Thursday, June 22, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and will feature the Beck Family Roller Skate Team along with free dessert and coffee.

Palisade Gardens includes 32 residential condos and seven retail units for sale. Prices start at $269,000 for a variety of studios, one-bedrooms, three bedrooms and a beautiful four-bedroom. The sales office is open from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, and by appointment. Call (619) 297-3679 or visit www.palisadegardencondos.com.

Every year, the Gay & Lesbian Times puts out a Pride Guide, which is inserted into the GLT one week before San Diego Pride. Thousands of additional copies are handed out both at the Pride parade and festival. The following week is the huge annual GLT Pride issue, which is also handed out at these events. Both issues are stuffed with everything you need to know about Pride, plus interviews, a look back at Pride and much more. As these are keepsakes with large print runs, both the Pride Guide and the GLT Pride issue are ideal for getting your business noticed. Don’t miss this opportunity to have thousands see your ad! For rates, call the GLT offices at (619) 299-6397 today!