Many of you have asked me why I haven’t given a statement or more comments on the Kroll report, our City Council representative and my friends who are also on the council. The fact is, the federal investigators and regulators are still investigating our city’s finances, and even an official IRS investigation could be in the works. I will wait until all the facts, reports and investigations are done… period.

The recent dramatic rise in crimes against our GLBT community these last few months has all of us very concerned, including our police department. Just these past Friday and Sunday nights, gay men were jumped.

It seems there are two things happening here: (1) our community and bar patrons are being subjected to assaults and robberies, and (2) there are more hate crime incidents.

As chair of the police chief’s advisory board, I have become very involved in this issue, and most of the robberies and assaults have been made by young African-American men. I have discussed with police officials who have brought in their special gang-suppression team, as there is in my opinion a strong possibility that some gangs are targeting our community.

I am glad to report that some arrests will probably be made soon. Our police chief has made these increasing incidents a priority.

Everyone who is subjected to an assault, a robbery or a hate crime, please contact the police immediately, as some people are not coming forward.

Most of these crimes against our community members have been within the North Park and Hillcrest areas, and most have also been against single gay men walking alone.

Please, I beg of all of you, be careful out there. These incidents are not only happening near our gay bars, they are also happening near 7-Elevens and on almost any street. Get pepper spray (Hillcrest ACE Hardware sells it) and don’t walk alone. Be aware of your surroundings and walk with friends.

Let’s also start looking out for each other. I’ve talked to the San Diego GLBT veterans group AVER, and there will be discussions concerning establishing a Stonewall Citizens Patrol sooner.

This past Monday, I had lunch with Undersheriff Bill Gore, who is second in command to our popular Sheriff Bill Kolender.

As chair of the city’s Human Relations Commission, I have been working with the Sheriff’s Department to improve communication between this countywide law enforcement agency and our GLBT community. The good news is that the Sheriff’s Department will be adding the GLBT community to their diversity training and there will be changes made at their transsexual housing unit in the county jail.

I most sincerely thank Dr. Delores Jacobs and The Center, as well as the Transgender Community Coalition and Metropolitan Community Church, for their work with the commission on this. Undersheriff Gore and The Center will now work in partnership to make the needed changes.

I must say that in these last months I have found the Sheriff’s Department to be outstanding and totally supportive during our discussions, meetings and tours.

I sincerely thank Sheriff Kolender, Undersheriff Gore and District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis for their leadership. After working with Undersheriff Gore, I now know why so many civic leaders have said he will be a future sheriff for our county.

As many of you know, I’ve been involved with the AIDS community and organizations in Tijuana, Mexico, for well more than two decades.

I am so happy to announce that the first hospice/housing facility totally committed to AIDS patients has been secured, and the six-bedroom facility will be opening in a month or so. It will be located close to the Acosida AIDS clinic.

This has been an effort I have been deeply involved with for the last two years, and I want to especially acknowledge the San Diego AIDS Foundation, Ben Dillingham, the Imperial Court’s Tijuana AIDS Fund, the Alliance Healthcare Foundation, Jess San Roque, the Asian Pacific Islander Community AIDS Project (APICAP), Maria, Julia Legaspi, Rick Ford and so many others who have helped with this undertaking.

I am also pleased to announce the first donation of furniture, which was given by Michael Mack of Lei Lounge and the late John McCusker’s estate.

We will need a lot more furniture, kitchen items, etc. For further information, phone (619) 692-1967 or (619) 757-0197.

Please make a donation of furniture, etc. Thank you.

When superstar Delta Burke and last week’s Emmy Award-winning actor Leslie Jordan were in San Diego to star in the plays Southern Baptist Sissies and Sordid Lives at the beautiful North Park Theatre (I saw both plays and they were top notch and great fun), writer/director Del Shores raised money for the new Hate Crime Reward Fund and The Center.

Both Delta Burke and Leslie Jordan have done a lot of charity work, including for AIDS causes and GLBT concerns, so they were both honored while in San Diego. Councilmember Toni Atkins officially proclaimed “Delta Burke Day” in North Park/Hillcrest on Burke’s 50th birthday. State Senator Christine Kehoe honored Leslie Jordan with a commendation citing his new position as official national spokesperson for Stepping Stone of San Diego (Jordan has been off of alcohol and drugs for more than 20 years!).

Both Atkins and Kehoe had to be out of town, so I had the honor of presenting these two wonderful people with their official commendations onstage on opening night. Delta was moved to tears and Leslie was deeply touched and spoke eloquently about our community’s drug problems and the work of Stepping Stone.

Later, Baja Betty’s was packed with people there to celebrate Delta’s 50th birthday, and she wore one of my crowns all night long!

A recent Advocate national poll asked, “In the past year, where have you met your sex partners?”

Here are the results: 41 percent said online, 32 percent said through friends or activities, 22 percent said at bars, 16 percent said at school or work, 11 percent said at a bathhouse, 7 percent said at the gym, 6 percent said in a park or public restroom, 3 percent said from a printed personal ad and 3 percent said at a roadside rest stop.

Saigon on Fifth (3900 Fifth Ave.) has only been open for four months, and this fabulous adventure in fine Vietnamese cuisine has already become super popular, as well as received rave restaurant critic reviews.

Now the restaurant has won the prestigious San Diego Magazine’s awards for Restaurant Critics Choice and Readers Choice!

Owner Patrick (one of the nicest businesspeople in town) was very honored and humbled by the recognition, just like he is with all the rave reviews he’s getting.

By the way, mark your calendars for Monday, Sept. 18, when a special birthday party in honor of Patrick will take place to benefit APICAP.

Flicks is having a special wet underwear contest this coming Saturday, Sept. 2, at 10:30 p.m., with the first-place winner receiving $500 in cold, hard cash. Anyone can enter this special Labor Day weekend happening at Flicks.

I recently got an edible arrangement, which is a colorful, beautiful arrangement made from the freshest fruit, with no added preservatives. The fruit designs are prepared with fruit skewers and look like flowers. They taste fabulous and are healthy.

I love this, as it is so much different than sending flowers (thank you, Sean Wherley).

Drop by Edible Arrangements, located at 141 University Ave. next to Hairspray, or visit www.ediblearrangements.com.

On Wednesday, Sept. 13, Hamburger Mary’s will be undergoing a transformation with a new name. The community has been buzzing about what the possible name change could be, and now the wait is over. Along with the new name, the popular venue will also be getting a makeover in the form of new décor. One thing Mary’s regulars can count on will be great food and service with a smile – two things that have made this hot spot so much fun to frequent throughout the years!

The new leather shop and art gallery Pleasures & Treasures is featuring the work of Mark O’Keefe in an exhibit entitled “Art That Can Hurt You.” Mark has a way with whips, especially when he uses them to apply paint to canvas. No two strokes are ever alike. Come by and see what whip art is all about. This is a show not to be missed. O’Keefe’s art will be on display through Thursday, Sept. 14, but meet him at his artist reception on Sunday, Sept. 10, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Pleasures & Treasures, located at 2228 University Ave., is a new experience every time!