Dear Editor:

Today I saw my first “NEED A COP, CALL THE BATHHOUSE” bumper sticker. My partner and I had a long laugh. Certainly the bumper sticker expressed the views of the taxpayers of this city. After hearing our mayor, the city council and everyone else in the city government tell us that we cannot afford the police protection that we previously enjoyed, that we cannot afford to replace the police offers that are retiring or moving on to better paying police departments and that we will have to wait longer for police to respond to our 911 calls we find out that City Attorney Michael Aguirre is sending undercover police into private membership only gay businesses trying to catch consenting adults having sex. How can he be critical of others for wasting our tax dollars?

The real sad story here is his political actions have undermined and destroyed the public relations efforts made by Chief William Landsdowne, Lieutenant Margaret Schaufelberger, the police department’s liaison to the LGBT community and the fine men and women serving as police officers.

Men have been having sex at bathhouses for generations. I knew that when I was a teenager growing up in San Diego many years ago. What is next on Aguirre’s agenda, kicking down the doors of the rooms at the Park Manor Suites or the Hillcrest Inn? The LGBT voters put Aguirre in office and the next time around they are going to kick him out. It will years to repair the damage he is causing in our city.

Yes the bumper stickers are funny and well earned by the city attorney but they represent how the reputation of the police department and our city government has eroded thanks to the irresponsible actions of an elected official.

Rose Prieto

Dear Editor:

Nicole says John McCain is “one of the most pro-gay Republicans”. While that may have been true a few years ago, the chameleon John McCain has now morphed himself into one of the most anti-gay. McCain has been cozying up to the religious right and last fall he appeared in Arizona TV ads encouraging voters to pass the state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

It seems McCain will say anything to get elected.

Josh Butterfield

Dear Editor:

I have read some weak and trivial defenses of Councilmember Toni Atkins in the Gay/Lesbian Times before. But the one from a Raymond Portillos-Leon (GLT #1006) has them beat a mile. In the foggy view of this 19-year-old office intern, she’s almost a sainted “very devoted honest person” and that he would “vote for Toni Atkins if she ran for the State Assembly.” Of course, he does not say what makes her honest. By “devoted,” he clarifies with: “She could have left for the County board of supervisors and been done with the City’s mess.” Not only is this tidbit of news that San Diego county wanted a share of the “mess” unbelievable, but entrenched Supervisor Ron Roberts could have defeated her handily for her dismal stewardship of the affairs of this “ethically challenged city.” That she stayed for our sake I find laughable and insincere.

If Atkins does decide to run, any able opponent, moreover, would have no trouble mounting a campaign against her using the Kroll Report. On this Portillos-Leon shifts the blame to a certain City Manager...but which one? All three were guilty of evading responsibility. So much, in fact, that the voters rightfully did away with the office! But he still insists that his boss was “possibly taken advantage of.” Give me a break.

Next he’ll be telling us the war in Iraq happened because George Bush was “taken advantage of” by his military advisors! But even if the above “mess” of our finances must be shared by others, does our gallant protector really think allowing public safety levels in her district to slip to dangerously low levels shows a “devotion to her community”? I think not.

A recent poll shows even half the gay voters would not vote her way.

Her “devotion” isn’t reciprocated. Unwanted high risers and high crime are a combination that ads up to low confidence.

No, Toni Atkins isn’t the innocent victim of sinister plotter as Raymond Portillos-Leon wants us to believe. It is we who are getting the shaft by her poor leadership.

John Primavera

Dear Editor:

I am witting in response to your “Let them Duke it out” article. I being a 19 Latino and intern for a United States Senator feel that we do have two very good contenders for the third council district seat. I personally know Todd Gloria and Stephen Whitburn. They are both in my personal opinion very dedicated and hard working men. I am going to have to say I am going to go with Todd Gloria. I feel that Todd is able to work hard under pressure and has been exposed to the world of politics being the district director for fabulous Congresswoman Susan Davis. Todd is able to empathize with many including the youth. He is also able to see issues or situations from many different prospective’s which is a gift to have. That is why once we get closer to the campaign, a few others and myself intend to round up a LARGE coalition of youth from various causes and organizations within district 3. To let the community know that we support Todd Gloria and we know he will be the FIRST of his kind. A public servant to begin the long road of recovery for The City of San Diego while always staying true to himself and the people. As well as still continuing the progression of civil rights for all. I believe Stephen Whitburn is extremely intelligent. It took me about two months to form my opinion on who would be best for the job . I personally feel Mr. Whitburn would be able to achieve much more in another elected office other than City Council. This statement is my belief as well as many other youth which a number of us are working hard to bring out and be heard for the first time in San Diego. Always look at the pros and cons we say. Always the future and never the past. As for the possibility of other LGBT Community leaders stepping in is absolutely ABUSURD! Why on gods green earth would someone be so selfish as to split the LGBT community vote even more! It is in my eyes apparent that the community is having trouble selecting one with Gloria and Whitburn why give up our shot to continue the trend of having a voice from our community within the city government! Sure has me scratching my head wondering.

Raymond Portillos-Leon

Dear Editor:

You and Rob DeKoven are right. Our next City Councilmember must have experience in law, finance, and business. Why no mention of Todd Gloria in your article “Let ‘em duke it out a few rounds”, then? He has a great deal of experience in all the criteria you mentioned.

Todd Gloria, as a San Diego Housing Commissioner, is responsible for overseeing multi-million dollar annual budgets, hundreds of employees, and serves tens of thousands of low-income San Diegans each year. These facts alone show that Todd is capable and qualified to be a City Councilmember.

Add to it Todd’s deep knowledge of the neighborhoods, his public sector experience, and his years of dedicated service to our community and I believe we have the ideal candidate for District 3 in 2008.

Joe Adams