Today, Sept. 11, is the third anniversary of one of our nation’s worst tragedies…. What I remember is that for one brief moment in time America came together as one family … one nation … regardless of color, religion, sexual orientation or lifestyle. If we would have just been able to bottle up that “unity” and make it last…. Today, on Sept. 11, let us all take the time to remember and pray for those we lost and their families…. Thank you.

Please! Please! Register to vote, get your lovers, friends, family and neighbors (ex-lovers, etc.) to register to vote, as the deadline is only 12 days away, Monday, Sept. 22…. This upcoming special election is so very important to all of us, especially for our community and GLBT civil rights. Will we continue to move forward or return to the dark days of an archconservative, antigay administration in California? For more information on registering to vote, phone (858) 694-3415.

And on Oct. 7, please vote NO on the recall and YES on Cruz Bustamante Also vote NO on Prop. 53 and Prop 54.

Recently, the San Diego Union-Tribune ran an article somewhat critical of the salaries of our mayor and city council staff. The facts are that the highly respected San Diego County Taxpayers Association has stated that our San Diego City Council staff salaries are generally comparable to what white collar and administrative workers earn in business and other government agencies. As for our Councilmember Toni Atkins’ staff salaries … out of eight city council staffs, Atkins and Lewis have the lowest salaries of all the council members ($50,391 and $50,176 respectively).

What the Union-Tribune article did not touch upon was the hard work and countless additional hours these people put in without pay…. Last month, Toni Atkins’ Third District office received 2,300 phone calls alone. Just one community in Dist. 3 (for example, City Heights) has 15 community meetings a month, which staff attend without pay…. Toni Atkins’s office has one of the best constituent responses in the city. We should all be more appreciative of these hardworking people…. So I say “Thank You” to the entire Third District City Council Staff: Jeff Gattas, George Biagi, Kim Craig, Steve Hill, Cheli Mohamed, Jason Moore, Monica Pelaez, Steve Russell and Diana Spyridonidis. And, of course, to our hardworking Councilmember Toni Atkins!

On Sept. 20, the Lavender Lens will celebrate two years of excellence and service to our community, as one of California’s top lesbian publications…. Congratulations to Publisher Bixi Craig and her entire staff…. We are proud of you and your outstanding publication.

Our city and community will be honoring Christine Kehoe’s 10th anniversary of public service next Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Holiday Inn on the Bay and you’re all invited…. The entire town is turning out for this historic celebration and fun “roast.”… Chris has served San Diego well on the city council and state assembly and she will serve us in the state senate in 2004 with all of our support and votes. Christine Kehoe has become the first “speaker pro tempore” of the state assembly from San Diego in over 100 years!!! Chris is the pride of our community and our city…. For more information and tickets, phone (619) 795-1659. Do it today, as the ballroom is getting filled quickly!

Next Sunday, Sept. 21, will be the annual Mr. – Miss – Ms. Gay Latino San Diego Contest at the legendary Brass Rail at 8:00 p.m. Contestants are now being sought for these coveted titles: Mr. (Male) Ms. (Lesbian) Miss (Impersonators). Sept. 21 will be an evening of Latino Pride, entertainment and dancing and everyone is welcome... for more information or if you are an interested contestant, phone (619) 294-8430 or (619) 692-1967…. Olé!!!