Spineless politicos, dinosaurs and partisan political activists. Pride is really in trouble now! Thank you Senator and Thank you Councilmember!!

Well it's obvious that the anonymous author of this article has no training in journalism and is lacking in basic common sense.

Huge portions of the story are presented as though they are fact, but they are based solely on the comments of one of the board members who is in the center of the scandal.

Gee, that's who I want to turn to as a reliable source.

At no point in the article was Sen. Kehoe, Councilmember Gloria or former Councilmember Atkins given an opportunity to tell what they said or heard during the meeting on Saturday. I'm willing to bet that they heard things very differently than Mr. Worrell.

I certainly hope Gloria, Kehoe and Atkins are given an opportunity to tell us what really happened at the meeting.

I also got completely lost when I read -- "appointing the San Diego Democratic Club to take over Pride." Where the hell did that come from and what is it based on?

Finally, how could their possible be a Brown Act violation. Obviously the unnamed "community members" who are speculating about that haven't a clue what the Brown Act is and therefore that line should never have found its way into print.

Pretty sad reporting and even worse editing. Please try to do better in the future.

Hail to Chris, Toni and Todd...what would we do without your leadership...thank our lucky stars...

Not sure I trust the journalism here.

Who wrote this? Why isn't there a byline?

Who is this anonymous source quoted throughout? And why is an article mostly built around his or her fairly outlandish claims without any corraboration.

Why aren't Kehoe and Gloria quoted directly?

Why weren't Gloria and Kehoe consulted to respond to the claims of an unnamed source? If they were, why no quotes?

Honestly, does the 'unconscionable bullying' in Worrell's letter sound like Senator Kehoe or Councilmember Gloria? For that matter, does most of the stuff in this article sound like either of them?

Not to me.

I expect better journalism from G<.

Why are my tax dollars paying for Christine Kehoe to get involved in local community affairs? Doesn't she work for state government? Who does this woman think she is having control over a San Diego Pride hiring freeze? This would never have happened in a heterosexual community but again we always have to be unique. We want the same rights, and we shout it till were are hoarse, but we don't play by the same rules. Shame on our politicians for getting involved in something they should not have. Chris get back to the capital! Todd get back to San Diego City Council.

In agreeing with Jess Durfee let me add that this is what comes when publishers don't pay their writers. ugh. This is the most important story that is going in LGBT community right now and an excellent chance for professional coverage is being BLOWN. Way to go, Portantino.

That group of pompous, spineless, politicos; pseudo-journalists; dinosaurs and fossils; and, pissant miscreants, present company INCLUDED, kicked your ass to the curb, now stay there and stay quiet.

Seriously, who wrote this article? It is an abortion. It is not based on creditable sources and is certainly biased. If you are going to quote Kehoe, then interview her and frame the intent of the article within that framework. Sheesh, no wonder there is no byline.

The subject line of the GLT e-blast was "Kehoe Threatens Pride Board..." Besides an allegation by a disgraced former board member, there is absolutely no proof that any type of threatening or "bullying" ever took place.

I agree with the other people posting that this is totally irresponsible journalism. Let's start with facts and not rampant speculation.

I'm just glad this whole ugly chapter in our community's history is over, but I do feel like the GLT really failed on reporting this story.

Lastly,

No By-Line = Coward

Mr. Jess Durfee is as partisan as they come...so he is biased from the get go!
Kehoe, Atkins and Gloria made sure Carl DeMaio (Republican Councilmember) was absolutely excluded from their secretive, behind-closed-doors meeting on the afternoon of Saturday 01/23/10 at Kehoe's taxpayer-paid office Downtown so their hand-picked list of strictly Democratic Club members with blind support to Kehoe and Gloria got appointed on to the board. In what capacity was Toni Atkins present? She is not a current elected official. Talk about the love of absolute dictatorship power! 'Thank you' Christine!

This has been a long time coming. Thank you for kicking these people out to the curb!!!!

Most of the new Board members had been asked to serve by the sitting Board before the meeting with Kehoe.
Most of them, like Shaw and Dilno, have strong positive community history.
We should be grateful that we have leaders like Kehoe and Gloria who will step in and sort out a mess that this had become.

If this were non-biased coverage, we would expect that two sides to this issue be interviewed and reported. One sided reporting shows a possible bias by Mr. Portantino's paper. One would hope that LGBT
press would help illuminate the issue rather than fog it further. To print a letter as the source of accurate information seems to relegate the G & L Times to being a rag rather than a newspaper of record.

Politics is ugly and Kehoe definitely overstepped her bounds. Is she running for Republican Office?

This is why I prefer SDGLN. Their reporting seems to be more well rounded, unbiased, and double sourced. Everything within GLT these days seems to have some sort of bias behind it.

Well, no board is perfect. At least neither the three former board members nor the appointed board allowed for any of Nicole's cronies that drive her around and pay her bills and buy her pills to creep into Pride. That's always a plus to any community. When will that old hag be kicked to the curb?

Drag nicole wants big, big headliners at the festival and also a freeze to all expenses at the same time. How is that possible, genius nicole? She wants free entry, big entertainment, donations back to the community with hardly any staff to carry all that out? A mediocre 80's band or singer costs no less than $50,000 these days. Check around and ask the local casinos that bring in 80's names to town all the time. Nicole's absurdity and demagoguery reach new heights every day. The local, low-life gossip hag now wants to talk numbers, economics and budgets. Huh? Hey Nicole, why don't you donate some of the Imperial Court funds to Pride instead of stuffing your pockets with it so Pride can afford the big, big entertainers that’ll satisfy your queeny liking? Did you skip your happy pills today?

The newely removed Pride board members should SHUT UP,thank their lucky stars and start praying that a FRAUD charge is not filed against them.

Hey, since there has been illegal use of funds has the IRS been contacted to see if donations made to Pride are still tax deductablde?

Thank you Senator Kehoe, Councilmember Gloria and Toni Atkins! When our community leaders do not live up to the responsibility we have trusted them with, you were there to help us out. The last thing we need is more embarassament from a mis managed non profit.

As to the quality of the reporting/fact checking/journalism, reader beware.

The former Board members do not pray. Is that OK Rick Warren?

This Pride, everyone should boycott! I know that there are thousands who will take a weekend getaway from San Diego Pride!

Lets send Pride a message that this is unacceptable!

Grammatical issues notwithstanding, this is not journalism. Perhaps if this article had appeared under the heading 'opinion' or 'letters to the editor', it would have been marginally appropriate. But placing it in the 'News' section makes this publication nearly as credible as Fox News.

Come on, GLT. This is the most pitiful piece of so-called journalism I have seen in forever.

The new Pride board members are former Pride board members, who have been dedicated to serving Pride for decades. This is NOT a political ploy by anyone. This is an offering of statesmanship by our LGBT elected officials who stepped in and forced the hand of stubborn, entrenched, un-known board members. The Board was corrupt and had lost the faith of the community.

Also, what is this nonsense about Senator Kehoe threatening to "place the organization into receivership" - that assertion makes no sense whatsoever - anyone who has had 9th grade civics should know about that thing called separation-of-powers.

I'm proud of my elected officials and I'm proud of my friends who have stepped in to save LGBT Pride from the cesspool into which it has sunk.

Alex, Its interesting that you don't mention that you were the past president of the San Diego Democratic Club, nor if you endorsed, volunteered for or ever gave money to Kehoe's election funds? This is about a state Senator that used taxpayer paid space, and letter head to get involved in a private non profit organization. You also chose not to address the people that Kehoe hand picked past affiliations with the club and if they have endorsed volunteered and given money to Kehoe, Gloria or Atkins. I wonder why? Your as partisan as they get. Your a friend of Kehoes and I believe a financial supporter and endorsed her. Why did you choose to leave out all that information? I'll bet because anybody with a 9th grade education can understand political favors, political payback, and zealots that drank the cool-aid of these three, political allies. Why not just fess up and admit Kehoe got done what most of the community wanted ( me included ), but the ends don't justify the means. Didn't your mother ever teach you that? But backroom dealing, conniving, secret agendas etc...is what the Democratic Club is all about. That's why I'm no longer a member. It's founders are rolling over in their graves. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Dear George:

I have no idea who you are, because you did not have the guts or courtesy to identify yourself, but I will say my affiliation with the Democratic Club is irrelevant to the issue of Pride - just as the affiliation of Pride Board members with the SDDC is irrelevant to their service with Pride.

Do I support Kehoe, Atkins and Gloria, you bet I do. They serve us well - and served us well w/the Pride debacle. Period. End of subject. Come out of the closet no surname George.

BTW, George, I have the honor of serving as Vice President of the SDDC but have never been President...see what you know - or don't know?

Alix, How nice of you to avoid letting everyone know what you know about The Kehoe hand picked board. See you are a politician, I won't say public servant because you aren't you've mastered the art of not answering the questions raised. Again why not fess up and tell us about all the afiliations of all the people involved? I know you know ;-) Oh, I know because everyone will then see that I am right. Shouldn't a board of a community non profit represent the community it searves? Why no republicans? Why no youth? Why no non supporters of Kehoe, Atkins and Gloria? Come on Alex answer the questions?

Alex, Honor, That club has done nothing but gone down hill over the past 10 years. It's a bunch of zealots without an independant working brain cell amoungst the group. Why are you intentionally hidding all the affiliations? Oh I know because even when you sit down and right out the list and see who supported, endorsed, volunteered, and financially supported Kehoe, Atkins and Gloria even a political hack like you can see the nepotism. Go ahead do it in public. Right here. Proove me wrong. I double dare you. I forgot, you don't have the guts to be honest.

Alex, you are so partisan it is not even funny (never mind that you are so Cute and a nice guy too!). But can't you see when you practically have a hand-picked board by a far-left elected Democrat and the vast majority of the appointed board members are also very strong supporters of Kehoe, Atkins etc. and Very active members of SD Democratic Club that Pride loses its independence? What if the local Log Cabin folks all ended up on the Pride board? I would not like that either.

Alex, What's a matter? Cat got your tongue? Or maybe you wrote everything down and now even you can't deny the nepotism. What a lazy chicken s%&t. Admit it, you drank the cool-aid and now you realize what a follower you are?
Doubt it you are too much of a narcissist to self evaluate and incapable of being honest. And you would never be honest about Kehoe, Atkins and Gloria if it might taint them, even though it's true. Shame on you. Your parents must be really proud of you.

Not really sure what is going on. Please explain what is happening here. But no matter what I am sure happy that Carl worrel is not present on that board. By his comment he obviously has pent up anger and we certainly do not need that kind of attitude present or planning our fagulous and happy event.

Alex Sachs, Calling on Alex to man up and answer questions.Is their any reason you won't back up your words with the facts? Do you need to get permission from Kehoe, Atkins, and Gloria to answer the questions posed to you? Do you have a mind of your own? Or are you just a spinless jellyfish? What should I expect from the Honorable VP of the SDDC? Well readers you see it here when faced with having to answer direct questions calling for factual answers the SDDC and Alec Sachs won't do it. Again I wonder why?

Alex, How does it feel to be the lap dog of a State Senator, a hopeful Assembly member and a City council member. Hurry up and get their permission to answer the questions posed to you and make sure you take impecable notes so you don't get anything they tell you to say wrong. OK

"George" - I just checked the website of this rag we call a newspaper and saw you were looking for me. I have more of a life than to sit here on line looking for an anonymous attacker. Yes, I was at Toni Atkins' kick off for her Assembly Campaign. She will make an excellent Assemblymember, and work in partnership with our statesman Chris Kehoe and with our new Councilmember Todd Gloria. I note that you have still not told readers who you are or what your beef is. So we're done with that. Thank you Mr./Ms. Anonymous "George" We are done.

Alex, My name is George. Now why won't you answer the questions I've put out there? Did you check and get permission from Kehoe, Atkins and Gloria? Like the lap dog you are. Facts are facts. If the statements in the article are wrong why wouldn't you want to enlighten the readers with the correct information? Don't you feel any obligation in your role of the VP of the SDDC to correct misinformation you feel is being diseminated? It's certainly is strange that you keep avoiding the questions and keep trying to move the converstion away from the questions and to other things. I would think such a great man(?) of your stature would feel it your civic duty to correct an injustice against the three politicians you claim false allegations have been made about. But lets be real you are a little man ( yes probably there too )and most likely impotent as well. Certainly already castrated. But again false allegations made about your club, it's members and your three friends Kehoe, Atins and Gloria and all you were interested in correcting was that you are the VP and not the president of the club. Narcassism at it's best. Corect the wrongs, straigten us all out, fix the errors, show how shoddy the paprer is or go lay back down at the feet of either Kehoe, Atkins or Gloria. I know hanging around big shots like them feeds your ego.

Alex, What a piece of work you are. All you've prooved is that the contents of the story are true and that all you really care about is your reputation. Their you have it people the VP of the SDDC is relutantly admitting that the story however many typoes and imcompleete sentences that the content of the story was correct. Yet they still go on trying to taint the GLT instead of holding their politician friends accountable for their actions. And you wonder why the need for the SDDC keeps diminishing each election cycle.

Ok now that we all know that Alex doesn't have a pair lets move on to Jess Durfee the former Chair of the SDDC and the current Chair of the San Diego Democratic Party. Jess why not tell us what is wrong in the story other then grammer and some typoes. Again I would think it is your responibility to inform the community of any errors and false accusations made against the parties elected officials. Why not set the record strait for all of us and tell us the truth and what was incorrect in the article?

WTF G&L Times? This article is a mess! Worrell's whiny ad hominum attacks give us some insight into his character. Good riddance. I'm grateful that he finally got the "obvious" message that his involvement with Pride must end. I think that message came through loud and clear at the community forum even before our locally elected officeholders got involved. He and the other board members should have taken the hint earlier.

Does anybody remember what a dismal event Pride was last year? Never found festival tickets along the parade route, never knew who the "headliner" was, couldn't buy two day tickets, and general chaos. If you can't put together an event that practically sells itself, don't whine when you are ousted for doing a crappy job!

I'm probably the only former board member of Pride that has not spoken up. I live out of state and have watched this unfortunate situation unfold. I was on the board less than a yr ago. I felt so strongly that Pride should not spend the money on the new building. I was forced out by the three ex-members because of my stance. I told the board that the Center's housing for teens was a disaster, (two overdosed and died this past year). The money should have been given to the Center to provide quality housing for the gay teens. I'm glad the community has taken back the organization. I also was fired from a job in the community because of my strong feelings of what was happening with Pride. I look forward to visiting and seeing a great event this summer.

Calling Jess Duerfee, Can you please address all the errors in the article for us and not just the grammer? Are the statements correct? If Kehoe hand picked only the people on the Centers board and said these will be the new Pride board. Would it be fair to say that the center took over Pride? Please be man enough to adreess everything in the article so the truth will be given out. Doesn't the community you say you worked so hard for desearve to hear the truth? Since you say you know it and that this article missed it please enlighten us? We need to know.

Alex, Did you happen to grow any overnight? Or did you get permission from your leaders to tell the truth? What a wimp!!!

A word of caution to Nicole and to others on all sides of the Pride saga that our state constitution (section 1) protects an individual's privacy no matter what position they are in. I am naming Nicole in specific because week after week he chose to publish private email addresses and telephone numbers of the former board members, slandered their characters and referred to them as 'stooges', 'pridegate' etc. in print (online and paper) without giving much thought to the law. If you've noticed none of the former board members nor the former executive director gave any public comments nor slandered each other because they all have been properly advised by wise council not to do so because that will make matters worse. It is unfortunate that one of the resigned former staff and the group of friends around him continue to slander and break the law on a daily basis. Some of the horrific email and telephone messages that the former board members received because of Nicole's and others divulging of prviate information have already been documeted with council. Please be careful and count to 10 before you forward someone's private information on to others with the intent of public slander, threat or the perception of either.

Dear Ebony. The constitution protects different people differently. First of all these people you are talking about are considered public figures making defamation, slander and privacy rights very different from those of ordinary citizens. They have activly worked at trying to make themselves public figures. As far as their salaries it's all public record. The top 5 paid employees of all non profits is public recoed. I wouldn't want to think you are trying to stifle the dialog about this very important issue are you? Can you please point me to a specific instance you are refering to? thanks George

Has every man(?) in the SDDC been castrated?

I am a young’er’ person under 30. Nicole (with his made-up-last-name) ‘Ramirez’ yet again thinks that he speaks for all or most of us. He is around the same age as my grandpa! Give it a rest and stop being a hog. Someone mentioned the other day that some of the ‘new’ board members are really old and have been around pride since 1976? Could that be true? Also seems like this is a recycled board with many of them having served on the same board for three or four terms already since the 1980s. Why would the three local politicians Gloria, Atkins and Kehoe insist on appointing such a one-dimensional, one-political party board to serve a very diverse community? Oh, no black women, no black men, no latin women, no latin men, no asian women, no asian men, no arab women, no arab men, no native American women, no native American women on that ‘community’ board. Great job Senator! Yep, Nicole has not seen the light in years. He is so far up you know where, he is actually stuck! A quick overview of the prior 7-member board of almost a year ago showed 60% minority. Again, great job Senator, Atkins and Gloria on bringing that number down to 0% with your hand-picked list!

George>? I mean, Carl Worrell? Really? Let it go.

How funny Mike R. Again why won't Jess Durfee and Alex Sachs man up and answer the questions I've asked. Oh. That's right they have been castrated.
It's amazing what puppets they've become. They can't even talk for themselves.

Hi George, agreed! They are puppets just like todd plastic gloria. They can never think for themselves nor express themselves before checking with mama kehoe or mama atkins. They are crippled at that 'club'. Oh, did I mention that almost all of that click make a living off of taxpayers money including alex sachs? Alex are you still around?

Final note on this. Everyone. The ends don't justify the means. Just because Kehoe, Atkins and Gloria got what we all wanted done their strong arm tacktics and over stepping of their bounds and authority doesn't make it right. Unsupervised power can lead us to trouble. Think about it can they walk into Being Alive tomorrow and demand board replacements and hiring and firering restrictions? Can they do the same with any non profit they want? Do we really want them to have the power to replace boards with all of their political supporters, financial backers, endorsers and volunteers? Is your private job at a nonprofit subject to their interference? Do we really want them to have that kind of power over all of us? Lets put personal likes and dislikes aside. This is a slippery slope we are heading down. Don't take this lightly. Thanks George