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Victory for Councilman-Elect Stephen Whitburn

Exclusive Interview

11/05/2020
in 2020 Elections, Cover stories, Feature, Featured, Features, Interviews
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Victory for Councilman-Elect Stephen Whitburn
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After a well fought campaign, and despite nasty smear efforts from his opponent, Stephen Whitburn is victorious in his run for San Diego City Council District 3. We were able to get some questions answered by Whitburn on his win and his plans for helping and improving the third district of the City of San Diego.

LGBTQSD NEWS: Similar to Harvey Milk, you got elected on your third try. How does it feel?

I’m grateful to everyone who voted for me and to all the terrific people who supported my campaign in ways large and small. This was a huge team effort. I’m honored by the trust people have placed in me, and I feel a deep sense of responsibility to serve our community well in the years ahead.   

LGBTQSD NEWS: The homelessness problem is getting out of control — Downtown, Hillcrest, etc. What are your plans on this issue?

My number one priority will be solving our homelessness crisis. We have a moral obligation to help those who are suffering on the streets. It’s also a quality-of-life issue for our neighborhoods. I’ll ensure we conduct more effective outreach to people who are unsheltered, better coordinate services among agencies, provide emergency rent assistance to people facing eviction, add short-term housing by using state grants to purchase inexpensive hotels, partner with San Diego County to provide behavioral health services, and supply job training and ongoing support to help people become self-supporting.

LGBTQSD NEWS: There are many nightclubs/bars in the 3rd District. Do you support extending their operating hours and continuing outdoor dining in 2021?

The additional outdoor dining has been popular with residents. It has also helped restaurants to stay open, serve more customers, and employ more workers. In general, I support continuing the expanded outdoor dining. As for bar and nightclub operating hours, there are many individual variables, so those would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

LGBTQSD NEWS: How do you think redistricting will change the 3rd District?

Every 10 years following the census, the council district borders are redrawn so that each council district has a similar population. District 3 has grown in the past 10 years, so people expect the district’s boundaries to shift a bit to reduce its population. An independent panel will determine how best to do that.

LGBTQSD NEWS: Do you support the Police Department and law enforcement being welcomed in the San Diego LGBTQ Pride Parade?

I was San Diego Pride’s executive director when the Pulse Nightclub shooting happened in Orlando in June of 2016, a month before our Pride celebration. Few people know the lengths to which the San Diego Police Department went – in ways seen and unseen – to keep our community safe during our Pride celebration that year. Their effort to protect us was extraordinary. Of course, large numbers of people have had a different experience with police, including many in our Black, Brown, and Trans communities. As a councilmember, I will support measures that aim to build trust between our communities and our Police Department, and I look forward to the day when everyone feels safe and included in our celebrations.      

LGBTQSD NEWS: Do you support the proposed San Diego AIDS Memorial being in Olive Street Park?

Thousands of San Diegans died during the AIDS crisis, and many of them and their loved ones were not treated properly due to the politics of the time. The memorial will remember them with dignity. With the city settling on a site, I hope people will soon have a special place to quietly reflect upon the many community members we lost.

LGBTQSD NEWS: Do you support stricter building height limits?

Appropriate building heights are tailored to individual neighborhoods. A 40-story tower might be great Downtown but not in University Heights. Ultimately, we need good urban planning and community involvement in decision-making.

LGBTQSD NEWS: Do you support the proposed Ferris wheel in Balboa Park?

This is a new proposal, and I’d like to hear the thoughts of the community and other stakeholders before I weigh in on it. It is currently being considered by the Balboa Park Committee, which advises the mayor and City Council on matters relating to Balboa Park.

LGBTQSD NEWS: You have already started focusing on the lack of quick response when it comes to 911 emergency lines. Can you tell us about it?

Some people have expressed frustration that when they called 911 to request police, they didn’t get a quick response. Recently, a man threatened the manager of a restaurant in Hillcrest. The manager called 911 three times requesting police. I know how busy our officers are. I recently spent an afternoon with an officer, and we went from one call to the next throughout the entire shift. I’m looking at what we can do to ensure that every urgent call to 911 gets a quick response.   

LGBTQSD NEWS: Residence and business leases are forcing people to leave the 3rd District. What do you hope to do about this issue?

People who love our community should be able to keep living here. Sadly, we’ve seen longtime residents move away because they could no longer afford housing. I’ll work to preserve and improve existing affordable housing, add affordable apartments on excess land around trolley stations, offer property tax incentives to builders who include extra affordable units, and assist residents who would like to add an affordable rental unit behind their home.

LGBTQSD NEWS: Do you support more bike lanes?

I support adding bike lanes that integrate well into our neighborhoods. We need bicyclists to be safe, and that requires a network of bike lanes so that bicyclists can safely get to wherever they’re going. We also need to be thoughtful about how we add bike lanes so we don’t leave residents or businesses without parking.

LGBTQSD NEWS: You were subjected to a smear campaign by your opponent and yet you still ran a clean campaign. Do you think that was a factor in your decisive election?

Many people thanked me for running a clean campaign. I always enjoy keeping things positive, and people seem to appreciate that. Now that the election is over, I’m looking forward to all of us moving forward together.

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Todd Gloria Makes History again as San Diego’s Mayor-Elect

Todd Gloria Makes History again as San Diego’s Mayor-Elect

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Pick Up Our Print Edition Near You!

December 2023, Volume 4, Issue 29

(LGBTQ SD News has decided to continue the current volume by several issues while we rebrand).

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Lopez suddenly resigns from San Diego Pride. In a Lopez suddenly resigns from San Diego Pride.

In an email to San Diego Pride staff and volunteers sent Monday night, Nov. 20, the organization’s board of directors announced that their executive director, Fernando Zweifach Lopez, Jr., had stepped down from their position, effective immediately. 

Screenshots of the email, signed by San Diego Pride co-chairs Melissa Malone-Montgomery and Noah Lomax, were shared with LGBTQ San Diego County News. 

Read the full story including reactions from community leaders by visiting the link in our bio or at https://lgbtqsd.news/lopez-suddenly-resigns-from-san-diego-pride/

@lovewarriorpink, @sandiegopride #SDPride
🎄 The trees are lit and the @festivaloftreessd 🎄 The trees are lit and the @festivaloftreessd has begun! We are proud to be a sponsor of this annual event that kicks off the holiday season in #HillcrestSanDiego and raises big money for Being Alive’s HIV/AIDS services.
In his latest Foodie Flashes, Frank Sabatini Jr. s In his latest Foodie Flashes, Frank Sabatini Jr. shares about popular new Hillcrest chicken spot, Cluck N Sip; the annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival; Whiskey House in downtown’s Marina District; some dining spots offering ways to be charitable; and a new location of Pitfire Pizza.

Read the full column at the link in our bio or at: lgbtqsd.news/foodie-flashes-november-2023
The vandal who caused $4,634 in damages to the Met The vandal who caused $4,634 in damages to the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) was ordered to pay the church back and sentenced to 270 days in jail on Oct. 12.

Read the full story at the link in our bio or at: lgbtqsd.news/sentencing-for-man-who-vandalized-mcc
Nicole Murray Ramirez shares his review of the fil Nicole Murray Ramirez shares his review of the film "RUSTIN," which chronicles the life of civil rights icon Bayard Rustin.

Read the full column at the link in our bio or at: lgbtqsd.news/conversations-with-nicole-november
A jury convicted a man of second-degree murder Oct A jury convicted a man of second-degree murder Oct. 19, in the stabbing death of a gay sailor 33 years ago at his Point Loma home in a case solved by DNA.

Read the full story at the link in our bio or at: lgbtqsd.news/convicted-after-33-years
Check out our latest news briefs section, featurin Check out our latest news briefs section, featuring information about future Hillcrest Development; a San Diego resident being featured in a Don't Ask Don't Tell documentary; and MPOX infections are on the rise again.

Read the briefs at the link in our bio or here: lgbtqsd.news/spectrum-news-briefs-november-2023

@hillcrestsandiego #HillcrestSanDiego @cityofsandiego @vibrantuptown @uptownplannerssd @hillcresttowncouncil
These are rough times all around, but @BennyC80 re These are rough times all around, but @BennyC80 reminds us to continue to look out for each other and never be afraid to ask for help!

Read Benny's full column at the link in our bio or here: lgbtqsd.news/bennys-back-managing-these-times-we-live-in

@hillcrestsandiego #hillcrestsandiego
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