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Paul Kuhns for mayor of Rehoboth Beach

Put an end to incompetent government in resort town

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Paul Kuhns, gay news, Washington Blade

Vote Paul Kuhns for Rehoboth Beach mayor.

The City of Rehoboth Beach is a small community in Sussex County, the southernmost county in Delaware. Thousands like me first got to know it as a summer vacation destination. Today, it is home to a small group of 1,624 actual voters, those who own property within the city limits and are eligible to vote. If you are one of the lucky ones who owns property in the city, you need to register to vote by the deadline which is on or before July 13.

As a property owner you are eligible to vote even if you don’t live there full time. By law you can vote in Rehoboth Beach elections even if you normally vote in Maryland, Virginia, D.C., Philadelphia or somewhere else. You can also register and request an absentee ballot if you won’t be in town on Aug. 12. With such a small number of voters you have an even greater responsibility to do your civic duty. You can vote by absentee ballot. An affidavit must be completed. Affidavits may be downloaded from the city’s website or by calling City Hall at 302-227-6181 to request an affidavit be mailed to you

Many don’t realize the Rehoboth Beach zip code, 19971, includes thousands whose homes and businesses include the address Rehoboth Beach but who live outside the approximately one mile boundaries of the actual city and aren’t eligible to vote in the Aug. 12 election for mayor and City Commission. But what happens in the City of Rehoboth impacts their lives and property values so it makes the 1,624 voters even more important.   

For the past 30 years, the denizens of the City of Rehoboth have elected the same mayor. A mayor who over the years has made homophobic remarks; who apparently doesn’t really understand, or want to acknowledge, how the business community in the city drives tourism; who often conducts the business of the city in secret; who was born into wealth owning a large compound in the city and has a personal interest in keeping property taxes low and finding ways to tax everyone else to pay the bills.

His latest, and hopefully the last, incompetent decision was to build the new City Hall complex currently going up on Rehoboth Avenue. Because of poor planning and the mayor making many decisions on the project in secret, the unsightly edifice known to many as Cooper’s Palace (Sam Cooper being the name of the current mayor) is millions of dollars over budget and way behind schedule. In a recent letter to the Cape Gazette, a resident of the city said he and his wife “Recently walked down Rehoboth Avenue and passed our new (unfinished) $22,000,000 City Hall.” He added “what impressed me the most was the cost of the $22,000,000 building worked out to over $13,500 for each of the 1,624 registered Rehoboth voters.” Many voters in the city who I have talked to hope this obscenity is the final act for this mayor and that the majority of voters will have reached a point where they will no longer tolerate incompetent leadership.

The voters are lucky because this year there is a great alternative who has tossed his hat into the ring. His name is Paul Kuhns and he currently serves on the Board of Commissioners. Kuhns is a longtime resident of Rehoboth and a businessman in the city. He has a comprehensive understanding of budgets and reality. He has been speaking to voters and explaining, “There are critical financial, environmental and quality of life issues that require a studied long view, with a contemporary vision. It’s time to let the sun shine on all city activities, be totally accountable to the citizens, and be proactive in every area of our government.”

Kuhns added, “As mayor, I want to work with all of the commissioners to discuss ideas and form solutions. I want to be a part of great team rather than try to be the only one on the field. We are a substantial tourist destination as well as a great place to live. We must be able to balance tourism with a high quality of life for our residents. We need to encourage close relationships with our local, county and state peers in order to work on issues that continue to affect us all. Under the current mayor, those relationships do not exist today. I will work to ensure there is complete community outreach because I understand there are many more people in the 19971 zip code that are impacted by what we do in our one square mile city.”

The current mayor clearly sees himself as an entity unto himself. He likes working alone, having secret meetings with city staff and contractors, keeping elected commissioners in the dark. If you take the time to look at the City of Rehoboth website you might not even know that a City Board of Commissioners exists. Paul Kuhns will change that.

On Aug. 12, the 1,624 voters in the City of Rehoboth can make a real difference in their town. Electing Paul Kuhns as mayor will see Rehoboth Beach grow in positive ways over the next decades. So voters can either reelect a mayor who doesn’t believe in, or understand, long-term capital planning and who chooses to run the city on a day-to-day basis; or they can elect Kuhns who has promised that among other things he will focus on process. He said “Our city government lacks formal policies and procedures that should be inherent in any orderly city government. Our policies must be much more proactive. Currently, the city is only reactive after continued complaints. This may have worked in the 80’s when we were a sleepy little town outside of the summer season, but it is not responsible management today.”

Those like myself who have been coming to Rehoboth Beach for decades love that it is still in some ways the town we first fell in love with. At the same time we understand for the city to prosper and grow the person elected mayor must understand the world as it is today and not govern like the current mayor who appears to be living in the past — building a city hall palace without any regard for the people of the town who have to pay for it.   

If you have questions for Paul Kuhns he has shared his email and phone number with the people of the City of Rehoboth Beach, which is a clear indication of the kind of hands-on and transparent mayor he will be. He can be reached at [email protected], or at 302-430-8484 and is happy to answer any specific questions you may have. You should also plan to attend the candidate forum at CAMP on Friday, July 28 at 6 p.m., 37 Baltimore Ave. in Rehoboth Beach. You can hear for yourself why Paul Kuhns will make a great mayor for the City of Rehoboth Beach.

For questions or other information regarding elections, registration to vote and absentee ballots contact Donna Moore at 302-227-6181, ext. 108, or email [email protected].

Peter Rosenstein is a longtime LGBT rights and Democratic Party activist. He writes regularly for the Blade.

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Opinions

DC To Host 1st National TDOV Gala on Easter Sunday

Trans USA National Pageantry and the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) will host the 1st Annual Blossom Gala at Hook Hall.

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The first International Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) celebration was held 15 years ago, with the goal of addressing the major concern that the only well-known trans-centered day was the Transgender Day of Remembrance, which mourned the murders of transgender people but did not acknowledge and celebrate living members of the transgender community. On March 31, Trans USA National Pageantry and the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) will host the 1st Annual Blossom Gala at Hook Hall, which will serve as the culminating event of their TDOV programming in Washington, DC. 

Dylan Drobish (also known as Dylan B. Dickherson White), National Director at Trans USA, offered the following: “It is our hope that Blossom will serve as a reminder not just of the battle we face every day but also of the beauty, excellence, intellect, and resilience of transgender Americans. We believe that this event is especially important given the increased backlash and violence against our community in the last few years alone, with nearly 500 anti-trans bills under consideration across 41 states as of March. However, Blossom—and TDOV itself—is a celebration held in defiance of the idea that trans lives are only worthy of headlines once they have ended.”

Preceded by an impactful, inspiring rally at the national mall (11:00 AM to 3:00 PM) featuring Angelica Ross of Pose and AHSBlossom is a fundraising initiative that blends keynote speakers, a Q&A panel discussion with national leaders in the movement for transgender equality, and the artistry of drag with CHERRY BOMB–an all-trans drag showcase headlined by trans icon, activist, and Drag Race pioneer Monica Beverly Hillz. This pivotal event will also serve as the official public launch of the TRANSform the Vote initiative, which aims to inspire transgender people and allies to make their voices heard at the ballot box.

But make no mistake. Blossom is a celebration, and the event organizers have pulled out all the stops to ensure that ticket prices remain accessible without sacrificing the magic of a true gala experience. For truly gram-worthy “pink carpet” photos, all attendees are invited to “dress to impress” with their interpretation of a timely theme that celebrates the beauty of coming into one’s own as a visible member of the trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming community.  

The event comes at a pivotal time for both the community and the organizations seeking to protect it: This summer, NCTE will officially merge with Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF) to create Advocates for Trans Equality, doubling their ability to lead the next chapter of the transgender rights movement. This November, Trans USA will welcome over 80 representatives from across the country to their national competition, which will for the first time also feature a national conference and exposition solely focused on the trans and non-binary community. While monumental, these 2024 events come with unprecedented challenges, as many major corporations and grant programs refuse to provide funding related to “controversial social or political issues”, especially in an election year. 

Despite these challenges, celebratory events like Blossom are, unsurprisingly, now more important than ever, with trans lives having been politicized to such a polarizing extent. Drobish, a former Mr. Trans USA himself offered the following: 

“‘Narrative identity’ refers to the idea that our identities are formed from the internal stories we tell about ourselves (and our interpretation of them). Organizations like Trans USA and NCTE are here to help rewrite the narrative that gets passed down to the next generation of trans and non-binary folks. My message to anyone involved with Trans USA or the movement in general has always been that you are the author of your story—the story that gives your life meaning and purpose—and you get to choose how it’s told. Are you the hero or the victim? Are you the agent or the object? Are you the one telling your story, or is someone else doing all the talking? It’s 2024, and it’s time to take the pen back. Because true visibility isn’t about being seen; it’s about making others feel seen. Seen enough to BLOSSOM.” 

Tickets for the Blossom gala start at just $15, but VIP guests ($100) will receive access to a premium open bar from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, light hors d’oeuvres, and prime seating, in addition to the 20-entertainer showcase with a Drag Race headliner! While doors open at 4:30 PM for the event, advance purchase online is strongly recommended by the organizers, as only a limited number of these VIP tickets are available.

-Dylan Drobish (National Director, Trans USA National Pageantry; Mr. Trans USA 2022, Mr. Freddie’s 2019

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Attacking Jews is latest Trump outrage

Anyone who supports equality and peace must vote for Biden

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(Washington Blade file photo by Christopher Kane)

Calling out the Jewish community in the United States as Trump did, is both dumb, and anti-Semitic. The Jewish community has been a Democratic constituency for many years, and attacking them won’t get them to vote for him.

It is a difficult time for many Jews in the world today. I being one of them. I am a strong supporter of Israel, but support Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who believes there will never be peace in the Middle East as long as Netanyahu and his government are in control. Israel cannot keep annexing West Bank land, which should be part of a Palestinian state if we can get to a two-state solution. In fact, they must draw back the settlements now there. At the same time, like Schumer, I believe both Netanyahu and Hamas have to go. Being anti-Netanyahu is not being anti-Israel, just as being anti-Trump is not being anti-United States, or wanting Hamas to go, is not being anti-Palestinian. 

Attacking Jews is just one more outrageous thing coming out of Trump’s mouth. He is a notorious sexist, racist, homophobic, pig. He is an old man who can’t control his mouth and continues to spout nonsense. His apparently limited brain power is tied up in disgusting views of the world and individuals. He mocks those with disabilities like he did to a New York Times reporter, and mocks President Biden for his stutter. There was a recent column in the Washington Post reminding people Trump’s father had Alzheimer’s. I think we may be seeing the disease manifest itself in Trump. 

I have written this election is between two older men. I myself am older, and understand one often forgets a name, a date, or an event. Having just written a memoir, which I hope will be published in May, in its preface I say “these are dates and events as I remember them.” But as neuroscientist Charan Ranganath recently wrote in the Washington Post, that in no way limits how a person can understand complex issues, or in my case work as a consultant and research and write weekly columns. For a president, especially one who is older, it is important for us to know who is surrounding him or her. I am definitely more secure knowing those who will be around and advising President Biden, versus those around Trump. No one person alone, whatever their age, can handle all the issues facing a president.

Whether you are a Jew supporting Israel, a Muslim supporting the Palestinian people, or someone like me supporting both, you are better off with President Biden. If you support the Palestinian people having their freedom, then Trump must strike fear in your heart, after all, he is the one who moved the American embassy to Jerusalem. 

The idea of electing a man convicted of fraud in his business dealings, found liable for sexually mistreating a woman, and who faces another 88 criminal counts, is ludicrous. It actually says as much about the people who would vote for him, as it does about Trump. A man who brags about taking away the right of women to control their own body, and healthcare, doesn’t deserve the vote of any woman. A man who opposes equal rights, affirmative action, and saw good people on both sides in Charlottesville, doesn’t deserve the vote of any Black American. A man who opposes any forgiveness of student loans, denies climate change, opposes making community college free, doesn’t deserve the vote of any young person. 

It amazes me when people compare how things were four years ago to today, and say they were better then. A time you couldn’t find toilet paper on grocery shelves, 1,000 people a day were dying of COVID, the Dow Jones was at 19,000 and today it’s at 39,000. The country was hemorrhaging jobs and in the last three years 13 million have been created. Wages are higher and unemployment lower. 

Of course, as President Biden says, we need to do more. He is doing it, Trump didn’t. Trump gave a $2 trillion tax cut to the wealthy, increasing the national debt. He pledges to do it again. Biden passed a massive infrastructure bill, now creating thousands of jobs building and repairing bridges and roads, in every state. He passed the Chips and Science Act, recently announcing new chip factories in four states, creating thousands of new construction and manufacturing jobs. Those factories will change the U.S. from an importing country, to a producing one. That is some of the real change Biden has brought about. 

Trump talks big, but never produced; Biden is producing for the American people, and will continue to do so.

Peter Rosenstein is a longtime LGBTQ rights and Democratic Party activist. He writes regularly for the Blade.

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Letter-to-the-Editor

Banning the Rainbow Flag: the latest act of GOP madness

Prohibition included in government spending bill the president signed

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The Progress Pride flag flies in front of the U.S. Embassy in Berlin on July 22, 2022. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

The Republican agenda is an obvious one: Distract from real issues by assaulting the most vulnerable. That’s why they have focused their hatred on the LGBTQ+ community. After years of legislating book bans, curriculum censorship, bathroom restrictions and withholding medically needed gender therapy, their latest act is signature Republican cruelty: For a crucial trillion-dollar budget that would prevent a government shutdown, the GOP slipped in a measure to ban the display of Rainbow Flags at U.S. embassies all over the world.

This is not an act of mere symbolism. In too many countries, being queer is punishable by imprisonment or death. Measures like this give a green light to violence and homophobia both at home and abroad. It places more LGBTQ+ people at tangible risk. It is an outrageous abuse of the political process.

This cynical political maneuver is typical of the GOP, the Party of Destruction. But equally egregious is that President Biden and Democrats approved the budget, knowing the poison pill line item that had already been added.

Now, President Biden vows to repeal the embassy flag ban measure. We will hold him to his vow. Will he expend the political capital necessary to make the repeal happens? We must remember that he and the Congress capitulated to a small group of GOP manipulators and, in this instance, saw the global LGBTQ+ community as expendable.

The Democratic Party positions itself as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. They must hold their ground. They must represent and defend all of us. Otherwise, an emboldened GOP, led by Trump, will only escalate their merciless attacks on our vulnerable communities.”

Charles Beal is president of the Gilbert Baker Foundation and the Save the Rainbow Flag Campaign.

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