From: WAND_M@gold.colorado.edu
Subject: New York mayor ripped by Isaac over convention
Followup-To: amend2-discuss@cs.colorado.edu
Originator: doherty@ucsu.Colorado.EDU
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1993 00:29:07 GMT

Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs
January 21, 1993

Dinkins aide defends 'democratic decision'

By Rich Laden

Mayor Robert Isaac blasted New York Mayor David Dinkins on Wednesday, saying 
hus arm-twisting convinced the U.S. Conference of Mayors to move its annual 
convention to New York City from Colorado Springs in protest of Amendment 2.

"I think this was a pretty sad commentary on how you work with your 
colleagues," Isaac said of Dinkins' lobbying.

But if Isaac is smarting over the mayors' decision to yank their convention out 
of Colorado Springs, it's silly to blame Dinkins, one of the big-city mayor's 
aides said.

"To suggest this is all the handiwork of David Dinkins is simply untrue," said 
Lee Jones, Dinkins' press secretary.  "It was the democratic decision of the 
conference of mayors not to hold (the convention) in Colorado in the first 
instance."

The exchange of criticism was part of the ongoing fallout from the mayors' 
decision to boycott Colorado Springs over Amendment 2, the state constitutional 
amendment that bans laws protecting gays and lesbians from discrimination based 
on their sexual orientation.  Passed by Colorado voters Nov. 3, Amendment 2 was 
put on hold by a Denver judge last week until a trial to determine its 
legality.

The mayors' executive committee voted unanimously last month to boycott 
Colorado Springs.  Meeting in Washington, D.C., this week, the group's leaders 
chose New York City as a replacement--passing over Reno, Nev,, which had been 
recommended by the mayors' site selection committee.

"Mayor Dinkins overturned the site selection committee recommendation," Isaac 
said.  "I just think it was rather opportunistic.  If it had been my city, I 
would not have lobbied against the recommendation of the site selection 
committee."

As he did earlier this week, Isaac also criticized the mayors for their boycott 
of Colorado Springs.

"They just wanted to do the thing that looks best," said Isaac, a past 
president of the mayors group.  "They can't go on boycotting.  Today's issue is 
gay and lesbian rights.  Tomorrow it could be something else."

Isaac seems unwilling to accept that some mayors made their decision on 
principle and not politics, Jones said.

"I would argue that we very much disagree with the amendment that was passed by 
the voters of Colorado," he said.  "As do other mayors.  As do other 
Americans."

Next week, the Colorado Springs City Council is expected to decide whether the 
city should remain a member of the conference.  Isaac said he is undecided.  
Others, like Councilwoman Cheryl Gillaspie, said the city should cancel its 
membership rather than use taxpayer dollars to pay roughly $6,000 in annual 
dues.

But if the city wants to influence the mayors group, it can't do so if it's on 
the outside looking in, some suggested.

"It's hard to have an influence on an organization when you're not a member," 
Councilman Randy Purvis said.

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