I have enjoyed Mark Aguirre’s "CAMP Profile" interviews in Letters from CAMP Rehoboth for many months now. He sheds light on the many, often unsung, heroes and workers around town. They have been informative and enlightening. I think it’s time, however, we interviewed him.

I first met Mark when he was campaigning for public office to become a Rehoboth Beach City Commissioner. I was very impressed with his background, demeanor, hard work and especially the canvassing of citizens to gather information and learn of their concerns. I decided to work on his campaign and in 2002 he was elected.

After a successful career with America Online, Inc. in Dulles, Virginia, he decided to retire to enjoy the good life, but has been working hard ever since. Mark has been involved in community organizations around Washington, D.C. and Rehoboth for many years. He is now known as an outstanding public servant and a proud openly gay man.

Don: Mark, I still hear several pronunciations of your surname. Tell us exactly how you phonetically pronounce it.

Mark: You’re supposed to trill the double "r" in Aguirre. But, that’s not easy for most of us.

Even I find it awkward at times. So I like to say, "Ah- gui- ray." The accent is on the "gui," "which rhymes with P and stands for pool."

Don: That’s from "Music Man."

Mark: Hey, what’s an interview with a gay man without a musical theater reference?!

Don: Tell us about your background.

Mark: The name is Basque, which is between Spain and France, and means dweller on the hill. I always thought that sounded noble. A friend who has always enjoyed keeping my ego in check once told me that he thought the name was Basque for hillbilly. I’m a full-blooded fourth generation Mexican American. My parents taught me to be proud of that. I can make a mean batch of enchiladas!

Don: Tell us, if you want, about your personal life and family.

Mark: I am in a fifteen year relationship with a wonderful guy, Wayne Gleason, who I love very much. We have a lot in common, so we share experiences easily, yet we have enough differences to keep the relationship interesting for both of us.

I also have a two year old son, Brendan, with two dear friends of mine Colleen and Deborah.

We’re all very happy, particularly now that they are moving from Texas to the mid-Atlantic. My parents are thrilled to have their youngest grandchild close enough for weekly spoiling.

Don: Would you consider yourself an "activist" and, if so, what have you been involved in?

Mark: I was taught that it is important to be involved with improving the community. Whether through political office or volunteer work I have worked to do just that. Some of the issues I have recently worked on are parking and transportation challenges, the health of our lakes, animal issues, and historical preservation.

As far as lesbian and gay issues are concerned it is important for our community to realize that we are moving towards a political maturation in Rehoboth Beach. Most of us are united concerning issues surrounding our equal rights. However, it is much more difficult to define a "lesbian and gay" position on any other given issue. For example someone living near our commercial district is going to feel differently about loosening business regulations than someone living outside city limits. I have heard from members of the lesbian and gay community who feel differently on issues ranging from drug enforcement measures to residential building reform.

Don: You’re one of the first gay people to be elected to public office in the State of Delaware. What has that experience been like?

Mark: What made my run for office unique in Delaware is that I was the first to offer the information that I am openly gay to the media. I said then that while I am openly gay the issues that are important to me are the same ones that are important to most in the community. Since being elected, what has surprised me is that there have been a number of unexpected situations that have uniquely touched the lesbian and gay community.

Don: Can you tell us more?

Mark: Within weeks of being elected there was a public controversy over profane graffiti and gay cruising happening in our public bathrooms. This of course involves a minor part of the lesbian and gay community, but our detractors don’t miss an opportunity to draw erroneous broad conclusions. I met with the city manager and two city department heads to help draft an action plan to address the challenge. The problem has subsided.

The next year businesses frequented primarily by gays and other businesses frequented by straights brought complaints to me that noise ordinance enforcement was threatening their livelihood. I was the first to meet with Mayor Sam Cooper and Chief of Police Keith Banks to determine that the origins of this effort grew from a grassroots movement that was not targeted against the gay community.

Then last summer there were drug arrests that involved a few members of our community coordinated by the Drug Enforcement Agency and Rehoboth Beach Police. After speaking with Chief Banks I was convinced that there was no effort by the Rehoboth Beach Police Department to target gays. But, I wondered whether there was someone outside our city that was working to discredit us. I continued to gather information and eventually found a member of the gay community whose story unequivocally convinced me that the gay community was not being targeted.

Don: You attempted to pass a city resolution that would have called on supporting statewide legislation to protect the gay and lesbian community. How did that go?

Mark: One of my first initiatives was to pass a city resolution calling on Legislative Hall to pass House Bill 99 (HB99), which would add "sexual orientation" protections to state equal rights laws. Commissioners Betty Ann Kane and Kathy McGuiness were the only ones willing to join me in the call to action. I was on the phone with all city commissioners to work on compromise language which eventually passed unanimously, but fell short of calling for the passage of HB99.

Don: Some think you’re contentious in your city commissioner work. Can you explain why they might feel that way?

Mark: My political coming of age here occurred during the attempt to pass the Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance a number of years ago. It was one of the most difficult and polarizing episodes in recent memory involving city politics. Following that I ran for office as someone willing to work as an agent of change. Since being elected I have worked to live up to that promise.

Challenging the status quo by suggesting that things could be done differently has never been a problem for me. Our city needs to consider new and different ways to problem solve. If that appears to some as contentious then that is the price that must be paid to do what is best for Rehoboth Beach. I believe in the end most will appreciate my efforts.

Don: You’re very involved in the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society (RBHS) including the new museum. Tell us about that.

Mark: Since joining the RBHS Board of Directors I have proposed a number of programs to encourage historical preservation including the Plaque Project, which recognizes our old homes, and the RBHS Historical Preservation Award, given to those demonstrating exceptional preservation efforts. But, it is the museum project that remains most important to me. I’m now the Fundraising Chair for that and serve as liaison between the Museum Advisory Committee and board of directors. Contact me if you want to get involved at markaguirre@aol.com.

Don: What are your future plans both personally and publicly?

Mark: Personally, I hope to have a second child with Colleen and Deborah next year. Being a father has been an extraordinary experience. The family we are creating has fulfilled a lifelong dream. Politically, I will continue to work to be the best city commissioner I can be. That process has had as many ups and downs as a Funland thrill ride. But, I continue to learn from the experience and as long as I’m in this position I will always push forward.

Don: Do you have a little known Rehoboth Beach pleasure?

Mark: Surf lessons from Rehoboth Boarding School. Set your expectations low the first day so that you won’t be disappointed. It’s the most fun you can have before happy hour!

Don: Thank you Mark. We look forward to following your activities and the benefits your work brings to our entire community.

Mark: It has been my pleasure.