Councilman Gloria's glorious gifts

Word last week that city councilman Todd Gloria is planning to run for the state Assembly seat being vacated by his termed-out fellow Democrat and speaker Toni Atkins marks the beginning of the end of one of the city’s most prolific gift receivers. According to his most recent personal disclosure statement, filed March 26 and covering 2014, Gloria got a total of $3495 in tickets, meals, and knickknacks from an array of city hall special interests.

Among the edibles was a $20 box of See’s Candy from the San Diego County Credit Union, which also produced a $75 food basket. Lord Wallington, a clothing outfit run by Immanuel and Anda Ontiveros, threw in a bow tie worth $75. “My tie was hand-made by Lord Wallington on Texas Street,” Gloria told a television audience during his small-business week last year. “If you like my look today, you can get it right here in North Park.”

The law firm of Duane Morris, LLP, hosted Gloria at a $190 “Annual zoo event.” The Manchester Hyatt, no longer run by Republican U-T publisher Douglas Manchester, gifted an $80 “portrait of the hotel.” Culture Shock San Diego gave two tickets to the Nutcracker valued at $170. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, AIPAC for short, gave Gloria a free admission to its annual dinner worth $63.95, and Anne Evans, co-founder of Evans Hotels, which runs the Lodge at Torrey Pines and Bahia hotel on city land, contributed a $50 ticket to somebody’s “100 Anniversary Ball.”