KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
As calls for the resignation of Santa Clarita City Councilman Bob Kellar, local business owners have begun to voice their support for the councilman, encouraging others to get to know him “before you judge.”
The Controversy
Since Black Lives Matter protests began in the Santa Clarita Valley in the end of May, several vocal residents have called for Kellar’s resignation due to comments made in a 2010 anti-illegal immigration rally, where he described how he had previously quoted President Theodore Roosevelt, advocating for “one flag, one language.”
“You know, the only thing I heard back from a couple of people? ‘Bob, you sound like a racist,’” Kellar said during the 2010 rally. “I said, ‘That’s good. If that’s what you think I am, because I happen to believe in America, I’m a proud racist. You’re darn right I am.’”
The term “proud racist” sparked outrage at the time, and has been brought forward once again as conversations about racial equality continue throughout the country.
“I’d like to echo support to the removal of Councilmember Kellar whose comments are both extremely distasteful and contrary to the values of this community,” said Christian Olmos representative for the Civil Advocacy Network of Santa Clarita, during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
Kellar maintains that those who point to that comment as reason for his resignation are taking his words out of context.
“I am not a racist,” he said during Tuesday’s meeting. “Never have been and never will be in my life. I have worked hard to help all Americans.”
The Man
After serving in the United States Army from 1965 to 1967, Kellar entered the Los Angeles Police Department, where he worked for 25 years. He retired in 1993 as the Supervisor in Charge of Reserve Officer Training at the Police Academy.
“Throughout his more than 36 years as a Santa Clarita resident, he has played an active role in the community, serving on several local non-profit boards and committees,” reads his biography page on the City website.
His roles in these organizations have included President of the Canyon Country Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Frontier Days Rodeo, board member of the American Red Cross and SCV Cancer Society, and board member of the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital (HMNH) Foundation.
According to Jim Ventress, former director of the Santa Clarita Valley Boys and Girls Club for over 30 years, Kellar has greatly benefitted the community through his contributions.
“He has given his time, his voice and his financial support to various nonprofits like the Boys & Girls Club, Children’s Dental Foundation, etc. I’ve been to fundraising events at his house for nonprofits,” said Ventress. “He is there for set up, the event itself and the dreaded cleanup. Bob truly cares about Santa Clarita.”
Then, in 1999, Kellar was asked by a number of community leaders, including SCV Woman of the Year Connie Roberts and HMNH Foundation President Marlee Lauffer, to run for City Council. He agreed, and won his first election in 2000.
During his time on the council, Kellar has taken part in many committees, serving as mayor on four separate occasions. He has been on the subcommittee to fight the CEMEX mega-mine right from the time he was elected to the present day, traveling to Washington D.C. dozens of times for this issue and testifying before the Senate and Natural Resources Committee in 2013.
Other actions that Kellar has taken while on the council include:
- Organizing a rally in support of bringing back Officer David March’s killer from Mexico in 2002.
- Proposing the creation of the Santa Clarita Arts Commission in 2009.
- Bringing forward a proposal to place “In God We Trust” in the council chamber next to the city logo in 2010.
- Organizing the community to show support for the loss of Rudy Acosta, the son of former City Councilman and State Assemblyman Dante Acosta, who was killed in Kandahar while serving in the Army in 2011.
- Proposing the Banner Program to recognize members of the Santa Clarita Valley community who have or currently are serving in the United States military in 2014.
- Helping organize the annual ‘Light Up Main Street’ and the Christmas tree lighting in Newhall in 2016.
- Actively opposing California’s SB-54, legislation that made changes to state law related to the involvement of state and local law enforcement agencies relative to federal immigration enforcement, in 2018.
As of this writing, Kellar continues to serve on the SCV Veterans Memorial Committee, the Salvation Army, and remains a member of both the Elks Lodge and the American Legion.
His term on the council is expected to end in 2020, and Kellar has announced that he does not plan to run for reelection.
The Support
Despite the calls for his resignation, Kellar’s fellow City Councilman and current Mayor Pro Tem Bill Miranda defended Kellar during Tuesday’s meeting.
“You can argue all you want, but I would not be here if I thought that this person was a white supremacist or a racist,” Miranda said, “We on the council know this person, he is not a racist, he is not a white supremacist.”
Miranda added that Kellar was set to retire in a “few months,” pleading with residents not to “ask for your pound of flesh.”
“The man is leaving the council in a few months,” he said. “If that’s not good enough for you, I’m sorry for you.”
Several business owners have since come out in support of Kellar, many of whom have known the man for several decades.
George Thomas, owner of Route 66 Classic Grill, has known Kellar since the councilmember was still a member of the Los Angeles Police Department SWAT Team.
“He was always a well-respected member, and during his tenure with the Department, he worked as an Internal Affairs Investigator, often investigating personal complaints of racial discrimination by his fellow Officers. His investigations were always fair and unbiased. Since his retirement from LAPD, he has continued to serve all members of our community,” said Thomas. “Knowing Bob personally, I can say that he is not a racist, and he would immediately denounce any racist activity.”
Richard Green, owner of Green Landscape Nursery, has known Kellar for over three decades.
“His integrity is impeccable, his honesty unchallenged, he befits the attitude, feelings and logic as to why this valley is a highly-touted, highly-sought-after place to live,” said Green. “His friendship is valuable to me and I hope he stays active in the community after his retirement.”
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More divisive upheaval from the Anarchistic’s! More attempts to tear the USA apart! If we don’t have love & respect for one flag, one language to keep us as one, from many different backgrounds coming together as one, Americans!
The US does not have one official language
We’re all Americans under American flag. Period.
We have seen awful statements and remarks posted on social media made by SUSD representatives and Democrats in office and they haven’t resigned. Even when the demand is there, the double standard is unbelievable. Stop caving to the loudmouth crying bullies. ?? voting RED
It sounds like Christian Olmos representative for the Civil Advocacy Network of Santa Clarita is tying to justify her existence by going after Bob Kellar. I personally know Bob and he is one of those compassionate persons that doesn’t care what pigments are in your skin.
If you want to go after a real racist you maybe you should start with Al Sharpton.
Mark: Don’t forget Jessie”the canceler”Jackson, BLM & Liberals!! We should ALL support, One language & One flag: AMERICA made up of all races & cultures!!??
Thanks for those businesses that spoke up on his behalf. I know which of them not to use with my own business or frequent for recreational purposes.
Bunch of nationalistic boomers in here with the “one language” business.
We know Bob Kellar is retiring, and no, that is not good enough. We have let this man sit on the City Council for 20 years, when he has proven time and time again that his beliefs are outdated and racist. He called himself a “proud racist” in 2010, and we all know the context of his speech when he said it; it doesn’t make it any better. He had so many opportunities to apologize and he Never Did. If he was being “hyperbolic” then maybe he should have said that when he was given the chances to apologize. 10 years later, he continues to surprise us with what comes out of his mouth. “I have a cleaning lady that’s Hispanic, and the first thing I did I say, ‘I want to see your papers,'” “A number of homeless people have mental disabilities… the other parts, for the most part, are alcoholics and/or druggies,” “You’re not helping [immigrants] by giving them needles to use their drugs,” “Do you ever go down to Mexico and see what goes on in Tijuana and all of that? Do you want that here? You destroy your communities,” to name a few. Supporting Bob Kellar because you “know him personally” means absolutely nothing. If you support a racist it makes you racist. I will not let someone who has proven himself to be racist retire peacefully.
I appreciate you mentioning some of the business owners so that I can take my purchase power elsewhere. They are certainly entitled to support a proud racist, I choose not to.
Call out culture certainly has its issues and it is important to allow people the space to learn and grow while also serving as public officials. Politics aught to inspire passion but it also demands compassion. He said a very dumb thing in the heat of the moment at a rally ten years ago. Any sensible adult would apologize for those remarks and try to find better language to help unite a community that they themselves divided with careless remarks. It is not enough to say “out of context” or “that’s not what I meant”. Our public officials have a duty to lead by example and part of that example is the way they speak. If he is really dedicated to “unity” he will prove it with his actions and words.
ALL LIVES MATTER….ISN’T IT RACIST TO SAY “BLACK or WHITE””?
yes we need change but not more “FUEL” To burn the fires of hate. BOB KELLER IS NOT A RACIST…HE’S A PROUD AMERICAN
Americans are of all nationalities. All religious beliefs…Americans HONOR OUR FLAG…NOT A COLOR, RACE, or RELIGIOUS Beliefs.
That the other City Council members are defending him and that the Mayor Pro Tem is saying “if that’s (resignation) what you want, well too bad” tells me all I need to hear. I will be financially supporting and voting for City Council members who actually listen to their community instead of themselves.
This is a conservative city if you don’t like it go to a shit hole liberal one there are plenty of them.
This conservative city voted for Hillary Clinton by FIVE percentage points over trump.
Once a racist always a racist,. This is NOT who I want representing our city.
Bob Kellar has always been an advocate for small businesses. He puts his money where his mouth is. He will support and frequent small businesses to help them thrive. He is a kind and generous man and has devoted his life to the Santa Clarita Valley!
How about just don’t say you’re a proud racist? How clueless do you have to be to jokingly say that? As if no people of color live or work for the City. And how convenient let’s find a black guy tell us he’s not racist. The ole I have a black friend I can’t possibly be a racist. Shame on anybody that stood by and let him say that with impunity. Disgusting!
Here’s the problem: the world has changed and if old bulldozers like us can’t change with it, we’re outdated. I like Bob, I know Bob, he’s a good guy. But those ideas are old & it may be time for our generation to hang it up & let a new generation of caring young souls have their time. My hats off to this generation that can create change without violence. A BIG difference from what we lived through.
I’m so glad we have our very own propaganda outlets here in the SCV. So proud.
It’s unethical to have a ‘proud racist’ in any place of power, especially in government.
Doesn’t it comfort you to know he’s a former cop?