KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
City Councilmember Bill Miranda was selected to be the next mayor for the City of Santa Clarita for the year of 2021, becoming the first Latino to hold the position.
Miranda, who served as mayor pro tem for 2020, was unanimously selected for mayor after Councilmember Marsha McLean nominated him, with Councilmember Laurene Weste seconding.
“I am honored to serve this great city as it’s 14th mayor,” he said. “I’m committed to continuing the excellent leadership of the past 13 mayors.”
This marks the first time that Miranda has served as mayor for the City of Santa Clarita, making him the first Latino in the City’s history to hold the position.
“Although we’re all hoping for a return to normal, we know that 2021 will bring it’s own challenges,” Miranda said. “As we have in the past, our community will responded united in supporting one another, and helping those in need. That’s what we do.”
Additionally, Weste was selected as mayor pro tem for 2021.
Before Miranda was selected, outgoing-mayor Cameron Smyth took the opportunity to thank his family, the Santa Clarita City Council, and city staff for their support this year.
“I couldn’t have made it through this year without everyone’s support,” Smyth said.
The mayoral position rotates amongst the five city council members each calendar year. While Santa Clarita residents do not directly vote for the mayor, they do vote on who may serve on the Santa Clarita City Council.
See Related: A Look Back On The Career Of Santa Clarita Councilmember Bob Kellar
Before being appointed to the council seat vacated by Dante Acosta in January of 2017, Miranda served in the United States Air Force, and later went on to become a local business owner, motivational speaker, former CEO of the Santa Clarita Valley Latino Chamber of Commerce, and a published author.
He won re-election in 2018, and will face another election in 2022.
In addition to the historic mayoral appointment, Jason Gibbs was sworn into office, taking the place of 20-year council veteran Bob Kellar, who chose to retire at the end of his term in 2020.
“I am so thrilled that Jason Gibbs is going to be taking over this seat,” Kellar said. “He’s going to do a great job, and I take great pride in handing this seat over to him.”
For his part, Kellar was thanked by several prominent officials from the Santa Clarita community in a video tribute, including:
- Congressman Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita
- State Senator Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita
- Assemblywoman Suzette Martinez-Valladares, R-Santa Clarita
- Assemblyman Tom Lackey, R-Palmdale
- L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger
“Jason Gibbs, you have big shoes to fill,” Miranda said. “You are following an icon.”
Gibbs is scheduled to appear on KHTS Radio live on air at 98.1 FM and AM 1220 at 9 a.m. Wednesday to discuss his priorities on the council.
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As long as he doesn’t turn Santa Clarita into a “sanctuary city” then I wish him the best of luck. If not he will be recalled from office. He works for the people, not the other way around as Garcetti, Breed, Newsom, and Pelosi seem to think.
There goes our city. Bill Miranda is a leftist.
Alejandro, you’re an idiot! Do your homework before making a stupid comment like that. You will be surprised that you are completely wrong.
Angie: That’s a tender mined, childish response to the truth!
you seem a bit tender yourself Picasso. the guy just took office
It’s true.
Are the other two elderly council members, over 80, going to retire?
Why is no one wearing a mask?
Welcome to East L.A.!
I don’t know what people were upset with Alejandro for.
After carful digging into 11 different articles i finally found his position on diversity and other political views and Bill is infact a leftist.
In those 11 articles not one mentioned the fact that he is a Democrat. So get upset people but Bill is a left leaning Democrat.
I’ve known Bill for many years. He has a huge heart and wants equality and fairness for all. I don’t know anyone that is more qualified. He was a mentor and business colleague before he entered the political arena.