You’ve probably heard that respected Santa Clarita City Councilman Bob Kellar called himself a “proud racist” at an illegal immigration protest recently. The full story is that Kellar himself was called a racist after he read Teddy Roosevelt’s famous “one flag, one language” quote at a City Council meeting. His response to the derogatory name was, “If that makes me a racist because I believe in America… then I’m a proud racist.”
The unfortunate “Proud Racist” headline immediately went national, launching Kellar into the spotlight, Meg Whitman’s campaign for Governor on the defensive, and Congressman McKeon to ask for an apology. But while these press-driven sideshows make headlines, the real issue should not be missed: illegal immigration is illegal and it needs to be addressed. Kellar’s speech was rooted in genuine concern for our safety, our economy, and our people. Personally, I respect him for having the guts to address the issue out loud.
Not so impressive were Kellar’s fellow council members who immediately distanced themselves from his remarks; not one of them stood for his character or the position of his speech. Frank Ferry actually accused Kellar of attacking the “poor and disenfranchised” due to economic turmoil! Wow! But their real shame came at the end of Tuesday’s hearing when they flatly refused to put the matter on a future agenda, rejecting pleas from several people who shared heartbreaking stories resulting from failed enforcement. Why?
Watch these hearing excerpts to see what happened
This “hide the football” approach to avoiding issues affects our citizens beyond this issue. It is a chronic problem that I’ve repeatedly cited in my agenda for our businesses and homeowners:
- Small business. Despite accounting for 70% of our local economy, small business has been largely ignored. Big-box stores and companies remain the primary beneficiaries of important stimulus programs. Years into this down economy, what incumbent has done anything to correct this?
- Planning. Reactive planning approvals are increasingly ignoring planning law and hurting our neighborhoods, costing our taxpayers millions of dollars in lawsuits. Where is the process and critical review needed to avoid this?
- Process. Public outcry on these issues is being squashed. Why are we replacing public hearing and good process with self-congratulating and “we know better?”
Regardless of your views on illegal immigration, City Council members pledge to uphold our laws when they take office. Where are they on the issues that matter most to our taxpayers right now? Self-preservation has replaced selfless commitment to our citizens – this is precisely why I am running.
Our public must not reelect council members who make convenient, expeditious, or personally beneficial decisions without regard for the laws they pledged to protect or the damage that results. Such self-interest is killing representation of our people at every level of government – VOTE TO CHANGE IT!
I am grateful to be the only candidate to receive Bob Kellar’s endorsement in this election. I have a strong agenda for both business and homeowners and I will stand firm on every issue no matter how contentious. Our taxpaying citizens must come first and I am committed to new discussion and new ideas to better serve our interests.
Please PASS THE WORD, REGISTER TO VOTE, or CONTRIBUTE and let’s put our People First again on April 13th!
Thank you,
David Gauny
P.S. To see Kellar’s remarks in context, watch the first few minutes of the rally video. It’s clear that his concerns have nothing to do with racism.
* Disclaimer: Neither I nor my campaign had any involvement in the production or posting of any of these YouTube videos.
