In a City Council chamber described by one observer as “Wildly Pro Kellar,” City Council candidate TimBen Boydston got up and told the Council this:
I am Former Councilman TimBen Boydston and in the interest of full disclosure I am a candidate for City Council in our April election.
When I was on the City Council in 2007, I worked very hard to establish a Code of Ethics for our City. This very Council with the exception of Council Member Ender who was not yet elected, passed our Ethics Code. A violation of our City’s ethics code is a serious matter. This code dictates the way that you, as representatives of the people, are to conduct yourselves while serving the citizens of our great City.
On January 16th Council member Kellar exercised one of the great freedoms that we have in America, The Freedom of Free Speech. While I disagree with some of the things that Mr. Kellar said, I stand in his defense for his right to say them. In fact while serving my country in the military, I pledged my very life to preserve this freedom, as did Mr. Kellar when he served.
However, during our term as City Council Members, we are not allowed to advocate, without declaring, that we are not speaking for the City Council. The Law is very clear on this and there is no ambiguity. I quote “[members] shall explicitly state that they do not represent their body or the City of Santa Clarita.” In watching the video of the January 16th event, this statement is never made. Council member Kellar was introduced as a public official from our City. It was his responsibility to state that He was not representing the City.
As to the contents of Mr. Kellar’s speech, I believe that Mr. Kellar did not intend for his remarks to come out the way they did. The assertion that Mr. Kellar made using the term racist is not appropriate in any context. It is inflammatory. The persuasive device used “if this then that” failed miserably. I appreciate that Mr. Kellar said in an interview with KHTS that he wished he had not used that word.
A simple apology for the use of that phrase, and for an unintended breach in our ethics code would be all that would be needed to put this turmoil to rest. I call upon our honorable City Council to ask for that simple apology.As to the illegal immigration issue, that discussion does not belong in a forum of shouters in an outdoor park, but rather here in our representatives’ chambers.
Illegal immigration is a Federal issue but our Federal Government has failed to address this issue, and it impacts all of us.
So I recommend that the City Council form a citizen’s task force made up of all of the diverse elements of our great City to study this issue, and bring forward recommendations to the City Council of ways in which we the people of Santa Clarita can encourage and help our State and Federal Government to solve this problem.
May God Bless the City of Santa Clarita, and May God Bless America.
Boydston reprimanded Kellar for his inflammatory speech, but didn’t come off as angry or emotional. He accurately said that Kellar had violated City Code, but offered a way out for the Councilman. He said Kellar should apologize, and put it to the others on the City Council to stand up and do what’s right.
He even offered a new idea to tackle illegal immigration here in Santa Clarita (the citizen’s task force).
Such a statement is risky. Yes he’s running for City Council, but telling one of the most powerful people in the SCV he was wrong in a room like that isn’t likely to earn him any votes among the conservatives in the crowd. On the other hand, he, unlike all the other Councilmembers, took a stand and said Kellar should apologize for his inflammatory speech. He looked strong and certain unlike those he’s running against.
Boydston’s stock just went up in my book. As 3 minute statements on the floor of the City of Santa Clarita Council Chambers go, this was almost….courageous.
It is comments like this that make me think that TimBen is just another politico talking head. David Gauny had a much more reasoned response and level head. These sort of hyper-criticism does everyone a disservice.
“These sort of hyper-criticism does everyone a disservice.”
Except those who disagree with you?
I thought it was great that Harrison, TimBen, and David all sat next to each other! They all had different things to say, but still showed civility. I was struck by Harrison’s comments tho.
“In a city as diverse as ours, Councilman’s Kellar’s remarks dishonor the trust placed in him by the voters and bring embarrassment to our community. At at time when our top priority must be attracting jobs and investment in Santa Clarita, this divisive language harms our image and our potential. I have to believe business owners will think twice before investing in a city where an elected representative feels comfortable proclaiming to be a “proud racist.” This is disgraceful and I encourage Councilman Kellar to apologize to the people of Santa Clarita. This situation is yet another indication that Santa Clarita needs fresh leadership on the City Council.”
It wasn’t a popular thing to say, but he said what he believed!
In terms of people vying for a seat on CC, my vote for best response goes:
1. Gauny
2. Boydston
3. Weste
4. Katz
5. McLean
6. Ferry (why did he mention that he was a Republican 45 times?)
6. Ferry (why did he mention that he was a Republican 45 times?)
Because “Mayor Dude” is not a political party.
My stream choked during a pause, so I missed Gauny’s remarks. Are these meetings archived anywhere?
His response posted this morning on The Beacon left a lot to be desired.
He is an over dramatic actor that knows how to write and deliver speeches.
His overly emphasized, theatrical “May God Bless the City of Santa Clarita, and (long pause)May God Bless America” actually made me laugh out loud.
Jeff:
Don’t let Berta read this post or she’ll start calling you TimBen and rip you a new one!
Unfortunately, TBB sounded like he was reciting a scene from Macbeth. His speaches keep coming through as theatrical monologues.
It was clear that Katz is a better writer than orator.
He should study Gauny for style, but not for substance.
If you haven’t read IHeart’s summary of each commenter, please do so. There’s one in particular that you’d enjoy, Need for Involved.
Harrison is 19, not a politician or an orator! That is why he has my vote. A lot of substance behind this guy.
Also, I was on Harrison’s facebook page.. he got a lot of threats that were taken down pretty quickly. I don’t blame him for being nervous when people are saying things like “something could happen to you after the city council meeting”
NickelDime:
I’d read IHeart earlier. Are you referring to the pronunciation?
It’s always most important to take ourselves as seriously as possible (not). That is one of the fun things about the interaction on these blogs. Generally good discussion of the topics but one can always pull the keyboard out to hammer those that recklessly stray.
I view this whole Kellar thing as much ado about nothing. I think Bob has been a bright light on the Council for several years (the only one besides Boydston)(he voted to bid the trash hauling contract and disapproved of the offfice expansion at Mayo) and I respect him for his availability, openness and commitment (even though he can be a bit too motherhood and apple pie.
But it is very interesting to see the politicians and hopefuls jockey for position and cover. It shows who has a spine to stand up on their own and who doesn’t.
It would seem to a casual observer that Mr. Kellar has enough drama in him for everybody. Kellar, in a quote in The Signal, said that he doesn’t think he will apologize for how he phrased his comments at the rally. In a direct quote, he said “The reason I say that is maybe it takes a little something to address an important issue.’
If that isn’t saying something for the dramatic effect, I don’t know what is.
So people enough trashing of others when they may simply have some passion for the topic, whatever it is.
Need for Involved:
Yes. The phonetics were excellent, and I could imagine those that read it were silently moving their lips and amazed at the sounds that were produced. Perfect in every way.
The Kellar comment is a distraction – which underscores why TBB is right and he needs to apologize so we can get beyond it – and focus on who these people really are that are organizing the rallies.
Ferry was the only brave CC member to state he’s against racism and for a strong enforcement of immigration law. He got booed. Give me a break, the room was full of closet racists.
Chris, I’m generally not a fan of Ferry (but not Not a Ferry Fan), but I agree. He showed the most courage on Tuesday night.
You’re kidding right? Ferry could care less, he only listens to his campaign contributors…. he’s getting over $100k to get re-elected. He’s gotta go!
“Chris Knights says:
Ferry was the only brave CC member to state he’s against racism and for a strong enforcement of immigration law. He got booed. Give me a break, the room was full of closet racists.”
On 2nd thought, maybe all three should just go and we elect three new people this year.
I agree with ‘navigator’ TB makes a lousy McBeth. He’ll never make the big screen or politics for that matter. Gauny showed himself to be a true statesman. He’s got my vote!
Jeff,
So you don’t think we have an illegal immigration problem here in the SCV? Keller’s just a racist and to be made fun of? He didn’t get where he did today by being a racist. You liberals are so afraid of being politically correct that you publicly slam officials that dare to speak the truth. I wonder how you would feel about this if your Son or Daughter was killed in a vehicle accident caused by a drunk illegal on Newhall Ranch Rd. I bet you would change your opinion. Oh wait…the bike rider that was killed by a drunk illegal not long ago. I guess you wouldn’t change after all. That’s just frightening!
Bill,
Being illegal has nothing to do with the death of that bike rider, being drunk does. How horrible that you dare disgrace and dishonor the memory of someone by spinning it for your own racist propaganda. The issue there is drinking, not immigration. What if the motorist was a drunkard of Irish, German, or Italian heritage? Would you be anti Irish, anti German or anti Italian? No, you wouldn’t. Maybe you should campaign to deport beer, not Mexicans.
Apparently I missed the memo that says that non citizens are more inclined to drive drunk than citizens. After all, no God fearing ‘Merican has ever killed anyone while driving under the influence. Flimsy argument, sir. I suggest you go back to the drawing board and hatch some ideas that aren’t thinly veiled racist rhetoric.