It would be Kellar’s third stint as mayor, having held the title in 2004 and 2008.
Santa Clarita’s five-member City Council picks from among itself each December to fill the largely ceremonial, one-year post. The mayor presides as chairman of council meetings, signs certain official documents and usually appears at ribbon cuttings, but the mayor has no veto powers, and his or her vote counts exactly the same as that of the other four council members.
Kellar currently holds the title of mayor pro-tem, aka vice mayor. While the pro-tem doesn’t automatically ascend to the mayoralty, he or she usually does.
The council had an informal “mayoral rotation” in the early years but abandoned it in the 1990s when former councilwoman Jill Klajic was in line for the pro-tem position.
Last December, the selection of mayor pro-tem was steeped in controversy when Kellar’s supporters believed he was in line for the position. The council instead affirmed Frank Ferry’s self-nomination for pro-tem, and elevated Laurie Ender, the previous pro-tem, to mayor.
When Ender lost her City Council re-election bid in April, Ferry took over as mayor and the council named Kellar pro-tem.
This year there are no rumors of passing over Kellar as there were a year ago.
The council’s annual reorganization meeting starts Tuesday at 5 p.m. at City Hall, 23920 W. Valencia Blvd. The regular council meeting starts at 6 p.m.
Kellar’s bio from the city website follows.
Bob Kellar joined the City of Santa Clarita as a first-term Councilmember in April 2000, and served as Mayor in 2004 and again in 2008 when he was re-elected. He began his life of public service by enlisting in the United States Army from 1965 through 1967. This was followed by 25 years with the Los Angeles Police Department. Kellar retired from the LAPD in 1993, finishing up his career as the Supervisor in Charge of Reserve Officer Training at the Police Academy. Throughout his more than 32 years as a Santa Clarita resident, he has played an active role in the community, serving on several local non-profit boards and committees.
Kellar served as President of the Canyon Country Chamber of Commerce from 1993 through its incorporation with the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce in 1995. He was instrumental in re-shaping the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce to include Canyon Country during this time.? In 2000, Kellar served as President of the Santa Clarita Division of the Southland Regional Association of Realtors and the Santa Clarita Valley Veteran’s Memorial Committee. From 2003 to 2007, Kellar served on the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital Foundation. Today, Kellar serves on the Board of Directors for the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center Foundation.
Bob is proud to be a 20 year member of the Santa Clarita Valley Veterans Memorial Committee. He served as past president in 1993 and 1994, and currently serves as president of the Veterans Memorial Community. Bob feels very strong about supporting our local veterans community and our country.
As a former Chair of the City’s Planning Commission, Kellar stood strong to insure that new development follows a more sound and responsible approach to growth. As a City Councilmember, Kellar has worked hard to prevent the proposed Cemex mining operation from going through. Additionally, Kellar has been a driving force in bringing stake holders together to get the Whittaker Bermite site cleaned up and with a responsible development in place.
Kellar is proud of the work he has been able to accomplish on behalf of the citizens of Santa Clarita. His success has largely been the result of his ability to bring decision-makers together and put them on a common course.
Kellar considers one of his primary responsibilities to be his availability to our citizens and to do what he can to maintain a high level quality of life for all.
Kellar Expected to Take Over as Mayor Tuesday
