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The White County Commissioner in Kansas, who told a black city planner that "we are part of the masters race," is in a hurry to resign, even with a family member condemning this remark while supporting him .
Leavenworth County Commissioner Louis Klemp, 80, discussed the event at a board meeting on Tuesday as he responded to a presentation by Triveece Penelton and a colleague on development options. in Tonganoxie, just west of Kansas City.
"I do not want you to think I'm making fun of you because we're part of the big race," Klemp told Penelton after criticizing the land-use options she had presented. to the commission. & # 39; You have a gap between your teeth. We are part of the masters race, do not forget that.
"The comment should not have been made," KSHB told an unidentified member of Klemp's family.
& # 39; M. Klemp loves his community, "the family member continued to deviate from the definition that he could be racist. "He has spent years coaching, volunteering in the community, working with local taxpayers on their taxes, helping those in need, listening to and participating in everything. what pertains to Leavenworth and the color has never been a factor. "
His fellow commissioners, Robert Holland and Doug Smith, asked Klemp to resign before the end of his term on January 15.
"In the county's interest, he should resign," Smith told the Leavenworth Times.
& # 39; M. Klemp has the right to express himself according to the First Amendment – just as his community has the right to hold him accountable for his toxic words and the ideas that underpin it, "said the Kansas ACLU. , which highlighted the controversy.
Louis Klemp (left) told town planner Triveece Penelton (right) that they were "part of the masters race" at a development meeting for Leavenworth County in Kansas
Klemp's fellow commissioners, Doug Smith (left) and Robert Holland (right) invite him to resign.
In Klemp's defense, Mark Loughry, Leavenworth County Administrator, attempted to explain how the grievor had attempted to use the words.
"Commissioner Klemp has a hole in his teeth, as does the person who appeared at the Commission on Tuesday," Loughry wrote in a statement. "On several occasions over the past year, Mr. Klemp said that those who had a hole in their front teeth are members of the main race."
Klemp, who has already run for governor, has already been criticized for making controversial remarks.
Last December, while the commission was discussing vacation schedules, Klemp suggested that Robert E. Lee, Confederate army commander in the Civil War, be honored.
Klemp reportedly pointed out a shared gap in his teeth between Penelton and himself when he made this hurtful remark.
Leavenworth County Administrator Mark Loughry challenged the description of Klemp's remarks in a written statement.
"Not everyone is doing them all because we have Robert E. Lee … Oh, God, Robert E. Lee … a wonderful part of history," Klemp said.
He also stated that George Washington would probably not have his own vacation since he owned slave property.
"It bothers me that if we are going to have Martin Luther King Day, why do not we have a George Washington?" he said. "I think George was a pretty big guy."
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