Mayor Says Councilman’s Remarks Not Racist

Mayor Peter M. Green said Monday that he regrets Councilman Jack Kelly’s controversial comments about the Japanese but said he is certain that Kelly did not intend the remarks to be a racial slur.

“I have known Councilman Kelly closely for more than six years and can unequivocally state he absolutely is not capable of uttering a deeply felt racial slur,” the mayor said.

Green issued the brief statement defending Kelly before tonight’s City Council session, during which criticism of the incident is expected during public comments. Some residents of Huntington Beach have expressed outrage at Kelly’s remarks in letters to newspapers in Orange County.

At issue is a comment that Kelly made during the Jan. 7 City Council meeting. Kelly spoke to Councilman Earle Robitaille while a Japanese delegation from Huntington Beach’s sister city of Anjo, Japan, was presenting a check for $93,000 to build a new pier. Kelly did not realize that he was speaking into a live microphone. Those watching the televised meeting heard him say: “How could guys who bow that much ever bomb the (Pearl) Harbor?”

Officials of Huntington Beach’s Sister City Assn. said that the comment was deplorable and that Kelly had hurt efforts for international understanding.

Kelly initially said his comment was “just another cheap, smart Kellyism, and it backfired on me.” The former television and movie actor has declined to comment further.

Green on Monday said he considers Kelly’s statement to be “unfortunate” but that it should not be misinterpreted as racist. “Anyone who accuses him (Kelly) of bigotry does not know Jack Kelly and misinterprets the intent, the comment itself, and the circumstances,” Green said.

The mayor added: “Did the comment cross the line between propriety and impropriety? Quite possibly it did. Did Councilman Kelly intend to discredit the goals of the Sister City Assn. to work toward understanding and mutual respect between peoples of different cultures? Absolutely not.”

Green said he wanted to “clarify the situation.” He added, “I really don’t think Jack is capable of bigotry.”