MOHAVE COUNTY – Embattled Mohave County Planning and Zoning Commissioner Lajuana Gillette addressed her critics Wednesday. A number of citizens have complained about what they contend to be insensitive, if not racist, social media posts authored by the Lake Havasu City resident.
They pleaded with the Board of Supervisors on August 5 to reprimand, suspend or oust Gillette from the zoning commission position, expressing concern that her perceived prejudice impedes her ability to carry out her public duties given views she expressed on Facebook. They repeated their criticisms and concerns during the Call to the Public portion of the P & Z meeting.
Gillette did not attend the meeting, but she participated by telephone and downplayed her comments and concerns about the browning of America.
“I am not racist, and none of the things that I have said, you have to really be thinking strangely to take them as racist remarks. What I was doing is I was reacting to the news of the day and I was giving my opinion of what I thought about that news” Gillette said. “It was not racist in anyway, if you look at the picture of my great grand children you will see one Indian and one Mexican. I have minorities in my family. I am a new Republican and I am a conservative and I have a right to my opinion, thank you.”
It was Kingman resident J’aime Morgaine who read an excerpt from Gillette’s Facebook page during the August 5 board meeting:
“We have a country that is turning brown which means that in no time at all white people will be in the minority whether it be because of interracial marriages or illegals coming across the border. The United States is becoming more and more brown. We have to fight for our county and America. We must stop minorities from coming here and trying to change us. We had better wake up before we lose America for our children and grandchildren.”
Gillette sticks by her comments, refuses to apologize and has been furthering the debate on social media this week. Those who seek her apology or ouster are not giving up either.
A peaceful protest is being organized along the sidewalk near the entrance to the Mohave County government complex in downtown Kingman next week. Several dozen protesters intend to convey their displeasure with Gillette before the Board of Supervisors begins it Monday morning meeting.
Gillette represents District 5 on the Commission, which is supervisor Ron Gould’s district. Gould has told reporters that he has asked Gillette to choose her words more carefully, but that he does not think further admonishment or reprimand is necessary.
