SMYTH, KELLAR MAKING PLANS LAST-MINUTE VOTES STILL BEING COUNTED.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - As last-minute absentee ballots from Tuesday's election continued to be counted, at least one incumbent who regained his City Council seat is already making plans for his second term.

Mayor Pro Tem Cameron Smyth, who came out leading in all counted absentee ballots and in almost all precincts, said he and Mayor Bob Kellar likely will keep focusing on issues they believe got them votes.

The last unofficial count showed that Smyth garnered 6,855 votes, or 39.9 percent. Kellar came in second with 5,524, or 32.2 percent. Challenger Henry Schultz drew 4,783 votes, or 27.8 percent.

Both Smyth and Kellar raised hefty campaign funds. Though challenged by just one person, both had said they did not want to assume an easy race.

As of March 27, the second-to-last filing period, Kellar had raised $66,389 and spent $50,503. Smyth had raised $58,823 and spent $12,241, while Schultz had raised $7,414 and spent $3,437, according to records filed with the City Clerk's Office.

Neither Kellar nor Schultz returned telephone calls Wednesday seeking comment.

Smyth, however, said priorities for his next term include opposing the Las Lomas project. On election day, Santa Clarita officials learned that a judge had ruled that the city must conduct a full environmental review of the 5,800-home mixed-use project in the Nehwall Pass, before it considers trying to annex the area.

Smyth said Santa Clarita officials will pursue the issue, though it is unclear whether the city will perform an environmental impact report or appeal the judge's ruling.

``It doesn't change our position,'' Smyth said. ``We still see this as a detrimental project to our community.''

Both Smyth and Kellar have said they are interested in seeing the Cross Valley Connector project through. Both also have said they will continue to fight a quarry proposed for just outside city limits as well as pursue the ongoing cleanup of the Whittaker-Bermite site.

Smyth also said he would like to build up the city's job market by supporting such projects as the 508-acre business park known as Gate King in Needham Ranch. City officials have said the business park will generate 6,000 jobs and add $6 million to Santa Clarita's economy.

``It is important to me to bring good jobs to the city,'' Smyth said. ``Part of that is supporting projects like Gate King, which is a business park, with no homes. We also need to continue to be business-friendly.''

Kellar and Smyth will be sworn in April 27.

Meanwhile, City Clerk Sharon Dawson said last-minute absentee ballots were still being verified and that a final count would be completed by Friday.

The election tallies went off without a hitch, she said.

``It all went smoothly,'' she said.

Susan Abram, [phone]

susan.abram(at)dailynews.com