Louis Klemp is no stranger to controversy. In December of 2017, Klemp found himself embroiled in controversy about his attitudes toward Martin Luther King Jr.’s holiday. Coverage here from KSHB:
"Not everybody does them all because we have Robert E. Lee...Oh God Robert E. Lee...wonderful part of history," Klemp said.
"Mr. Klemp certainly embarrassed Leavenworth County to the extreme. I just believe he embarrassed himself, his family and our Leavenworth County taxpayers," Holland said.
Klemp was just getting started with his Robert E. Lee comments.
He also said George Washington should have his own holiday but wouldn't because he owned slaves.
Klemp noted his great, great grandfather owned a slave.
"It bothers me that if we're going to have Martin Luther King Day, why don't we have a George Washington? I think George was a pretty important guy," Klemp said.
But a year later, it appears as though Klemp may have topped himself. In a planning meeting before the Leavenworth County Commission, the outgoing commissioner took a moment to tell a joke to a business professional who had appeared before the board. It wasn’t the fact she was a professional that may have been the springboard for his comments, but, well, you just have to see it.
I don't want you to feel like I'm picking on you, because we're part of the master race. You know, you've got a gap in your teeth your the master race, don't forget that
The off-color joke which was meant by the commissioner to show some similarities between himself and the constituent, the gap in their teeth, still, the use of phrasing like “master race” from a commissioner who has been in trouble for racially tinged comments in the past, well, let’s just say many in Leavenworth are grateful that Klemp’s remaining term ends soon.