Video: Ortiz trades barbs with city council member over anti-mask stance

Ortiz got into a mini-argument with another member of city council over mask wearing.

It’s safe to say that things are not going well for former UFC champion turned Huntington Beach city councilman Tito Ortiz.

Ortiz has repeatedly spread conspiracy theories concerning COVID-19, and is of course an anti-masker and anti-vaxxer who lives in a state with the most COVID-19 cases in the country and the 9th most in the world. His refusal to wear a mask at this week’s city council meeting became a point of contention for council member Dan Kalmick.

Borrachinha Depot, the go-to source for all things Tito past and present, captured video of the meeting and Kalmick’s brief back-and-forth with Ortiz.

“I’d just like to register my formal disappointment in councilman Ortiz and Peterson ignoring the Mayor’s letter asking them to wear masks at this meeting,” Kalmick said. “I feel that it puts us at risk and I’m just very disappointed that that’s the position you’re taking. Thank you.”

“Last thing Mr. Kalmick,” Ortiz said, “when we were at Veteran’s Day here you had no problem putting your mask on, but as soon as the cameras turned off you took your mask off amongst a bunch of older veterans that were there.”

“That is a false statement and that is out of line. There is picture and documented proof of that,” Kalmick fired back.

Also part of this meeting was Ortiz trying to appoint one person to two commission posts (which you can’t do), as well as seconding a motion only to vote against it in a bit of confusion.

Just a reminder that Ortiz was not only elected by Huntington Beach voters, but he’s appointed as Mayor Pro Tem Ortiz. So if the actual Mayor is unable to fulfill their duties for whatever reason, Ortiz gets to assume that role.