Mettler, president of KLM Homes, Inc., is also a Kern High School District trustee, president of the Bakersfield Republican Assembly, and a vice president of the California Republican Assembly.

Groups representing the two opposing sides on the same-sex marriage issue gathered across from one another on Friday night at the intersection of California Avenue and Stockdale Highway. Mettler is seen taking signs issued by the "Yes on 8" campaign which were altered to say "No." Accounts differ, as the view was obscured by a bystander. According to Mettler, he was "physically accosted" and acted to defend himself, whereas 21-year-old Rob Badewitz said he was simply reaching for a stack of signs Mettler had gathered, and was kicked and punched in the jaw. Neither party has pressed charges.

"I thought it was ridiculous," Badewitz told The Bakersfield Californian. "Why do we have to be fighting over this?"

"He took our signs, and I tried to grab them back," he added. "And then he hit me."

"I was assaulted," Mettler said later. "A fellow threw a punch at me. He missed, and I did hit him."

"I'm torn," Mettler added. "I want to set a good example for our children. I want to be a good member of the community, and yes, any time, violence is wrong, and I regret that. But at the same time, a person does have the right to defend himself."

Notably, back in June, Kern County Clerk Ann Barnett stopped all marriage ceremonies in her office after it was determined that the county would not be able to opt out of performing legally recognized same-sex marriages. Barnett referred media inquiries to attorney Brian Raum of the conservative Alliance Defense Fund. "The Alliance Defense Fund," Raum said in a statement to KBAK, "is prepared to defend any clerk who exercises his or her right not to perform wedding ceremonies under California law. ADF is currently advising Ms. Barnett."

In September, Mettler and school board counterpart Chad Vegas also attempted to pass a resolution in support of Proposition 8 stating that "the people of California affirm that it is in a child's best interest to be raised by a father and mother in the bond of marriage."

"This today did not seem relevant for education," said Donel Crow, a clinical psychologist for youth, who attended the meeting.

"We have families, real families, and to hear someone say that my children are less than others because they were raised by two women, when they have so many scholastic and athletic honors...from a school board member is disturbing," said Bakersfield resident Mona Twocats, mother of three and married to her partner of 20 years.

California's Proposition 8 would insert the exact language of a statute limiting civil marriage exclusively to heterosexual couples directly into the state's constitution. The statute was voted into law in 2000 but ruled unconstitutional by the California Supreme Court on May 15, 2008. Per the 4-3 ruling, same-sex marriages have been legally performed in California since June 16.

Amateur video of the Friday incident appears below. (Warning: Language)