EDITOR'S NOTE: The Sun-Star repeats language in this story used in some of the e-mails that are its focus. The language is offensive to many and is not allowed, for example, in public comments on our Web site. We reprint the exact language -- without asterisks or euphemism -- so that our readers will understand just why the content and context of the e-mails are the focus of our story, as well as why they are widely viewed as offensive.
Gary Frago, an Atwater city councilman, has apologized after forwarding at least seven racist e-mails to city officials and others aimed at President Barack Obama, the first lady and black people.
"I made a mistake," he said of the e-mails, circulated from October 2008 to February 2009. "It was a mistake I shouldn't have made and I apologize for it. I wasn't being racist, I was just passing on e-mails."
Despite his apology, the councilman may still be in hot water.
Some residents have called for his resignation, while several City Council members have distanced themselves from him.
Despite the uproar, the city still refuses to provide additional e-mails sent by Frago, which first amendment advocates say the city has little legal standing to do.
After the Sun-Star published a series of e-mails that Frago forwarded to local officials from his private e-mail account, the story made its way to a national audience. It was then that Frago realized he had offended people, he said.
"I didn't think it would go nationwide, to tell you the truth. If it would have stayed local, we would have been able to handle it a lot easier," said Frago.
Frago, who first told the Sun-Star that he did not regret sending the e-mails, said he will not resign.
The City Council's reaction was measured but firm.
Mayor Joan Faul, who received none of the e-mails, condemned Frago's actions and distanced herself from him. In a prepared statement she wrote, "As mayor of the City of Atwater, I wish to apologize on behalf of the City. I have no authority to instruct Mr. Frago on how to rectify this situation, and furthermore have no authority to take any action in my official capacity as your Mayor to affect his current position as a City councilman. The reason I do not have the authority is because he was elected by the voters. I can share with you that I know Mr. Frago has offended many people not only in the City of Atwater, but the nation, as the dozens of letters I have received attest to."
Near the end of the letter she wrote, "Let me reassure you that I do not make any apologies on behalf of Gary Frago or attempt to defend his actions. For his actions, he is accountable to you, his constituents."
She did not call for Frago's resignation.
City Councilman Nelson Crabb, who neither sent nor received any racist e-mails forwarded by Frago, said that he wanted to make it clear that while his name appeared with Frago's in the Sun-Star's first story about the e-mails, he was not involved.
(When the Sun-Star requested Frago's e-mails, it also requested Crabb's, so his name appeared in the paper even though the newspaper has no evidence that he sent or received any such e-mails.)
"The people who elected me are not of this mind-set," said Crabb. "They want me to treat everybody equally."
Crabb did not say if he thought Frago should resign, but said the council has no power when it comes to other council members. "He has to answer to the people who elected him," said Crabb of Frago's future.
Neither Councilman Joe nor Jeff Rivero returned calls made by the Sun-Star.
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