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Video: School Board President Caught Calling Mom "Chubby Wubby"
By
John Del Signore
Published May 14, 2014
Modified May 14, 2014
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By
John Del Signore
Published May 14, 2014
Modified May 14, 2014
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A Putnam County school board president has resigned after a hot mic picked him up insulting a parent at a recent meeting. Ray Cote, the Board of Education president in the small town of Mahopac, 60 miles north of NYC, was caught on video describing one PTA volunteer as "chubby wubby," adding, "she gets fatter and fatter at every meeting. She really does."
Cote's remarks were aired on the district's live feed from the April 8th meeting. Local resident Deena Bell caught the remark and posted the video excerpt on YouTube. "It totally tells us that he cares nothing for the community that he says he upholds,” Bell told WABC. “Nothing. He cares nothing for us."
The Daily News reports that Cote was part of a diversity and sensitivity team created after students posted racial comments on Twitter. We'll just let that one hang in the air.
In addition to resigning, Cote issued a statement saying, "I would like to apologize for my choice of words after the close of the board meeting on April 8, 2014, which are regretful. My words were inappropriate and do not reflect my feelings or attitudes. I will strive to regain the trust and respect of the community."
Tagged
putnam county
ray cote
school boards
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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