Los Alamitos, CA is usually known for its cottonwood trees and sugar beets. But now it may be remembered for the outrageous actions of its newly-elected mayor, Dean Grose.
Local businesswoman and city volunteer Keyanus Price, an African-American woman, said she received an e-mail from Grose depicting the White House lawn planted with watermelons, under the title "No Easter egg hunt this year."
Price is now simply asking for an apology from her fellow community youth board member.
"I have had plenty of my share of chicken and watermelon and all those kinds of jokes,"
Price told The Associated Press. "I honestly don't even understand where he was coming from, sending this to me. As a black person receiving something like this from the city-freakin'-mayor - come on."
Grose confirmed to the AP that he sent the e-mail to Price, but didn't claim any responsibility in meaning to offend her. He said he was unaware of the racial stereotype that black people like watermelons.
"Bottom line is, we laugh at things and I didn't see this in the same light that she did," Grose told the AP. "I'm sorry. It wasn't sent to offend her personally - or anyone - from the standpoint of the African-American race."
Grose has sent an apology e-mail to Price and her boss and also left her a voicemail apology.
Regardless, Price said it will be difficult for the two to work together.
"Now I am like - wow, is this really how he feels?" Price said.
