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Under public pressure, fire commissioners agree to reprimand following racial remarks

Dozens showed up to Tuesday’s Snohomish County Fire District 1 meeting to demand the resignation of Commissioners David Chan and Bob Meador.

Meador and Chan were caught on an open mic two weeks ago making racial remarks about Mexicans and immigrants.

The two commissioners have been apologizing, calling what happened political banter following a more serious discussion about recruiting paramedics from Mexico.

However, last week Chan and Meador refused to vote in favor of a resolution that would have required them to make a written apology, attend sensitivity training and force them at least consider resigning.

“I screwed up,” Chan said Tuesday night. “I made a terrible mistake.”

“I take full responsibility for the words that have been recorded,” Meador said. “It was [taken] out of context, and it’s not what I meant.”

After the public outcry, both commissioners changed their votes Tuesday night -- accepting the previously proposed punishment.

However, much to the frustration of those in attendance, Chan and Meador confirmed their intentions not to resign.