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Lawyer resigns post as school board president after calling parent a 'chubby wubby'

Video from the board of education meeting.

An attorney who called a parent a “chubby wubby” during a break in an upstate New York school board meeting last month has resigned from his post as board president.

Raymond Cote also withdrawn as a candidate for re-election to the Mahopac Board of Education, a lawyer for the Putnam County school district announced at a Tuesday meeting.

The New York Daily News, the Journal News and Reuters have stories.

Cote’s words about an unidentified mother of six and PTA volunteer were picked up by an open microphone and broadcast on live coverage of the April 8 meeting, eliciting public outrage after a resident posted a clip on YouTube.

Although the YouTube video is difficult to understand, a transcript quotes Cote as saying “Oh I know, I know. This one here, ‘Chubby wubby.’ She gets fatter and fatter at every meeting. She really does!”

In addition to resigning, Cote emailed a statement to parents: “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.”