Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Bach laments his 'careless' e-mail

His opponent in the City Commission race says he would forgive Ernie Bach if his apology were sincere.

By LORRI HELFAND
Published March 3, 2006

LARGO - The day after Mayor Bob Jackson demanded he quit the race, City Commission candidate Ernie Bach announced he's not pulling out, but did apologize for any "perceived racial bigotry" in a "careless" e-mail he sent a week ago.

Wednesday, Jackson asked Bach to withdraw from Tuesday's election because of the e-mail, which accused the Largo Leader weekly newspaper of doctoring a photo of Rodney Woods, who is black, to make his skin tone appear lighter. Jackson also said Bach owed Woods and citizens of Largo a public apology.

Businessman Fred Thomas, the largest financial backer of Bach's campaign, also said he regretted that his companies contributed $2,500 to Bach.

Bach's letter said he didn't blame his former backers for dumping him.

"I have been "denounced' by two of my former supporters, Mayor Jackson and Mr. Fred Thomas," he wrote. "Although this truly hurts I find no fault in their public display of disdain because I too despise racial bigotry in any/all of its forms and if the roles were reversed I would do the same."

Bach added he had "no excuses" for the complaint he sent to the Largo Leader weekly newspaper on a "very non-election related horrible day."

He did say he would not withdraw from the race, as Jackson had suggested.

"I think that such an action would denigrate those many good years of my community involvement, and it would not be fair to those Largo voters who have already voted," Bach wrote in a letter he e-mailed to the Times and others Thursday.

Bach also invited his opponent, Woods, to a radio debate.

Thursday, Jackson said he was glad that Bach wrote a letter of contrition, but added, "I don't take back anything I said yesterday." He also said that Bach's complaint made it clear Bach intended to make race an issue.

Bach refused to comment further, insisting his letter on Thursday said it all.

"Don't bother asking any questions. It's self-explanatory. Thank you," said Bach, before hanging up.

Five days ago, Bach wasn't so contrite.

In an e-mail to the Times, he said he "rightfully questioned a photo's integrity which appeared in a local free tabloid." He also chastised the Times for not printing the Largo Leader's photo of his opponent.

Woods said he would forgive Bach if his apology was sincere, but he questioned Bach's sincerity.

"Mr. Bach is a very crafty person. This may be a mechanism he may be using to further his cause and his campaign," Woods said.

Woods also challenged the format Bach chose to apologize.

"He has my telephone number," Woods said. "The citizens of Largo have my phone number. He could pick up the phone and talk man to man. The best way to apologize is to do so personally."

Bach's letter said he planned to cancel all advertisements and promotions, except for radio time he purchased for today, to let Largo voters decide who they want to vote for without further campaigning from him.

Lorri Helfand can be reached at 445-4155 or at lorri@sptimes.com

[Last modified March 3, 2006, 02:15:34]