Utah elected official apologizes for using term considered racist during public meeting

MORGAN, Utah (KUTV ) — Morgan County Commissioner Blaine Fackrell is apologizing for using a term considered racist twice in a public meeting.

It happened this week as commissioners discussed a development, and Fackrell expressed frustration over project opposition.

“If you don’t want a project, come up with some cotton-pickin' money to buy it,” he said. “If you don’t want development, then buy the cotton-pickin' land.”

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Fackrell immediately acknowledged that at least one of his adopted bi-racial daughters had urged him to stop using the term, which Merriam-Webster said is widely considered offensive in belittling work slaves did in the fields.

In an interview with 2News on Friday, Fackrell said he had used the term all his life, never considered it racist, and meant no harm.

“Do you think you owe anybody an apology?” 2News asked.

“Yeah, whoever it is, I offended,“ he replied. “I am so sorry that I offended anyone, because it was not meant as any kind of hurt to anybody. It was just a word I used to emphasize, and I should not have.”