An Atwater City Councilman who sent racially degrading e-mails has resigned from his position as mayor pro tem and will begin sensitivity training in the Bay Area.

He will not step down from his position on city council.

Gary Frago sent the series of racist e-mails to city staff in late 2008 and early 2009, as reported by the Merced Sun Star.

According to an Associated Press report, more than 200 protesters called for Frago’s resignation during Monday’s city council meeting. The council will read an official letter of reprimand during a special meeting on Wednesday.

Both the NAACP and community organization Change Merced have called for Frago to step down or be removed.

Frago’s e-mail contained racist jokes aimed at President Barack Obama. At the time, he told the local newspaper that he had no regrets sending out the e-mails and didn’t mean them to show any disrespect or cause any harm.

PublicCEO continues to see local officials make colossal mistakes in this category and covered Frago’s misdoings at the time.

To his credit, Frago is taking steps in the right direction. In a prepared statement, Frago stated that it was time for “the healing to begin.”

Frago said, “I can only move forward by starting to do right.”