St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter addressed a racist, threatening voicemail over an impending vote on the city's garbage collection service Wednesday.
The Mayor's office said in a statement that it’s "not uncommon" for the city’s first African American mayor to receive calls or letters that are reported to law enforcement. St. Paul Police is investigating to find who the caller is.
Carter addressed the voicemail that said the mayor would need bulletproof windows at his house if taxes increase depending on the vote.
"More than anything I think it's regrettable that those of us who have fallen for the trick that if we disagree with each other over policy, we have to be hateful and vindictive toward one another," he said, adding that the messages do not reflect St. Paul as a city and only a "small minority."
The referendum vote is Nov. 5. Depending on the results, taxpayers could bear $27 million in costs that would affect property taxes, and therefore the tax levy.