Ashley Onion is reporting for The Daily Gazette officials in the city of Amsterdam, Montgomery County, were outraged to learn last week that a new business owner used a racial slur about the city in a post on social media. Corwin Hendy of Ravena, posted on his Facebook page last week asking for prayers as he sought planning board approval for his proposed nightclub on E. Main Street. In the post, he referred to the city as “Amsterrico,” a derogatory reference to the city's Hispanic population. Screenshots of the post were subsequently shared on social media, drawing backlash from community members who called out the term as disparaging. Hendy later apologized for using the term. “I would like to truly apologize for the name-calling of the city of Amsterdam, NY I meant no disrespect [n]or did I mean this in any racial way,” Hendy wrote. “This won’t ever be something I have to be warned about.” In the response, he did not address why he initially used the term. Amsterdam Mayor Michael Cinquanti said the post from the incoming business owner was upsetting. “It’s a very hurtful term for our city,” Cinquanti said. “I consider ourselves lucky to have the community we have and the diversity we have.” Cinquanti intends to meet with Hendy to explain why the use of the term is unacceptable in a city where 31.1 percent of its residents identify as Latino or Hispanic. Amsterdam Fourth Ward Alderman Stephen Gomula said, “It’s definitely a racial slur and it shouldn’t be used in any context. I don’t use it. When someone says that I correct them.” Read the full story in The Daily Gazette.