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clock Mar 17, 2006 9:46 pm US/Mountain
Investigation: Racial Tension Among County Workers

(AP) LITTLETON, Colo. An investigation that began after an Arapahoe County worker complained about a supervisor's memo concluded that there are racial tensions among road and bridge employees, the county said Friday.

Heavy duty equipment operator Mike Gray received a memo last year criticizing a hat he sometimes wore to work and a sign on his truck. He said that the memo threatened his right to free speech.

The hat said, "U.S. Border Patrol," and the truck had a sign from Gray's landscape business that said "Lawn Services Done With Pride!! By An English Speaking American."

The Mountain States Employers Council investigated and found that several employees reported overhearing racial comments made at work or on CB radios by road and bridge employees. Others said they felt intimidated by co-workers in the lounge area of the Road and Bridge shop.

County commissioners said they felt the supervisor's memo was intended to diffuse problems at the road and bridge division, not infringe on free speech.