BUFFALO, N.Y. – Carl Paladino, who admitted his New Year's wishlist submitted to Buffalo newsweekly included death for President Obama and life in a cave for the First Lady, took the airwaves later on Friday, blaming “retarded liberal people” who attacked him. Read more on the NY State of Politics Blog.

At another radio station across town, Common Council President Darius Pridgen told his WUFO radio audience that he'd originally planned to do a "Year in Review" show, but he says once he was made aware Friday of the ArtVoice piece, he knew he had to switch gears.

"I'm hurt for it to be in such a context -- such a negative, nasty context. That hurts," said Pridgen.

Pridgen said he doesn't necessarily see the comments as racist, since Paladino also called out Lou Ciminelli, who's white, but he says he feels the language and direction of the comments is dangerous because of the heightened racial tensions in the U.S. right now.

"From the beginning, it's not shocking. What's bothering is people keep on electing him into this position," said Leamon Hall, one of Pridgen’s guests.

Pridgen said it's frustrating the way local media and the public treat racial issues, with both groups seeming to ignore them.

One caller to the show, new Buffalo NAACP President Rev. Mark Blue, advocated action, including having school board elections take place at the same time as other elections that see better voter turnout.

"If we have individuals who think like this, who are asking to help govern the policies of our school, all he's doing is creating followers, and he's going to be a hero to someone," said Blue.

Pridgen says he called Paladino's office on Friday, but the developer wouldn't take his call. He maintains he doesn't want to argue and is hopeful a conversation can still take place.

"Here's my open invitation: I will pay for dinner at Mattie's to sit down and have a conversation to talk about the narrative and how this affects relations - period. Not just race relations, but relations, period," said Pridgen.

Paladino is a member of the Buffalo Public Schools board.BPS Board President Barbara Nevergold said Paladino's comments were totally inappropriate, egregious and sends the wrong message to students.