Dealership apologizes for radio ad

IDAHO FALLS (AP) - An eastern Idaho auto dealership that offended some area residents with a radio commercial that included a derogatory reference about special needs children in a sales pitch for trucks has apologized.

Pocatello-based Cole Chevrolet pulled the ads and is also teaming up with the Special Olympics of Eastern Idaho. Company officials said they made an unwitting mistake.

The advertisement said, "Are you driving a wimpy truck? Do your kids take the short bus so they won't be seen in it?"

The company said it has made a donation and that Marketing Director Valorie Smith will create public service announcements for Special Olympics.

"From myself, my team, Cole Chevrolet, we just hope everyone understands it was a mistake," Smith said. "It's been taken care of and we're definitely sorry."

Maegan Tsantis is a mother of three, including a special needs child.

"I felt really bad," Tsantis said. "I just didn't think it was appropriate to be using that and it actually really, really offended me."

The phrase "short bus" is a derogatory term used for children in special education programs.

Summer games for the Special Olympics of Eastern Idaho start in two weeks. Cole Chevrolet has made a donation to the program.