POLL: East Haven Mayor Apologizes to Latino Community
East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo issued the statement to the press at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
A day after East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo's told a reporter that he "might go home and have some tacos" to support the Latino community, the mayor apologized for his remarks.
Statement from Maturo
“My sincerest apologies go out to the East Haven community and, in particular, the Latino community for the insensitive and off-collar comment that I made to WPIX reporter Mario Diaz yesterday regarding the recent events affecting our community and our police department. Unfortunately, I let the stress of the situation get the best of me and inflamed what is already a serious and unfortunate situation. I regret my insensitive comment and realize that it is my job to lead by example.
Our community needs to refocus on healing together. To date, my administration has already taken steps to begin that healing process. Most recently, I commissioned a new advisory committee to the Mayor named “LEARN” (Law Enforcement Advisory Resource Network) aimed at recommending updates to policies and procedures to the Board of Police Commissioners. Recognizing the need for the Latino community to have a voice on this exciting and important new board, I appointed Jose Velasquez, a well-respected community volunteer and native of Puerto Rico, to the board. The first products of that committee have been a new mission statement for our Police Department, a more accessible civilian complaint procedure, and the publishing of updated civilian complaint forms in both English and Spanish.
I recognize that this new board is just the first of many steps that must be taken to heal our community. I apologize, again, for my insensitive comments yesterday and recognize that they are a hindrance to the progress that must be made in our community. I am dedicated to the principles of tolerance and acceptance of all and will do all that I can to foster those principles in the daily execution of my duties as Mayor. I ask this community to have faith in me and in our community as we address the challenges arising out of the past days’ events.”
Ramone
12:02 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
This is why they need a board that is more diverse than just Joe and his friends.....
Linda
6:34 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
I am a psychologist who lives in the midwest. I listened to the video of the mayor's "taco" comment and read his apology a day later. You don't have to be a psychologist to realize that his "taco" comment was sincere, his actual thoughts. The "apology" was scripted and completely disengenuous. The mayor's attempts to bait the reporter failed. So, congratulations to the reporter. The mayor tried to shift blame onto the press which was completely irrelevant. In my opinion, the "apology" only made him look worse since was so fake.
Biagio Mazzucco III
12:36 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
If I had a nickel for every time I have had to ask myself "did I really just say that?"; I'd be a rich man.
Manuel
2:33 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Biagio - Me too, but I don't run a city.
Lise Cavallaro
2:36 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
So, he made a serious mistake. He apologized. Let's see...how many commenters have never spoken out of turn, had something taken out of context, stuck your foot in your mouth, etc. Obama said we were going to have hope and change..that never happened.
Wise One
2:49 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
When in Rome, do as Romans do. This is America, speak E N G L I S H
Marc Conte Sr.
2:50 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
There can be no other interpretation if was and is an off color remark. He is the leader of the town and needs to know what to say and when.
principles over money
2:50 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
I understand putting your foot in your mouth one time, but you recover and answer the question. You dont stick to the taco comment and continue to mention it 6 times and then say I know you latinos/democrats/mainstream media are going to put your spin on it. He had ample time to recover but he chose to take the lower road. We don't need ignorant people like this in office. I say good riddance if he goes!
Captain Blood
3:17 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
I applaud his apology, He had no choice but to do this.
My question is what is in his heart?, what is he saying away from the camera?, who is calling the shots at Town Hall?.
The new Town Attorney made a big mistake buy not being by his side all day yesterday after what took place.
A small Town like ours on,
National News, Can it get any worse?
All his Friends need to stand behind him on this one.
and I am happy to see some of you are, there our other's with no comment
Now there is somthing the Mayor needs to learn how to say.
Remember when Mayor April had to and did say No Comment at this time.
She was right.
Bob
4:11 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
It was bigotry pure and simple.
Jess
4:22 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Joe is a great guy and I also applaud his apology. He is just human like the rest of us, maybe its time to concentrate on what is really happening in our town and what has been happening all along!
Damon Finken
4:49 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Who elected this guy? Can we say... Racist trying to pretend not to be a racist. I have been tired and stressed too. However, as tired as I have been it has never caused a case of Terets Stupidity. Mayor !!! PLEASE !!!
R
4:53 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Just another racist in America. What did you expect.
KingFrak
5:31 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
And what is the pers0on who asked the question? Is he not a racist, and are you one, as well? You, and this reporter, obviously hate non-Hispanics, and operate only to further the cause of La Raza.
Damon Finken
4:55 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
I loved how the reporter tried to help him... asking him to retract his statement. This only proves that this Mayor has NO CLUE !!!
Me
5:25 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Careful because the minorities are taking over slowly. Soon all the white kids will rounded up and sold to black families and white parents will be reporting to the cotton fields. :0)
KingFrak
5:29 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
I think the person who asked the questions about Hispanics is the real villian here. What an arrogant, racist, selfish question to have asked. The mayor gave a perfect flippant answer to a terrible question.
Damon Finken
6:27 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
His comment was simply. What are you going to do now for the latino community. Which was the subject of the whole interview. He then heard the taco comment and respectfully gave him a chance to reprase it... KingFrank? Are you trying to play the WHITE CARD ? Boo hoo... Get an education.
thomas
5:30 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
christians take a stand to your town, i live in north haven, don t let the heathen take over your town they are hardworkers but they yearn for the old country they use this state as a sponge mop.
Life long EH resident
8:08 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
WHITE CARD really Damon??? how about if you get the education there is no white card to pull and NEVER has been!!! People who do not live in East Haven really should keep their comments off of OUR patch, if it does not affect you then feel free to mind your business !!!!!!!!!!!!
Wayne Schwartz
7:32 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
I don't follow the politics in East Haven, so I only know what I've read and heard on TV, but having a backgroud in psychology, I agree with Linda, the psychologist who lives in the mid-west. The comment was an off-the-cuff remark. They're usually truthful seeing that the speaker has not 'filtered' his thought. Once it blew up into a news story, the apology which was needed to quiet things down, was probably insincere and scripted. It's interesting that though our forefathers said "all men are created equal", it seems that there is still a lot of bigotry under the surface in our great country. How very sad for America.
Captain Blood
8:08 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
You are so right Wayne, America is not easy, We need to think hard of why all of us want to live in the best Country in the World.
Bigotry will contune to rule unless we have leaders willing to stand for all People.
His thoughts and words that day make all of us think that we still have a long way to go.
Liz
6:39 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Taco, pizza, fried chicken,egg rolls... Im a legal working hispanic... Im puerto rican should i be worried now too??? Its just pure ignorance... Lets fix the bigger issue here and move on.. He is a leader, so he should've answered in a professional manner!! Que moron!!!
Dr. Alfred C. Whitehead
7:57 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
@ Liz.. your comments gives credence to what Mayor Maturo inappropriately said...you just know it!
Liz
8:21 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Ok