Maturo Begins Meetings With Latino Leaders

Mayor Joseph Maturo has started meeting with East Haven’s Hispanic residents to smooth over criticism for his "taco" comment and the indictment of four police officers for unfair treatment of Latinos.

An article by the New Haven Register’s Mark Zaretsky today details how Maturo has met with ethnic leaders, including politicians and business owners.

The article said the mayor personally delivered invitations to the swearing-in ceremony for interim Police Chief Brent Larrabee, who has accompanied Maturo at the meetings and reached out to other critics.

The president of the new grassroots group Community Immigrants of East Haven, Herman Zuniga, told East Haven Patch earlier this week that many community members did receive the invitations, but felt the press conference was not the right time for such a meeting. Community Immigrants of East Haven is the organizing force behind the upcoming Feb. 25 march here.

Maturo received national criticism when a reporter asked what he planned to do after the four police officers were arrested for committing civil rights violations and he said he might have tacos for dinner that night.