DePalma: Condemns Candidate’s Comments; Calls for Unity

The following press release is from the office of Gary DePalma:

East Haven Town Councilperson and retired Police Sgt. Gary DePalma has denounced comments made by Town Council Candidate Milena Quinto (D-3) as racially divisive. 

DePalma calls for Democratic Town Chairman Gene Ruocco to assess Quinto’s qualifications and review the tactics she plans to use as a candidate. 

Amid town wide controversy over comments made by Town Council Candidate Milena Quinto (D-3), Democratic Town Councilperson and Candidate for Mayor Gary DePalma calls for Democratic Town Chairman Gene Ruocco to stop using the premise of a racial divide in East Haven as a key campaign tactic. 

He points to comments made by Quinto on Facebook to officially announce her candidacy for Town Council. 

Quinto posted comments in Spanish, stating “for the first time in the history of East Haven one Hispanic is competing for this position, since all Ranks have always been occupied by whites where there is racism and inequality of races, it is time to make changes and improve our community.” 

DePalma has denounced these comments as divisive, calling for unity in East Haven. 

DePalma stated, “For whatever reason, Gene Ruocco and his hand-picked candidates believe the path to Town Hall must include the promotion of racial inequality. His continued attempts to divide this community for personal political gain are unacceptable. To label an entire community as racist is offensive.” 

DePalma points to both Ruocco and incumbent Mayor Joe Maturo as collective barriers to progress in East Haven. 

“Mr. Maturo’s infamous ‘taco’ comment has left East Haven open to national ridicule and embarrassment. He continues to dismiss those comments as a minor misunderstanding. East Haven is a proud community. We need leadership committed to creating opportunity and promoting a healthy unity among neighbors,” noted DePalma. 

He plans to take the matter directly to the Democratic Town Committee for review.