NEW BERLIN, Wis., June 2 (UPI) -- The mayor of New Berlin, Wis., apologized for sending an e-mail message calling those citizens opposing a workforce housing development bigoted and prejudiced.
After voicing his support for an allegedly controversial multifamily and senior housing development approved for the City Center that includes workforce housing, Mayor Jack Chiovatero says he was bombarded with criticism from people who said they believed the project would lead to an increase in crime and drugs, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Wednesday.
City officials say workforce apartments are meant for people earning about $35,000 or less a year, including some who work nearby at Walmart or assisted-living facilities but can't afford to live near where they work.
The Journal Sentinel said many New Berliners allegedly either called him "nigger" or harassed his friends and children, Chiovatero said, and on May 25 he fired off an e-mail message to a resident saying: "I am a prisoner in my own home. I have spent several hours a day last week listening and replying to concerned citizens. I spent all weekend doing the same. I went to Pick N Save to pick up a prescription and I was stopped by several people and it took an hour and a half to leave the store. I was asked NOT to attend two functions this weekend for fear it would distract and cause havoc by my presence. Our City is filled with prejudice and bigoted people who with very few facts are making this project into something evil and degrading."
Backing up and apologizing, the mayor said he never meant to tar everyone with the same brush, saying, "A few citizens were prejudiced."
"I didn't mean to categorize New Berlin citizens in a bad light," Chiovatero said.
