William Kaempffer, Register Staff

June 13, 2002

NEW HAVEN — Acquiescing to public outrage over an ethnic remark about Italian Americans, the Rev. Boise Kimber stepped down Wednesday as chairman of the Fire Commission.

However, the outspoken pastor said he would remain on the five-person panel that sets policy in the fire service. For about 60 protesters outside fire headquarters, his "self-authored compromise" amounted to an "insult" and they renewed their call for his ouster. "We have not forgotten what he said, nor will we, " said Battalion Chief Vincent Landisio. "We will not tolerate it." Kimber convened a news conference prior to the Fire Commission meeting to announce he would step down. Commissioner George Long-year replaced him as chairman. "This has been a difficult decision and a difficult time for me personally," he said. Kimber reaffirmed his account that the comment was made in jest, but noted that "we cannot afford even the appearance or hint of impropriety." Outside, the crowd of firefighters and community members already was assembling, holding signs and shouting "Kimber must go." His repeated apologies in recent weeks did little to quiet the calls for his resignation. "There is no vowel at the end of resign," read a protest sign that captured the mood of the rally. The flap stems from a May 24 comment Kimber made while visiting a firehouse on Howard Avenue. In front of a handful of firefighters, he noted that candidates with "too many vowels in their names" might not get hired in the next recruit class for the fire academy. The firefighters said the remark was not made in jest. Witnesses said they felt Kimber was referring to Italians. The comment prompted a harassment and discrimination complaint to the city's affirmative action officer and an internal investigation by the city's director of human resources. The firefighters told city officials that Kimber has created an environment of intimidation, abuse of authority, harassment and discrimination. Kimber, meanwhile, maintained that calls for his removal were politically motivated by firefighters angry with the reforms he is trying to institute in the department. Wednesday, even as protesters shouted outside, the Fire Commission quietly voted to hire 30 new firefighters. Sources in the department believed Kimber's remarks, in part, forced the city to return recruit positions slashed from the budget. Kimber's brief tenure on the volunteer board has been tumultuous. Kimber sought to give the commission, historically working behind the scenes, a higher profile. He regularly visited firehouses and drew ire when the unannounced stops sometimes occurred after midnight. He loudly championed re-instilling discipline and accountability in the ranks and often spoke of dress codes, salutes and swift punishment for violations of department general orders. Kimber said at the press conference that he would no longer make solo visits to firehouses. William Kaempffer can be reached at wkaempffer@nhregister.com, or at 789-5727.

©New Haven Register 2002