http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-nor.investigation3jul10,0,4257991.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines
By James Lomuscio
Special Correspondent
July 10, 2007
NORWALK - Though a Common Council member assured those present
that the Norwalk Fire Department is not racist, emotions still
ran high at last night's special meeting of the Human Relations
Commission at City Hall.
Mary "Bea" Brown - the commission vice chairwoman who
called the meeting - blamed Fire Chief Denis McCarthy for not
acting fast enough after allegations were made that firefighters
used two racial slurs against blacks and Hispanics. The slurs
were captured on a videotape made in 2005 at the Board River
firehouse.
Mayor Richard Moccia defended McCarthy, saying he was not even
chief when the comments reportedly were made.
"I think that this has got to end," Moccia said,
extolling what he described as a colorblind brotherhood of
firefighters who put their lives on the line for others.
"There has been no evidence of blatant racism in this
department. Isolated incidents of stupid statements, absolutely.
"But it's time for this to end. This department has suffered
enough."
Brown had invited the Rev. Phyllis Bolden to discuss what the
Common Council subcommittee that she heads has learned from its
investigation. The subcommittee was formed after the videotape
was shown to the media in November.
"It's been in limbo for a whole year, and they haven't come
to a conclusion yet," Brown said before the meeting.
She added that perhaps the Human Rights Commission should launch
its own investigation.
"Let's face it, there's racism everywhere," Brown said.
Bolden's comments seemed to vindicate the department, though the
subcommittee's formal report has not yet been released.
"We would like to say that we did not find rampant racism in
the Norwalk Fire Department and that the Norwalk Fire Department
is not racist," she said. "From what I saw from talking
to black and white firefighters alike was that they felt that
they had a brotherhood going and a good relationship."
But, Bolden said, "We found that there are some individuals
who are racially insensitive, loose-lipped and need to be dealt
with.
"As far as I'm concerned, the department should have zero
tolerance for racial epithets," she said. "That will
satisfy me."
McCarthy stressed that his department does have zero tolerance
over racial epithets, and that their use results in strong
disciplinary action.
"Inappropriate statements are made from time to time
everywhere," McCarthy said. "It is our responsibility
to object to that kind of language and behavior, and that is the
path we're on."
McCarthy said no firefighter has been disciplined, since no
formal complaint was filed and that he has not seen the tape.
"To suggest that the minority community move forward and
forget this without any disciplinary action of the individual is
unrealistic," said Dave Watts, who was in the crowd.
"You have to identify the individuals, discipline them and
retrain them."
McCarthy countered that all firefighters are aware of the
seriousness of the matter and that he is rewriting the
department's personnel manual.
"Our goal is to deal with the issue and to become a
model," said the chief, whose 140-member department,
including support staff, is 16 percent minority.
Carol Frank, a Human Relations Commission member, seemed annoyed
that it had called the meeting, since the council's subcommittee
had not yet presented its final report.
"What are we doing here?" she asked. "There is no
reason for us to be here."
Scot Wilson, a black Norwalk Fire Department veteran, described
the video in a racism complaint he filed last summer with the
state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.
Wilson, who had faced dismissal for repeatedly showing up for
work intoxicated, later withdrew his action as part of an
agreement that allowed him to retire and to collect $40,000 in
pay and medical benefits. He has not revealed who uttered the
slurs.
Copyright © 2007, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.