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NEW BERLIN - New Berlin Mayor Jack Chiovatero is apologizing for sending an email in which he called people in his city bigoted and prejudiced.  Chiovatero was responding to criticism from people opposed to a low income housing development in New Berlin.

During an interview on Wisconsin's Morning News today, Chiovatero explained "I just real quickly shot out an email out of frustration, I did use those words, prejudiced and bigoted people, but I was talking about a few that I revised emails from.  Some of the emails have been really awful."

We asked Chiovatero to provide us the emails he was referring to.  The following are the emails he sent us:

Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2010 4:05 PM
To: Chiovatero, Jack
Subject: workforce housing

I just heard about this pathetic plan for this housing. I pay enough in property taxes and do not want to pay anymore. I did not move to New Berlin to have it turn into the next north side of Milwaukee. How can you do this to our beautiful community? What are you thinking?
Stop this housing project before "your city" ends up in ruins - and the tax paying people move out in droves - or drive you out of office.
If this project is not stopped - I will happily sign any recall petition or do what it takes to get you out of office.

A very concerned and over taxed member of New Berlin.

Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2010 4:25 PM
To: Chiovatero, Jack
Subject: Low Income Housing for the City

Mayor Chiovatero,
 
The People of New Berlin put you in office to make sound decisions.  Bringing in Low Income people does nothing for our fine city.   It does not add to our tax base, it does just the opposite.   It costs the fine people in our community in terms of extra Police and Fire protection.   The people who live in New Berlin live there to get away from all the crap that goes on in the Milwaukee Area.   The people like that do not belong in our fine community. 
 
I urge you to reconsider you decision and put in some businesses that add to the tax base, instead of the people who mooch off the tax base.

Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2010 5:13 PM
To: Chiovatero, Jack
Subject: proposed low cost housing units at city center

Dear Mr Mayor,  I was  more than alittle upset when I heard today that the city is proposing some low cost housing for the city center area and you were in favor of it.  I am trying hard to figure out what you hope to gain by bringing  that to our city. Forget increasing the tax base as the amount of people service will far outweight the tax revenue generatered.  Do you have any idea what problems those areas always turn into.  Before you further consider this idea why don't you pack up your family and move into the area of your choice and experience it first hand.  I left the city 35 years ago to get away from those kinds of problems and every few years somebody at city hall tries to push something through.  Your time as mayor will be short if you think this is what is good for New Berlin.   Perhaps if you had spent more time getting us a better water rate instead of the second highest in the Metro area , all those empty stores at the city center would be full.

Sent: Friday, May 21, 2010 8:07 AM
To: Styba, Melody
Subject: NewBerlin.Org Web Site 'Contact Us' Request - Workforce Housing

I have been very happy with the quality of government in New Berlin since I moved into New Berlin about 10 years ago.

I do not understand the Mayor support of the workforce house development in the city center.  It appears to me that the development would result in tax increases and lower quality of life in New Berlin.  The reason I moved to New Berlin was due to the quality of people who live in this community.  I want my children around solid families and friends  Over time subsidized housing will lower the quality of people in New Berlin.  I lived in Milwaukee and have seen what subsidized housing does to neighborhoods.

I am against the project, unless their is a compelling reason for the development that has not been made public.

Sent: Friday, May 21, 2010 3:55 PM
To: Chiovatero, Jack
Cc: Erik Pries
Subject: Workforce Housing Plan

Mayor Chiovatero,
 
We are concerned residents of NB that are outraged about the plan for low income housing (let's call it what it is) slated to go in behind Walmart.  My husband and I couldn't believe that such a plan would be considered for this area. 
 
We didn't get here by mistake, and no one gave us a golden ticket.  We've worked to hard for years to move to a family-friendly city with good leaders and good neighbors.  To be around people like us who work hard and understand what can be achieved if you do. To enjoy safe and clean streets and a decent neighborhood for our children.  A place that has a small city feel with the right amount of nature mixed in. A city that's filled with people who take pride in their city.  That, sir, is what you have. Yet, you seem to want to change that.
 
In the May 4th article regarding bringing in low income housing, you mentioned two things that caught our eye.
 
First, you said that this low income demographic would be more likely to have the disposable income to spend money in the area - particularly the City Center.  We agree Walmart and the Dollar Store are likely to see more traffic, but highly doubt the City Center will benefit. 
 
My family and others in this community work hard to make sure that our money is spent in our community, including the City Center. If low income buildings are raised behind Walmart, we will take our business elsewhere.  You also seem to be OK with risking money spent by individuals who love New Berlin, and come here from outside the city to be a part of something special.
 
Second, you don't have the appropriate parking for this plan, yet you approve it.  You do so banking on the fact that these low income residents don't have more than one car.  Is that what you base all your decisions on? Guesses?  What if they do?  Where are they supposed to park? What happens when friends and family come to visit?  How clogged will our city streets get?  Will these visitors respect our city and neighborhoods that we've worked so hard to make clean and safe?  Will they respect the people who've built a life here?
 
The schools in this area also make NB special.  Some families come here specifically for the schools.  What will happen to our children as a possible flood of new students come in?  Who is going to pay for their supplies? Their lunches? Their fees?  Us?  Who do we sacrifice for that.  Our children?
 
What about the land?  It's one of the last little patches of land around here that supports wildlife in the area, allows people a place to go to get away and get back to nature, allows for a place for our children to walk to and discover new things. 
 
If low income housing is approved for this area, wildlife will be destroyed, land values and home values will drop, taxes will most likely see an increase to pay for those who cannot pay for themselves.  Crime will most likely increase.  An increase in security and police presence may end up being necessary. Where is that money going to come from?  Us again?
 
You were elected, and trusted to choose commission members that would represent the residents of NB.   I think it's pretty safe to say that if this plan goes through, you will not be given this honor again.  You are a disgrace to the seat, the same seat the residents of New Berlin gave you, trusting that you would have their best interests in mind.  With the amount of outrage that's out there right now concerning this project, it's obvious you represent your constituent base with nothing more than a wink and a smile.  That you base your decisions on hope and a guess, and will cave to social pressures at the cost of our city.
 
We are ready to leave New Berlin if this goes through.  Sure, another family will move in.  But your demographics will surely change.  This beautiful city will surely change.   But, maybe that's what you want.

Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2010 1:23 AM
To: Chiovatero, Jack
Subject: City Center

My wife and I worked hard, saved money, made sacrifices to move out of the City of Milwaukee. In Milwaukee we lived in a nice middle class home in a middle class neighborhood. Most of our neighbors we Milwaukee City workers as it was one of a few "good" areas left in Milwaukee.

However, we did hear gunshots frequently and even heard the gunshots of a woman being executed in the parking lot of an apartment complex. Then there was a shooting at a different apartment complex following an argument over a parking space. When the victim reported this to police, the suspect was arrested. The suspect tried to pay off the victim in exchange for not appearing in court to testify. The victim wanted to do the right thing, refused the pay off and planned to appear in court. The eve of the court date, the victim was shot and killed on the front porch of his home.

These are just a few of many incidents that we witnessed. When "isolated incidents" happen too frequent they are no longer "isolated."

Like the vast majority of New Berlin residents, we paid a premium to move to a better community. Now you want to provide low income housing to people who have not worked hard, have not made sacrifices and have not paid a premium to live in a better community.

You are moving the City of New Berlin in the wrong direction. Low income housing will only lower property values, increase crime problems, put extra burdens on our school district and ruin the desire for middle class families to seek residence in New Berlin. The City Center has the foundation for greatness. Adding low income housing will destroy any future potential for the City Center. We ask that you hear the voices of New Berlin; the voices that elected you to the position of Mayor.

We would be interested to know how you think New Berlin will benefit from adding low income housing to a beautiful City Center.

 

Sent: Friday, May 28, 2010 8:56 AM
To: Chiovatero, Jack
Subject: Low income housing units

If these units are approved I will do everything in my power to see that you qualify as a tenant.