NEW: State Senator Apologizes for E-mail Criticizing Homelessness Hearing
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
State Senator Nick Kettle last night apologized for an e-mail about a hearing on homelessness that advocates on the issue described as hateful and bigoted.
Kettle, R-Coventry, Foster, Scituate, sent the e-mail urging Tea Party members to fill up the hearing room “before the homeless folks.” He called on them to ask “tough questions” to put an end to “this dog and pony show.” Kettle wrote,
I need as many tea party supporters there for this one. Get there early to fill up the room before the homeless folks! Help me ask why this homeless person has better clothes than I? I need some support when myself and Senator’s Maher and Pinga raise the tough questions to end this dog and pony show of Chairman Tassonni’s [sic]
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Thanks,
Nick Kettle
Several advocates for the homeless condemned the e-mail. John Joyce, the co-director of the Rhode Island Homeless Advocacy Project, said the message was inappropriate and expressed hatred and prejudice towards the poor and homeless.
Joyce said Kettle would have been in much more trouble had he sent out a similar message about African-Americans or any other minority group.
‘I was pretty shocked’
“I was pretty shocked when I saw it,” said Jim Ryczek, executive director for the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless. “If you substitute any other minority group in that it is pretty offensive.”
At the hearing, which was held by the Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government, Joyce read Kettle’s e-mail aloud, then demanded an apology. Kettle promptly said he was sorry. (Kettle did not respond to a request for comment.)
Senator John Tassoni, chairman of the committee, said Kettle had learned a lesson that night. “He’s 20 years old. Lives with mom and dad. He doesn’t really know the definition of paying a mortgage or paying bills,” said Tassoni, D-Smithfield, North Smithfield. “It’s unfortunate. He’s young. He’s a kid. Did I think he learned a lesson today? I think he absolutely did.”
Tassoni also took exception to Kettle’s characterization of the hearings as a “dog and pony show.” Tassoni said Kettle has not been an active participant in the hearing nor has he asked to have anything specific discussed during the hearings. “He asked for nothing. He sits like a bump on the log,” Tassoni said. “Then he puts out an e-mail like that attacking me for a ‘dog and pony show.’”
New state council on homelessness revived
Otherwise last night, the hearing was marked by news that Governor Lincoln Chafee would be reactivating the Interagency Council on Homelessness, which has became dormant for the last two years under the administration of Gov. Don Carcieri.
The council helps various state agencies and departments to coordinate efforts to prevent homelessness. It will make a series of recommendations on how to end it and will promote and support affordable housing for those who are homeless.
Chafee also said his administration had addressed a number of maintenance issued that had been raised with Harrington Hall, a state emergency shelter that houses as many as one hundred homeless men.
“I am very pleased that Governor Chafee has responded to the serious concerns we have raised, and has taken the actions that have been announced today,” Tassoni said. “I am confident that as a result of these actions and with continued cooperation between the General Assembly and the administration, we can make significant progress toward our goal of moving Rhode Islanders off the streets and into more permanent housing.”
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