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Soto won't resign from housing board

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By TONY MARRERO

Published: December 4, 2007

Hernando Today

BROOKSVILLE - A second Brooksville Housing Authority board member has refused Mayor David Pugh's request to resign.
Jeanette Soto, who was appointed to the board in August and who serves as vice chair, sent a letter to Pugh and the city council Monday saying that, "after careful consideration," she has decided not to step down.

"Having done nothing wrong, there is no reason for me to resign," Soto wrote. "I intend to complete the term of office to which I was appointed and to continue to serve the residents of the Community."

Soto, of Brooksville, wrote that she is unclear whether Pugh was acting alone or with the support of the city council.

"If the City Council desires my resignation, I request the opportunity to address the Council in a formal hearing to fully discuss this matter," she wrote.

That is exactly what will now happen, Pugh said Monday.

"That just means there are more charges to file," he said.

In her defiance, Soto joins housing board chairman Steve Zeledon, who told Hernando Today last week that he would not resign because Pugh has "no basis" for his request. Zeledon also said the authority and the board are making progress that he wants to help continue.

"I have enough to charge both of them and move forward," he said.

Pugh said Zeledon and Soto would be getting letters stating those charges and setting a date for a hearing in front of the city council. After the hearing, the mayor makes a recommendation to the council. If that recommendation is for removal, a majority of the council must concur.

Last week, Pugh sent letters to Zeledon, Soto and fellow housing commissioners Paul Douglas and Earl Watkins asking for their resignations by noon on Monday. The letter did not levy any specific charges, stating only that "it does not appear that the current composition of the BHA (board) has been effective in administering its duties."

Pugh was clearly surprised to hear that Soto did not plan to resign. He said that, during a phone call he made to Soto last week to warn her of his letter, Soto said she planned to do so.

"Obviously, she's not a person of her word," Pugh said.

In her letter, Soto wrote that Pugh, during the telephone call, "assured me numerous times that 'I had done nothing wrong nor had I caused any trouble.'"

When asked about this Monday, Pugh said he was trying to be vague during the conversation both to avoid mentioning specific charges that could be forthcoming and to help Soto feel better.

"I could tell she was upset," he said.

Soto, reached by phone Monday, declined comment.
Watkins told Hernando Today last week that he would resign, stating that the board 'dropped the ball' by not advertising for applications for the authority's executive director. Instead, the board voted to name Ronnie McLean the permanent director. Watkins dissented in that vote.

Douglas told Hernando Today last week that he would respect the mayor's request but was resigning with a clear conscience. He submitted his resignation Friday.

Disagreement over how to handle allegations that McLean lied to an insurance agent about the status of his driver's license caused a bitter divide to form between Douglas and three of McLean's supporters: Zeledon, Soto and board member Yvette Taylor.

Douglas is convinced McLean lied and campaigned for his dismissal. Watkins and board member James Brooks said the matter warranted further investigation. McLean has adamantly denied the charge.

The board formed a personnel committee comprised of Zeledon, Soto, Taylor, Douglas Brooks. The committee, during a meeting that Brooks and Douglas did not attend, voted to recommend to the full board to drop the issue and move on.

The resignations of Douglas and Watkins leave the seven-member housing board with four people. Another board member, Shannon Andras-Pettry, resigned in October citing concerns for her safety during board meetings.

Pugh said last week that he wants local professionals in various areas of expertise - bankers, lawyers, and engineers, for example -- to step up and volunteer for the board on a short-term basis to help the city council determine whether the city should cut ties with the housing authority.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funds and oversees the authority. The city council's only power over the authority is to appoint and remove board members.

After news reports last month of discord on the housing board, council members told Pugh during a council meeting last week that they trusted his judgment if he wanted to take action.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

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