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Mayor Asks Four Housing Board Members To Resign

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By TONY MARRERO, Hernando Today

Published: November 30, 2007

Updated: 11/29/2007 09:33 pm

BROOKSVILLE - Mayor David Pugh has asked four housing board members to resign and wants their temporary replacements to recommend whether the city should cut ties with the authority.

Pugh on Thursday sent identical letters to four housing board members: Paul Douglas, Jeanette Soto, Earl Watkins and Steve Zeledon.

"As you are aware, the Brooksville Housing Authority has been mired in controversy for several months," Pugh wrote. "I attempted to remedy the problems the BHA has been experiencing through the appointment of new members. Unfortunately, it does not appear that the current composition of the BHA (board) has been effective in administering its duties."

"It is my sincere hope," the letter continues, "that you will consider this action as an attempt by the City to avoid further distractions."

The letters include a pre-written resignation statement that Pugh asked the board members to sign and submit by noon on Monday, Dec. 3.

The U.S. Department of Housing Urban Development funds and oversees the authority but the city council appoints - and has the power to remove - board members.

In an interview Thursday, Pugh declined to comment on the specific issues that prompted him to pen the letters, citing the possibility that charges might still be forthcoming if any board members refuse to step down.

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 wash its hands of the housing authority altogether.

Pugh also said that has "nothing to do with the director," Ronnie McLean and that he does not seek to stack the board with members who will seek to oust McLean.

"It's more about whether it's in the best interests of the city to be involved with the housing authority," he said.

Douglas, however, said Thursday the root of the dysfunctional board "has always been Ronnie McLean."

Douglas has maintained that McLean, who was hired on an interim basis in March, is "incompetent and unqualified for the job."

It was a disagreement over how to handle allegations that McLean lied to an insurance agent about the status of his driver's license that 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.

Douglas said some of the onus is on Pugh, who should have appointed a seventh board member back in early October after Shannon Andras-Pettry resigned. That created a deadlock, especially over McLean.

Douglas said he voted this summer to take make McLean full-time executive director so that he could, according to rules of order, bring up the issue again for a revote later.

He said his conscience is clear but that he'll sign the letter to avoid a hearing, he said.

"I don't intend to have my reputation tarnished," he said.
Watkins also said Thursday he would resign.

When a reporter read Pugh's letter over the phone, Watkins said: "He's definitely right. We dropped the ball on this one. If he thinks it's the best thing for the residents of the housing authority, I'll do what he asks because the first priority should be the people."
Watkins said the board erred when it did not to advertise the executive director position after McLean was hired on an interim basis. Watkins noted that he was the lone dissenting vote.

Former director Betty Trent was convicted in June on charges of stealing money from the authority.

Zeledon agreed the focus should be on the residents, but said he has "no intention of resigning."

He said McLean and the board are making progress despite two board members - Watkins and Douglas - who have been "obstructionists." He has always maintained that the debate over McLean's driver's license was an unnecessary distraction, and that Pugh is simply bowing to pressure to respond to negative press.

McLean is making progress to rehabilitate neglected apartments and get the authority on surer financial footing, Zeledon said. He said HUD also supports McLean.

"The residents are happy," Zeledon said. "They are being served."

Soto did not immediately return a call for comment Thursday afternoon.

Zeledon's refusal to resign could prompt Pugh to levy formal charges against him and schedule a hearing. If the mayor makes a recommendation for removal, a majority of the council must concur.

"I hope it won't come to that," Zeledon said. "He has no basis for it. I don't want to be confrontational with the mayor, but I think once he visits our facility and sees what's going on, he'll see the present board is doing a good job."

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

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