Just about every mayor must deal with a Bridgeport Housing Authority mess. It’s the nature of the beast. Things go wrong and you get a call from officials with the federal Housing and Urban Development that helps fund a $30 million operation for thousands of low-income folks. If you don’t fix this, the feds will say, it could get messy. The mayor appoints four of five commissioners but has little say over day-to-day operations so the only recourse is to change the commission structure. Two weeks ago Mayor Bill Finch dumped long-time political operative Americo Santiago from the board. Some are clamoring for more.
CT Post reporter Brian Lockhart has more:
But people are beginning to demand Mayor Bill Finch oust the bulk of the five-person commission.
“I’m hoping that’s what they’re (the mayor’s office) working on,” said City Councilwoman Eneida Martinez-Walker, D-139.
Martinez-Walker was among a small group of protesters, mostly current and former authority residents, gathered on Highland Avenue outside of the agency’s executive offices Wednesday morning calling for a new board.
The Authority, historically a magnet for controversy and turmoil, has not had a permanent director since Nick Calace’s sudden departure in spring, 2013. And his interim replacements have clashed with commissioners.
Full story here.
Communications Director Brett Broesder issued this statement:
“As with all boards and commissions, Mayor Finch’s administration is constantly evaluating membership. That’s why he appointed Janet Ortiz to fill a vacancy on the Housing Authority Commission last month. She has a tremendous background, and currently serves as the program director for the Nehemiah Commission, which provides afterschool and mentoring services for kids in Bridgeport who need them most. Moving forward, Mayor Finch will continue seeking out and vetting qualified candidates to fill positions on boards and commissions of which he is responsible for appointing members.”
Current Housing Authority Commission Members
Shante Hanks
· Sworn in: 4/08
· Expiration: 12/31/12
Rev. Sulton Stack
· Sworn in: 10/12
· Expiration: 12/31/15
Dulce Nieves
· Sworn in: 1/6/11
· Expiration: 12/31/14
James Brown (Resident Commissioner appointed by the Resident Advisory Board)
· Sworn in: 10/12
· Expiration: 12/31/16
Janet Ortiz
· Sworn in: 9/14
· Expiration: 12/31/18
Former City Councilman Joel “Speedy” Gonzalez provides a video tour of conditions at the Greene public housing complex two years ago.
Thank you, Eneida. I am very pleased to see you raising your voice in objection to the board. And you can add my voice to those calling for change. This board has been totally unresponsive to the unbearable and unsafe living conditions in the BHA buildings.
Replace all commissioners with expired terms and ask for the resignation of those whose terms have not yet expired.
But please, let’s hear more about the training sessions in Florida first.
STFU, Troll. The only two people who made and effort to address the issues on the video were David A. Walker and Jennifer Harcourt Buchanan. I reached out to a person I will not name who was supposedly a person who is an expert at addressing these concerns and I didn’t hear from her again. She was one of the leaders of the opposition in the 2013 effort. This video was taped on August 31, 2012. Does this period in time ring a bell? This was during the time Americo Santiago was busy trying to score some deal with Mary-Jane Foster. Foster would not make any deal other than campaign-related work. After agreeing to her terms, Americo backed off the deal and went to work for Bill Finch. Funny how situations change. The re-appointment of those commissioners should have never taken place as they have been doing a poor job for just too long. Perhaps they should be forced to have their board meeting in the hallways of the CFGH:
www .youtube.com/watch?v=1JqzOJ4TCGA
Bob Walsh, why do you confuse things with the truth and facts?
Mayor Finch has taken too long to do what he should have done a very long time ago. I sure the Mayor didn’t hear about or see this YouTube video and the commentary I submitted to OIB regarding conditions at the CFGH. I believe the CT Mirror picked up the story and video and titled it “Bill’s Finch’s Bridgeport.” Mayor Bill Finch shouldn’t just flush the Housing Authority Board, he should flush the urine and feces in the staircases and hallway filth out of all five buildings at the CFGH with them:
www .youtube.com/watch?v=1QoTo8_FXS0
Strange how Brian Lockhart finds it newsworthy to report on this now. When I reached out to the CT Post and sent them links to the videos, no one moved a finger to print a single letter on the matter. I give Lockhart credit for addressing the issues now–however late. Better late than never.
Paging Ron Mackey. Who is going to flush out this woman? Denise Nappier hiding from her opponent? Why am I not surprised? Someone here care to defend her record?
www .ctpost.com/local/article/Herbst-pushing-for-debate-in-state-treasurer-s-5809951.php
Here you go, Joel. For someone who normally is very adept at finding things on the internet, I am surprised you couldn’t find this.
denisenappier2014.com/treasurers-announcement-2
That pretty much outlines her accomplishments.
Having served for 14 years during the second biggest economic meltdown in the county’s history, I am sure Mr. Herbst can parse the data enough different ways to paint a disparaging picture.
Take your Kool-Aid and feed it to your wife. All she (Nappier) had to do was show up and paint over Mr. Herbst’s picture. Is it true she didn’t show up because RED INK is all she has left?
If I were Mr. Herbst I would be much more concerned as to why there were only 100 campaign supporters present for a press event in his home town with Tom Foley and Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie.
I’ll tell you when you tell me why there were only black workers on Marilyn’s primary campaign and the few whites were better paid.
You contradict yourself here, Joel. Which one is it?
“If I were Mr. Herbst, I would …”
I know Mr. Herbst and I knew Bob Walsh–Walsh you couldn’t ever be Herbst.
It looked like about four protestors and the councilwoman, so mostly current and former residents = three and the other person.
The headline of this piece would be improved if it were changed to “Mayor Urged to Resign.”
Alas, that can’t be due to all those who’ve contributed money to the $200,000+ warchest to the re-elect-the-Finch-follies fund. Thanks to all those out-of-town fat cats and in-city indentured cogs in the machine whose money trail indicates they believe the Finch follies reign supreme. Out-of-towners (e.g., Westportians), want to trade executive officers for a couple of years or terms? Why not?