BY KYM LIEBLER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON -- Two employees of the Warren Metropolitan Housing Authority (WMHA) resigned Wednesday, bringing the number of defections to three since an April 29 audit documented inspection violations and mismanagement within the organization.
Despite the latest resignations, newly appointed Acting Director Mary Gilbert said the authority "is not a sinking ship" and is rectifying problems outlined in the audit.
Janet Carter, Family Self Sufficiency coordinator, resigned to spend more time with her family, and Winnie E. Luker Jr., housing specialist for the authority's Transitions program, resigned because of stress "caused by lack of necessary staff and administrative direction."
Pamela Smith, the authority's executive director, resigned May 19 for undisclosed medical reasons. She gave two months' notice and is on medical leave.
The authority, which oversees a $2.3 million budget and provides housing to 580 low-income, disabled and elderly families, endured rocky times from 1993 until 1995 when six female employees filed sexual-harassment lawsuits against then-director Gary Trovillo. Mr. Trovillo was fired in 1995, and the female employees either resigned, were fired or were laid off.
The authority has 12 employees, including Mrs. Smith, and at least four vacancies.
Even with the current unrest, Mrs. Gilbert said, "management scores" the authority received this month from the HUD office in Washington, D.C., beat last year's. HUD's Public Housing Management Assessment Program rated WMHA 81, up from a score of 73 in 1997.
Scores from 60 to 90 indicate standard performance, she said. "We are not a troubled authority, and we are not designated a troubled authority," Mrs. Gilbert said. "There are areas we need to take care of and those areas are being taken care of."
During a special meeting Wednesday night to review the audit, housing authority board members accepted the resignations, and pledged to improve oversight.
Top priorities are to repair building violations identified by auditors with the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and to hire a director.
The audit listed 208 health and safety inspection violations in the authority's Section 8 housing stock, which is owned by private landlords. The audit also took the agency to task for failing to recoup money owed by delinquent tenants or tenants who defrauded the authority.
"The No. 1 thing on the agenda, the No. 1 thing we have to do, is hire the absolute best director we can," said Lois Oliver, a Lebanon lawyer appointed to the board this spring.
In his first public comments since the audit was released, Jay Shadle, a Franklin physician who is chairman of the housing authority board, hinted his resignation may be forthcoming.
"I volunteer to do this and do it when I have time to do it," said Dr. Shadle, also a Franklin City councilman. "I may very well resign in the next few months because it seems I don't put in the time that certain people think I should."
To improve oversight, the board will review certain aspects of the housing authority's operations, such as spending vouchers. All purchases by the authority will require the board's prior approval.
