Housing board resignations sought

Erin Neff

Thursday, Sept. 21, 2000 | 10:51 a.m.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman called Wednesday for the voluntary resignations of Las Vegas Housing Authority board members in an effort to appoint commissioners who would be accountable to the current City Council.

Goodman's request came at the end of a lengthy discussion about what options the city has to address concerns by residents who claim the housing authority doesn't act on their behalf.

The issue was prompted by the recent layoffs of seven social workers who served senior citizens in public housing. Housing Authority Executive Director Fred Brown made the decision in April as part of a plan to improve service and save money.

But when the layoffs took effect this month, seniors clamored for help, claiming they have nobody to assist them with a host of problems.

Councilman Michael McDonald requested the city seek a legislative change to bring the authority, or at least its board, back under city control.

The Las Vegas Housing Authority was established based on 1943 legislation. Although the city established it, the housing authority has been autonomous ever since.

The only real interaction the city has with the housing authority is when the mayor makes an appointment to the commission, or when a council member passes on complaints that come into the city offices.

McDonald, who was appointed to the housing board in June after raising concerns that seniors were being victimized by crime in public housing, has grown even more frustrated in recent weeks.

"When we're not able to address those concerns because of the problems and policies of this housing authority, there's something wrong," McDonald said. "If this governing body was established in 1943, and now it's the year 2000, I think it needs to be readdressed."

But Goodman said he first wanted to ask current board members to voluntarily give up their seats so he could appoint new members.

"At least give me the opportunity to look at who I want on that board," Goodman said.

Housing Authority Board Chairman Chris Hoye was offended by Goodman's request.

"I believe it would be a great error for our City Council ... to now show a lack of confidence in our current board," Hoye said.

Goodman said he did not mean to suggest that all board members are unaccountable. And, he added, each board member who wanted to remain on the panel would be considered for reappointment after a resignation is tendered.

"What it does mean is that this council would be responsible," Goodman said.

One possibility for the city is that Goodman would appoint council members to the vacant seats on the housing board, similar to what occurs in North Las Vegas.

The current board members' seats do not expire until May 2002, at the earliest.