Opp HA could name director soon
Published 12:05 am Wednesday, December 7, 2011
The search for a new Opp Housing Authority director may soon be over and two new board members are expected to be appointed in the coming days, after more than six months of scrutiny from residents and the resignation of the director, officials said this week.
At Monday night’s Opp City Council meeting, Mayor H.D. Edgar recognized long-time board members Alan Johnston and Olean Nelson, who will end their terms Dec. 16.
Johnston’s term is set to expire, and Nelson announced her resignation.
“I am deeply appreciative of their many contributions to the community throughout the years,” Edgar said.
Edgar is expected to appoint two new board members in the coming days.
Edgar presented both with a certificate for their service.
In the past six months, the board has come under fire after its previous director was placed on administrative leave when tenants threatened to file suit against her. Additionally, tenants from all three complexes –Barnes Street, Carver Court and Williams Road — expressed their concerns about the lack of representation on the board because there wasn’t a single board member who lived in the Opp Housing Authority.
In October, the board began taking applications for the new executive director.
Acting executive director and board member Charles Willis said Tuesday the board has made an offer to an applicant for the executive director position and is waiting to hear if their proposal is accepted.
Willis said he hopes to have everything “wrapped up in the coming weeks.”