Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

You may have missed this article in the Tribune: Outspoken Tampa Housing Official Is Denied 2nd Term. This article is cut up in the order I want to present it, and I’ve also highlighted in bold where you may have more questions):

Mayor Pam Iorio chose not to reappoint… Gerald White, a one-term housing commissioner, who was known for asking questions and challenging housing officials. White was one of the few board members who would speak to reporters.

“Usually I do reappoint people, but not always,” she said. “Sometimes I feel that a change is needed, but it’s not necessarily a poor reflection at all.”

We’ve complained before about Iorio firing people without reason. Please continue..

White, a Tampa Electric Co. power plant operator, was a long-standing advocate for Central Park’s redevelopment. The future of the dilapidated housing property was still in question when he joined the board in May 2003.

Despite a housing authority preference that board members not speak to reporters, White typically returned phone calls. He and former Hillsborough County Commissioner Rubin Padgett were the only board members who did not adhere to the preference.

White often appeared at odds with the board and Ryans during meetings. Most recently, he spoke up during [property manager Fred] Rath’s presentation [about complaints and problems at River Pines Apartments, a senior complex the authority owns in northeast Tampa] in May, calling for an independent inspection of River Pines and a special meeting to let board members hear from residents.

White was the only board member to question how conditions got so bad at River Pines. Mold and other problems were identified in almost half of the 300 units after complaints reported in The Tampa Tribune.

Though White did not make either request in the form of a motion, neither [Housing authority President Jerome] Ryans nor [Chairwoman Hazel] Harvey pushed for discussion.

So Gerald White was a bit of a rebel-rouser, at least concerned enough to question the status quo. But was he good for the housing authority?

Padgett said he didn’t always agree with White, but he praised his contribution. “Gerald was very, very honestly involved and worked hard on that board,” he said. “He asked questions. He served well.”

Housing authority President Jerome Ryans said the board is better with Scriven. “I think he’s going to be a tremendous asset,” Ryans said. “We had a good board. Now we’ve got a great board.”

Ryans also complimented White. “Gerald was very outspoken. If Gerald had an issue, he raised the issue. I don’t expect any different from Lance.”

He denied there was friction between White and the board or White and housing officials. “He never got under my skin,” Ryans said.

So what is the deal? Maybe Pam gave us hints a month ago…

During an interview in early June, Iorio spoke in general about the pitfalls that outspoken board members face.

“Board members chart their own reputations and course,” she said. “By their behavior month in, month out, day in, day out, their peers and colleagues either take them seriously, or sometimes they don’t.

“I can only appoint the members,” she continued. “Once they get on a board, they have to determine if their behavior will earn the respect of their colleagues.”

Ohhh.. Maybe the colleagues were disingenuous in their praise, and White was a ninny. If so, he could be replaced with someone just as concerned about the state of public housing, and willing to stand up for what is right.

In his place, Iorio picked Lansing Scriven, a lawyer and former president of the Tampa Club.

Scriven, whose appointment was approved Thursday by the city council, declined comment Friday. He said he did not know whether he would attend Tuesday’s housing board meeting. His term, which lasts four years, ends in 2011.

Iorio said she did not know whether Scriven had experience with public housing, but she praised his legal expertise, particularly as the authority moves forward with its redevelopment of Central Park Village.

Nope - White was replaced with just another lawyer.

So basically, Iorio gets rid of someone passionate about substandard housing, and replaces him with a guy who is connected (the Tampa Club), but may have no experience with public housing.

Something is not right here…

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