By RAY LIGHTNER
Journal Staff Writer
Warner Robins Mayor Donald Walker said he has a problem with the city’s Housing Authority.
“I’m not very happy with the leadership down there,” Walker said at Monday’s pre-council session.
“If we can’t have new leadership, come to a meeting of the minds, we need to have a change.”
Warner Robins Housing Authority Executive Director Charles Alexander said he has no idea, the board has no idea. “I don’t know what the problem is.”
Alexander said there has been no communications with the city. “Councilman Dean Cowart attended the last meeting,” Alexander said, “he said nothing about it.”
There’s also been no contact, Alexander said, about the city’s redevelopment plans which include much of the area Houston Authority projects are located. Alexander said the Authority has talked with two developers about redevelopment, one being Gary Lee of Lifetime Developers.
Lee was recently appointed by Walker and the city council to the city Planning and Zoning Commission and has been part of the city’s redevelopment planning.
Alexander said Lee’s proposal was for the Authority to contract with him to tear down one of its housing projects and redevelop it as an assisted living complex with his company doing a lease to own with the Authority.
“I’m not going to sign with any kid of developer because of his position,” Alexander said.
“I told Lee I couldn’t just tear down a government property. I have to get HUD permission,” Alexander said.
“If he could get a HOPE 6 grant, than it would be no problem,” Alexander said.
Lee reportedly told the authority Lifetime Developers had the expertise to get the grant. “If he can do it we’re willing to do it,” Alexander said but questioned if the grant can be obtained because of the size of the Warner Robins Housing Authority.
“Macon applied and was turned down. They applied again, paying $225,000 in matching funds and were awarded the grant,” Alexander said. “We can’t afford that. We’re no where near that.”
Alexander said the Authority is doing some renovation with a Fannie Mae government loan at the South Davis Drive property, which he said, “is being totally renovated inside and out.”
Alexander said HUD, the federal department of Housing and Urban Development, governs the authority. “I am responsible for oversight of Housing Authority,” Walker told council.
“I’m fixing to make a change. I assure you it’s gonna happen. I’ve had all of it I can stand.”
Walker said the Authority has told him there’s noting he can do about it. “I’m gonna show them I can.”
Alexander said, “if the mayor wants to change the board, that’s his prerogative, but his reasoning is not valid.”
“The court,” Walker said, “ruled I have the ultimate authority to appoint and remove members from the Housing Authority. My illustrious colleague up the road proved that.”
He was referring to Macon Mayor C. Jack Ellis, who has had a fight with that city’s housing authority about appointments.
Alexander said there has been no dispute. “I don’t know what the problem is.”
From what has been reported in the press, Alexander said, the mayor said the city has been receiving complaints from residents that the authority is not implementing social programs focusing on literacy, pregnancy prevention and afterschool tutoring.
Alexander said the Authority has not had any complaints from residents. “We have a resident council that meets monthly at the Memorial Terrance Community Room. What complaints there are have been about little things.”
Alexander said the Authority has not been involved in the pregnancy program but has been doing a lot of other programs including GED and adult training classes. A list of current programs includes the GED program held a Springfield Baptist Church and after school tutoring held Monday through Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Youth Center on Green Street.
The after school program also includes a flag football program for boys 14 and under. From April to August youth basketball is offered at the city Recreation Department.
There are also art classes and senior bingo as well as summer day camp, heath fairs and Boy Scouts.
There are also computer classes at Memorial Terrace. An on-site computer has bee set up for residents to search for jobs through the state Department of Labor.
Alexander said the authority had been doing more when it had more grants. “Now, we’re operating at 76 percent of what we need just to pay the bills. We’re doing the best we can at the time.”
Upcoming programs include:
• Work Your Image to Get & Keep a Job – March 13 from 9 a.m. to noon. The workshop by instructor Brain Foster consists of teaching residents on personal hygiene, proper use of cosmetics and creating a professional appearance when applying for a job. Call 213-2414 or 922-1130.
• Homevestors – a first time homebuyers class March 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. by Charles Rutland. The class explains the entities involved in buying a home, creditor scores and credit reporting agencies. Call 746-4446.
• Driver’s Manuel Class – in April with instructor Sharon Rogers. Students will be given a week of train in preparation for their learner permit and taken to Driver’s License Bureau to take their test. Workbooks are available.
• Job Fair – in June by the Georgia Department of Labor.
Sharon Rogers will conduction a session entitled “Creating a Professional Appearance To Get And Keep a Job.”
