Easton panel expected to vote on director today
The Thomas L. Harkless watch may end this afternoon, when the Easton Housing Authority is schedule to meet and may vote to hire a new executive director. Harkless, who holds the same position at the Fayette County Housing Authority, was apparently Easton’s top choice for its vacancy, according to published reports. However, the Easton Housing Authority has been embroiled in several controversies, including the manner in which Harkless was reportedly notified that he was its top pick for the job.
At Wednesday’s FCHA work session, Harkless brought up the Easton situation before three members of his board: Vice Chairman James V. Bitonti, Beverly Beal and Nancy Sutton.
“No decision between Easton and myself. It’s nowhere,” said Harkless. “My attention (now) is I’m doing the best for the (Fayette County) housing authority.”
Harkless said he would let the board know of his decision once it is made, and added, “The decision may be that I’m going to be here.”
During a break in the work session, Harkless refused to elaborate on his employment situation.
According to Wednesday’s Allentown Morning Call newspaper, the Easton Housing Authority has re-contacted some other finalists for its position – people previously informed by letter that they had been rejected in favor of Harkless.
Bitonti said he hopes the FCHA can retain Harkless, primarily because of the authority’s ambitious plans for rebuilding using federal HOPE VI funds and for reviving its dormant nonprofit housing corporation.
“I don’t want to lose our executive director at this time,” said Bitonti. “We could really make great strides at the housing authority in the next three to five years.”
However, Beal rebutted that notion, stating that she has met a lot of competent executive directors who could lead the FCHA if chosen. “There’s a lot of good leaders out there,” said Beal, who added that her main concern is finding out Harkless’ intentions as soon as possible, so the board can promptly begin its search for a replacement.
The authority intends to have a special meeting by March 31, the day it must mail its 2005-06 budget to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
During Wednesday’s wide-ranging discussion, Bitonti said he favors the FCHA building something new on the now-vacant site of Lemon Wood Acres in North Union Township.
“I think the board has a responsibility to rebuild Lemon Wood in some fashion,” said Bitonti.
Harkless said one possible scenario for accomplishing that would be a joint effort between the housing authority, its development partner Falbo-Pennrose and a private, nonprofit corporation. Because the FCHA is looking to use capital bond funds and tax credits – both issued by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency – to pull off the makeover, Harkless said the nonprofit corporation and using Section 8 housing vouchers are now in the mix.
Harkless said that using the FCHA’s dormant nonprofit was one possibility. “Or create a new one. Or there may be (another) one out there,” he said, regarding other ways to work in the nonprofit.
Harkless said the nonprofit is vital to the plan because of the tax credit component. Solicitor John M. “Jack” Purcell said that if the housing authority retains ownership of the site, it would be exempt from paying real estate taxes, whereas a nonprofit corporation would have to pay those.
Andre Walters, the authority’s director of technical services, said the plans for adding 53 public housing units on the Lemon Wood site range from $13 million for conventional “stick buildings” to $9.5 million for manufactured housing.
Beal said, “I think we should sell it (Lemon Wood) to Laurel Highlands,” referring to the fact that Laurel Highlands Senior High School sits next door.
Bitonti said that board Chairwoman Angela M. Zimmerlink could not attend because of a funeral, and that board member William “Trip” Radcliffe, an attorney, had a court case that posed a conflict.