Welcome to another installment of "Clear Out the Poor People to Make Way for Luxury," in which beguiling sycophant Irving Joshua somehow mentions the words "conflict of interest" without a laugh track.
But as Mayor Jeff Gahan once said, "Nobody reads the paper."
David Duggins once told me that he was taking a substantial pay cut to work for City Hall, compared to what he might earn in the "private" (read: government-subsidized) sector of the economy.
Five and a half years on the public teat is ample time to make up ground, and a $30K pay boost overnight is merely icing on the cake. Never, ever forget that a rookie will be awarded the same pay packet as a man with 15 years of experience.
As NAC told you a month ago, public housing neophyte David Duggins will be the interim director of NAHA -- and at Bob Lane's pay grade.
Since those words of Duggins were spoken to me, the city of New Albany has funneled so many contracts into the gaping maw of HWC Engineering (by sheer coincidence, HWC employs Duggins' wife) that the firm now has an office within spitting distance of City Hall.
Irving Joshua remained silent about this conflict of interest.
Jeff Gahan already had appointed his son-in-law to manage the flood wall -- and not a word emerged from Irving Joshua's mouth.
A major Democratic Party donor (Terry Ginkins) and the city engineer's mother were placed on the NAHA board to rubber stamp Duggins' public housing putsch diktats.
Irving Joshua remained mum throughout. After all, he was appointed to guide the same board.
As for Duggins and other city employees, don't rule out the existence of sideline "consultancy" LLCs for the diversion of the residual slush generated by all these projects.
As we observed yesterday, Duggins needn't know HUD from MUD to do what's expected of him: dismantle public housing and make room for luxury development on properties soon to be divvied up by the very same construction and development interests who would have made Duggins' career in the "private" sector so lucrative ... and still will, as he directs cash-stuffed envelopes to the key players.
I wouldn't look for Joshua to mention conflicts of interest in his manner, given that a clam's demeanor suits his own.
Look for Gahan to appoint his educator wife to the soon-to-be-vacated position of NAFC superintendent of schools, and Adam Dickey to become economic dishevelment director, replacing Duggins.
No, Irving Joshua won't say a goddamn thing about it, but here's the rub. Neither will a single city council member, nor a major party official. So-called community "leaders" will say as little as Joshua. Unless they publicly take a stand, every last one of them is complicit. Why should we vote for any of them in 2019?
Care to comment, pillars?
New Albany housing board appoints city redevelopment director as interim housing director, by Elizabeth Beilman (Hanson Doesn't Care About Any of This, Either)
David Duggins to leave city role
NEW ALBANY — New Albany Redevelopment Director David Duggins will serve as interim director of the New Albany Housing Authority, following the board's decision to fire the previous director.
The board appointed Duggins during its regular meeting Monday with one abstention. Duggins will have to leave his role as city redevelopment director to avoid a conflict of interest, board President Irving Joshua said.
Some board members said Duggins' familiarity with New Albany and expertise in redevelopment make him a good temporary fit.
"We had a letter from [U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development] that recommended that we select someone," board member Terry Ginkins said. "He'll be a good choice until we find a permanent director ... he knows the ins and outs [of the city], and he deals with a lot of federal money."
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As an addendum, NA Confidential has been unable to confirm whether New Albany Mayor Jeff M. Gahan or anyone working in the city's administration is under federal investigation or indictment for corruption, bribery or racketeering. It is standard policy of the U.S. Justice Department to refuse to confirm or deny the existence or non-existence of investigations or subjects of investigations. A similar policy exists at the F.B.I.
1 comment:
Dog s is getting a nearly 40% raise, not 30% which means that he is basically doubling his salary. My favorite part, however, is how a brand new housing board ( most of them only been in place a couple of months) can continue to talk about the firing if Lane as necessary because he didn't share their vision. Huh? How does any board that has no experience, and no history of working together develop a vision in just a couple of meeting? Hogwash!
Next thing to look for. Dug gins will let maintenance slide Nd push the units into a state of total disrepair by neglect. Then they will have to be torn down. Some residents also expect that their now quiet and safe environment will suddenly be filled with problem tenants so hat crime will increase making the housing developments a broader negative public concern.
And beyond Duggins lack of experience for the NAHA position, we now have a new executive for the Homeless Coalition. Her background is working for the Chamber if Commerce. We do want to get those homeless and poor out if our city. Simply appalling.
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