Out of ‘troubled’ waters
BROOKSVILLE The Brooksville Housing Authority board members can now leave part of their past behind them after the state declared that the group would no longer need to be under close scrutiny.
In a letter to city council members, Tommy Brooks, executive director of the Brooksville Housing Authority, announced that the group was no longer considered a “troubled” housing authority — a status given after previous leadership came under criminal investigation.
Housing Board Chairman Randy Woodruff said the news was expected, but still welcoming following years of the Department of Housing and Urban Development overseeing the group’s budgets.
That followed one housing director’s firing in light of numerous deficiencies found in the two section 8 complexes and the authority being left in substantial financial disarray.
Before that, former executive director Betty Trent and former project manager, Joe Ann Bennett were charged with stealing more than $40,000 from the authority.
“Things were pretty ugly before the new board came on,” Woodruff said. “That caused the city to come in and put a lot of new people on the housing authority board, which is why it was actually good to have HUD oversee everything.
“One of things the city council charged us with was getting good staff in place and that’s something I really feel good about. They’re very knowledgeable.”
The news follows now former Brooksville Housing Authority member Brenda Yvette Colondres resigning last week in light of an October arrest on a larceny charges and a November arrest accusing her of intentionally falsifying her application for assistance through the housing authority on which she sat.
As a result, her monthly rental fees were significantly reduced to about $25 per month for her three bedroom apartment at the Hillside Estates — which equates to gaining more than $13,000 in unlawful public housing.
In a letter seeking her removal, Mayor Frankie Burnett referenced past controversies as a reason that city officials needed to focus on placing responsible leadership on that committee.
Woodruff said he believes the housing authority can operate without one member and is in no rush to see it filled.
“It’s the city council’s decision, but I’m in favor of leaving it open instead of filling it,” Woodruff said. “I would rather they take their time and find the right person to who wants to serve the community and residents, and who can work well with other board members.”
