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Councilmember Marion Barry is angered by the departure of former D.C. Housing Authority head Michael Kelly. He’s got no problem with Kelly. Instead, he’s blaming a favorite target: The mayor.
The Washington Business Journal is reporting that Barry believes the board of the D.C. Housing Authority should have pushed harder to keep Kelly in his job in D.C. After nine years in Washington, Kelly resigned his post last month.
“I am greatly disappointed by the actions of this board…The board had the responsibility of providing a strong vote of confidence during the contract negotiations of Mr. Kelly,” Barry said in a statement.
Barry has introduced legislation “that would give the mayor less control of the board — a bill the mayor could veto if it came to him.”
Yesterday, New York City officials announced that Kelly would be heading up public housing in the five boroughs. The guy boasts an impressive resume (clearly, if New York wants him).
Here’s some information from yesterday’s press release:
Kelly has a 25-year history of experience in public housing management across the country. He previously served as Executive Director of the Housing Authority of New Orleans from 1994 to 2000, with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development from 1993 to 1994, and for ten years at the San Francisco Housing Authority from 1983 to 1993.
Image by Darrow Montgomery