TEB Officials Explain Housing Decisions
After the suspension of the Fort Peck housing board of commissioners was discussed during the December meeting of the Wolf Point Community Organization, many members of the Tribal Executive Board explained their views at the WPCO meeting on Monday, Jan. 19.
Tribal chairman Floyd Azure opened by saying, “There’s misinformation out there.” Azure explained problems began with housing during the last administration and that some current TEB members felt the housing director was basically removed without cause.
Azure said officials felt it was necessary to take protective measures. That included suspending the housing commissioners for six months.
He said issues included housing committee members getting paid for too many meetings and meals, bills not being paid and micro-managing.
Azure explained TEB has primary authority and that means overseeing boards. “If we see problems, we have to take action,” the chairman said.
TEB members said they are waiting to get results of an independent audit before making decisions.
Wolf Point resident Lance Fourstar asked for the process to take as quick as possible in order to meet residents’ housing needs.
Azure answered that services won’t be stopped.
TEB member Marva Chapman said, “Housing needs to get grounded.” She feels that funds need to be tighten up.
TEB member George Blount brought up the housing commission’s frequency of meetings and travel expenses. He said a goal is to ensure accountability in the process.
Blount claimed that housing authority employees feel they can run the operation within the guidelines and without commissioners. He said that some employees fear for their jobs. “It’s really gotten out of hand,” Blount said.
Blount said findings, good or bad, will be reported to the TEB. He stressed there’s no “head hunting” being conducted.
“We just want a fair and honest board,” Blount said.
TEB member Darren Long Hair said he has hope that things will get sorted out.
TEB member Adrian Spotted Bird remarked he doesn’t feel the sixmonth suspension is long enough. “Let’s get all things back and in order first,” Spotted Bird said.
He added that there are four housing counselors to assist residents.
“Everything is still the same except the housing commission,” Spotted Bird said.
TEB member Roxanne Gourneau said she doesn’t know how it will work as the TEB members have substituted the housing commissioners with themselves.
Gourneau said that she feels it’s wrong to accuse commissioners with wrongdoings until the audit is completed.
She added that she will never support having employees run an organization.
Gourneau said transparency and following regulatory authority are vital. She wants to make a motion that all bids must be advertised in the newspaper.
