Rip,

FYI both Agawam Village and Redwood Housing for the Elderly come under the auspices of the Wareham Housing Authority. The Housing Authority is responsible for oversight of both of these complexes, not Susan Gifford. For Ellen B. to make such a statement, that in some way it is the fault of Susan Gifford that these complexes have not been properly cared for is irresponsible and obviously Ellen B. has no clue how things work. Neither does Robert Slager apparently.

The Housing Authority, itself would need to file for any grants, funding or programs. Sure, once they do, it is incumbant for our representatives to advocate that these grants get funded. However, if the Housing Authority is not making applications, then you can't place the blame on Susan Gifford or any other elected official.

The ones who have dropped the ball are the members of the Housing Authority. My guess is that they don't have a clear understanding of their role nor their responsibilities and that is why they have never taken the initiative to apply for these programs that would insure that these buildings would be properly cared for.

The Housing Authority was set up years ago by the Town of Wareham and falls under the legislative laws given to all Housing Authorities in the Commonwealth of MA. Perhaps the Housing Authority Board needs to have someone from the state come down and give them an overview of what their duties and responsibilities are.

Having someone knowledgeable and capable of writing grants or electing someone who is capable of doing the massive paperwork required  is fundementally the most important thing to remember when voting to elect someone to the Housing Authority. I don't believe we've ever elected anyone who had those skills. So, I think things fell by the wayside.

To blame Susan Gifford is so far off base that it's pathetic. It obviously shows a lack of knowledge and understanding of how Housing Authorities work. Sounds more like a statement coming from someone who has an ax to grind because Susan Gifford isn't a Democrat. I haven't heard her criticize Sen. Pacheco, have you?

Perhaps Ellen B. might instead, step up to the plate and run for a position on the Housing Authority. If she has the skills to do the massive paperwork required, files grant applictions that do not get funded, then she would have a right to be critical of our representatives, both Senator Pacheco and Rep Gifford. Right now her criticism should be of those who sit on the Housing Authority Board for not doing the job they were elected to do.

Last edited by Maturevoter (2009-10-31 13:27:50)

Ellen B has started her campaign to run for one of the BOS seats in April.

Housing Authorities for many years have been under funded by both the federal and state governments. In Falmouth many years ago the then Executive Director somehow partnered the HA with what we always called "the corporation" the corporation developed housing, affordable, commercial, etc and paid the HA a fee to collect the rents and maintain the properties. This arrangement serves a number of positive purposes, it creates much needed housing, provides additional revenue, and has been able to renovate some eyesores. Many other HA have looked into this model. I hope the WHA takes a look at it, it may solve mutiple problems!