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Hernando Today

Housing Authority Hobbles Along

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By TONY MARRERO Hernando Today

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 13, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Wanted: housing authority board members.

The five-member Hernando County Housing Authority is down to three now that Anna Liisa Covell has decided not to seek reappointment.

The board was already one member down because a space reserved for a county resident who receives assistance through authority has remained vacant. The county housing board members are appointed by the governor.
Covell wrote to Gov. Charlie Crist last month withdrawing her request for reappointment. Covell, who co-owns a Brooksville electrical contracting firm, cited time constraints in her letter.

"I begin classes next week at the University of South Florida, in addition to working full time in my family business, so my time comes at a premium," Covell wrote.

Board member Paul Sullivan said Covell's departure is a loss.

"Anna Liisa was a very good member because her primary concern was not only residents but also that we were dealing with tax dollars," Sullivan said.

Sullivan said he hopes an appointment is made soon. With just three members, the board is always too close to canceling a meeting.

"If someone doesn't show up, it means putting decisions off," he said.

HUD gave the authority its troubled status after finding "quality control" problems with documents that are supposed to show the authority is meeting its mission to provide Section 8 vouchers for low-income residents to find decent housing. A review by HUD inspectors in July confirmed the status.

Director Don Singer said he has a received a report from HUD on that visit and will be taking the actions recommended to fix the deficiencies.

He reiterated what he has described to the housing board as a relatively minor paperwork issue.

"We just need to show we're doing what we say we're doing," he said.

HUD said in a statement Thursday that it is awaiting a status report from Singer for the month of August and declined further comment.

Crist is seeking applications for both positions, said spokesman Sterling Ivey.

So far, just one has been submitted, Ivey said.

Michael Burmann, the home inspector from Spring Hill who ran unsuccessfully in this year's Republican primary for the County Commission's District 1 seat, has applied.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

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