TMCnet News
Bradenton Housing Authority agrees to interview interim director for permanent job [The Bradenton Herald](Bradenton Herald (FL) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Sept. 18--BRADENTON -- Insisting it was a misunderstanding, some members of the Bradenton Housing Authority board of directors Thursday backed off from excluding interim Executive Director Darcy Branch from interviewing for the troubled agency's top job, just one day after Branch threatened to sue if she didn't get a chance at the job. Branch's biggest advocate for being interviewed was board member Lois Gerber who said the board should give the acting director a "courtesy" interview because, "We put our trust in her in a very bad time and she did a great job." In the same breath, Gerber said Branch did not meet the minimum requirements for the position, but "out of reward for doing a good job, we need to do what's right." Branch is glad the board agreed to interview her. "At this point, I won't be suing because I didn't get the interview and will follow the process," said Branch. "But I can't answer what will happen in the future. There are issues still to be resolved and what happens will be up to my attorney." The board last week narrowed a national search for a new executive director down to seven candidates and was expected Thursday to narrow the field further for sit-down interviews with the board. One candidate, Kenneth Clark, has withdrawn his application after accepting another job offer, but the field remains at seven with the addition of Branch. Gerber insisted she wasn't giving in to threats of legal action or media pressure, but said, "I wouldn't have brought this up if I hadn't had calls from newspapers and TV stations all week." Gerber said Branch deserves the opportunity to interview, but again stated she doesn't like the way Branch handled going to the Department of Housing and Urban Development with information about possible wrongdoing by former executive director Wenston DeSue. Commissioner Norma Dunwoody and Chair Napoleon Mills both said they left last week's meeting with the impression that Branch was out of the running. Mills said it was up to the board to decide if Branch would be interviewed while Dunwoody said the matter was already resolved. "Last week was the proper time to bring this up," Dunwoody said. "I don't know if it was clear to you, but last week was the time to include Darcy and no one ever brought her name up, so I don't know why you are bringing it up now." Commissioner Rigo Rivera, absent last week, said he was shocked to learn Branch had been excluded and went so far as to argue that Branch should be allowed to resubmit her resume, a possible advantage the other candidates do not have. Rivera told Branch Thursday that she would be afforded that opportunity. After spending some time last week on deciding Sept. 25 as the interview date, the board also voted to change the date due to additional conflicts that would have left the board with only two members present. Interviews are now scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Oct. 6 and last throughout the day. Mark Young, Herald urban affairs reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7041 or follow him on Twitter@urbanmark2014. ___ (c)2014 The Bradenton Herald (Bradenton, Fla.) Visit The Bradenton Herald (Bradenton, Fla.) at www.bradenton.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |