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St. Landry president addresses removal of housing authority board members
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ST. LANDRY PARISH, La. (KLFY) -- In response to numerous complaints about the St. Landry Parish Housing Authority, Parish President Jesse Ballard said he's committed to doing whatever it takes to get things back in order. That includes removing two housing authority board members.
"I wanted some things changed and of course the board that was in place said, no, we've been doing this like this for long enough. We don't want to change it. And the employees like their schedule," Ballard said.
The complaints range from mistreatment to a lack of accessibility to employees, since the work schedule is 8 - 11 a.m. and noon to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Through further investigation, Bellard noticed the board was canceling meetings on short notice and had issues with their yearly audits, such as spending unnecessary money on auditors and refusing to use internal sources.
Bellard said it's time for change.
"One resigned. One was taken off. And there was one I took off yesterday and today the other one was served," Bellard said.
Bellard said the changes will ensure the housing authority makes it easier and more accessible for people in need of housing moving forward.
"We're making those changes. We're going to run it like it should be ran. I'm not here to make friends with people. If a board is not doing what I think it should be doing, I take action because it reflects me. If it's going to reflect upon me, it's going to reflect on my ideas," he said.
"That whole board is appointed by me for whatever reason. That's how the law was written, you know. So, if I'm responsible for something, then they're going to follow in the ways that I think government should be ran. And number one is transparency and service to the people."