Directorship at housing projects not definite for Garcia Gives notice at City Hall, but may have to compete with others for position
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Hoboken Director of Health and Human Services Carmelo Garcia appears to be the front-runner for the Hoboken Housing Authority's (HHA) executive director position when it becomes available. He is leaving his City Hall job to be trained as an assistant director at the HHA on a trial basis.
Garcia was first considered for the position two years ago, but it was determined that he did not have the proper training. He has since obtained it.
If he became director, Garcia would oversee millions of dollars in federal funding as well as 1,373 federally subsidized housing units in the southwest part of town.
"There has to be an open process for an executive director; otherwise people would say it's an inside job," said HHA Commissioner Perry Belfiore last week. "It wouldn't be fair to Carmelo."
However, Belfiore acknowledged that Garcia grew up in the HHA, has many connections in the community, and "obviously has the inside track, as well he should" due to his local status.
Garcia has said he wants to focus on improving the quality of life in the projects, with particular attention to removing the drug element there.
As reported in the Reporter two weeks ago, Garcia has not been officially chosen for the directorship yet, but the HHA's interim director, Robert DiVincent, publicly announced at a meeting last month that Garcia would be hired for an assistant director job. That would put him in the position to take over for DiVincent whenever he leaves.
At times, Hoboken entities advertise a position only to end up hiring the rumored frontrunner anyway. It happened earlier this year when a bevy of people applied to be superintendent of schools, and former Hoboken school board President John Raslowsky was hired after a long process. While Raslowsky has earned accolades from all sides of the political spectrum, he was rumored to be the frontrunner all along.
Would be trained under DiVincent
If the seven-member board of commissioners decides to hire Garcia in the future, the new executive director will be bound to a one-year contract with the Authority until he has at least five years as either an assistant director or executive director, after which time he will be eligible for a contract of up to five years, according to DiVincent. DiVincent works at the HHA part-time, while he manages housing authorities in both West New York and Weehawken.
DiVincent pointed out that if the Board of Commissioners disapproves of Garcia's work as an executive director, his contract can be terminated at any time.
DiVincent said that he plans to train Garcia for the next three to five years before he will consider recommending him for the post.
DiVincent did not say when he plans to leave.
Strange precedent
In August of 2005, the commissioners suddenly asked DiVincent to leave, even though he was just starting to fix major financial problems that were allegedly left at the HHA by a past director. But only weeks later, they hired back DiVincent when a more full-time director could not be found. HUD had ordered the commissioners to do a better job of finding a replacement.
Some said that the mayor wanted to put his own political hire into the position at the time.
Garcia's ideas for the HHA
Rather than focus on what Garcia considered the past, Garcia said he preferred to look to the future he hoped to share with the Authority. "I want to create the most decent, sanitary and safe housing authority in the state," said Garcia.
He said he wants to achieve this through a "campaign against waste" left in the streets, and a continuation of the zero tolerance policy, which evicts residents if they or any member of their immediate family is convicted of a violent or drug-related offense.
Garcia also plans to create a protocol for HHA maintenance workers to on a daily basis clean, not just inspect, areas in and around the building that many residents have complained about, particularly the stairways and elevators.
"Every worker will be held accountable and every [HHA] employee will understand what our mission is as landlord of the Hoboken Housing Authority," added Garcia.
Anticipating his appointment as HHA assistant director, a position which will pay $105,000 or approximately $10,000 less than he is currently earning in City Hall, Garcia gave his notice to Mayor David Roberts last week.
The mayor has yet to announce whom he is considering to fill Garcia's position, having only learned of his imminent departure late last month.
Ethics violation in his background
One issue DiVincent will be reviewing before hiring Garcia full-time as the assistant director is the two ethics violations for which Garcia was cited as a member of the Hoboken Board of Education, both of which occurred during an Aug. 30, 2005 board meeting.
The alleged violations occurred because Garcia voted on a group of resolutions, two of which could have benefited associates or family members. The first involved the appointment of his brother to a custodial position, and the second involved approving a contract with public relations firm FitzMedia, owned by Hudson County Freeholder Maurice Fitzgibbons. At the time, Garcia was employed part-time as an aide for the County Board of Freeholders including Fitzgibbons.
DiVincent would not comment on the violations, saying only that they would be taken into consideration when it came to his decision to hire Garcia.
When Garcia was asked if the violations would negatively affect his performance if hired as executive director later on, Garcia said, "It didn't affect my ability to perform effectively as a city director and board member, so if it was an issue, I don't think Mr. DiVincent would have offered me the opportunity to work for the HHA."
Garcia, who has been working as a director for the city for six years, added, "My leadership and performance will absolutely not be hindered by that past disposition."
In defense of Garcia, Belfiore said, "I've found Carmelo to be one of the most ethical people in an industry that seems to be a magnet for unethical people."
Belfiore added that the commissioners hope to set up a "tenant-selection committee" which will review the backgrounds of perspective HHA tenants so that they will not bring "problems" with them when they move to the facility.
Zimmer, Campos discuss process
HHA Commissioner Christopher Campos, much like Belfiore, was confident in Garcia's capabilities last week. He also advocated strongly for an open process that would allow qualified candidates to come and reveal their strengths and expertise to the board.
"Absolutely there should be an open process," said Campos, who also grew up in the Hoboken projects. "The residents of the Housing Authority deserve to get the very best person for the job."
Campos added, "[Garcia] has done extraordinary work as a director for the city, and having grown up in the Housing Authority and knowing what the needs of the community are and how to address them, he'll do an equally extraordinary job as executive director if selected."
Dawn Zimmer said last week, "As the councilperson for the 4th Ward, the management of the Housing Authority is a very important issue to me. While Carmelo Garcia may be the right person for the job, I think there should be an open process so that the most qualified applicant can be chosen to work for the residents of the Housing Authority."
To comment on this story, e-mail Michael Mullins at mmullins@hudsonreporter.com.
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