By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Mayor Byron Brown released what he described as an action plan Wednesday to deal with abuses at the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority.
A report released last year by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, followed by a critical audit by the city comptroller, found evidence of lavish spending by some BMHA commissioners on cell phones and credit cards.
Four of the commissioners have resigned, including Chairman Sherill Colston. Brown announced their replacements Wednesday. They are Michael Seaman, the city's director of Treasury and Collection, tax accountant Ronald Brown, Hal Payne, vice president of student affairs at Buffalo State and attorney Betty Calvo-Torres.
Brown says they'll be asked to make a number of changes, including no more cell phones and credit cards for commissioners.
"More than anything, this action plan makes specific recommendations to address a variety of concerns and problems outlined in these reports," Brown said. "It is my expectation that the newly formed board of commissioners will address these recommendations at their first official meeting and begin the process of restoring public confidence in the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority."
Brown had appointed local attorney John Elmore last month to review the HUD report. Though security was not mentioned by HUD, Elmore says in his meeting with public housing tenants, many are concerned about their safety, especially after the BMHA police force was disbanded last year.
"A plan is going to be developed for community policing in Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority (complexes)," Elmore said. "There is going to be crime intervention, gang intervention and stepped up patrols to make sure residents are protected."
Mayor Brown says he doesn't intend to oversee the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority. He says that's up to the commissioners but adds he does plan to hold them accountable.