09302006 - News Article - 2 taken off GHA board - Mayor Clay assumed that two of his five new appointees lived in Gary

2 taken off GHA board 
Mayor Clay assumed that two of his five new appointees lived in Gary

Post-Tribune (IN)
September 30, 2006

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Mayor Rudy Clay is removing two people he appointed this week to the Gary Housing Authority Board of Commissioners after learning they don't live in Gary's city limits. 

Clay said he assumed Jacquelyn Drago - Hunter and the Rev. Raymond McDonald lived in Gary when he made the appointments. 

"Assumption is the mother of all mess-ups," Clay said. 

Drago - Hunter , Clay said, lived in Gary for 45 years. However, he said, she recently moved out of the city. 

As for McDonald, Clay said, he lives just outside Gary. 

"I'm going to have to change those two appointments," Clay said. 

Although the law would allow them to stay, Clay said, he wants the board to be made up of Gary residents. 

The mayor said he has spoken to Drago - Hunter and McDonald, and he said they were understanding about his decision. 

"The fault's all mine," Clay said. 

Drago - Hunter and McDonald were appointed this week along with Victor Thornton, Clark Metz and Margo Richmond. 

They are replacing a board that was essentially fired two weeks ago by a special hearing officer after Clay leveled charges against its members. 

Thornton, Metz and Richmond remain, but four board members will be needed at a 6 p.m. meeting Monday to continue the stalled business of the housing authority. 

Clay said he would work through the weekend to find another person to appoint, so a quorum can be reached Monday. 

"I want to have at least four people in place by then," Clay said.