Mobile Housing Authority's Executive Director Michael Pierce says local leaders are bullying him and trying to push him out of power.
"The mayor is trying to bully me, but not just by himself. Councilman William Carroll for decades has had a great deal of disdain for me," said Pierce.
Pierce outlined his concerns in an email he sent to HUD earlier this month. He wrote, "Mayor Stimpson, members of his staff, City Councilmen Carroll and Small, members of the local legislative delegation and at least one MHA commissioner are using their positions to exert undue influence in an attempt to control the agency."
In an emailed statement Mayor Sandy Stimpson responded to the accusations, "As Mayor, I backed Mr. Pierce's appointment as MHA's Executive Director and have publicly supported him on numerous occasions. Any claims by Mr. Pierce that the changes we've implemented are part of some effort to 'bully' or terminate him are untrue, unprofessional and disappointing."
Pierce says he's been under attack and facing thinly veiled threats from city leaders.
"One of the ones that I would say is the most offensive was this idea that the city via an ordinance would place the agency in receivership. And by placing the agency receivership, it would then give the mayor the ability to hire our executive team as he makes appointments at the city," said Pierce.
Stimpson dismissed that claim. In the emailed statement, Stimpson said the city only wants to comply with MHA's recovery agreement with HUD and "options have included taking MHA into receivership, but that was determined not to be the best path forward some time ago."
The mayor appoints the five-member board that oversees the Mobile Housing Authority. The board can hire and fire the executive director. Stimpson has asked newly appointed board members to sign an undated resignation letter. One board member, Carlos Gant, said he found it troubling because while it wasn't stated, he felt the implication was that if you did something the administration didn't like, you could be ousted. Gant also said Carroll asked him if there were enough votes to fire Pierce, and he told him no. It would take a simple majority to fire Pierce.
The mayor's office says a consultant recommended the letter after the city encountered attendance issues with volunteer boards. Stimpson said they're "an accountability measure we are implementing across all mayoral-appointed boards to ensure good governance and attendance." Pierce believes the letters are unethical and an intimidation tactic.
"We enjoyed a good friendship for a great deal of time. That's history. You can't unring the bell," said Pierce.
Pierce says another point of contention is property north of 1-10 near the downtown airport. HUD approved demolition of public housing complexes Thomas James place and RV Taylor, but Pierce is asking HUD to keep 193 units and restore them so people living there don't have to move out of the area. He says Stimpson and others are in favor of a private developer putting 80 cottages there instead.
"I like math, and that's 113 units short and so we already in a severe, affordable housing crisis. You want to tear down 193 units and come back with 80 cottages. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me," said Pierce.
Right now, there's 283 residents remaining in Thomas James Place and RV Taylor who are in the process of being relocated.
"If we're really concerned about the residents, and they want to stay in this community," said Pierce. "We can house on what 70% of them almost 70% of them at that location.
The mayor's office says Stimpson wants to see an affordable housing development there, but there is no current plan to move forward with right now.
Here's the full email Pierce sent HUD on November 17th:
Ms. Bryon,
Good morning and I hope this note finds you well. At the time of this writing, my anger is only tempered by the necessity for level headedness.
Mayor Stimpson, members of his staff, City Councilmen Carroll and Small, members of the local legislative delegation and at least one MHA commissioner are using their positions to exert undue influence in an attempt to control he agency.
If that sounds familiar it’s because it is as many of these individuals share a degree of culpability in the agency’s past and current troubles. Many of them occupied leadership roles in prior city administrations and MHA.
Frankly, I refuse to be bullied by elected officials, influential power brokers, influence peddling clergy, etc. Popular opinion matters not to me, but it’s the oxygen many of them thrive and survive on.
Please be apprised of the following:
◦ Individuals approved by the Mobile City Council for appointment to MHA’s Board of Commissioners are REQUIRED by Mayor Stimpson to SIGN an UNDATED RESIGNATION LETTER prior to being sworn in. As a result, commissioners operate under the constant threat of being removed should their actions displease him. This kind of intimidation is unethical and illegal. The Ethics Commission will most assuredly concur.
◦ Mayor Stimpson’s frustration rests partly in his ill-advised announcement that his administration would champion the construction and/or renovation of 1,000 workforce housing units East of I-65 by 2026. Unbeknown to MHA, the majority of the units were planned for sites owned by the authority.
◦ After being informed MHA could not pivot from its efforts to comply with the statutory Recovery and Voluntary Compliance Agreements nor give the city “for free” acreage valued north of $25M, all appearances of collaboration dissipated.
◦ A few days ago Mayor Stimpson’s cousin John White-Spunner, who I have known for at least two decades, called. His opening statement was “do you plan on staying in your job long?” I responded it depends on who you ask as some within the community including Mayor Stimpson and at least two city councilmen (Small and Carroll) are trying to persuade the Board to fire me. However, if left up to me, I plan on staying at least five years.” When asked if his inquiry was tied to the aforementioned thinly disguised covert effort, he insisted it wasn’t, “hadn’t heard a thing” but notably didn’t express surprise. His lack of reaction merely confirmed he knew. He went on to say, “he wanted to partner with a minority firm and thought of me.” I sighed and thought, “this would be laughable if it weren’t so sad.”
◦ District 2 Councilman William Carroll continues his public and private attacks on my name, character and position. His family member, who resides at one of our developments, has said within earshot of staff and residents, “Mayor Stimpson doesn’t like Michael Pierce and is working with the city council to have the Board fire him. Big changes at MHA are on the way.” Her statement mirrors those coming from the councilman and city staff.
I find it rather interesting the very character traits these politicians and so called community leaders claim to loathe in others they wholeheartedly embrace. Many have no interest in serving their constituents or community. Rather, they demand unquestioned loyalty and the destruction of those who question their actions.
I’m not easily intimidated and don’t plan to resign. As you know MHA has struggled and failed for at least a decade and a half to provide safe decent affordable housing across its LIPH portfolio. Now that the agency is finally on a positive trajectory, gaining momentum and credibility with HUD, its residents and broader community, the city and so called community leaders are angered and working to ensure my exit. What a circus!
Lastly, my wife and I have been attacked personally and professionally, when all we’ve done is try to improve our organizations, our clients standard of living and outlook on life. Fortunately, our faith sustains us despite our daily proximity to these ravenous wolves.
Regards,
Michael E. Pierce
Chief Executive Officer
Mobile Housing Authority