And…there it is. Adam McFadden will step down from the Rochester Housing Authority on December 20. The move was almost inevitable after the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, which funds RHA to the tune of millions of dollars annually, said last week that McFadden could not continue serving the agency while also sitting on City Council.
HUD representatives have also been looking at RHA’s books to see if HUD money has been used to pay McFadden’s salary as interim leader. If so, HUD must be reimbursed, a representative of that agency said.
McFadden’s brief tenure was marred by accusations of cronyism. His critics, citing McFadden’s lack of experience in housing, saw the job as a reward for McFadden’s loyalty to Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren.
McFadden could, of course, re-enter the picture as a candidate for the permanent leadership job with RHA, but he’d have to step down from City Council or face the same set of problems again.
This article appears in Dec 17-23, 2014.
“And…there it is.”
Ms. Fien is correct that McFadden’s brief tenure was marred by the cronyism and controversy that has been amply exhibited by the Warren administration.
In those instances, the administration brazened it out. They involved local issues not subject to a superior governing body, and the citizens of Rochester has no real way to redress their grievances against the mayor of her administration, except to grumble out loud.
They all blew over.
In this case, the federal government saw something was rotten in the state of Rochester, and demanded McFadden’s termination more than a week ago, claiming that his contract was null and void.
McFadden’s “resignation” was an arrogant action, as though the decision remained with him.
It didn’t. It remained with a branch of the federal government. The fact that he, the mayor and Mr. Gantt don’t cut much ice beyond the borders of Rochester are explicitly clear by HUD’s action in this matter.
As for “two sets of rules for different people,” well, that was what he was counting on in the first place. The federal government called his bluff and paid no further lip service to political correctness in his case.
Hence his wrath.
Steve Bathory
Rochester, New York
Thank God the talking inexperienced excuse-driven “I could have been a contender” HUD interim director is gone. Why he is still talking on his way out is beyond reason and good taste. We do not want this person at HUD or even City Council. We need better experienced, educated citizens who have something to offer and will make a difference. Rochester needs more bottom-line tangible results that can be viewed by data rather than more (and more) talk. Our City Council and School Board are selling, selling, selling. Numbers do not lie; what are the results of these talking heads? Our graduation rate is dismal and we are a poverty-ridden City. That is our reality, and we need to start at the economic reality of the situation, not a song and dance and dream. Or at least that is all we have. Remember, these people are public servants, and this is not the entertainment industry. This is about us – it is “our show”, our community, not their individually. Good Bye, Mr. McFadden. The show is over.
How many articles do we need to realize this man is on his way out? Lord! Is there anything else to discuss? What happen with the Feds investigation with the modernization project with the city school district? – how about them Bills? Anything?
Couldn’t agree with Hannibal Lecter more.
Arrogance is the right word to describe McFadden’s conduct. So is impunity. The most damaging part of this whole fiasco is Moses and McFadden’s narrative that they were persecuted because they were the only ones in town who wanted to have a courageous conversation about poverty. Give me a break. This community will never make a dent in our social problems if public officials are allowed to shield their misconduct by attacking the press and public in this way. Poverty pimps.
What I want to know is: when does Moses resign? How much longer on his term?
Really, Mary Anna Towler. It is just OK with you for O’Connor to call African-American leaders in our community “poverty pimps?” That is a racist, derogatory term in this context. This from you, a long time white editor in our community who has barely ever been able to hire African-American reporters. Why is that Mary Anna? Does City Newspaper discriminate or is it difficult “able to find qualified candidates?” The white run media in this town, including its white liberal editors and reporters need to take a long hard look at how they contribute to the racist and unequal climate in Rochester, including you. And media whores who count their credibility in clicks to a Facebook page need to be held responsible for contributing to a lynch-like mob mentality that has permeated social media in over the past year. It is ugly and local media have been culpable including the white dominated City Newspaper. Sorry Mary Anna, sometimes the change you are seeking begins with your own business. Go hire more African-Americans.