Author: Dale Liesch

After a somewhat contentious and at times confusing special-called meeting Monday, June 26, the Mobile Housing Board of Commissioners offered the job of executive director to George Lee Byers. Byers, who most recently worked as director of the Bridgeport Housing Authority in Connecticut, was approved 3-1 by the board. Commissioner Melvin Clark abstained from the vote because he had not been involved in the interview process. Commissioner Reid Cummings voted against Byers after his own choice, Akinola Popoola, was voted down by the same margin. While three of four commissioners ranked Popoola higher than Byers, Popoola did not respond to supplemental questions following his face-to-face meeting with the board last week. Although the additional questionnaire was delivered June 20, Popoola reportedly didn’t receive it until Friday, June 23. His responses weren’t received by Monday morning, leaving commissioners to question whether the current head of the Opelika Housing Authority really wanted the job. “Would it have been appropriate to get some kind of confirmation he wanted the job?” Commissioner Norman Hill asked board staff members. Hill speculated Popoola may have been deterred by a one-year work test period that would be implemented for the job by the Mobile County Personnel Board. Board attorney Raymond Bell said following the test period, the executive director could be approved by the board. The salary range for the position was not discussed at the...