The Houma-Terrebonne Housing Authority board terminated its second executive director today after serving a little over a year in the position.
The board voted 3-2 to terminate Joseph Thompson Jr. without cause during a special meeting held at the Senator Circle Auditorium in Houma.
The vote was:
For: Gene Burke, Larry Vauclin and Chairman Barry Bonvillian.
Against: Gordon Landry, Charleta Lyons.
The board attempted to enter into executive session to discuss Thompson’s performance but was unable to do so because Thompson insisted the matter be discussed in an open meeting. The authority’s attorney, Jacob Dagate, told board members they were required to follow Thompson’s request.
The evaluation of Thompson’s performance began when Bonvillain received an unsigned letter, dated Dec. 4, with no return address that made several allegations against Thompson. The letter claims he was pulling the Housing Authority backward and was consistently unavailable when called upon. It claimed Thompson was derelict and guilty of malfeasance.
Bonvillian read the letter aloud during the meeting. Thompson said he had not seen the letter before then.
“It looks to me like Barry Bonvillian wrote this letter,” Thompson said.
He denied all allegations made against him and asked that whoever wrote the letter make those accusations on the public record.
Bonvillian asked Housing Authority staff members to speak on the matter and testify to the letter’s truth.
The sole employee to speak up was Assistant Executive Director Nikita Gilton.
She said the staff was not notified nor asked to speak before the last executive director was terminated, nor were they asked to speak when Thompson was nominated for the position.
As to the letter, “I don’t think it’s true,” she said.
Landry said he thought the staff was afraid to speak against Thompson for fear of retribution. Thompson denied those allegations.
Landry put forth a motion to terminate Thompson with no cause, a provision allowed under his contract.
“If you terminate a second director with no cause, who do you think is going to come?” Lyons said.
She said the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which regulates the Housing Authority, will likely step in and disband the board if it proceeds with Thompson’s removal this way.
“What about us?” Account Supervisor LaTonya Bergeron said, just entering the meeting. “You voted for him, and now you’re going to terminate him. For what reason? Give us a reason.”
Bonvillian said Bergeron missed her time to speak and he would ask her to leave the meeting if she continued to speak out of order.
Despite making the motion to terminate Thompson with no cause, Landry voted against his termination.
As the motion passed, the majority of the audience erupted into laughter and walked out. Thompson soon followed saying the decision was prejudiced and discriminatory.
The board later voted to allow him three to four days to clear out his personal belongings.
Gilton was named interim executive director and the board decided not to advertise for a new director, keeping her on for a trial period.
After the meeting, Thompson said he believes Bonvillian was upset with him for refusing to participate in “illegal” deals that did not comply with federal or local regulations.
Thompson also claimed the decision was politically motivated.
The board is scheduled to meeting again at 3 p.m. Feb. 22 at Bayou Towers.
Staff Writer Julia Arenstam can be reached at 448-7636 or julia.arenstam@houmatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter at @gingerale214.