Housing Authority Commissioners Resign

A Three-Ring Circus Now Playing in Crockett

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

CROCKETT – With two governmental entities inside of Houston County already in an uproar – the Crockett City Council and the Houston County Hospital District – the Crockett Housing Authority (CHA) decided it wanted to join the fray following a special meeting of the CHA Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, Oct. 3.

To paraphrase Hall-of-Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens, “Get your popcorn ready,” because we now have a three-ring circus performing live in Crockett.

On Thursday morning, Oct. 4 information was received which indicated two commissioners of the CHA Board – Chairman Bobby Bowlin and Co-Chair Cyndy Keys – had submitted their resignations.

A call was placed to Kelley Stotts, the Executive Director of the CHA, seeking confirmation on the matter. While Stotts did confirm a meeting of the CHA Board occurred on Oct. 3, she indicated she was unable to confirm the resignation of the two commissioners.

The Messenger reached out to Keys who stated she had submitted her resignation.

“My work schedule and travel with that just does not allow me the time to serve at this time,” she stated in a text message.

Bowlin was also contacted and he also confirmed his resignation.

Asked why he resigned, Bowlin explained there were several issues behind his decision to step away from the CHA.

“When I took over as Chairman of the Crockett Housing Authority, the Housing Authority was in disarray. I worked with my fellow commissioners to make some much needed improvements, including replacing some key personnel,” Bowlin said.

“Up until the last couple of months,” the now-former CHA chairman explained, “I have been able to work with the current executive director (Stotts) in advancing the objectives and goals of the Crockett Housing Authority.”

“However,” Bowlin added, “due to outside pressure on the executive director, I realize my presence on the board has become a disruption in the day-to-day activities.  The ones who will be affected are the Housing Authority tenants. My number one concern has always been the residents of the Crockett Housing Authority – to ensure they have a comfortable, affordable and secure environment in which to live with their families.”

When asked what the outside forces were, Bowlin said in his opinion the outside force “… is one of our (Crockett) councilmen. He has continuously criticized and complained about my presence on the board. He has continuously criticized and complained about one of the employees and he hasn’t let up. I believe his goal is to disrupt the operation of the Crockett Housing Authority.”

Questioned about who his successor might be, Bowlin said he had no idea.

“I know in the past, it has been very difficult to find anyone to serve on the board, for a variety of reasons. Right after I resigned, Cyndy Keys resigned her position as Co-Chair. There are now two openings on the board and I have no idea what they’re looking for or who they are looking at,” he said.

The remaining CHA commissioners are Pam Wells, Otis Davis and Lois Ball.

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].