Совет жилищного управления Чарльстона ответил мэру на вопросы по расследованию деятельности нового гендиректора

Charleston Housing Authority addresses mayor’s concerns over CEO investigation CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — The Charleston Housing Authority board addressed concerns raised by Charleston Mayor William Cogswell during a special meeting Tuesday night, following the mayor’s request for an update on an investigation involving the agency’s new CEO, Nathan Simms Jr. Cogswell sent a letter to the authority’s board on Aug. 26 asking about the status of an independent investigation after reports surfaced that Simms was terminated from his previous position as executive director of the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority in Virginia last year. The mayor gave the board until Sept. 4 to respond. Charleston Housing Authority Chairman Gregory Voigt said the board has been working to get answers for the mayor and the public. READ MORE | College of Charleston dorm plan wins conceptual approval amid public concerns “We’ve been working purposefully to an end of getting the answers that you would like as the leader of the city and as the public would like — the people who live here and have to work with the housing,” Voigt said. Cogswell said his letter was not meant to question Simms’ qualifications or professionalism. Instead, he said he wanted to make sure the housing authority followed through on its commitment to conduct an independent review of concerns surrounding Simms when he came to Charleston. “What I wanted to make sure of is that the Housing Authority had gone on record as saying they were going to do this independent analysis on some of the accusations that were clouded over Mr. Simms when he came to work in Charleston,” Cogswell said. The mayor said transparency is especially important as the authority moves forward with affordable housing projects that will require community input and trust. “This requires a lot of sunshine, requires a lot of input from the community, a lot of trust from the community,” Cogswell said. “Anything we can do to kind of clear the air, I think we should do.” Voigt previously said the board did not set an artificial deadline for the investigation because members want the process to be thorough. He said he intends to make as much of the final report public as possible. “It is my intention to make as much of that report public record as possible,” Voigt said. “I want to take it seriously that it is plain to everyone what the process was.” In an interview last week, Simms said the Norfolk board wanted to move in a different direction, which he said was within its rights. He said he remains focused on coming to work each day and addressing issues at the Charleston Housing Authority. Both Cogswell and the housing authority board said they want to continue working together. Voigt said he hopes the investigation can be completed soon.