18-year director resigns under cloud

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — The executive director of the Lawrence County Housing Authority resigned today, saying he does not feel he has the confidence of the board of directors.

“The authority has been through a lot, and I feel it is in the best interests of the tenants and of the staff to have someone else take over as executive director,” said Robert Evanick, who has been director for the last 18 years.

His resignation came after a two-hour, closed-door personnel meeting called by the board of directors to discuss his performance.

Evanick’s work came into question when board member Mike Mancuso recently learned the authority received a poor rating from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development concerning its 2005 finances.

The finance reserves dipped below HUD standards, garnering the authority a poor rating in its most recent HUD report card.

Evanick received notice of the rating by e-mail in November and again in December, but he did not inform the board.

He said he felt he had taken care of the financial problems with recent changes and cutbacks made at the authority. He told the board the authority’s next rating should improve.

He said he expected a formal letter from HUD about the rating and intended to tell the board members when the letter arrived.

Mancuso said he was informed by HUD’s Pittsburgh director that all correspondence has been sent via e-mail for the last three years.

Evanick said the authority had never before received a poor rating, and he expected a letter would follow the e-mail.

The board agreed to give Evanick and his wife health insurance until they reach age 65 and he will receive two weeks’ severance pay. He will retire with his regular pension and no extra payout, board members said.

Deputy Director Gene DiGennaro will take over as acting executive director until a new director is named.

Board members directed the authority solicitor to investigate the process that must be followed in hiring a new director.

“This is difficult. It’s very difficult. There is no underestimating the 18 years of service. We all respect that and appreciate it,” said board member Frank LaGrotta. “I think we were all confronted with this troubled designation, and I don’t know what it means.”

Evanick, during the meeting before his resignation, said he believes the finances have been shored up and HUD should lift the poor rating later this year.