Pubdate: Wed, 13 Nov 2002
Source: Winchester Sun (KY)
Copyright: 2000 The Winchester Sun
Contact:  http://www.winchestersun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1083
Author: Betty Ratliff Smith, Sun Staff Writer

HOUSING AGENCY APPROVES DRUG FELON BAN

Applicants who have been convicted of a felony on drug possession, 
trafficking or drug use will not be considered for admission to any unit of 
the Housing Authority of Winchester for five years, according to a 
resolution adopted by the authority Tuesday night.

The resolution also stipulates that persons who have been evicted will not 
be considered for five years and then only with good references and no 
evictions during the five-year period they are not living in the housing units.

In addition, persons who have applied for occupancy must have their 
application completed within six months or have been in touch with the 
housing authority to avoid purging and applicants who are employed at the 
time of application must have been employed for a minimum of six months 
prior to applying for the apartment.

In his executive director's report, Edward Stone announced that 366 
apartments currently are under lease. He added that several of the 
remaining 34 apartments were vacant due to evictions or deaths while some 
are in the process of being renovated.

He added that the audit, being done by John Lane CPA, will be finished in 
the near future and that Bill Parker, an engineer from Housing and Urban 
development, completed a review and inspection of the properties on Aug. 28 
with no findings.

Stone added that furnace cleaning and changing of filters is underway and 
that smoke alarms are tested each month. Also Stone said two transformers 
have been added in Memorial Park, replacing an electric transformer that 
had burned out at that location.

He reported that 34 bathrooms are being renovated. However, the work was 
not acceptable to the local authority, Stone said, HUD had stated after an 
inspection that the work was below average, but not enough for default on 
the bond. He said that the contractor had received payment, made to three 
parties, the contractor, sub-contractors and suppliers. "This way," Stone 
explained, "we guaranteed that all involved would be paid." Another firm 
will be hired to complete the project.

John G. Roche, chairman, presided. In addition to Stone and Roche, others 
present were Dorothy T. Givens, vice chairman; Edward Richardson and Mary 
Davis, commissioners, and Maxine Tackett, deputy director. Mayor Dodd Dixon 
was absent due to conflicting schedules.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom