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New neighborhood services director begins meetings with neighborhood councils

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD On the first stop of his tour of all of the neighborhood councils in the city Ed Whitley Jr., the new deputy director of neighborhoods, was met with questions on his background and qualifications at the meeting of the Maple High Six Corners Neighborhood Council on Tuesday.

Melvin Edwards, the president of the council, had written a letter to Mayor Domenic Sarno questioning the appointment. Whitley had been the owner of the property at 444 Central St. that had been the subject of neighborhood complaints over garbage and other problems. Whitley lost the property through foreclosure in 2005 and the city cleaned up the property later that year.

Edwards wrote Sarno, "Mayor Dominic Sarno stated that 'Effective delivery of neighborhood services requires not only a familiarity with regulation complexities, but also an intangible understanding of the communities you serve,' and that the candidate 'brings that unique blend of professionalism and community commitment to the position.'

"Is this the 'unique blend of professionalism and community commitment' that should give citizens confidence in our city leaders? I would suggest that the new hire understands that the regulations are not overly complex if you simply ignore them. Once again, the City has rewarded bad behavior."

Denise Jordan, Sarno's chief of staff, defended the appointment in a letter to Edwards that read in part, "Mr. Whitley had personal financial issues over three years ago that no longer have any bearing on his current status. As you know, folks sometimes fall back on hard times that may spin out of control, none the less we all make mistakes and should have the opportunity to heal and move on.

"I will say that as a part of the interview process, Mr. Whitley represented himself in a manner that ultimately resulted in his being offered the job. Any assumptions being made about his selection should be dismissed as those folks were not involved in the process and I take exception to the inference of politics having a role in the process.

"I would ask the Neighborhood Councils allow Mr. Whitley to do his job without casting doubts before he has the opportunity to make his intentions known."

Whitley admitted to the council members that he did own a blighted house at 444 Central St.

"It's unfortunate that it did happen," he said. "I apologize to the neighborhood."

He said, "One traumatic experience in your life can drag you down."

"I'm not asking for sympathy," he added. "It's not easy being a landlord anywhere in this country these days."

He said he wants to help people in Springfield's neighborhoods to avoid the problems he had.

When asked what his vision of his new job was, Whitley responded, " I feel my job is to listen at first, understand what a [neighborhood] council wants to do and help them move forward."

Some residents questioned whether or not Whitley understood that the house at 444 Central St. was a two-family that he had rented as a four-family residence. Whitley said when he bought the home in 1994 he was merely following the "previous use" at the address.

Residents also questioned his background for his current position. Whitley has served on the board of the Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services, has his real estate license and attended meetings of the Old Hill Neighborhood Council. He makes his living in the insurance industry.

Some asked him if he was familiar with the city quality of life ordinances. He said he is not at this time.

Another resident, Alicia Zoeller, told Whitley, "This neighborhood cries out for an advocate. The fact you don't know the quality of life regulations makes me want to cry."

"If we call you saying there is a junkyard operating out of a grocery store front, will you be an advocate?" she asked.

Whitley responded the he understand his responsibilities and will make sure a problem for residents is addressed by the correct city department,

"All I want to you to do is to give me the opportunity to do that," he said.