Winds Of NHA

[5Reasons]

My friends, I, Mr. 5 Reasons, am here to provide you with the best inside information on Newark’s political scene. And let me tell you, there has been a lot of stuff going on around here.

As you know from the Star Ledger, “Lavishing” Harold Lucas (Executive Director and of the Newark Housing Authority) makes a paltry $202,000 per year. His salary is higher than 47 governors. Heck, he makes more today, as head of a 32,000 unit housing agency, than Bill Clinton earned as President of the United States. Harold, as you can see, is a very important man.

On August 20th, layoff notices were sent to 100 employees, as the NHA administration claimed that cutbacks in funding were the cause. However, as with most things in Newark, layoffs are not a simple matter of seniority. Instead, it is clear that many of these layoffs were political in nature. Simply put, the NHA did not use proper procedure in the layoff process. Can you say lawsuit? From the multiple relatives, to the cronies of favored politicians to the multiple girlfriends, these “cutbacks” did not impact everyone equally.

Nevertheless, it would be quite difficult to even know that there were cutbacks in funding, especially with the NHA’s spending practices. “Lavishing” Harold Lucas has been living it up over there on Broad, all while Newarkers are about to get laid off. Sounds fair, right? Well that’s Newark for ya.

Let’s take a look at some of the outrageous expenditures over the last year or so. Now you can go to Wal-Mart and get a decent size television for about $700, but that wasn’t good enough for ole Harold. “Lavishing” Lucas spent MORE THAN $11,000 for a spanking new plasma television in his office. Hope that comes with cable!

Ah, but it doesn’t end there. The lavishing one had to get a new carpet. Lucas’s new carpet cost $48 PER SQUARE FOOT. Obviously, NO SHOES ALLOWED in that office.

But wait, there’s more. Lucas purchased GOLD frames for his many pictures and there are enough plants in his office to rival the Botanical Gardens. All in all “Lavishing” Lucas spent more than $500,000 to redo his office suite not once, but twice. Not bad, considering the “fiscal constraints” they’ve been under.

Nevertheless, ole Harold needed a few more toys. Lucas purchased TWO new luxury cars for his office totaling $90,000. These vehicles come with the latest GPS systems. I guess he doesn’t want to make a wrong turn near Seth Boyden homes.

His spending spree on furniture bought new goodies for the Commissioners totaling more than $200,000 and they’ve spent another $100,000 on restaurant and food expenditures for Newark Housing officials. Geez, I know Charlie can eat, but this is ridiculous.


In the next Winds column, we will get into the possible lawsuits, the potential for whistle blowers and the internal dissent in SEIU.

Later you will find out the answers to the following questions. Does Mrs. Lavishing really take a NHA car home? Did Mrs. Lavishing and Lucas’s daughter really go to Paris on the NHA’s dollar (multiple times)? And, you will finally find out how many relatives are on dole.

YOU MUST STAY TUNED.


Please feel free to send your feedback and comments to mr5reasons@yahoo.com.

[5Reasons]

I, Mr. 5 Reasons, am out here working the beat so that you can get the best inside information on Newark and her unique political actors. I believe that you have a right to know what’s really going on.

The fallout from the Newark Housing Authority is continuing and there are many threats being made on each side. Those that are getting laid off know where all the “dead bodies” are and they are threatening to reveal some of the questionable practices of the NHA.

One thing is certain - the layoffs appear to be more than cutbacks, but political retribution for the fallout that has occurred since Booker’s run in 2002.

The questionable layoffs have led at least one elected official to call for a “full investigation” into the spending patterns and decision-making at the Newark Housing Authority. My sources tell me that after the 24th of September that not only will they “reveal the girlfriends,” but former employees will be scheduling a meeting with HUD’s NATIONAL INSPECTOR GENERAL. Boy would I like to be a fly on that wall. Oh wait, I am that fly.

One particularly disgruntled person stated that he was going to gather laid off workers to MAKE A VIDEO that will tell the stories of the antics at the NHA. He would then send out that video to “anyone.” Yeehaw, this has all the makings of a UPN series! Can you say, the Surreal Workplace?

On Thursday, September 9th, protestors against the layoffs will be holding a rally outside of the Housing Authority’s HQ on Broad. Tensions are rising and hopefully things won’t get out of hand.

Nearly 80% of the 100 or so layoffs will involve SEIU members. Factions within SEIU are becoming disenchanted with Rahman’s leadership, as several members think that he is too close to Sharpe James and other old-line bosses. More importantly, they feel that Rahman is deeply tortured because he is in a compromised position. President Rahman, you see, has FAMILY MEMBERS that work for the NHA and NONE of his family members were laid off. How can you possibly negotiate with the NHA when you have to protect your own family?

Now you guys know I have a soft spot for SEIU, since it is the ONLY union that tends to employ people from urban Essex County. Rahman, to his credit, has promised to file an injunction to halt the downsizing. His leadership, however, will be tested in the upcoming weeks. What is more important? His friendship to the bosses and protecting his family members on the dole? Or, protecting his rank and file dues-paying members? Can he possibly do both?

But it is not just about who is getting laid off; it is also about who is being hired. The executive director of finance hires people from his native Nigeria on work visas rather than finding Newarkers. Typically, you can hire someone from outside of the country IF you don’t have someone INSIDE the country (or city) that’s qualified. Well, who did the executive director of finance hire to be his assistant? You guessed it – HIS FATHER IN LAW. Although a relatively new hire, dear old dad avoided being laid off. In fact, by some miracle, he even managed to bump someone that had more seniority. Some guys have all the luck.


Tomorrow’s Winds column will be a special “Family Day” feature. You will find out how many of Harold Lucas’s family members are on the dole. You will get names, positions and more. Did Mrs. Lavishing and Lucas’s daughter really take multiple trips to Paris? What other Commissioners have family members on NHA’s dole? I have the names and tomorrow you will know.

Next week, we will begin to talk about the emerging issues surrounding Northward Councilman Hector “Macho” Corchado. Mr. 5 Reasons has discovered who’s paying for his trips to the shore, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

As a mentor of mine once said, “Confession is good for the soul and bad for the machine.” If you have any comments or suggestions, please feel free to contact me at mr5reasons@yahoo.com.

You must stay tuned.

[ProSouth]

I wonder what Harold Lucas is thinking right now.

[Miss Tam-Tam]

Five Reasons wrote: << Later you will find out the answers to the following questions. Does Mrs. Lavishing really take a NHA car home? Did Mrs. Lavishing and Lucas’s daughter really go to Paris on the NHA’s dollar (multiple times)? And, you will finally find out how many relatives are on dole.>> :(

There is something about the possible scenario of trips to Gay Paree on the NHA dime that has given me a one-sided headache. If this is what's coming out in the dirty wash, then Lucas is toast. French toast, that is.

[John Sharpe James, J.D.]

I am glad to be back.....2006 will be exciting!

[bqribs]

It was posted on NJ.com forum this morning the four relatives of Lucas who work for the NHA.

Exactlly what do they do for the pay they receive. Emma makes 61k, what is her job title?

[ProSouth]

Damn Brother, I thought Bush sent you over to Iraq as some kind of punishment. Welcome back.

[Rock03]

It was great to see people out there fighting for something to be done about Lucas (a.k.a Mayor's boy) and the things that have been going on there. They keep saying it's because of Bush cuts. I didn't see Bush come purchase a big television for the NHA. I hope they get everything that is coming to them all.

[The Shadow]

Solider you are wrong now let me give you the detail on who and when and how much on the relatives.

Joyce Joseph was hired on 9/9/1992 shortly after Harold came to the NHA the first time. She currently makes $45,074.00 (sister in law)

Sonji Lucas was hired on 9/28/1992 shortly after Harold came to the NHA the first time. She currently makes $49,083.00.

Emma Lucas was hired 4/3/2000 by Robert Graham and solider as u know because u were Roberts boy, Robert felt like he had no choice but to hire her. If he could have he would have nevered hired her. Emma currently makes $61,800.00.

Harold Lucas was rehired by the NHA on 7/1/2002 and his current salary is 190,355.00.

Martin Lucas was hired on 3/11/2002 shortly before Robert Graham was kicked out by the mayor for Harold to return to the NHA. Once again solider as you know if Robert had his way he would have nevered hired him either. Martins current salary is $34,985.00.There is a total of $381,297.00 being paid to Harold and his family members and I have not even talked about the friends. So I guess you can say that the NHA is like a family busness to Harold and his gang.

Solider I read that you said that you are a former employee of the NHA, I don't think thats true. I beleive you currently work for the NHA. It is only one person that I know who would have the nerve to call them self the NHAsolider and that person is Dwight Brown. It was not hard to figure out because you write like you talk. (stupid) For those of us that know you we know that you are not a very honest person and you have never been a man of your word. So don't try to come on here and convince people that you know what you are talking about. When you know you had your share of problems at the NHA. So dont make us put you on blast.

[The Shadow]

Emmas title is Bldg Service Manager. The NHA has a serious problem with how they picked some of the people to lay off. People who had seniority and bumping rights are being denied their rights under the union contract. Harold, Vernita and Shaye are all aware that they are violating employees rights. They are taking the position that these employees can fight the battle of getting their jobs back from the street. The NHA is deceiving the Board of Commissioners by telling them that the lay off was done correctly. At the same time the AED (Shaye) is in personnel changing the titles of those people that would have been bumped by people with more senority. Then they provided this doctored report to the board of commissioners. This is so personal that the NHA will stop at nothing to try and get some employees out. Reguardless of how this thing turns out I will never be able to trust anyone that would knowing try to hurt someone for personal reasons. Business is Business and this is not Business its personal for Harold, Vernita and Shaye

[Houseguest]

Unbelievable!!

[Finding Harold]

I think it's about time that this happened. You see what happens when you rock the gravy boat too hard. Maybe they will all be up to taking the train. When the federal government start investigating all this and the turkey giblets hit the fan, we shall all sing like Elton John..."this train don't stop...this train don't stop...this train don't stop here, anymore"

[Finding Harold]

I just saw the piece on News 12. I'm starting to see some hope in getting an investigation going on here. They need to investigate why the layoffs did not affect one member of his family. I'm telling you people, there is a lot here. I have a question. What is the going rate now a days for a microphone and a podium for a board room? I surely cannot believe is $15,000.00. Yup, that is how much was spent in audio for the board room. And why did Vernita Sias-Hill, Esq. Thank you very much, need her conference room table re-sanded and re-varnished for over $3,000.00? Could it be she need to see her reflection and ask "table, table on my floor, who is the mightiest of them all"

Just a thought

[The Shadow]

If you are not Dwight Brown then I owe him an apology. But for you my point is if you are going to make comments why dont you try to be factual. Don't try to present your self as the ultimate authority if you are no longer there to see whats going on. The facts as you knew it when you were working there are no longer the same. If I remember correctly I think you said you were laid off from the NHA. So why were you laid off.......hummmmmmmm could it have been you did not do your job..........lol

[bqribs]

[QUOTE=The Shadow]Emmas title is Bldg Service Manager.

Since Emma is the Bldg Service Manager and makes $61k a year does that mean that Site Managers (who manage multiple buildings) also make $61,000 a year? I think not! What type of education or skill does she have to justify her salary?

As far as Joyce, Lucas's sister-inlaw, she basically does the same job that a security guard could do. Joyce sits in a chair and watches a security monitor all day. Are the security guards making $20 an hour? I think not!

[The Shadow]

Emmas education and skill is she is married to Harold Lucas. This is how emma got into the picture. When 500 Board street was purchased Harold considered the building to be his. So when he left to go to washington he needed to have an hands on while he was away. in his mind he just couldn't let robert graham ruin the buliding so he made Robert hire emma and thats when the building became hers. What she said went. Robert made all the neccesary renovations to the building with heavey in put from harold thru emma. When haold returned from washington to the NHA he did not like what robert had done for no other reason than it was robert graham that had done the renovations in his building. Harold decided he had to undo what robert had done so the decession was made to total renovate the building again. At the cost of the tax payers. All the renovations have been done with no building permits and the NHA never received or applied for an certificate of occupancy. In other words the work was never inspected. For all we know we could be working in a buliding that might fall down at any time. When you under take the type of renovations that the NHA did you are required to bring the building up to code. Like maybe a spinkler system just to name one. Thats why they never appiled for a permit because they didn't want to do all the work that was neccesary to bring the building up to code. As we all know there is something wrong with 500 board because people have been getting sick from working in that building from day one. I hope I answered your question.

[bqribs]

[QUOTE=The Shadow].....All the renovations have been done with no building permits and the NHA never received or applied for an certificate of occupancy. In other words the work was never inspected.

Than this would explain why there are no fire detectors in the work areas and why the ventilation in the building is non-existent. I guess this also explains how the lunch room in the basement eventually turned into a cafeteria with cooking facilities and no fire protection. Since Lucas's wife was in charge of the renovations lacking any training in this type of work jeopardizes every NHA employee, NHA tenant, client, or anyone who enters the building. Were this a privately owned building I bet the city would have shut the building down a long time ago.

[NHASoldier]

Lucas' family all work in the building, right? If the building is that bad, wouldn't he have concerns for himself and them? After all, if my sources are correct, Emma brings their grandchild in the building with them. It just doen't make sense to me :confused:
Has anyone ever thought about calling code enforcement?

[NHASoldier]

Remember the layoffs after the 1994 election? That's when I was hit. Maybe it was because I supported the wrong candidate. However, since I was a relatively new hire I got "bumped" by an old-timer. So, I don't think it was because I wasn't any good. But of course, that is my opinion. :D But really, what is the difference between that layoff or this layoff? Weren't the same arguments made, that it was political? And, if I recall correctly, more people were affected. Also, I still have friends at the NHA who keep me abreast of the happenings at the authority. The complaints remain the same--patronage, nepotism, overworked, underpaid, etc. So my statements are not based upon guesswork. By the way, was Sonjii married to Martin when she first took her job with the NHA? I think not.

[bqribs]

[QUOTE=NHASoldier]Lucas' family all work in the building, right? If the building is that bad, wouldn't he have concerns for himself and them?

My point to you NHASoldier is that if you are not educated in building renovations you would not even be aware of any building violations.

As far as your lay off, you stated you were bumped by an old timer which is quite different than being bumped by a new timer.

[bqribs]

Lucas' family all work in the building, right? If the building is that bad, wouldn't he have concerns for himself and them? After all, if my sources are correct, Emma brings their grandchild in the building with them. It just doen't make sense to me :confused:
Has anyone ever thought about calling code enforcement?


NHASoldier, please don't miss the point I am trying to make. I would like someone to justify Emma's $61,000 a year job doing something she is not educated/trained to do.

[The Shadow]

I'm not going to dispute repairs needed to be made Solider. All I'm saying is there is a process that should have been followed. The NHA did not do that. The NHA ran new electrical wiring through out the intire building and no one ever came out to inspect. People made complants to the city on the down low but nothing ever came out of that. To take it any further would be like committing carreer suicide. You must also understand people are very afraid to speak up. They need their jobs!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its very rare that you find people such as our selves that dont have a problem with speaking up. Then I wonder how many of us would be so quick to speak up if we were not sitting behind these computers. (nothing personal just a thought)

[NHASoldier]

at least about my situation. Still, that does not make it better, or right. Should an incompetent old-timer keep his job over someone who is much better skilled? You certainly couldn't get away with that in the private sector. With respect to the repair issue, are you telling me that Harold Lucas doesn't know what is being done to the building and, even if he does know, has no experience in construction/renovation work?

[NHASoldier]

You are right. People are afraid to speak up. Heaven knows that a few folks who spoke up in the past were hurt, unless you still had civil service protection. But the anonymity of the computer is a good thing, don't you think? It allows for the free exchange of ideas, information, etc. without repercussion. And you know what? It may make a difference!

[bqribs]

[QUOTE=NHASoldier]at least about my situation. Still, that does not make it better, or right. Should an incompetent old-timer keep his job over someone who is much better skilled?

This is ONE of the major issues with the lay offs. There was no systematic approach to the selection of employees to get laid off. It appears the "trio" selected who they wanted to put on the list. No one wants to get laid off, but it should be as fair as possible. A few things for sure are: 1) if you are a relative or friend you do not get laid off, 2) seniority certainly did not secure your job, 3) yearly employee evaluations were ignored, 4) qualifications and performance regarding your position were ignored,,,,,,,,,So What Methology Was Used?

[bqribs]

All employees of the NHA who are getting laid off will be on paid Administrative Leave effective 9/13 - 9/26 the last day of work. The reason being is this will provide laid off employees an opportunity to search for a new job.

Why didn't they notify the employees when the initial lay off notice was mailed out. It just seems strange. I think the true reason behind this is to keep the laid off employees out of the buildings. I believe this is Lucas's way of trying to prevent any further demonstrations or communcation between employees.

I guess Lucas believes if he divides he can conquer.

[5Reasons]

I'll do another Winds of NHA post tomorrow; however, Lucas has to understand, the people making photo copies of certain documents HAVEN'T BEEN LAID OFF!!!

His antics this week were horrible. Banning Newarkspeaks.com, stopping certain phone calls - this guy seems very desperate and worried.

[bqribs]

Can anyone tell me how many Newark residents received jobs on any of the Townhouse constuction projects. I don't remember but a very small number of brothers/sisters working on the construction sites. Yeah, I know the NHA probably met the minority quota, but the quota was reached using other than Newark residents or people of color.

[Finding Harold]

This is what Ole Harold think belongs to him. He thinks that by shaking off the fleas he will get rid of the itch. So many people are talking on the DL. Copies will come out and truth will be told. The investigation will only get intensified. The vice is getting tighter around his you know what. Now the information will come out from the inside. Oh well like they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Soon Harold will be found and I will enjoy every minute of it.