Poor ol Clifton; got his hand slapped for making an "executive decision" to do something besides pushing a pencil and spending money talking about how we need to end homelessness.
I was at a recent meeting with Clifton, who also happens to be my friend, and during that meeting I argued - vehemently at times - that the man needed some real authority in order to actually get the various agencies around town to become a little more accountable to those they serve.
I can see now why he was so reluctant to take on a responsibility like that. And let's face it, the rules and procedures for government operation are often so cumbersome and complex that one is bound to make a mistake at some point during their tenure with a public agency.
Clifton, we still love ya, brother; just leave the puter fixin to someone else and get back to the streets. We need ya there much more than anyone in that stuffy old building needs ya.....
Metro homelessness director punished for contract error
“He’ll have to demonstrate to us that he’s managing things correctly,” Cole said today.
Cole said he and other commission members were partly at fault for failing to supervise the work done by Harris and other staff members carefully enough. He said they plan to “beef up” their oversight.
Harris did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.
Established in 2005, the homelessness commission is part of the Metro Development and Housing Agency. MDHA purchasing officials recently discovered Harris had awarded a computer security contract to one company without letting others know the job was available.
Cole said Harris has been a strong employee otherwise and put on a good event just last week, when the commission announced new goals to raise $71.7 million, create 1,600 housing units and enhance employment assistance programs over the next five years.
“On balance in other areas, absolutely,” Cole said. “But this was of enough concern and serious enough that we had to take action.”
Contact Michael Cass at 259-8838 or mcass@tennessean.com.
