Dublin Core
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
OFFICERS
James W. Dorsey TELEPHONES:
sardtcial Susttee ATLANTA LEGAL AID SOCIETY, INC. Casi wan Sait
Ist Vice President (404) 577-5260
Sarah Frances McDonald 153 PRYOR STREET, S.W.
2nd Vice President
Clifford Oxford ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303
Secretary
Wallen H. Alexander
aed June 24, 1969
STAFF
Michael D, Padnos
Director
Nancy S. Cheves
General Counsel
Richard Harris
Community Education
L. Rosser Shelton
Bettye H. Kehrer
Evelyn S. Fabian The Honorable Ivan Allen
Eugene S. Taylor
Lae cotet Mayor of Atlanta
Elmer L. Nash Georg 1a
D. Freeman Hutton
Melvin E. Thompson, Jr.
aatehneh Bs TRY Dear Mayor Allen:
Edward L. Baety
George L. Howell
I read in Alex Coffin's column in the
ee Constitution yesterday that Mr. Edwin Sterne's
Reuben Bussey term as Chairman of the Board of the Atlanta
site cali Housing Authority has expired and that you are
thinking of reappointing him for a second ten
year term. The purpose of this letter is to
urge you not to reappoint Mr. Sterne, but to
appoint instead a younger man -- preferably a
Black man -- who has greater sympathy with the
needs and aspirations of public housing tenants
than does Mr. Sterne.
Let me make it clear at the outset that I
have the greatest respect and admiration for Edwin
Sterne. I know him to be a kindly and concerned
man who has in recent months been deeply and
constructively involved in public housing in
Atlanta. His frequent meetings with tenants
and his willingness to discuss troublesome
questions with Legal Aid and other representatives
of the public demonstrate the depth of his commit-
ment to public service, as well as the seriousness
with which he takes his responsibilities as Board
Chairman. That he is a man of good will and good
intentions is, in my opinion, an incontrovertible
fact.
But Atlanta in the 1970s needs men who have
more to offer than good intentions. We need men
SPONSORED BY UNITED APFEAL AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ATLANTA, INC.
The Honorable Ivan Allen 6/24/69
who can not only understand the needs and desires
of poor people, but can respond to those needs
positively and effectively.
The Atlanta Housing Authority has now been
embroiled in public controversy for over a year,
‘and with each passing month the controversy deepens
and broadens, constantly assuming new facets and
subtle new dimensions.
Under Mr. Sterne's chairmanship the Authority
adopted a regulation that forbade TUFF from meeting
on Authority property, and a regulation creating a
residency requirement as a precondition to applying
for public housing. These regulations have created
ill will for AHA, and have now been repealed.
Under Mr. Sterne's chairmanship the Authority
failed to apply for funds allocated under the 1968
Housing Act: a failure estimated by HUD to have cost
the city approximately $3,000,000. The cost to tenants
who are thus obliged to live in outmoded facilities
cannot be estimated. This failure was a major error
on the part of the Board and its Chairman.
Under Mr. Sterne's chairmanship the Board has
delayed, wavered, and failed to provide leadership
to its staff or the community. The Authority, for
example, has failed to act on a Bill of Rights
submitted to it on January 16, 1969 by TUFF, although
such organizations as Good Government Atlanta, the
Concerned Clergy, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil
Rights Under Law, and the Urban League have all
endorsed the provisions of that Bill of Rights.
Tt has made no response whatsoever to the HUD
circular of March 22, 1968, entitled "The Social
Goals of Public Housing."
The Honorable Ivan Allen 6/24/69
As a result of these failures, the rights of
tenants have now become a major issue in the city's
low income community, provoking an investigation by
a State legislative committee, the resignation of
Mr. Satterfield, and several vocal demonstrations
on Authority property. Much -- if not all -- of
this controversy could have been avoided by firm
and sympathetic leadership on the Board.
The Atlanta Housing Authority under Mr. Sterne
is a well-motivated organization out of touch and
sympathy with the realities of 1969. These realities
demand that poor people be given a voice in managing
their own lives, and that part of the power formerly
wielded by a small group of men be distributed to
the people from whom that power is derived. In my
opinion, it is time for Edwin Sterne to step down
and for his responsibilities to be turned over to a
younger man.
Needless to say, I am not writing this letter
on behalf of any candidate. I would urge you only
to seek a man who will have the authority and the
good will to deserve the tenants', as well as the
larger community's respect. The Chairman of the
Board should be a person who can help Mr. Persells
make the many changes Mr. Persells hopes to institute:
not a man tied to the policies of the past. He should
be a strong man, a liberal man, and a man who believes
in and trusts the tenants.
I know you understand the volatility of public
housing in our city, and the importance of the issues
I have raised in this letter. I know too that what-
ever decision you make will be designed to serve the
interests of all Atlantans -- poor as well as rich,
a
The Honorable Ivan Allen 6/24/69
black as well as white.
This letter brings my continued respect and
good wishes.
Sincerely,
Wr Qu
Michael D. Padnos
Director
MDP/gp
cC: Mr. Edwin Sterne