The Housing Authority exists to provide safe, decent and sanitary housing to the more than 500 low-income people who live here; they are the true heart and soul of the MHA.
Our governing state agency’s training manual for boards specifies that one of the board’s responsibilities is to advocate for the interests of the tenants. Tenants need and deserve a board member who can do that, who is capable, skilled in the review of financial and technical materials, willing to ask hard questions and responsive to tenants’ concerns. That’s what this election is about.
Ms. Jean Eldridge is the longest-serving member of the board: 30 years this year. Her last contested election was in 1996. She is also the oldest member of the board. If she is reelected, she would be 102 at the end of her seventh, five-year term. Based on my experience living in MHA senior housing for more than 10 years, attending more than five years of monthly meetings and advocating as part of a tenant organization, Mr. Kuker’s description of her skills and attitudes towards tenants is not based in fact. He’s entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.
Ms. Eldridge did not appear at more than half of last year’s meetings and appears to face the challenges of aging. Jeff Weeden has 18 years of experience as director of planning and development at the Lynn Housing Authority and is experienced in dealing with the technical issues of redevelopment and is aware of and sensitive to tenant concerns. Who can better serve the people who live in the MHA? Please support tenants and vote for Jeff Weeden.
Elaine McGrath
Rowland Street
