Ontonagon housing director resigns

By JAN TUCKER

[email protected]

Ontonagon — The Ontonagon Village Council meeting Monday was overshadowed by a meeting of the Village Housing Commission which was held just prior to the council session.

The village council appoints the members of the housing commission and the commission hires its director, which operates the Cane Court Housing Facility. In a surprise move just prior to the council meeting, Housing Commission Director Sally Jarvey submitted her resignation after 35 and one half years with the Cane Court operation.

Jarvey said she had not planned to retire, but she could “no longer work” in the “hostile and non-productive environment.”

Two months ago Jarvey survived an attempt by the commission to fire her as director. The next month, two members of the housing commission were removed by the village council and two new members were appointed. The commission was attempting to get Jarvey to turn over purchase receipts and a letter of discipline about her secretary, Sue Lockhart.

In her resignation notice, Jarvey said the goal of the commission should be about the residents of the facility and “their quality of life, not a personal agenda.”

In a separate letter, Jarvey recommended the Housing Commission hire Lockhart as director. She listed Lockhart’s qualifications; including that she is the only one with a security clearance, she could draw monies down monthly, handle SAM’s registration and keep securing federal funds. Her letter also cited the different monies Lockhart has obtained for getting refrigerators, lights and other items. “She has done what is best for the residents after false accusations and a work environment so hostile and difficult to work in,” Jarvey wrote. She also noted Lockhart ran the facility for six months while Jarvey was on sick leave.

During the meeting and a phone call from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the commission was told it violated rules when it hired an attorney without Jarvey’s involvement. As a result, HUD officials said commission members must complete an online program called “Lead the Way” by July 31.

The village council did not address the resignation at its meeting. It will be up to the village housing commission to hire its new director.