Group: Racism and sexism at CMHA 'beyond belief'

A group comprised of members of the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority's (CMHA) management team is asking for the City's help, claiming that racism and sexism within the CMHA is "beyond belief".

The target of the group, which is made up of four black males and six females, are the three "racist/sexist white men" on the CMHA Board - Don Driehaus, Arnold Barnett and Pete Witte.

In a letter addressed to the mayor, vice mayor, and councilmembers Cole, Qualls and Thomas, the group says that CMHA employees have no respect for the Board, or the new executive director, Richard Rust.

"They openly despise CMHA residents and disrespect CMHA staff in every way possible," the group says.

The group alleges that Rust, formerly a CMHA attorney, is little more than a puppet of the Board with no management experience.

"For 20+ years he has sat in his office, by himself, doing legal work," the group says. "He knows nothing about running public housing, maintenance, or Section 8. But he has the only qualification this Board is interested in - he is another white man who doesn't want to rub shoulders with black people or poor people."

The group alleges that while Rust's December 2007 appointment was meant to be temporary while CMHA conducted a nationwide search, Rust moved into the office and immediately began filling the staff with friends and family.

"Rust's first act was to promote his incompetent brother-in-law to one of the top jobs in maintenance, jumping right over six black men who were more qualified," the group says. "His second act was to give his golfing buddy (white male) a big promotion."

No search was ever conducted, and Rust was named the permanent executive director in executive session.

"There was no public vote, no announcement, nothing!" the group says. "CMHA is a government agency - is this even allowed? Secret deals and outright discrimination?"

The group is asking for the City's help to force a national search for a new executive director.

"There are at least three department heads here who are qualified and respected by employees, but none of them even got considered," the group says. "Of course, none of them are white males - the only qualification for the top jobs at CMHA."

They're asking for CMHA to be restored to how things were under former executive director Donald Troendle.

"CMHA is sinking fast," the group says. "Please help to save this agency."

A report from city manager Milton Dohoney Jr. is due before council by the end of this month.