News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Highlands Residential Executive Director Dow Harris announced Thursday he plans to retire by next September.
Harris has worked in government services for nearly 45 years and has been the authority’s executive director since 1995. Harris told the authority board he is battling stage three prostate cancer.
“I’ve had some issues the last couple of years that have really set me back and slowed me down unfortunately,” Harris said. “But we are doing okay but 45 years is a good milestone. I’ve been in government service for a long time and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it but it’s time.”
Harris said he wants to give the board time to find his replacement. The board will form a three-member committee to discuss how the board will move forward to find a replacement for Harris.
“I wanted to give you plenty of time but you know in 10 months if you have to go out searching and outreach it gives you some time to plan and get together I like to recommend that we get a personnel committee together and let’s sit down and talk about what we think would work internally. I think you have an opportunity to make two promotions and possibly not hire somebody else.”
Harris said Hickory Valley has seen some behavioral issues from tenants recently as he has had to perform three lease terminations in the last ten days. Harris said the director who takes his place will have to make sure that they can take control of the tenants.
“That’s the only thing I worry about is whoever is director of this housing authority you’ve got to keep a thumb on the residents,” Harris said. “You got to do it within the rules and you got to be careful, but if you let it get out of control it’s hard to get it back.”
Harris said after retirement he will have plenty to do as he will be working with his cows and even he and his wife plan to do some traveling. Chairman Robert Owens and several Board members thanked Harris for his service and said he will be tough to replace.
In other business, the board received updates on the Red Bud Village and Magnolia Ridge Housing projects. Harris said it has been a frustrating process as they had delays in getting the environmental phase completed for Red Bud Village. Harris said the original contractor they hired failed to submit a phase one to THDA. Harris said he was unaware of that being a holdup.
“I never was privileged to that loop of communication,” Harris said. “THDA had asked for a phase one and that’s when I got all bent out of shape and let them have it about a month ago.”
Harris said after being aware they were able to get that submitted within three days. Harris said they are waiting for the Tennessee Housing Development Agency to sign a document that will allow the board to bid out the project. Harris said it could take some time for THDA to sign the document but hopefully, it will be signed soon. Harris said the project getting to this point was long overdue.
“This thing drove out way too long,” Harris said. “This should have been a three-month job and it was in December of last year when we contracted with them. It is totally ridiculous and it has put us a year behind.”
Developer Alvin Nance said the board is still in a position to pursue nine percent tax credits this year to fund the Magnolia Ridge project. Nance said he expects to have another strong application again this year but will do further research to avoid being blindsided by a better score from other applications as they did in the previous cycle. Nance said the plan is to still have 78 units within the project.
