Capital-Gazette
May 26, 2007

Trudy McFall won't seek another term
By HEATHER RAWLYK, Staff Writer

Trudy McFall, chairman of the Annapolis Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, has told Mayor Ellen O. Moyer that she's not interested in being reappointed when her term expires in July.

Ms. McFall has served as chairman of the seven-member board for the past five years. And while there are still a few goals she wanted to see achieved under her leadership, she said it's time to move on.

"It's painful to leave, because of course a problem as complex and difficult as public housing is never truly done or complete," she said. "… But I'm just completely kind of itching to do some new and broader things. I have other challenges - I am eager to help Annapolis in new ways."

Laughing off the question of whether she has political aspirations, Ms. McFall simply said the position of chairman was "extremely time-consuming" and "a difficult volunteer job."

There has been widespread speculation that she plans to run for mayor in 2009.

Her announcement comes just after the city kicked off the revamping of Robinwood by holding a block party and beautification day Sunday in an effort to clean up the community and give residents a sense of pride.

Ms. McFall was instrumental in collecting ideas within the Housing Authority to make Robinwood a "model community" after a spate of violence prompted a task force to launch a "full-court press effort" on Robinwood earlier this year.

The chairman said she was disappointed that the board has yet to come to a better consensus about crime and how to police public housing communities.

"I wish we had made more progress about community policing and substations and all those things," she said. "So that's a disappointment."

Eric Brown, executive director of the Housing Authority, said he was surprised to hear that Ms. McFall won't seek another term.

"I think that her vision and her leadership is going to be desperately missed," he said. "There will be someone else on board to pick up and say this is the direction they'd like to see the agency grow, but Trudy's clarity and leadership will (be) hard to replace."

He said Ms. McFall's departure - and the possible change of two additional board members in July - won't be a setback for the authority in its goal to turn the city's public housing communities around. The terms of board members Patricia Holiday and Phyllis Gibbs also expire in three months.

"Trudy indicated to me that even though she would not be an official part of the board, she would offer her expertise and her talent to help with whatever we need in terms of the issues of redevelopment," he said. "So do I think the direction is going to change? No, I don't."

Ms. McFall and Mr. Brown said the Housing Authority and the board of commissioners realize that a public-private partnership is what the city needs to be successful in revamping public housing properties.

"However many changes there are on the board, I think the commissioners share very strong and similar views about the future of the Housing Authority and direction of programs and what we ought to do about crime," Ms. McFall said. "I think that there's a good solid base of experience and commitment."

Ms. Moyer agreed.

"I think people on the board are very dedicated and we'll get three more very dedicated advocates - with that I'm sure," she said.

In replacing Ms. McFall, the mayor said she'll be looking for a "good leader, who can be an advocate for housing and also work in a partnership way."

Ms. Moyer wasn't at all surprised to hear of Ms. McFall's news.

"I know that she's got another agenda," she said. "… She's running for mayor, and she wants the time for the next three years to push for that."

Ms. McFall wouldn't say whether she had political aspirations, only saying she needs to finish up her term with the Housing Authority - "and when I'm done, that's when I'm going to decide what I can do next to help Annapolis."

Ms. Moyer said Ms. McFall did a great job in a role that was "no easy task."

During her five-year tenure, she helped to implement the first comprehensive safety plan for Housing Authority properties, which included the hiring of a full-time director of safety. She also led the adoption of a plan for the revitalization of the Clay Street area, the completion of an $8 million capital improvement program, and the reopening of all Housing Authority community centers.

"I feel like I've done five years of good duty for the Housing Authority," Ms. McFall said. "… Basically, all the goals I set for myself and the Housing Authority, I feel like we did pretty well on them."

Although Ms. McFall touts her accomplishments, some public housing residents have complained that she can be harsh and "unprofessional," and doesn't understand their needs.

Alice Johnson, president of the resident council in Bloomsbury Square and a frequent attendant at authority board meetings, said Ms. McFall is often disrespectful of public opinion and doesn't set a good example as chairman.

"I talk and talk and all they do is put a pacifier in my mouth," she said. "It has a lot to do with professionalism and respect. I'm not trying to deface her character or insult her, but she is supposed to set the example. If you want residents to respect the rules and regulations, you have to establish a respectful rapport. You have to command their respect."

Ms. McFall said she understands the complaints.

"You just do the best you can and help and give your time," she said. "I had to run orderly meetings, and at times it conflicted with residents who wanted to talk when the commissioners needed to talk.

"I'm sure there are times that they might have felt they weren't getting the response they wanted."

Staff Writer Nicole Young contributed to this story.