BIG SPRING, TX – On Monday morning, Jan. 10, 2022, Big Spring Mayor Shannon Thomason ruled that the Big Spring Housing Authority Board of Commissioners had failed in the oversight of Director Sharon Fritz and had failed in complying with reporting requirements as per Texas Local Government Codes.
During the hearing that had been ordered by Mayor Thomason, it was revealed that Sharon Fritz, Executive Director of the Big Spring Housing Authority, had hired two employees – without the authorization of the BSHA Board of Commissioners. Margaret Cervantes, who had served as a Commissioner on the Board for six years, testified that she had no knowledge that the two employees had been hired and that it had occurred during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic which caused the Board to have few meetings.
Cervantes also stated that Fritz had been the Executive Director of the BSHA for 10 years and had never submitted any reports because Fritz was unaware that she had to do so, and no one from the City of Big Spring had ever advised Fritz that the reports were required.
Throughout the hearing, Cervantes stated that she had no training prior to taking her position as BSHA Commissioner nor had she received any training after accepting the role. Commissioner Bruce Brown stated that he was new to the Board and had only attended one meeting and was still learning so he should not be held accountable for things that occurred before he was appointed.
Mayor Thomason pointed out that the Big Spring Housing Authority is a member of the Texas Housing Association and the THA website has multiple resources for Commissioner training. He stressed that once someone is appointed to a board, it is their responsibility to seek training for their position.
During closing statements, Cervantes, who had been serving as the chairperson for the Big Spring Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, stated that she felt like the Mayor was trying to remove only her from the Board because he was unable to directly fire Fritz.
“This is not about Sharon Fritz. This is about me. You are trying to get me removed from the board. I don’t see that you’re trying to get Mr. Brown, Mr. Savory, and Ms. Guzman removed,” said Cervantes.
She went on to say that she was offended by the way the Mayor had brought about the hearing to get rid of Fritz.
“I think your intent was to fire Ms. Fritz, but you can’t fire her so you’re going after me. Get rid of me, then you can fire Ms. Fritz,” said Cervantes.
When warned by the Mayor that she would be found out of order if she continued to not stay on the topic of the specific charges of the hearing, Cervantes stated that she was not there to defend herself.
“I’m here for the people because you’re affecting a lot of people, the landlords, the tenants, the community,” she continued before Mayor Thomason stated she was out of order.
In Brown’s closing statement, he stated that he looked forward to seeing what the BSHA could do, and reiterated that the charges shouldn’t apply to him or the other recently appointed Commissioners because they had just joined the Board.
Ultimately, Mayor Thomason ruled that the Big Spring Housing Authority Board of Commissioners had failed in the oversight of Director Sharon Fritz and had failed in complying with reporting requirements as per Texas Local Government Codes. As a result of his ruling, Margaret Cervantes was removed from the board.
It was noted that JoAnn Valle resigned from her position as a BSHA Commissioner prior to the hearing. No action was taken against Commissioners Bruce Brown, Stephanie Guzman, and Royce Savory. Guzman and Savory were not present at the meeting. During the hearing, it was noted that Brown, Guzman, and Savory had only been appointed to the board in 2021.
Mayor Thomason stated that he will soon appoint 2 new commissioners to the Big Spring Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. When asked what kind of requirements he would be seeking for this board, he stated he wanted Commissioners with a background in regulatory compliance, home leasing, and dealing with veterans, and to have compassion because the BSHA is there to help people who need it.
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