Suffolk News-Herald

The lack of parking spaces at the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s otherwise scarce lot was the first indicator of a full house Tuesday night.

Some 100 ministers, civic leaders and residents crowded the SRHA headquarters in a massive showing of support for executive director Clarissa E. McAdoo, who was about to face a night of uncertainty with her seven bosses during her first meeting since her return from a abrupt two-month absence.

The Board of Commissioners met in closed session for more than two hours to discuss personnel-with its only employee McAdoo, who was excused for nearly half of the private meeting. Supporters, partly consisting of high-profile city leaders, lined the entranceway and both adjoining halls surrounding the small conference room.

Commissioners were mum about discussions after the meeting, and Board Chairman Mary V. Richardson would only say there would be another meeting, and some goals are being established.

In addition to McAdoo’s medical leave – announced just one day prior to her departure on Nov. 5 – controversy continued when the administrative manager, Patricia Scott, was reportedly fired at McAdoo’s direction. But commissioners were not in concert as to whether McAdoo actually made the call, or interim executive director Tracey Snipes.

Two more firings over the past months have sparked more criticism of McAdoo, coupled with the ambiguity surrounding her departure.

McAdoo returned on Jan. 6. McAdoo had no comment for the News-Herald earlier Tuesday regarding the reason for her leave, or the firings.

McAdoo’s recent troubles primarily center on the dismissal of Scott, who was denied permanent employment after her 90-day probation period, and was then fired without the benefit of a second formal evaluation by McAdoo.

Along with Commissioners Thelma Hinton and Linda Brown, at least one community leader has called for a formal investigation into the matter. Scott, who has asked the board to review the handling of her dismissal, was among the crowd at last night’s meeting.

But despite strong opposition to McAdoo’s leadership tactics, it was evident Tuesday night that McAdoo, the first black to ever lead the housing authority has a strong following within the African-American community.

Beginning last week, word was circulated to black congregations throughout Suffolk to pray for McAdoo. Rev. Henry G. Baker, pastor of Greater First Baptist-Orlando, was front and center Tuesday.

Baker credits McAdoo as the catalyst behind the major turnaround in the Orlando community, which has benefited from more than $2 million in neighborhood improvements.

As for recent complaints that have surfaced in human resources, Baker said, &uot;She did not write the personnel policy. She simply implements policy at the pleasure of the board. Now she’s being punished for it. It’s totally unacceptable.&uot;

&uot;I am hoping tomorrow that I will read that they have retained her in her position with some kind of applause for a job well done. Everybody is not going to be happy,&uot; Baker added.

As for the recent firings, Baker called them &uot;unfortunate,&uot; however, they come with the turf of management. &uot;Having been a manager for 28 years, people have to be terminated sometimes,&uot; he said.

Charles Christian, president of the Suffolk-Nansemond NAACP, said the organization, along with other churches and groups represented Tuesday night received correspondence that led them to believe that McAdoo’s job was in jeopardy. Christian would not say who authored the letter.

&uot;The tone of it (the letter) turned on a light bulb. It was a major concern,&uot; said Christian. Backing for McAdoo is beyond obvious, he concluded referencing the crowd huddled in the halls.

The Rev. Mark A. Croston, pastor of one of Suffolk’s largest and prominent black churches, where McAdoo attends, had nothing but accolades for McAdoo.

&uot;We have an executive director who has done an absolute outstanding job for this authority,&uot; said Croston. &uot;She has brought our authority from the previous pitiful past to national prominence. They have received many national awards and tremendous grant opportunities have been afforded to the agency.&uot;

Because of recent media reports, in part, regarding her abrupt two-month absence and recent firings that have seemingly tainted her future with the SRHA, Croston added that he felt it was important that the churches and groups &uot;lend our support. We wanted to be visible in a tangible way.&uot;

As for the sudden absence that fueled the recent controversy, Croston said he could understand the concern if it involved an employee with a bad track record. But on the other side of the coin, &uot;When you have someone with a stellar track record who says they need to take two months off, I wouldn’t care and I would give it to them.&uot;

Croston added that the SRHA would have a tremendous task on their hands if they ever tried to replace McAdoo.

&uot;You don’t just get somebody who can lead an organization with the same passion, innovation, drive and savvy that Clarissa McAdoo does just anywhere. If you had to search this nation, you would not find a replacement for her,&uot; he said.