PA Housing?

Two weeks ago, Philip R. Klein wrote on the SET Political Review:

Local Election - Oscar v. Prince? Any others?

As I noted at the time, Willie Bae Lewis immediately came to mind. In his latest posting , Philip Klein wrote:

It seems that this will be a mainstay argument in the Mayors race. You know - something that the citizens of Port Arthur will understand? It seems that Council members Flood, Beard and Chapman are beating the Willie Bae drum in trying to stop the PAHA from outsourcing to San Antonio for their contracts and labor.

Better late than never, I suppose, but those allegations come around every few years. Ask Oscar Ortiz.

Ortiz, Akbari deny wrong doing in housing scheme
July 3, 2007

PORT ARTHUR — Outgoing Port Arthur Mayor Oscar Ortiz and Ike Akbari of ITEX Developers LLC. both debunk allegations of wrongdoing and favoritism set forth by local businessman and Port Arthur Housing Authority Chairman Roosevelt Petry Jr.
Petry has brought his complaints about Ortiz and Akbari to the District Attorney’s office. His allegations claim Ortiz pressured the PAHA to cancel contracts with other developers and solely use ITEX for housing authority projects, which will be funded through federal community development block grants.

“We simply ask the Housing Authority to pick us as their developer of choice and allow us to go forward to get the funding for Port Arthur,” Akbari said.

The developer said the application for the position is a competitive and detailed process.
“Even if the mayor or another government official wanted to help (me get the contract) they couldn’t,” Akbari said.

Akbari added that if his firm is chosen for the work for the PAHA, Ortiz will donate his time to work with his company and the Housing Authority as a liaison.

Isn't it ironic how a shrewd political consultant like Philip R. Klein missed that?