Director fired: Hints of unease at CAVC evident by board agendas

August 18, 2006
Santa Paula News

Soon after Joseph Billingiere joined the nonprofit Community Action of Ventura County - then known as the Commission on Human Concerns - it became obvious that something was up when commission board agendas started noting meeting after meeting that a closed session was scheduled to evaluate the agency’s executive director.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesSoon after Joseph Billingiere joined the nonprofit Community Action of Ventura County - then known as the Commission on Human Concerns - it became obvious that something was up when commission board agendas started noting meeting after meeting that a closed session was scheduled to evaluate the agency’s executive director. On Monday Billingiere was fired, with a majority of commissioners - 11-0 with one abstention - voting to let the agency head go.Billingiere, who joined the commission in January 2005 after the retirement - some say forced - of longtime executive director Lee Riggins, has left amid controversy, according to documents detailing his tenure. Commissioners charged that Billingiere had conflicts with the board, failed to comply with state Brown Act meeting laws, and was mismanaging finances.Billingiere who had strong support from commission staff - 27 of the 28 signed an undated letter of support for him - was unavailable for comment.
Community Action of Ventura County, which has an annual budget of $2.5 million, provides an array of services to low-income residents and was founded by volunteers in 1965 as an outgrowth of President Johnson’s War on Poverty. The agency helps poor people with youth services, a transition center, home weatherization, food and utility bill assistance, legal services, rent/lease help and educational services, among others. Its Board of Directors includes elected officials and community activists from throughout Ventura County, and funding is culled from a variety of sources, including Community Development Block Grants.Billingiere allegedly fell into disfavor with agency directors for a variety of reasons, including granting raises and eliminating personnel, as well as creating new jobs without board approval, failure to adhere to the Brown Act laws governing open meetings, and criticizing directors to staff and public. In addition, the board accused Billingiere of withholding a 2005 audit report.Socorro Lopez Hansen has been hired as the interim director at the same $60,000 annual salary that Billingiere was paid.



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