Councilman Hugh Holston’s Conflicts

George Hartzman has a devastating post that explains a set of circumstances that ought to be of great concern.

Let’s outline the issues:

1. Councilman Hugh Holston’s day job is as the CEO of the Greensboro Housing Coalition. His role is to be an advocate.
2. An effort is afoot to undermine the city’s Minimum Housing Standards Commission (i.e., “the Commission”).
3. Holston has accepted large contributions from “PAC’s and individuals tied to TREBIC”. These represent or include large landlords who are regulated by the Commission.
4. He has not publicly opposed or spoke out against the efforts to undermine the Commission.

Hartzman points out that, as a paid housing advocate employed by the Greensboro Housing Coalition, he would be expected to oppose efforts to undermine the Commission. But he is receiving campaign monies from entities representing the landlords. That is an inherent conflict.

But if his employer– the Greensboro Housing Coalition– receives funding from the city, that would represent another conflict. In fact, Hartzman had previously reported that Holston’s Coalition receives money from the city.

There are therefore TWO conflicts of interest.

Holston is a black council member. It is not inconceivable that he might one day be elected mayor.