As a follow up to the 9.19.2019 announcement that HUD’s Teresa Payne has been elevated to the role of Administrator of the Office of Manufactured Housing Programs (OMHP), a few reminders to new as well as longer-term industry readers is in order.
In no particular order of importance:
1) MHI’s part-time mouthpiece, self-proclaimed solon, and purportedly compensated surrogate was posturing not long ago about his ability to recommend someone for the role that HUD’s Teresa Payne now has, per sources, obtained. Ahem. Does anything more need to be said after smiling wryly, choking back a laugh, and asking, what self-promoting claim that’s readily disproven in time will George F. Allen make next?
2) To remind readers, MHProNews did a report that included the featured image below. That was published on May 17, 2018. If HUD’s Brian Montgomery was serious about signaling a serious change at HUD, wouldn’t Victor de Rose, JD, have been the better choice?
Who will replace Pam Danner at HUD’s Office of Manufactured Housing Programs?
3) Recall or book up on the reports linked below the byline, all of which shed light on this disturbing process.
4) This shouldn’t be misunderstood with respect to Ms. Payne. Rather, this is about fact-checks as well as following the law. While it is polite to congratulate Ms. Payne on her new role, it is prudent given the history of the program under her predecessor to note that if she is serious about doing her job properly, she should follow the letter of the law. As Bill Matchneer said and implied on a conference call, that’s clearly not been occurring for some time now. ICYMI, or need a refresher, click on the hot linked text image box below.
President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have said numerous times that they are in the ‘promise keeping’ and ‘law enforcement’ businesses. To accomplish those goals, in a massive federal bureaucracy, they rely upon people in roles like Montgomery’s. Don’t forget that MHI touted their cozy relationship with Montgomery and the firm he hailed from. Coincidence?
This should not be misconstrued as being disrespectful to the president or vice president. Why? As the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR) stated in their report yesterday, and MHProNews has said for some time, HUD Secretary Carson has demonstrably done more to elevate manufactured housing than anyone in his role in the 21st century. That is to be commended and acknowledged.
But given that it is increasingly clear that a “deep state” existed at the top ranks of the FBI in the waning days of the Obama Administration and into the first years of the Trump Administration, is it any surprise if such a swampy “deep state” exists at HUD?
President Trump himself has said at a campaign rally that it will take more time to “drain the swamp” in Washington. Take that seriously. MHProNews and MHLivingNews are not the only ones that have made such observations. Recall what MHARR published on the topic in the wake of the Washington Post report?
That noted, it is incumbent upon the administration to move the ball as best it can in an often-hostile environment. It is good to recall how Pam Danner came to be dismissed at HUD in the first place.
It is also useful to keep in mind what Secretary Carson said about her without mentioning her by name. Dr. Carson stated in congressional testimony that the regulating brought to his attention had been ‘ridiculous.’ Doesn’t some of that blow back on MHI, which played footsy with Danner, basically protecting her instead of asking for her removal?
Without keeping an eye on the details of the history of what has been occurring, the words coming out of the mouths of whomever as it reflects on our HUD Code manufactured home industry may be nothing more than self-serving hot air.
The Painful, Obvious Facts
HUD Code manufactured housing should be soaring. Nevertheless, production and shipments went into a 10-month decline after MHI claimed “momentum” in the later part of 2018. Oddly, they have kept the evidence of that self-contradictory claim on their home page, how short sighted is that on their part?
Follow the bouncing ball. Follow the evidence. Follow the money-trail. Don’t forget the broad-brush chain of events. That is how one keeps in line with reality in an era of widespread deception and dishonest tactics. And without sounding to self-serving, keep following this trade media outlet. Because in trade media, there is everyone else – who are arguably largely serving or silent on MHI’s and related problems – while we dig into the evidence, and do the fact checks that make reality more obvious. Who says? One of those competitors who declines holding MHI accountable.
It is worth noting editorially that the president deserves an administration and bureaucracy that follows the law and constitution, which we celebrated earlier this week, while still carrying out his directives within the scope of those laws of the land. That is why “We the People” vote for a president in the first place, to carry out those promises and pledges. It is worse than a shame when some believe that they can thumb their nose at the tens of millions of Americans who voted for the team that occupies the White House.
But if the first 2½ years of the Trump Administration has shown us anything, it is this.
- There is a deep state, a swamp in Washington that has become increasingly self-evident.
- That the 45th president is a fighter for his causes, whether people agree or disagree with them, he consistently battles for them, even if his methods are often unorthodox.
Besides the principle of wheat and chaff, one must keep the following maxim in mind in Washington and association politics too. “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” The big boys behind MHI purportedly count on independents being too busy to pay attention to the details. Thus, there is an ongoing, necessary step to growing the industry to its potential is this. To fight ignorance, and that means that one must recognize the federal and association ‘deep state follies’ for what they are.
See the related reports, below the byline, offers, and notices. Thanks to our sources, sponsors, and all of our readers for making this resource available. Day-by-day, we’ll strive to give the insights that can keep some from following into the latest deception. We will not knowingly let you down, so we appreciate your making and keeping us #1 in MHVille trade media.
That’s your first installment for accountability and growth-focused manufactured home “Industry News, Tips, and Views Pros Can Use” © where “We Provide, You Decide.” © ## (News, analysis, and commentary.)
Soheyla is a managing member of LifeStyle Factory Homes, LLC, the parent company to MHProNews, and MHLivingNews.com. Connect with us on LinkedIn here and and here.
Related Reports:
Click the image/text box below to access relevant, related information.
Pam Danner’s Replacement Announced, MHARR Rips HUD Leadership, More
“Revolving Door” – 2019 Research by Public Citizen Spotlights Swampy Problems
