Homelessness board battle

TOLEDO, Ohio (WUPW) - TOLEDO, Ohio (WUPW) -- There's a stalemate on a local board that tackles homelessness. Member Ken Leslie is on the verge of ouster from the Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board.

Leslie is a name you might know. He helps organize Tent City, the yearly event in downtown Toledo to help the homeless get some basic services.

The board did not throw Leslie off the board; members went in a different direction. Members voted to bring in an independent agency to look over all operations of the board. That inspection will include the issue that has Leslie most fired up.

He's claiming a conflict of interest because he says money was given to an organization, and later a former board member was hired by that organization.

"I'm furious, I'm furious. None of the issues were discussed. It was set off to have another committee meeting so they can have a committee meeting to figure out who to get to look at the issues. Not one iota of energy was to address any of the issues on the table," said Leslie.

"I think there's bigger issues than this one and I think possibly, Ken, Ken is certainly close to the homeless community than what I am. Maybe he makes some valid issues," said board member Linda Stacey.

Stacey says there were too many emotions Friday to make any kind of independent decision.

Leslie says these matters need be put behind the board so they can all focus on helping the homeless people and families in the area.