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Hamden Journal Article Re Old Job & New Ventures

Hamden Journal Article: Leng Discusses Old Job & New Ventures

By: Lissette Rodriguez

Curt Leng this week said he was ready to disclose details about his new company and his resignation as Bridgeport's deputy director of community development, now that a negotiated settlement has taken place.

Leng's resignation came months after he was suspended with pay following a report from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) about six areas of alleged discrepancies in the program he ran. (CURT - Actually, 4 of the problems were managed by a different individual than me. There were grant programs referred to in the report that I did not administer.) Leng faced termination if allegations of "poor performance," were proven. However, after only one hearing, the city dropped its investigation with no final result, according to Leng. Because of ongoing discussions with Bridgeport's Labor Department and the resulting negotiated settlement, he said he decided to wait before disclosing any information. "Beyond this, unfortunately, due to the settlement agreement language, I can only say that I decided to part ways with Bridgeport to explore other opportunities," he said. "While I can't say nearly as much as I would like regarding the Bridgeport situation, I am very pleased that Bridgeport decided to close their investigation without result in May." Leng had been hired in October 2005 as manager of monitoring & evaluation for Bridgeport's Community Development Program. He was promoted to deputy director of community development shortly thereafter. "In that job, I managed a team of about 15 employees and consultants, administered the city's Community Development Block Grant and Emergency Shelter Program Grant and several other smaller programs," he said. Before working in Bridgeport, Leng was community development program director in Hamden from 2001 to 2003. He said he received a "perfect report from HUD" in Hamden. Richard T. Meehan Jr., Bridgeport Supervisors' Union attorney, represented Leng in the hearing process. Meehan also represented former Bridgeport Mayor Joseph P. Ganim in his 2003 corruption trial. (CURT - I had no choice in Legal Representation - Meehan was my union's selected Attorney.) As a result of the ongoing situation, Leng said he decided to resign from his position as deputy director the same time the city dropped the investigation. Attempts to reach Leng's former supervisor, Nancy Hadley, were unsuccessful. Although the situation raised eyebrows, many Hamden officials took the opportunity to come to Leng's defense. Mayor Craig Henrici said Leng would eventually come out on top of the situation. Despite his ordeal, Leng pressed forward and created Curt Leng & Associates LLC., an independent consulting firm, focusing on grant writing, administration, economic & community development and other consulting opportunities. "I am really proud to be starting my own small business and hope that I can use it as a vehicle to work in the diverse areas that I've gained experience with over the last decade," he said. "I'm also pleased to be free to work with the agencies, non-profits and government entities that I think are doing good, quality work - one of the benefits of starting your own business." The business, which he formed last summer, works with local and statewide clients, according to Leng. So far, there are about eight individuals willing to work with Leng as specialized subcontractors. There is no one on the payroll as of today, he said. Highville Mustard Seed Charter School is among one project Leng is working on, he said. His company, which has set up a temporary office at Highville, will provide assistance in the areas of administration, operations, benefits and public procurement (purchasing). The six-month contract follows a recent public request from the school for proposals aimed at improving core areas of operations being developed by Highville, according to Leng. "We're very pleased to be working with a professional with the experience level of Leng to help our school and development corporation as we continue to improve our internal operations, rules and regulations," said Highville Board of Directors Vice-Chairman Fatima Ennis-Grant. "I also know that he will be of great help as we get set to launch our new public procurement policy, which has strict standards and requires focused oversight," she said. Leng said he plans not to work with any Hamden businesses to avoid ethical implications. He is the Sixth District representative on the Town Council and sits on several boards and commissions. (CURT - If anyone has any questions or would like to contact me regarding story, please feel free to contact me at councilmancurtleng@sbcglobal.net)

©The Hamden Journal 2006