Read any of the recent stories about the Butler County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, and three phrases appear repeatedly — “would not comment,” “for undisclosed personnel reasons” and “did not say.”

The lack of information concerning recent internal turmoil at the agency, centering on the placement of the executive director and another top official on paid leaves and the resignation of a top finanicial official at the agency has people talking and asking questions.

The behind-the-scenes drama at an agency that spends taxpayers’ dollars also has people speculating. And as is often the case in such cases, some of the speculation of wrongdoing is probably worse than the truth.

With the authority meeting on these matters Friday morning, the board has an opportunity — many would say a duty — to change the tone, to end the evasion and answer some questions.

To recap: executive director Perry O’Malley was placed on indefinite paid leave on Jan. 15; Sandra Reges, operations manager, was put on a two-week leave on Feb. 18, then her leave was extended by a week. Reges had been appointed to a newly created position, but the board rescinded the promotion on Feb. 6.

Adding to the msytery, the agency’s former comptroller, Dave Schnur, resigned in early January.

While still respecting the privacy of the people involved, the authority’s board can — and should — do more to explain what’s going on.

How long does the board intend to let this drag on before offering some explanations? It’s been too quiet for too long.

The public expects more than “no comment” when it comes to issues effecting the operation of an agency that spends millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money.

In the county government center, Controller Ben Holland has become concerned enough at what’s going on at the housing authority that he is withholding county payments to the authority because of the uncertainty surrounding the two paid leaves and Schnur’s resignation.

Where are the county commissioners on this? The commissioners have a responsibility to act on behalf of taxpayers and ensure the agency, whose board members are appointed by the commissioners, is operating properly and in the interests of taxpayers. Commissioner Jim Eckstein has expressed concern and has been asking questions. Why are commissioners Dale Pinkerton and Bill McCarrier remaining silent?

Adding to concerns about the housing and redevelopment authority was a report by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which criticized O’Malley for missing two deadlines for converting two housing units to Section 8 status. The authority says it is working with HUD to try to resolve the problems, but it could be something, even if a technicality, that puts some funding at risk.

Again, no answers or explanations from the board.

The board has a chance on Friday to reverse past oversights regarding the turmoil at the county housing and redevelopment authority.