Since its inception in the 1960s, the Vicksburg Housing Authority has been a well-managed organization.

That applies to the early years when the late Percy Coleman was director. And it has applied during the two decades since James Stirgus Sr. left the helm of the Vicksburg Municipal Separate School District when it merged with the Warren County Public Schools in 1987. Stirgus had an exemplary career as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent, always encouraging students to work hard, be honest and as self-reliant as possible — and he brought that same zeal to the VHA.

Since he became chief of the Vicksburg Police Department in October 2001, Tommy Moffett has worked consistently to increase pride and professionalism in a department that was in disarray, having had about seven chiefs in five years.

The first time I heard his name, I picked up the phone and called The Sun Herald to talk to a reporter for the Gulf Coast newspaper. Moffett was coming to Vicksburg from Biloxi after 24 years there. “You’re getting a good guy,” she said. “He won’t volunteer a lot, but he’ll tell you the truth if you ask a question.” He’s fit that description completely.

These two public officials have locked horns.

Their not-so-public opinions of each other became very public when the four commissioners of the Vicksburg Housing Authority met last week.

Stirgus works for the commission. Moffett went to the meeting and quizzed the members, in essence asking them to provide more direct oversight of VHA activities and, to paraphrase, not just assume they were being told everything they needed to know.

Stirgus, to put it mildly, took offense and renewed his criticism, to put it mildly, of Moffett’s abilities as police chief.

All of this has roiled to the surface since the December arrest of Charles Jones, a VHA employee Stirgus had mentored and trusted, on cocaine trafficking charges. Grand jury action on Jones’ case is pending.

Where the public’s interest comes in is that a well-managed public housing authority and a top-performing police department are essential public assets. The better they do, the better for everyone.

Many people misunderstand HUD, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, thinking it was created to help poor people. But across most of the nation that hasn’t been true. HUD is a sprawling, unaccountable, often corrupt bureaucracy that exists to funnel as much money as possible to select insiders who, in turn, do as little as possible for the people they claim to serve.

Life in public housing can be and for millions of people is a nightmare. The VHA, which operates largely with HUD money, has risen above its parent’s reputation. Living in one of the 430 homes and apartments is far from posh, far from 100 percent peaceful all the time and, as we have learned, not universally free of drunks and druggies. But it’s been one heck of a lot better here than almost any other city in America.

Many people misunderstand Moffett. The town was accustomed to active law enforcement leadership. Moffett is an administrator, a believer in rules and regimentation. If he even has blue lights and a siren in his sedan, he’s probably never turned them on.

Suffice it to say both he and Stirgus have not had making friends as their first priority. Both are extremely task-oriented.

It would be a reach to say their conflict is rooted in their similarities. Might even get someone shot. Further, such a comparison would be almost as pointless as picking sides.

If Stirgus and Moffett have their differences, well, that’s that. It’s between them.

If, however, their differences detract from the work both have done for a better Vicksburg, that will be tragic for all of us.