tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post2192164834754960186..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Is budget crisis at Bexar probation real or an excuse to fire Bill Fitzgerald's enemies?Gritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-56362760984536493572009-07-25T20:50:27.873-05:002009-07-25T20:50:27.873-05:00Fitzgerald lost two points of his first lawsuit......Fitzgerald lost two points of his first lawsuit...rest still pending.<br />He stopped the interviews of all his staff(the famous reapply for your job at Christmas Massacre) and met with his workers who filed the grievance. So, he had to have a lawsuit filed to give in to workers protected rights. Don't think he wanted to he had to. He then ran around the office and lied to his staff and told them he had won his first lawsuit which is a big fat lie. Moot means he complied with what was asked for in the lawsuit. However, Fitz thinks that was a win because two points were met on the lawsuit. Sad thing is most of his managers believed him.<br /><br />The second lawsuit he lost is Steven D. Lara VS William Fitzgerald and Bexar CSCD who was unlawfully terminated and is back at work. I'm sure Mr. Lara has a big fat check in the mail to him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-78032914699225176792009-07-25T18:05:09.460-05:002009-07-25T18:05:09.460-05:00If lawsuits have been won/lost, why doesn't an...If lawsuits have been won/lost, why doesn't anybody post the facts here, instead of being so cryptic about it? Who sued, and who won?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-14540733830787942082009-07-25T15:14:11.881-05:002009-07-25T15:14:11.881-05:00A. Sharp is paranoid in SA, what would you expect ...A. Sharp is paranoid in SA, what would you expect if you work for FRITZ? I guess she heard about Paul's lawsuit!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-85940906506039859952009-07-23T13:23:43.610-05:002009-07-23T13:23:43.610-05:00It would seem reasonable that expenses for lawsuit...It would seem reasonable that expenses for lawsuits have to be included in the department's basic supervision budget(s). You can probably get those through an open records request to TDCJ-CJAD at 512-305-9300, or 209 W. 14th Street, Suite 400, Austin 78701.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-48597961382229797622009-07-23T10:28:10.248-05:002009-07-23T10:28:10.248-05:00Does anyone know how many lawsuits the department ...Does anyone know how many lawsuits the department has paid to settle out of court and the amount of any settlements ? <br /><br />I'm not sure where to find that information or if it is obtainable under the open records law.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-85780222998026730062009-07-22T12:45:06.903-05:002009-07-22T12:45:06.903-05:00I don't think there is any validity to the pea...I don't think there is any validity to the peanut butter comment. If Sharp actually planted her face in Cline's bunghole as alleged, her breath would smell a lot worse than peanut butter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-23931372018818356782009-07-22T07:48:02.031-05:002009-07-22T07:48:02.031-05:00"Grits, if you are really worried about shame..."Grits, if you are really worried about shameful and revealing moments why do you not chastise all comments that are critical. "<br /><br />First, I didn't chastise anyone - the statement you quote reacted to the comment that my use of "union busting" was inappropriate. I think that's a fair characterization of Bill Fitzgerald's record.<br /><br />I don't vet Grits comments before they're published - there are too many of them and it'd be all I do. Every individual is responsible for what they write - I'm not your momma. When the problem gets too severe, as has been the case,for example, on TYC strings, I just shut comments completely off. In this case I don't think the employee venting here rises to that level.<br /><br />Finally, it's one thing to hold a director of a public agency accountable for decisions made in an official capacity, and quite another to spend much energy worrying about what an anonymous blog commenter wrote. One is worthy of chastisement, the other is just people with no power blowing off steam in a relatively harmless forum.<br /><br />I don't understand the peanut comment, either.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-19607073673968132122009-07-21T23:44:52.994-05:002009-07-21T23:44:52.994-05:00Last blog that is free speech! It is ok to disagre...Last blog that is free speech! It is ok to disagree! The blog is to discuss ideas and thoughts.<br /> <br />Some have insulting thoughts.<br /><br />I would say after reading the articles on this Fitzgerald these employees need to vent. <br /><br />Looks like the employees know the bosses read this blog and are giving them some of the behavior the bosses seem to display at work.<br /><br />I love seeing the unfairness come full circle and then the bosses cry. Go and give them heck employees that are oppressed. I don’t even understand the peanut comment?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-36557987830262231102009-07-21T21:47:59.799-05:002009-07-21T21:47:59.799-05:00Grits, if you are really worried about shameful an...Grits, if you are really worried about shameful and revealing moments why do you not chastise all comments that are critical. There are many blogs on this article that speak of corruption, dishonest judges, naming the chief as a dictator, and implying Bexar administration is abusive.<br /><br />There is even one blog before the one you admonish that speaks of Sharp sucking Cline's butt so hard she's got peanut breath. Why don;t these blogs rise to your level of disgust.<br /><br />It is your blog site and you can do what you want. But don't claim to be all sanctamonius when it is obvious you are not.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-54863177471423772062009-07-21T21:25:47.853-05:002009-07-21T21:25:47.853-05:00Thank you Grits. People outside the Union don'...Thank you Grits. People outside the Union don't really know what we are about. We haven't had failures, but it is clear this administration and its management has had plenty. Paul K's lawsuit was finally filed and there is more to come. More to come with information and documention to prove this Administration's deceitful, unethical nature. Those of you who don't choose to believe won't have a choice. Will you feel dirty and stupid for believing this man?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-4018794841426357682009-07-21T05:57:37.189-05:002009-07-21T05:57:37.189-05:00Bill Fitzgerald's own actions earned him the &...Bill Fitzgerald's <a href="http://gritsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2007/01/bexar-probation-chief-plays-scrooge.html" rel="nofollow">own actions earned him</a> the "union buster" label, regardless of any criticisms you may have of the union. That was a shameful and revealing moment.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-25094488787692307582009-07-21T01:46:06.153-05:002009-07-21T01:46:06.153-05:00Union membership is up. Main problem is people wan...Union membership is up. Main problem is people want to quit the department ASAP.<br /><br />Lots going on your just not in the know, last blogger.<br /><br />Two of the people you talk about have personal lawsuits. The union had nothing to do with either lawsuit. One you talk about already won his suit! The others....well I think..<br />You may not want to speak to soon.<br /><br />Better see who they were at lunch with today. I saw myself! Bet you can't guess?<br /><br />The union is not about its leaders it is about a better working environment. The people you talk about do not want you to champion their cause. The union is about employees working for a common cause. The lawsuits are all about to be over. I think we all know who you are last blogger and if not it's sad others are confused. The scornful comments of old members who were ousted is meaning less.<br /><br />The union would love to have new help and leaders. So, step up and help. The more bodies the better. They need help it is a lot of work. I would love to help but have a special needs family member and cannot.<br /><br />People that write blogs about Fitzy not being a union buster just don’t know the facts. Fitzy has a neighbor he told about how he wanted to fire everyone who signed the first petition. This neighbor works where relatives of union members work. Fitzy had a leak on his plan from the start.<br /><br />I think unions fail because it is all very time consuming. Unions don’t try to form 3 times in a good working environment. We saw the pay in Hidalgo County, Dallas and others....Bexar is a problem. Fitzgerald's pay charts are so far messed up he will never be union free.<br /><br />I doubt the union or the 3 you talk about would even care about your blog. I should have not wasted my time to blog either.<br />Dumb statements don't deserve an answer. Sorry, I’m just up late at my 3rd job and bored.<br /><br />I think to sit back and be a critic while others are putting their job on the line to improve conditions to feed their family is a shame. <br /><br />I know all 3 you are talking about and all you do is make their resolve stronger. Kind of like the more shots to the butt you get the tougher you are. This union has lived through tons of retaliation and it will live through negative blogs.<br /><br />Sorry Grits, I should not have entertained the last blogger.<br /><br />I wanted to talk about CJAD....do they feel other CSCD's will have layoffs?<br /><br />So drug dealers should go free, sexual harassment is ok, innocent people go to jail, and the right of free speech and assembly is not a good thing.<br /><br />I cannot relate last blog. Even if you don't like the union leaders, you work in the department you have to know they are right.<br /><br />Guess you will find out soon enough who is right here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-26188345578601929202009-07-20T21:50:03.562-05:002009-07-20T21:50:03.562-05:00In your article you mention that Chief Fitzgerald ...In your article you mention that Chief Fitzgerald is a union buster. The union was never been successful in Bexar County and it had nothing to do with Fitzgerald. Two unions have failed to gather support and a third is currently not gaining any support.<br /><br />The lack of support is due to the poor union leaders and the causes they have chosen to push forward. The people they have chosen to support in their lawsuits has also failed to generate any interest. Steve, Michelle,and Sherry are not people most employees want to <br />follow as a champion for the department.<br /><br />Union leaders are trying to blame their own failures on Bexar County Administration. Lets face it. If the union had something better, union membership would be increasing.<br /><br />ThanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-61260603170629017712009-07-20T10:14:16.419-05:002009-07-20T10:14:16.419-05:00It's amazing how Sharp will show respect and c...It's amazing how Sharp will show respect and courtesy to a blogger that she doesn't know personally, yet acts so high-and-mighty, and disrespectful to the officers that are her coworkers. <br /><br />She fears conflict from grits, yet encourages it from the staff in the same building she's in; by flaunting her unchecked number of smoke breaks, getting to work late and leaving early, and the general nature of the tone of superiority she takes with all she works with --minus Cline, of course. She sucks her butt so hard she's got peanut breath.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-36209807720559169452009-07-19T22:01:43.478-05:002009-07-19T22:01:43.478-05:00Why officers??
Why not Administration??
One admin ...Why officers??<br />Why not Administration??<br />One admin salary equals 3 officers.<br /><br />3 failed audits....the auditor needs to go also with administration.<br /><br />We raided CJAD for auditors who we hired and were still flunking?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-55643439827305173942009-07-19T16:37:52.451-05:002009-07-19T16:37:52.451-05:00This isn't the first time a probation departme...This isn't the first time a probation department has had budget problems, however, their solution is to threaten with layoffs. They feel bullied by the Misdemeanor Judges so they bully back. Another fine example of POOR ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT. The reason the District Judge's haven't moved against him because two of their colleagues were actively involved with the reapplication process a few years ago. That is what the cell phone records between Cline, Harle, and Kazen will reveal. Continue to close your eyes Judge Herr. Next time Bill will grant your reguest for the Manager of your choice just as he did Kazen. The whole dirty unethical affair is revolting. Obviously, these players are highly invested in their salaries and NOT THE COMMUNITY<br /><br />Anyone with the number of lawsuits, terrible audits, UA lab issues, and poor financial administration would have been FIRED!!<br /><br />Thank God there will be elections in 2010.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-53232557855094323682009-07-19T01:50:51.474-05:002009-07-19T01:50:51.474-05:00or if you plce that drunk driver as head of the bu...or if you plce that drunk driver as head of the buss they might jst wet thier panties. lol WONT THEY, YES IM TALKING ABOUT YOU.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-25384914452071117332009-07-19T01:01:02.275-05:002009-07-19T01:01:02.275-05:00!. Miss Sharp: Do you plan to replace the eight fi...!. Miss Sharp: Do you plan to replace the eight field team members that were active case management officers?<br />2. How can Bexar County afford to take eight officers/one manager for NONCASELOAD carrying FIELD TEAM, without losing funding/raises for them? Especially since they are out of their respective units/courts?<br />3. Wasn't there a grant funded car for those sex offender officers?<br />4. Per your own admission, the magic date for the promised raise is as of 8-31-09. Well, as in #2 above, those eight officers will not receive the raise, am I correct?<br />5. Is it true that an officer just left your department earning $31,000 for the same probation job in McAllen where he will start at $41,000? I guess they are having a BUDGET CRUNCH in that booming town/county too.<br />5. I vote that you cancel all promotions over the last 2 years and place all those folks back in caseload management. You see the problem with all the AUDITS are simply PISS POOR MANAGEMENT by those you promoted. <br />6. NOTE: If you put a drunk driver in charge of a bus, you can only expect a bad outcome. Welcome to the worst wreck this county, possibly state, has ever seen!<br />P.S. Bill, what type of "talking to" did you get when you left Yavapai County, Arizona?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-72967219302148600132009-07-18T23:28:57.099-05:002009-07-18T23:28:57.099-05:00To ASharp
Why not make it easier for probationers...To ASharp<br /><br />Why not make it easier for probationers to pay? Keep the cashiers open one night a week! Do something to make it easier for them to not loose a day of payroll to come and pay probation fees? This is a no brainier?<br /><br />Most of your officers are trying to leave because of the climate you have created. They don't care about fees and like the probationers more than the chief. They will never collect the fees administration needs to keep their jobs. They just dont care!!! <br /><br />Report your true retention rates????<br /><br />Keep the dictator and the public suffers. Real good, judges in Bexar County.<br /><br />Most officers want to quit and are not going to squeeze some probationer so he cannot feed his kids.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-40821412043022636772009-07-18T20:50:21.158-05:002009-07-18T20:50:21.158-05:00Ect...is etc....some one check the budget!!!Ect...is etc....some one check the budget!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-75950585951072625962009-07-18T20:48:57.469-05:002009-07-18T20:48:57.469-05:00"There are a number of different calculations..."There are a number of different calculations you can make in the state funding portion of the basic supervision budget. (do we include the health insurance withholding, safp aftercare, and which yrs to compare, ect...) "<br /><br />Did you mean there is a number of different ways you can spin the calculations?<br /><br />Spin it so there is no layoffs!<br /><br />SAFP...what is that? Did you mean the Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facility which is SAFPF?<br /><br />The aftercare should not be in basic supervision budget????<br /><br /> Or are you talking about the aftercare that Treatment Associates provides for SAFPF? I guess in case anyone does not know! Treatment Associates was also give the contract for the Urinalysis Lab as well as the SAFPF aftercare treatment.<br /><br />This is a clear conflict of interest and misdemeanor. If a probationer tested positive then Treatment Associates could then provide the treatment. The more positives the more treatment.<br /><br />Did you know that one... Grits?<br /><br />Pull the contracts. Just call Fitz and ask.<br /><br />Maybe all those False Positives were to drum up business for Treatment Associates? Who knows?<br /><br />Judge Herr warned you...did she not? I guess then Judge Herr knew also about the conflict? Is she over the drug court? Maybe Judge Herr does not want Fitz to leave to protect herself? Makes horse- sense. Does Reed know all this?<br /><br />Wonder if you ever thought anyone would care about this? No, they are just probationers. No one cares about them?<br /><br />Wouldn't the irony of the situation be if some of those who did not care about the Urinalysis Lab have to use it some day for their own probation? Makes you think?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-17690138133591607272009-07-18T19:00:39.300-05:002009-07-18T19:00:39.300-05:00"The discussion above is only on one funding ..."The discussion above is only on one funding stream. The raises for staff are budgeted and funded by the state and awarded seperately."<br /><br />So....Sharp when you got your raise it was from the state? When did you get that raise? Willing to go back to your old salary for the public's safety? Your raise is less than a year old....administration took a raise without officers getting one. Now administration needs to step up <br />and give back what you took. <br /><br />Separately....is spelled with the a in place of the e..... Check the budget maybe there are some mistakes there also??? Hey, thanks for stepping up and posting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-19112859916096293472009-07-18T18:08:48.089-05:002009-07-18T18:08:48.089-05:00The ones ultimately responsible for these trends a...The ones ultimately responsible for these trends are the County Curt at Law Judges and Fitzgerald. Why do I mention this? The Judges are pissed at Fitsgerald for what ever reasons they have and as a result they are lowering supervisory fees $10.00 to $30.00. When the law states they can charge up to $60.00 monthly. Then if the defendant is unable to pay then they waive the fees altogether. Who are the ones that gets hurt, it is the OFFICERS, not the Judges, not A Sharp are the rest of the administration (Kline, Esquivelle, Boore or Mary). If they dont care for Fitzgerald lets call the meeting and get rid of him and stop hurthing the OFFICERS / SUPPORT STAFF.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-4386914110436453722009-07-18T17:47:40.135-05:002009-07-18T17:47:40.135-05:00Grits,
While I can see this may be a place for p...Grits, <br /><br />While I can see this may be a place for personal attacks, I believe you posed a question that some have interest. <br /><br />There are a number of different calculations you can make in the state funding portion of the basic supervision budget. (do we include the health insurance withholding, safp aftercare, and which yrs to compare, ect...) In keeping with the CJAD funding announcement I used the 3.15% decline which was off the last biennium, not fiscal year. This point is not clearly made in the article from SA Express. Out of the 122 CSCD's in the State, a total of 44 had a negative percent change in basic supervision funding according to the funding worksheet. The funding is formulaic and is defined in statute. Personal feelings, opinions, or even blog comments toward anyone can't change the formula. How the decrease hurts the really small cscd's as well as the large?? <br /><br />The discussion above is only on one funding stream. The raises for staff are budgeted and funded by the state and awarded seperately. The fund for raises will be calculated from the 8-31-09 payroll and will be distributed later. The funding for the raises isn't included in the overall basic supervision funding for next fiscal year. Once that award is made and if you add it to our previously referenced funding the amount released to Bexar may overall increase. I think that could be what you were looking for at the end of your post and to Steven & Shell. <br /><br />The issue most at hand at this time, is the collection of fees. We have seen declination trend in collection of fees going back through Sep. 09 and consistently trending 5-10% below similar month comparisons. Since May 13, the Misdemeanor collections levels dropped, and now measure consistenly -28% when measured on a daily basis. Since collection of fees represent approximately 1/2 of the basic supervision budget, this trend is very concerning. You seem to have a good understanding of the fees collection issue. Thanks for the space, A.Sharpasharpnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-65891408105153464212009-07-18T17:18:01.327-05:002009-07-18T17:18:01.327-05:00If Bexar is adding 3 new county courts, has the hi...If Bexar is adding 3 new county courts, has the highest crime rise in the nation...why would there be layoffs.<br /><br />Seems if the judge's can not do their job the lawsuits need to move to them?<br /><br />County Commissioners need to step in here. This silly Fitzgerald may be hired by the judges but as a citizen I expect the County Commissioners to watch over my tax paying safety. If a state agency goes rouge then come on commissioners do your job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com