tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post8841949176412890286..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Easter reflections and roundup on TYCGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-16554604224400065232007-04-12T08:51:00.000-05:002007-04-12T08:51:00.000-05:00Speaking on the local teacher issue, I can assure ...Speaking on the local teacher issue, I can assure you teachers are in short supply everywhere, especially since NCLB and "highly qualified", the extra year of science required in High School, etc. This is just another example of the legislature jumping in with both feet before thinking...reactive behavior is the norm these days in Austin. This is exactly what we are trying so hard to teach TYC youth NOT to do...react without thinking. Maybe some of the legislators need to take a look at their 'thinking errors'. But I am just a lowly taxpayer and voter, so what do I know? I'll tell you what I know - some of the Senators and Reps who are trying to pull these facilities out of 'rural' areas should prepare themselves...the voters are watching and West Texas is where your bread is buttered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-1274353681311328482007-04-10T22:54:00.000-05:002007-04-10T22:54:00.000-05:00If the house bill goes to the floor that closes fa...If the house bill goes to the floor that closes facilities larger than 100 bed, where are they going to house all the kids. They expect this to happen in a year. No new construction has been approved for TYC (I don't think I've seen any yet), has land already been purchased in these large counties or does someone's brother in law have large empty warehouses or something ready for remodeling.<BR/>New fencing, security cameras, telephone lines, computer lines will have to installed at all the little facilities. Teachers would come from local school districts..okay if the they have extra teachers, but what if some of the school districts don't have teachers that want to teach in that environment..assuming a lot aren't we..where is the money coming for all of this, not just pay JCO's more money.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-42272276716183485702007-04-09T13:42:00.000-05:002007-04-09T13:42:00.000-05:00Wow! Some of those issues listed to be talked abo...Wow! Some of those issues listed to be talked about are pretty hot topics right now among TYC employees- especially the facility locations and closures. Thanks for keeping us informed!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-40550510428345731372007-04-09T13:36:00.000-05:002007-04-09T13:36:00.000-05:00On TYC, there are some in Wednesday's House Correc...On TYC, there are some in <A HREF="http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/schedules/html/C2002007041108001.htm" REL="nofollow">Wednesday's House Corrections hearing</A>. I'm going to try to get to that today or tomorrow a.m., but that's all I've seen so far.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-65073797106083485522007-04-09T11:42:00.000-05:002007-04-09T11:42:00.000-05:00Hey Grits- do you know of any more legislative hea...Hey Grits- do you know of any more legislative hearings scheduled about any TYC issues?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-69971789779006058562007-04-09T00:48:00.000-05:002007-04-09T00:48:00.000-05:00Pure CYA on the part of Ben Raimer and UTMB. Disgu...Pure CYA on the part of Ben Raimer and UTMB. Disgusting. Disgusting, but typical of UTMB.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-17938556416912147772007-04-08T22:51:00.000-05:002007-04-08T22:51:00.000-05:00Amen Scott. "We're all better than the worst thing...Amen Scott. "We're all better than the worst thing we have ever done!"<BR/>Inside or outside the system.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-14187943198587091862007-04-08T21:57:00.000-05:002007-04-08T21:57:00.000-05:00I was surfing the web and saw where Sen. Juan “Chu...I was surfing the web and saw where <BR/>Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, was interviewed by the Monitor and he is just so clueless. He has no problem stating other TYC facilities should close but when Evins Unit is mentioned he becomes defensive and states this facility should not be slated for closure, could this be because it is in his district??? He goes onto to state the youth should be close to their famlies, the biggest problem TYC has had over the past 10 years has been the Evins Unit, because the youth from the valley went to this unit and the parents would smuggle drugs and contraband to their children. A decision was made to send some of the valley youth to other facilities to break this operation up. And when they did not smuggle this stuff in they just became employed there and would bring it through the gates. This is an elected official who appears to be clueless of whats in his own back yard. But it is okay to close other facilities down as long as I get to keep mine. I am glad you are looking out for the best interests of the agency (TYC) and not your political future. And while your at it raise the employees salaries $500 a month so they can afford to live in these bigger cities that you keep harping about, and you have a degree???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-89036341901042036112007-04-08T16:19:00.000-05:002007-04-08T16:19:00.000-05:00I second that Anthony. May He bless the souls of e...I second that Anthony. May He bless the souls of each of these men and women who brave the uncertainty with the love of Christ in his/her heart. We love you West Texas!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-32040765854345806822007-04-08T16:06:00.000-05:002007-04-08T16:06:00.000-05:00Easter is a time of great hope for the victory Chr...Easter is a time of great hope for the victory Christ has demonstrated over sin and death! I believe that God has a plan for all of us. I also believe all things work out for the greater good of His works. No government official holds his office without it being the will of God. God has the power to use evil people to work for good.<BR/><BR/>May the peace of God be with you. Go forth in the world with His protection and leadership. Let the world see Christ in you so others might be forgiven and rise up with a new life in Him. Amen.<BR/><BR/>Rev. Anthony Mikulastik<BR/>Criminal Justice ChaplainAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-65671017605873458512007-04-08T14:29:00.000-05:002007-04-08T14:29:00.000-05:00My heart goes out to all of you WTSS staff. I know...My heart goes out to all of you WTSS staff. I know this is a difficult time, and this uncertainty has to be stressful. We are thinking of all you. You all are certainly in my prayers. I pray we stay alive out there because you are some of the finest Texans I've ever met. We love you, and we feel you. Hang in there guys…Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-3706075075004068312007-04-08T13:41:00.000-05:002007-04-08T13:41:00.000-05:00@ 1:13, I don't know "for sure," but here's the ar...@ 1:13, I don't know "for sure," but <A HREF="http://www.texasinsider.org/local_news/Fresh_Ink_MikeWard-04-03-07-ClosingTYCUnitsCouldHarmCommunities.htm" REL="nofollow">here's the article</A> where I got the information, and <A HREF="http://img.coxnewsweb.com/B/02/88/58/image_5258882.jpg" REL="nofollow">here's a chart</A> the Statesman published that shows Pyote closing. I wish I could confirm one way or another, and I apologize if I stated that prematurely.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-10532228475440134592007-04-08T13:13:00.000-05:002007-04-08T13:13:00.000-05:00Hey grits...do you know something for sure about t...Hey grits...do you know something for sure about the West Texas facility closing?..please advise where you got this information, as I know about 250 people who would like for somebody to confirm one way or another. Care to share your source?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-87176407770717458492007-04-08T13:10:00.000-05:002007-04-08T13:10:00.000-05:00I for one do not have an issue with releasing thes...I for one do not have an issue with releasing these youth, I believe the problem come when you have a program in place (Resocialization-phase assessment) and we are telling all the youth who enter TYC this is what they have to do but at the same time we are saying but this does not apply to the 500 we are releasing this week. I understand this is grandstanding and politics by the "Conserver tor" but would it not make more sense to change the criteria and rules and then follow that criteria. The reason you have not seen any new solutions to the problems is based upon politicians. We have an acting Executive Director that might have a clouded past with TDCJ, a "Conserver tor" who might have been involved with the West Texas scandal making the decisions. Politicians (Whitmire, Hinijosa, Perry office) that received e-mails and the Rangers report when this broke but no one is looking into this. We have Administrators in charge who allowed an employee break the law by having marijuana in a state vehicle and not call the police, a girl (youth) on this same campus become pregnant by someone, this same campus has the highest rate of abuse, but nothing has come of this administrator. If we really want to do the right thing lets come up with a new plan and make all abide by the rules,10 through 13 years old on one campus, 19 year olds to TDCJ, vocational programs that actually gives a kid a chance once he leaves, pay raises for all TYC/TDCJ employees, a government that does not turn a blind eye on funding for 10 years and then wonders why there is a problem, consequences for youth that assault staff, and honest Administrators. I could go on and one but I am late for the "Egg hunt". Happy EasterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-66231020667171875232007-04-08T12:56:00.000-05:002007-04-08T12:56:00.000-05:00The link should work now, 11:43. Thanks for the he...The link should work now, 11:43. Thanks for the heads up.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-11673191024463847662007-04-08T11:43:00.000-05:002007-04-08T11:43:00.000-05:00GritsJust letting you know the 12 kids scheduled f...Grits<BR/>Just letting you know the 12 kids scheduled for release link isn't working.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-40821482349001911102007-04-08T10:15:00.000-05:002007-04-08T10:15:00.000-05:00God, please make UTMB go away. Please?God, please make UTMB go away. Please?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-14085716146671893332007-04-08T08:57:00.000-05:002007-04-08T08:57:00.000-05:00Amen Grits, Amen. Thanks for bringing back into f...Amen Grits, Amen. Thanks for bringing back into focus who is really in control of the TYC situation- God. For all the complaining and jabbing of each other on this site- we all do have one thing in common; passion. We need to be doing a LOT of praying that the right things happen with TYC this time.<BR/>Thank you for your post, your Easter wishes and for the reminder of who we need to be looking to and asking for help from. God.<BR/>Happy Easter Grits and everyone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com