The Texas Civil Rights Project's Jim Harrington tells the Statesman and a local TV station that one week isn't long enough to leave the Executive Director's job posting open. Harrington says he "smells duplicity and that a ‘fix is in’ for a particular candidate.”
I'm sure that's true. Conservator Richard Nedelkoff already said he had a short list of candidates in mind, so this doesn't bother me a lot - I already expected him to pick his own person. Under acting executive director Dimitria Pope, often top jobs weren't posted at all before they were filled, so personally I gave the conservator credit for at least going through the motions.
That said, if Harrington or anybody else have folks in mind they think deserve a shot, by all means forward them the job description. The job was posted last Friday, so it's still open through Thursday (Jan. 31) for anyone masochistic enough to apply.
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79 comments:
One week is too long to wait for Dementia's departure ! ! !
While I agree that a one-week posting is not very long, it is long enough for anyone interested to apply. If Mr. Nedelkoff has someone in mind, so be it. He couldn't make any worse mistakes than the governor and the legislature did with Kimbrough, Owens, and Pope. Money should have been spent a year ago to find the best juvenile justice expert in the nation. However, the money was spent to pad the pockets of a few instead of being spent for the youth of Texas. The agency now has a bigger mess to clean up than it did when all this started. I believe both the governor and the legislature now realize that they made some really bad mistakes and that they expect Mr. N to fix them. Give Mr. N a chance to right some very serious wrongs.
I totally agree with 5:54 p.m. As long as it's not Dementia that gets the job!
Dementia is damaged goods. Instead of fixing things she made matters worse. I am just hoping that the conservator does the right thing and brings his own person.
At this point, anyone is an upgrade over Dementia.
You know its not like this is the JOB OF THE YEAR to LAND! This would be the job from Hell!
One other thing I have noticed on the website that some posting are only lasting about a week or so. Use to it would take two weeks to close a job posting. Then it would take weeks on weeks to get someone hired or even offered a job. Took me along time to hear when I applied. Tyc is losing lots of position for the mere fact that it takes so long to hire. By then the applicants have found another position and you have to start over.
I believe that they need to close these positions sooner than later. But of course those who do not or never have worked for TYC can not understand this.
You only have to post a job for a week if you already have someone picked for it. Do you really think he came here without someone in mind? That would be crazy. I agree, anything would be better than what we've got.
The ED position was posted earlier this year as "open until filled." Around May, I think. Dimitria applied, and rumor is the Gov has other apps on his desk. Perhaps Nedelkoff is choosing from that pool of applicants.
It may not be the job of the year, but it's an important one to the youth of Texas and TYC employees. This position commands it be filled with a qualified juvenile corrections expert. One with ethics, integrity, leadership ability, dependability, humility, modesty, sense of humor and good communication skills. All the qualities that Dementia failed to show her employees and thus created the mess we are currently in. It should be mandatory that this person work at a facility for a year to walk the walk and talk the talk. That is the only way they will be able to take the pulse of TYC and find it's cure.
The guv should not be allowed to interview, hire or appoint anyone for this job and applicants with large egos and the need for a large office, need not apply.
This seems like a classic damned if you do, if you don't, kind of situation for Nedelkoff.
He is caught between acting quickly to solve a terrible situation that could easily get worse in a heartbeat, and going through a slower, more thorough national search.
And there is still the possibility of TYC being put into sunset, or being subject to further reform legislation / reorganization.
On the other hand, he is intent on replacing Pope asap, which is good. I'm sure I know less about this than Harrington, but I wonder if this really merits accusations of "duplicity" (esp after all the crap that has happened this past year that rises to the level of more serious duplicity).
Is there a long line of qualified candidates beating the door down for this job?
How long exactly should Nedelkoff drag out this search? Are there specific state guidelines that apply here?
Bill B.
This is much ado about nada.
1) Under Conservatorship, no posting is necessary.
2) Like any good Conservator (or manager), this one has recruited applicants, not just sat around wondering who might apply.
3) If he is not satisfied with the applicant pool or they choose not to take the offer, he can repost the position--or not.
4) That he has made this process immediate and short demonstrates both that he is ill amused with the acting director and has no intentions of making this a long-term sweet deal for himself.
I for one am incouraged by this.
It is the same o same o out in the fields. You still have the "I" people taking good programs and chuncking them just because they don't understand them or know how to make them work for TYC. Thousands of tax dollars are still being used foolishly for the new programs when the ones there work great if only we had some "We" people.
"I" people= I want, I did, I will, I have...IIIII
"We" people= Those that already do the jobs and know how they work. "We" need to sit down and talk this out and why things don't need to be changes just because you are an "I" person and don't want to listen.
I am sick of my tax dollars being washed down the drain.
Remember this: Don't fix something that is not broke.... If it works use it.... Oh well it's just money that could have gone for something good.
I bet there are many qualified applicants eager to accept a career ending job as ED of TYC. Talk about a black mark on the job history working for TYC goes to the top of the list.
There are so many people working for TYC that are counterproductive it will be a tough job getting the place back on track. Not to mention that no one seems to have an idea of what to do with TYC programming. TYC is a lost cause.
I am sure that when he took the job, Mr. Nedelkoff discussed a short list of possible candidates with the governor.
A the lower levels there has always been a kind of unwritten understanding in state government that if you were not invited to apply, you will not be considered. Making un-invited application is a way of letting upper management know that you are interested so that you might get on the invitation list next time around.
I do not know Mr. Nedelkoff and I have no insider information on the ED selection process he will use.
I agree with 1/30/2008/8:06; He would not have taken the job if he didn't understand the perimeters of his "free rein" to select an ED.
To Bill B: Did you ever wonder how Mr. Nedelkoff was initially identified as a possible candidate for this postition?
I wish him the best. I noticed that he didn't give up his "Day Job".
Retired 2004
I think it has been said previously that a trained monkey would be a step up. Somewone call PT Barnum and ask if they can spare one for a while. Might as well add some comic relief to this trajedy. TYC is sunk and it should be put out of Texas' misery anyway. A new start is needed so as to flush a toilet full of crappy people. Afterwards, the good ones will float to the top and survive the dunking.
As long as they are not ex TDCJ black Females...
i agree that he would be criticized either way. I also am encouraged he is not acting as though this is his final destination. Of course he didn't quite his day job. The conservator position will dissolve during the next legislative session and a new board is in place.
Scott:Please remove 8:22's comment. Racism was offensive when it was presented by d'Pope and remains so now. I found her comment to be offensive. Likewise, I would not chose to be associated with bigots on the other side, even in the disquise of attempted humor.
Dont know if the following is true so maybe some of you fellow bloggers can assit with this question.
It has been said that Paul Bartush has been telling staff at CO that he has been promised the Deputy position just vacated by Billy Humphrey and that after he is announced he has promised Gwan a Regional Director position. I was under the impresion we had gotten away from appointments?
It certainly wouldn't surprise any of us if Bartush replaced Humphrey and promoted Gwan--TYC continues to be corrupt and no one that could actually do something is willing to "rock the boat" and do it because they are afraid the public might find out the real truth about TYC. This is a total shame. Oh well, speaking of crooked, corrupt activity does anyone know if the following is actually true? It was said that there was a big Gang fight in the cafeteria at Gainesville tonight and when the youth involved were in security K. Hater asked them if they had eaten and when they said "no" the Asst. Supt. ordered them Pizza from the Pizza Inn. I hope this is a misunderstanding--surely that didn't really happen (although the people talking about it are very reliable sources.) If any of you know the truth, could you clear this up? If this really happened, hopefully it was the "last straw" of stupidity for Hawthorne and Haider.
Why is it that no matter what the original subject, you haters get off on your own personal vendettas? Right now it is the Gainesville haters association, but on other posts we have had haters from Crockett, VFCA and WTSS. Get a life, people - and stick to the subject. Good grief, you give us all a bad name.
Why is it that no matter what the original subject, you haters get off on your own personal vendettas?
The truth bites really hard don't it. It must really gall those who used to have all the power not to have it anymore. Sides .. who made you board monitor?
If it makes you feel any better, I don't think anyone gives a rats behind if it takes a week or 24 hours to replace Pope as long as it's done.
Good grief, you give us all a bad name.
Oh please. Buy a clue, or at the least pick up a newspaper. TYC already has a bad name. Sit quietly and do nothing if it makes you feel better but get the heck out of our way as this is our opportunity to get long time issues and dirty little secrets out in the open.
In fact ALL should be writing the Governor's office and the legislature with everything going on at your school .. don't forget to send a copy to the DMN.
Cannot verify the pizza story but can verify the fight and Gainesville is in lock down.
01-30 11:57 a.m.
Get a life??? Haters???? You give us all a bad name???
Ok, where's the candid camera??? You've got to be kidding me (and the rest of us that actually have a clue about TYC.) Either you are the one without a clue or you are one of the corrupt Administrators we keep referring to. TYC is in the worst shape it's ever been in and "we" are making everyone look bad???--wasn't that your terminology? The kids (which should be the main concern) cannot be rehabilitated or even treated appropriately as long as there is corrupt Administrations (regardless from which school you refer to the "haters")
The actual TYC staff that are trying to do their jobs and put out information on this blog (and other places) are looking out for the kids and wanting to make TYC what it needs to be--there are no personal agendas--it really sucks to hear the truth doesn't it??? Oh, that clears things up--you are one of the Administrators--not sure if you're from Gainesville, Crockett, VFSS or one of the others you mentioned but it doesn't really matter--you just proved that's why we continue to have problems and things continue to get worse. So, hopefully others on this Blog will be really concerned about your ridiculous comments and just stick their head in the sand so we don't offend anyone. Please, get for real. Yes there was a big gang fight and the pizza story is true. Oops, sorry I guess that's coming from a "Hater." How did this get to be the employees fault??? Again, from people sticking their head in the sand. I have the utmost respect for those that put out the information whether throgh this blog or through other means--the truth hasn't exactly leaked out through any other resources or means.
We get it already, there are people you don't like and there are people who were appointed to positions without a competitive process. We keep hearing the same names over and over, most probably from the same people. You are beating a farts out of dead seagulls. Move on!
If you are so interested in doing what is right, as opposed to running your own personal vendettas, why is it that whenever Scott puts up a post about restorative justice, so few of you respond?
We keep hearing the same names over and over
That's cause they earned it .. and it will continue till someone listens.
You are beating a farts out of dead seagulls. Move on!
We making you nervous or just angry cause you can't control the discussion?
If you are so interested in doing what is right, as opposed to running your own personal vendettas, why is it that whenever Scott puts up a post about restorative justice, so few of you respond?
And I ask again ... who made you board monitor?
To 7:49 Why you confirm that ridiculous pizza story? You ARE a Hater. You either don't know but want people to think you do or you just choose to tell a bald faced lie. I'm sorry you're so unhappy with your job.
Ok since we are all Haters, I usually just read for entertainment purposes, but I have to say this, I am dedicated to my job but Gang fight please, that was a full riot last night at Gainesville but we no longer have riots at TYC. This is not the first one this is just one of many that have occured over the past few weeks, with promises from the youth that there is more to come. Forgive me if we haters have to vent because no one will listen when we file complaints through the employee complaint system, they send good ol joes golfing budding to intimidate the staff, say it didn't happen and go have drinks with the super at the end of the day. No one has taken notice that the two dorms on the campus at Gainesville that are out of control and have been for some time are supervised by Paul Bartush's boy wonder Bateman......I don't know about anyone else but I don't feel safe.......my next step is to an attorney's office, DMN, and legislature for what good it would do.
TYC has had major riots and issues for the past few months (Mart II-I, Crockett, Evins, Al Price) and none of this gets to the press. It' not good for business when this kind of stuff gets reported, remember were in better hands now since Ms. Pope is in charge.
I woul not advise going to the press unless you have hard facts unless of course you just won the lottery.
I think what 7:56 is trying to tell you folks is to warn you what you sound like to the outside. I have a life-long friend who is a former legislator. Since he is still connected to people who could help us, I have been soliciting his help. There are some legislators who want to help. But, they are bucking the tide.
Personal attacks on individuals appear like we are more interested in settling scores than doing what is best for the kids and the agency. That guy who calls himself Rage Judiaca represents what a lot of people think of us. Report things that happen, and leave the personal attacks out. Otherwise, we lose all credibility.
AMEN!
Well, why don't you explain how restorative justice and TYC are related?
If you want to people to become interested in things outside their world, and trust me most field staff work far too many hours to see much of anything else, you have to entice them, educate them, make them want to know more. Don't just throw something out there, judging them because they don't do what you think they should. Not much better than the posters you are complaining about if you ask me.
and by the way, there are many posts Scott puts up that people don't respond to.
Scott has done quite a bit of explanation about restorative justice. Go read the blog on the kids of incarcerated parents. Share your thoughts about the experiences you have had with kids in TYC who have incarcerated parents. Are you about punishing and warehousing kids, or are you about changing their lives? Be creative and share your ideas on how these kids can be helped. Better, share what you have learned from dealing with your TYC kids in terms of what might have been done to help them long before they got involved in crime. Old Salty
Let's see, we could employ former offenders who have turned thier lives around and show the kids that it can be done, and they're still employable. Oh, shoot, we just fired tham all, didn't we. Brilliant. Maybe we could hire them back and restore the kids hope.
Dementia is just trying to stir things up because she's getting ready to get the sack! Mark my words she'll be gone ina week.
WOW, now I understand why I left TYC. There are so many carring staff that work hard and want to change the kids life, but they are overpowered by the under-educated, lazy crybabies that spend too much time complaining while sitting on their butts and letting other's do the work. Why don't you try doing something novel like coming up with solutions to help the facilities and programs. Not every kid at TYC is a throw away, and not all the staff are idiots, but those who are too lazy or stupid to do their jobs, and spend all there time complaining and trashing others make the job twice as hard for all the others.
ex-tyc
Nedelkoff spoke to the juvenile chief's summit in Austin earlier this week. He's an impressive guy who knows what he is doing. Says he "has taken multi-tasking to a new level" but that he "feels the agency is ready to heal."
He says he has many "important decisions to make in the next days, weeks, and months."
He says within 60 days, he'll have a roadmap on where the agency is headed and he said that on his 24th day as conservatior.
Says he'll "build a strong management team, a team that will "produce, reform and lead the change."
His priorities are staff training and development and he wants staff that want to work for TYC, ehlp kids, and do things right.
He wants to identify which facilities the agency will operate but that some will close.
He wants kids placed closer to where they live and wants robust treatment programs.
Nedelkoff appeared to be worn out and exasperated by his task but certainly appears to be on top of things and the shoes should start dropping soon.
He feels that as conservator, he basically answers to no one on the many decisions he must make. What can they do, fire him?
My impression was that given time and making the important personnel decisions, TYC will start the process of rebuilding the agency but that it's going to take a hell of a long time before it is functioning the way it should.
Plato
Oh, and I forgot to add that you nervous nelly's who get caught up in all this procedural bullshit (number of days a vacancy is posted, )people like Mr. Harrington, need to get real. There's a war on at TYC and many battlefield decisions must be made. Quit pissing and moaning like sissies (state employees) and let Nelelkoff do his job. He'll make mistakes but at least there will be progressive movement.
Plato
Plans to hire a permanent executive director at the embattled Texas Youth Commission hit a snag Thursday, as an influential state senator blasted the agency's temporary boss for overstepping his authority.
Senate Criminal Justice Committee Chairman John Whitmire, co-chairman of a special legislative committee overseeing reforms at the troubled agency, questioned whether Conservator Richard Nedelkoff had authority to raise the maximum salary for applicants to $160,000 when the Legislature had capped it at $125,000.
(enlarge photo)
Richard Nedelkoff posted top director job for a week.
Harry Cabluck/ASSOCIATED PRESS
(enlarge photo)
Sen. John Whitmire is 'seriously concerned' about offer.
"I'm seriously concerned about what's going on out there," Whitmire said.
Nedelkoff, a nationally recognized juvenile justice expert who was appointed conservator in December, expressed confidence that he was within his authority.
"Is there a tougher job in juvenile corrections in the United States? I don't think so," he said. "I am trying to put in place a foundation to fix TYC. ... I'm moving as fast as I can."
Whitmire, D-Houston, is a close friend of Dimitria Pope's. The agency's acting executive director is paid about $125,000 and has not publicly indicated whether she is applying for the permanent post. Whitmire said that has nothing to do with his current concerns.
He said Nedelkoff posted the job for only one week, ending Thursday. "A job of that importance, with a salary increase that significant, would only take common sense to know that it should be posted for 60 or 90 days to make sure you get the best applicants," he said.
When the job was posted a week ago, the salary range was listed as $114,288 to $160,000, which, at the high end, would rank with the heads of much larger agencies.
Nedelkoff wrote the governor's budget office and Legislative Budget Board seeking permission to raise the upper limit to $160,000 on Monday, after the application period had begun.
In a memo to lawmakers, the board noted that a conservator can make no more than the executive director of the agency under conservatorship. Nedelkoff is being paid $160,000, according to the memo.
Whitmire said Nedelkoff overstepped his bounds. "He comes in here from Florida making changes in legislative intent, and I've got serious issues with him doing that," he said.
how obvious is this...Rising Sun
Plato,
When I had math in school, the time between December 21, when the conservator was appointed, and February 1 is not 24 days but 41 days. Are you using modern math or modern ethics?
Rising Sun,
Exactly. It's totally obvious.
Where was Whitmire last week when the story broke about Dementia's spending spree. Were those new carpets purchased according to "legislative intent," as Whitmire puts it? Whitmire was noticeably silent through all of that.
The writing on the wall is this: Dementia is out, and Whitmire is sour grapes. If Whitmire knew that Dementia was going to get that job, he wouldn't be bitching about that nice salary...cuz *she* would be getting it.
What a jerk.
The Conservator sent out a message a few minutes ago that stated that he is extending the deadline "until filled" to give adequate time for a permanent placement. He also said that he will continue to "move quickly" to fill the position.
Where was Whitmire's concern over money when Dementia was spending the JCO money on furnishing her version of the Taj Mahal? How close to retirement will 60-90 days put Dementia? Stop taking your press so seriously, John Boy. When push comes to shove, your just a man, and if the truth be known, not much of one.
HAHAHAA!! Pooooor Whitmire.
Imagine it...
"Lissen here, boy (clicks fingernails) - you know you tol' Pope I could do what I wanted to give TYC my 'personal touch'. If you don' want the world hearing about YOUR 'personal touch' straight from Pope's mouth, you betta get out in front of this Nedelkoff boy and but a stop to this business click, click. Pope has outlasted 2 conservators already, he ain't nothin but a bug imma squash!"
OK. That was mean and serves no purpose. I apologize.
HAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!
Politics never cease to amaze me. Senator Whitmire had no problems with Ed Owens moving Whitmire's good friend Demetria into the position with no posting, but now he has some "serious concerns" with Richard Nedelkoff. He also apparently had no problems with her spending at least $26000 remodeling her office, which the legislature denied funds for. What exactly was the "legislative intent" that Sen. Whitmire has a problem with?
6:36 Mean, yes... racist, no... Whitmire and d'Pope bashing in same comment, yes... seems totally reasonable to me.
When will Madden stand up for Texas against Madden...come to think of it, when will any legislator stand up for what is right instead of what lines their pockets?
Everyone that reads this blog should not vote for any incumbents in the House or Senate that are up for re-election this year, name one that has done anything to remedy this pile of mess called TYC, and you may convince me to change my mind.
I'll never vote for any incumbent again.
Whitmire has bitten off more than he can chew.
Watch what happens politically to him. Going to make some good reading when the dominoes fall.
I proudly give the conservator an "A" for his first 30-to however many days he's been in his seat. He has integrity and he's accountable for his mistakes. Houston should atone for their mistakes and rid themselves of political self servists like our friend.
I hope Mr. Nedelkoff ensures the new treatment plan gets the vaccine it needs. How can you roll out an agency wide initiative of this size and fail to have the automation to go with it.
Silently the facility in JW's backyard implodes because of the failure to implement the new treatment program correctly in the right environment. AP is off the chains according to the red zone reports for December 2007. where is the MSM on this one.
What was wrong with posting the position in a salary range. He (conservator) can always offer the $125K take it or leave it. 260K is isn't enough to take the headache left behind by unqualified managers. He should just appointment someone and forego the interview process to spite the good senator from Houston.
We need to annex the whole city out of Tejas!
Rising Sun.
Should we understand the Conservator's message this p.m. to mean that Pope was the only applicant?
doubtful Whitmire would have called him brillant if that were the case..:)
Rising Sun
JW is not up for election for 2 more years. He can well afford to be what he is because he knows that by the time he has to run again, the vast majority of people in his district will have long forgotten his hand in all this mess. In fact, I can almost guarantee that he will turn it all into a plus for him - the Senator who saved Texas!
I like this Nedelkoff guy. He is a breath of fresh air. JW wants 60-90 day posting? Why, to give his friend DP more time to waste the rest of the appropriation?
In an earlier post I expressed doubt that Pope had really made the snakes, baracudas and sharks comment. Someone suggested that I talk with someone at the Annex. I did and was shocked to hear that she actually did make such a rant. When the "all about the kids" lady speaks, it is all about her. She needs some serious help, and does not need to be leading this agency. She is one sick puppy.
Whimire is a classic example of "stupid is as stupid does", to quote Forrest Gump. Dementia was not qualified to be the ED and she started at $125,000.00. Now he wants to balk at $160,000 for a qualified expert in that position? As far as I'm concerned, he and Dementia can sit in her $600 office chair and rot away, as long as they don't make a rust puddle on the persian rug!
Rest assured that when his re-election comes around, this whole mess will haunt him. No doubt in my mind!! Whitmire will never admit to Dementia being a mistake, so now he wants to chide Nedelkoff for not posting the job long enough, pleeeze. At least he's looking for a qualified applicant, and isn't going on the basis of long red fingernails being a qualification!!!
2 cents worth!
Whitmire + 2 more years? wasn't that the time it took from when Brookins quit TYC and it finally hit the MSM as if it were breaking news? Or, reworded, wasn't 2 years from when Dwight told Whitmire about the problem and Whitmire didn't want to hear it?
BTW when I wrote 6:54, I meant to say when would Madden stand up to Whitmire... but the more I read it, I like the way it is written.
New thought: if we can get enough new people in office (probably democrats, as if it makes a difference... after all, Whitmire is a donkey's ass)
how about rearranging all the committee assignments; Whitmire could could head up substance abuse; tart reform; and community property restructuring... oops, almost forgot bartending/waitressing standards. I think it would be much more pleasing to leave him office, just like those of us left in TYC. With no power and no audience.
no one will be voting for Whitmire or any of those idiots..........I applaud the new conservator at least he is trying to make change in the new TYC/TDCJ...........Some one please get the apps from HR they are not safe there........
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/02/01/0201tyc.html
Senator: Conservator overstepped his bounds on executive salary
Whitmire please put your energy and time into what the real issues in TYC. You should be addressing the real facts, d'Pope is and never will be qualified to be the ED at TYC, admit that to yourself and all else will fall in place. You should be investigating her gross fiscal mismanagement, her inability to manage the agency, her lack of interest in rehabilitating the youth, the thousands of dollars she's spent on travel, the improper hiring of all her TDCJ cronies (you didn't have a problem with her not posting those positions and you allowed her to hire most of TDCJ), and her countless abuses of power. Forgive us if we can't muster up any support or empathy for her because she run the agency into the laughing stock of the nation.
We finally get a conservator who is taking the agency in the right direction and bringing in qualified people and you have a problem with that? I hate to tell you this, but your priorities are totally messed up!
Those of us that have remained with the agency through thick and thin really resent what the TDCJ people have done to youth and employees. If you don't believe me, come work a dorm for 3 months and you'll see what all these employees are complaining about first hand. You're song of praises for the TDCJ regime will change.
To all those complaining about us losing credibility because of our personal attacks and vendettas, what part of the TDCJ cronies made it personal, do not understand? You talk about credibility, the agency lost its credibility when the Brookins/Hernandez mess was swept under the carpet by Whitmire and the guv. They are responsible for the negative and personal feelings employees have toward the agency! Don't insult our intelligence by asking us to report what is going on, that's what we did for years, report, report and report and it all fell on deaf ears. Yes, I'm personally insulted by your comment, you obviously did not experience the shame and embarassment brought upon this agency because of the lack to act when serious allegations and issues were reported! That's why bloggers resorted to telling it all on this blog. We went from bad to worse in the time it took to remodel offices, install new carpet and purchase a $600 office chair. So tell me, whose credibility is an issue and whose priorities are totally screwed up sweetie??
6:06 am,
Amen to all that!
So what do you all think about the conservator's extension of the deadline "until filled?" Is it just a move to pacify his critics? And in reality, he's already got his top choices lined up?
6:20 a.m. I agree with you. I think he's pacifying some critics and had them lined up. It will be a welcome sight. I do understand mistakes will be made, but I don't believe they will be in the scale of the past and ignored ones!!
06:06
Very well said!
Sen. Whitmire really brings shame to the Texas Lege. We all knew he would defend his "lady friend", but this lame public, slimmy attack on the conservator is really low.
It was Pope herself who through the appropriations process last session set the ED salary at $125K so that when it came time to post for a permanent director, the most qualified candidates with national reputations and experience would not apply.
We need to support this guy Nedelkoff. Whitmire's aggressive defense of Pope will get nastier soon.
1/31 @ 11:25pm
Since you mention it, whatever happened to "firedfromtyc@swbell.net"?
All Whitmire has done since last March is deflect accountability.
He has successfully avoided being held accountable for ignoring problems in TYC. He is now avoiding holding Ms. Pope accountable for defying legislative authority by attacking the governors first actually sensible appointment to conservator. Democrats should be applauding this this choice for conservator and routinely emphasizing the successes of Mr. Harrell because both are truly miracles if you asked me. Whitmire is clearly concerned with only his own political power and cares nothing for the youth of TYC or the citizens of Texas.
He could have benefited from some of the resocialization treatment principles if you asked me.
11:11 p.m., 6:06 a.m., and 10:31 a.m. are exactly right. Whitmire and other legislators were informed in 2005 of the allegations from West Texas, and were too busy to hear about it. But in 2007, when the media finally started paying attention, the Dems saw a chance to get Perry and (possibly) Bush. But it seems that no one except bloggers are calling the legislators to account for their failure to ensure the public and TYC youth were safe from alleged sexual predators! Many good TYC staff have been and continue to be hurt unfairly because of their political pushing and shoving and attempts to cover their own poor performance. It's scarey and disgusting.
Elmer is a complete moron. How can he deny having any knowledge of the Brrokins/Hernandez allegation when it was all on tape? There is video evidence as clear as day with his big old head teling Dwight Harris "brief us later." Go see it for yourselves. He was informed. He just blew it off and two years later made a big to do about it. TYC did notify the Guv's office. There's e-mail evidence that TYC former Chief of Staff Joy Anderson sent to Alfonzo Royal. What else could TYC have done? The agency had no control of the lack of prosecution in Ward County. And they (the ledge) want to sit there and call this a cover-up? That is the biggest scam in the history of the state, and those who knew, Elmer and Chuy included, should be shown the door.
In defense of what I think the person or persons posting about credibility meant to say: There is a difference between reporting the things that people actually say and do and name-calling. All of us who have an investment in the TYC working as it should to change the lives of lost youth are angry at what has happened. Rightfully so. Reporting what individuals have done that run counter to our mission (such as gross mis-spending of funds, ignoring/violating law and policy, etc.) is a far different thing from calling people names and speculating on their personal lives. The former is an adult response, the latter is childish. The former, particularly when backed up with evidence, increases credibility, the latter decreases it. Old Salty
I might add, that I have been quite guilty of the name-calling bit myself. I have come to see the folly of that, particularly after reading the comments of some of our outside critics, such as "Rage". If we seek to convince others of what is wrong with what has been happening to TYC, we need to be acutely sensitive to how our comments are perceived by others; and by that I mean specifically the legislators who read this blog. Old Salty
I would agree Old Salty but if they happen to read these blogs and can read between the lines (S-Stirrers) surely they would have acted sooner?
Why would anyone in an elected position want a State Agency to have positions like Superintendent, Assistant, Regional Directors, Deputy positions filled by complete and utterly followers who would never question authority regardless of the marching orders? We all know the names and I will not name them again, but is this not what started the ball rolling in the first place in WTSS?
To this day we have a Regional Director who was fully aware of what was taking place when it occurred and he was promoted to this position! My faith and confidence in our elected officials has been gone for some 6 to 8 months now.
The term "Boss" does not need to darken the doors of TYC but has and needs to be extinguished and those that capitalized based upon this method of leadership should be sent home or back to their original positions.
Pyote Coyote
So far, the only positive thing I have seen come out of this is the addition of the OIG and SPU. However, Rep. Madden was planning on adding an OIG department even before this scandal broke.
3:18 I have to control my tendency to puke when I say this: even Hinojosa, in an effort to save Evins after the session 2 years ago had tried to get some needed changes, but could not get anyone to pay attention.
It's cleat that Travis County DA Ronnie Earle isn't running again; if he was, there would be charges against central office staff that screwed up, but there would also be a strong and public investigation into d'Pope, and probably into the relationship between Pope and Whitmire.
3:18
PLEASE TELL US WHAT OIG AND SPU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED. I AM AWARE OF NOTHING, BUT I MIGHT NOT BE LOOKING IN THE RIGHT PLACES.
6:06, your comments are right on.
~Gone but not forgotten.
I agree with Old Salty about the folley in name calling but sometimes frustration is the driving force behind it.
Credibility is a two way street. The lege, the guv and Dementia have failed TYC miserably in this area. As I stated before, TYC employees, especially at WTSS, had been screaming and yelling in
reporting allegations of abuse, retaliation and wrong doing by administrators. It all fell on deaf ears. If someone, just one person had listened and acted, we would of never had Dementia forced down our throats and the chaos the agency now faces. She has set herself up for whatever name calling employees care to do due to the fact that she did not respect any of us from the onset. Some members of the lege have no respect from constituents due the antics of their personal lives that hit the MSM and then they act like they should be forgiven because they are elected officials and subject to a different set of standards and ethic than the regular public. Bull!! The same applies to the guv, if he had cared about TYC, he should not have allowed the dirt to be swept under rug by his office and the lege. Has it become personal with employees, you bet. We have seen both youth and employees suffer to
due to poor management. So Old Salty, forgive me if I do call them names, I try not to make them too offensive nor personal but it gets a little hard. Is it childish, I don't think so, I think it was childish of the lege, the guv and Dementia to brush TYC aside and I suppose hope it would heal itself. Well it hasn't and in the time Dementia has been in office there has been a whole lot of "NADA" being done and absolutely no communication to the field. It's like we don't exsist to her! We are minions at beck and call.
Personally, I'm giving the new conservator my full support. At least he communicates to us every single Friday via email. He is juvenile corrections oriented and while he may make some mistakes, I doubt they will hurt youth or employees or be on the level of Dementia's.
If you get a chance today read the cartoon strip "Dilbert". Just replace "Mom" with Nedelkoff asking the same questions. Sums up TYC entirely. Pyote Coyote
There's an AP story today in the paper that states Randall Reynolds, the district attorney for Ward County (Pyote & WTSS) is running for reelection. He's the guy who failed to prosecute the wrongdoing that occurred in his jurisdiction.
Story is written by Alicia Caldwell but I can't find it online.
Plato
Plato: Reynolds is running again; up against Ward (Pyote + WTSS) County Attorney Kevin Acker in primary. Not sure which is worse. Reynolds history of do-nothing extended to DWI's and drug cases in Reeves County (Pecos), the other major county in the district... made him very popular over there. Acker is charged with failing to pay sales tax for personal items and his rent for his private practice office. Just the kind of men you want supporting the staff at TYC.
http://www.themonitor.com/news/tyc_8742___article.html/youth_agency.html
http://www.newschannel5.tv/2008/2/4/986126/Detention-Center-Inmates-Climbed-to-Roofs
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