For those tracking the minutae, TYC conservator Richard Nedelkoff has posted his 60 day report on the agency's website, just in time for the joint House-Senate oversight committee on Friday. (See his report; thanks to Howard Hickman for pointing it out to me.)
Though I'm not sure what to read into these tea leaves, I'm told that only Nedelkoff and Ombudsman Will Harrell have been invited to testify at the hearing, and public testimony will not be accepted. Chairman Whitmire sounded pretty upset earlier in the week, but perhaps cooler heads will prevail and these two won't have some big public showdown at the hearing: That wouldn't help anybody or anything.
RELATED: See also a new report from the prolific Marc Levin at the Texas Public Policy Foundation titled, "The ABC's of TYC: Enhancing Front End Alternatives in the Juvenile Justice System." I'll be discussing this report more when I get a chance to read it thoroughly, but it's a topic that's even more important for public safety, arguably, than what happens at TYC, which handles just 3% of convicted youth statewide. The rest are handled through local juvenile justice systems that receive too little attention when reforms are discussed. Good job, Marc.
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I hope Whitmire doesn't turn the hearing into an inquest. But I also think that Mr. Nedelkoff will be well prepared just in case. Nedelkoff has raised the morale of many TYC employees. At least we know he would rather rehabilitate youth than punish them. He is willing to accept suggestions, feedback and values employees. I can see TYC will move in the right direction. I understand the man may make some mistakes but I believe he will accept responsibility and learn from them. I am proud to support him.
I think the man is taking a professional approach. I wish him well, but I think the TYC issue has already escaped the interest of the general public. The upcoming trials of Brookins and Hernandez might create a little buzz, but TYC will be back to business as usual in another year. All of this was an overreaction to an isolated incident. We are all a bunch of sheep, led by a pathetic sensationalist media. I wonder who the next target will be. God be with them.
I am not surprised that there will not be public testimony. I just pray Will and Richard are ready for Whitmire.
This guy is sharp! It is obvious he is anticipating Whitmire and is setting the table. This hearing portends to be fun. Something tells me Mr. Nedelkoff will not wilt in front of the little man. This guy has been making after-hours, unannounced drop-ins at institutions and going directly to the dorms to talk with staff. I think we have a leader.
"All of this was an overreaction to an isolated incident...pathetic sensationalist media...next target... God be with them." You are right, 9:28, and very perceptive.
Tell him to come south. we want to habla con him.
Re-hiring Eddie Martinez as Supt. at Evins was an act of brilliance. I hope his future decisions are along these lines. It will be a big help to morale.
Whitmire will continue to undermine Nedelkoff's authority in rehabilitating this agency. That's just his nature to bully agency heads into submission and in this case, a conservator.
I think Madden owes one to Whitmire after Whitmire's comment a few months ago about Madden being just a "representative."
ALARM: Whitmire who has his issues and his staff who read Grits and set the "committee" agenda for Friday. In so doing they exclude you from the process and all you can do is say that it's the way it is.
I have suffered through so many comments on this blog. I would hope that you would all back your smack with an appearance. Even if you appear at the hearing and say nothing, you can retain your anonymity. Get it?
Make the difference now. Show up now or never. This could be the last stand for were this TYC goes.
2:13 I have never thought of it that way; you have not only succinctly described the problems with TYC, Whitmire and Goodhair, your solutions are eloquent in their simplicity.
The best thing that can happen in texas this Fall would be to remove every incumbent from office, no exceptions.
Unfortunately, Whitmire is not up for re-election this time around. He doesn't come up for two more years. From my standpoint, there is some good news in that, because two years from now I will be retired with time on my hands. You can be sure, I will use that time well to work to unseat the rascal.
I have been impressed with Nedelkoff's professionalism so far. It is something that was sorely lacking during the Pope reign of terror.
He isn't pointing fingers or trying to make others look bad. He is instead making well reasoned decisions and setting goals that re-prioritize the YOUTHs best interests.
While Whitmire is probably going to take some swipes at him from his bully pulpit, I think Nedelkoff will be able to handle him- he is a smart guy and no novice to soothing political ruffled feathers.
Also, remember that Whitmire can't 'do' anything to Nedelkoff. He answers to the Gov, not the lege, and he has the Gov's support.
Grits, this is a really solid report. Nedelkoff is definitely headed in the right direction on a number of issues that we've discussed here ad nauseum.
Bill Bush
2:13...
That the @#%$! are you talking about???????????????????????
I surely hope that employees in CO attend the hearing tomorrow in support of Nedelkoff and the field employees. Due to the staff shortages in the field, many of us who would love to attend, in a show of support, can't. Break a leg Mr. N and show them what you're made of! We support you!!
We all need to archive the hearing tomorrow - just in case it mysteriously 'disappears' from the official archives. In the next session when ole Whit goes after some other agency, we need to remember the injustices we went through at his hands, and stand behind the employees at the next agency he decides to "cure". We are the third agency he has trashed. There will be another.
I wish they would find all the staff that left HR and get them back, we in the field miss their expertise.. We know they have gone on to bigger and better than TYC but boy are they missed. We miss calling and having someone pick up immediately and getting the answer to our questions. We don't like to ask the "Regional" managers because they act like they don't want to be bothered..why do we need them anyway? They were good where they were. I wish we could be there tomorrow to support Mr. N but no travel money these days.
Signed,
OBAMA FAN
obama fan -- they wouldn't come back if you paid them twice their salary.... what done is done... try to give support to the HR people who are still there...
Mary Wood is the reason those people left. Sorry that the employees and TYC in general is suffering for having her in place. Another one of Pope's wonderful decisions.
The conservator made a decision by bringing Eddie Martinez back. He should consider asking Eric Young back. He is a significant upgrade from what they have now. He knows TYC, and he will quickly upgrade that office.
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