Note to self: An opening for Shanda Perkins? ;)
RELATED: An email notice from the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition reminds me that:
This hearing is where the rubber meets the road regarding any outstanding differences between the House and Senate versions of reforming juvenile justice, and the first discussion of the agency's future following the finalization of the next biennium's budget numbers. One expects they'll also get a chance to interview Will Harrell on his way out the door. Live video for that hearing will be available here once the meeting begins.Juvenile Justice Sunset Bill to be Heard in the Senate TodayOn Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at 1:30 pm or upon adjournment in Rm. E1.004 (Extension Auditorium), the Senate Committee on Government Organization will hold its hearing on the Sunset bill (HB 3689) for the Texas Youth Commission (TYC), Texas Juvenile Probation Commission (TJPC), and Office of the Independent Ombudsman (OIO).
MORE (5/21): Isela Gutierrez reports (via email):
Yesterday's Sunset hearing was anti-climactic. No bill was voted out, although Senate Gov't Org did lay out and approve a substitute of CSHB 3689, with some possible amendments to come. There was coverage of the hearing by the Statesman blog and KUT (links below):
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105 comments:
Will you have not only been an Ombudsman not only for the youth but also for the agency. You fought many hard battles for us and cheered for us with no one else would.
This will be a great loss for the kids in TYC and their families. You were their advocate in the truest sense of the word and you earned their trust through the work that you did.
You will be deeply missed by many!
Good Luck Will, this sound like a great opportunity to make an even bigger impact on positive reforms in the 120 year old culturally troubled agency. Watch out for the naysayers, they want to keep tyc as is. I suppose this post is going to generate a hundred whining complaining anonymous post from some of your fellow employees I just hope that those naysayer tyc emps in the way of positive reform follow the lead of some of the tyc emps from back in my day who quit working for tyc because they couldn’t beat a state boy.
NO Grits to the anti dildo woman, that’s the kind of crazy thinking in people like her who made tyc what it is today.
Sheldon tyc#47333 II c/s
Hey Grits,
There is a bill that is about to pass, HB 2386, that has some good potential for juvenile justice. It has to do with the sealing of records after successful completion of a drug program, rather than waiting until 21 years of age. It started out as completion of any court-ordered program, but was then narrowed to drug treatment.
I have a child who, as a 12-year old, was convicted of a burglary although it was not much more than a trespass. Since I literally had to banish him from the community for a year through a private placement in order to escape their boot camp, I was hoping when the bill started that we might be able to get his record sealed.
I almost wish now it had been a drug offense instead of a property crime, but at least this is a step toward making a single mistake less devestating and lasting.
You might take a look at it.
I wonder what Will found at Crockett State School after the riot 3 or 4 weeks ago. I understand about 8 TYC staff members were injured by TYC youth? No doubt the corrupt TYC employees deserved a beat down from the kids. Can we expect criminal charges as soon as all the TYC recover from their physical injuries?
Best thing for all parties involved.
BB
Looks like HB3689 is going to pass as the House committee substituted it. The public hearing today lasted about 15 minutes. The vote happens tomorrow. And the "right sizing" continues...hope the final "right size" is still good for the kids.
Although this is not directly related, I thought I would send this in to describe the atmosphere at TYC. I no longer work there. But when I was hired last year, I was told that I would be fired on the spot for looking at this web site.
I think this is fear and control that goes way beyond what is reasonable.
Now in my new job I go onto Grits every day at breaks and it is so nice not to worry about being fired on the spot.
Yeah Right 7:16! I would like to Wish Will Good Luck. I left TYC Last year after 18 years and I hope it gets back on line but I feel its too late.
I was told at a meeting last week in Austin not related to TYC that the only way something gets fixed in Texas is when it happens to a Texas Legislator,,, Funny I have been saying that one for years..
7:16, you can not be fired for going to this website but you should not be on the website during work hours.
As for Will, Congratulations. It is well deserved but I do not think that staff nor youth will suffer a loss. I am hoping that he will be able to do more in the agency and do not think that he would have taken this position if he were not going to be allowed to continue to do the work he has started.
TYC has used the intimidation factor and fear for fifteen years and still does. It fits with the TYC atmosphere. The leadership can't control employees through regular, acceptable means. Like it or leave it....the leadership rule......and it will not change.
7:03, I think you meant that the bill (HB 3689) is likely to pass as susbtituted by the *Senate* Committee today. The bill was left pending b/c Hinojosa had 5 amendments to the bill that had to be discussed in the backroom. Hopefully it will be voted out of committee tomorrow & will get to conference before it's too late.
OH REALLY! Bailing out a day before your confirmation hearing??
What is he hiding or running from?? Does he have a past that is catching up with him?
It must be ugly if he’s running from it. Honestly! Since when do touted leaders in their fields run & hide? I don’t know about you all, but I really thought that his efforts were starting to make a difference. What happened to standing up and fighting for what you believe in? Wasn’t he the head of the ACLU? Something is just not adding up. I am sickened, and disappointed; how do folks that have not had their resumes and personal histories thoroughly vetted end up in these types of positions? And, now you are all celebrating him!!??, as much as I want to join in, I just can’t this time. It seems like we have all got our heads so buried in the current liberal tidal wave that we now believe that folks that have questionable records are the best possible candidates to be shaping programs and policies for our already troubled youth? We should all feel betrayed! We’ve got to be questioning the reality of almost everything this politico has built himself up to be. If this is an honest move, I apologize for going on so negatively; I am just so tired of being disappointed in our leaders.
What leaders? TYC has not had any leadership for fifteen years and counting.
Where have all the Cowboys gone? You made some harsh, but good gut check observations 10:47
It's funny - - I hadn't seen "Director of Special Projects" advertised on the TYC employment page. So the position was not open for people to apply for? Created especially for him, huh?
Post an open position for hiring? Hah! Surely you jest! We fill positions whenever we want without posting. We've done it before. This is the TYC Austin elite! To heck with policy! Policy is to keep the peons out in the units in line! This is Austin. Rules? We don't need no stinking rules!
Can I have a special position created for me as well? I would like to be "Director of Snacks" or maybe "Director of Regular Projects" since Will is going to take care of the special ones.
If you were working for TYC prior to the passage of SB103, that moved TYC employees from "for cause" to "at-will" employees, I would strongly encourage you to hire an attorney, and seek a Court remedy to have your "for cause" status given back to you. Even if you are still employed with TYC, you need to take this step for added job security. Your U.S. Constitutional rights and Texas Constitutional rights were violated by the Legislature and TYC when they took your for cause status from you in June of 2007, take action immediately before it is too late!
So, who was the Director of Special Projects before Will? My guess is nobody because there was no such position. Sounds like Cherie is taking up where Da Pope left off, creating high paying jobs for her cronies. Pathetic!
Cherie will be the extreme ruin of what is left of the stinking TYC. She creats jobs for her suck-ups and washes her real employees away with her childish smile, and ignorance.
You know, the anonymous ankle biting and trashing Cherie, Will, etc. is going to get old real quick. Cherie is many things, but nothing indicates "ignorant" is one of them. Her creating a new slot for Will is a legitimate issue to raise (though by all appearances, mostly a matter of envy), but the comments here are quickly delegitimizing that critique by resorting to snide, childish personal attacks. Grow up. And from here on out, if you want to smear individuals instead of discuss issues in TYC comment strings, show the courtesy and the cojones to sign your own name.
Well, I think Will Harrell did us all justice when he challenged D. Pope and prevailed. No doubt in my mind that Whitmire had his folks ready to deny his confirmation. So thanks Will for your help in getting TDCJ out of TYC. There's no doubt he'll contribute to furthering the reforms in his new role and continue to advocate for common sense juvenile justice practices.
To those who dog Cherie, you have no idea what your talking about, and if your lucky enough to survive what's about to happen, count your blessings.
Grits - do you know what the amendments Chuy filed on that sunset bill were, and have they decided if we will be reviewed again in two or twelve years?
Grits -Why is that when we comment on Cherie creating a new slot for Will it is "mostly a matter of envy"? When Pope did the same thing, everyone trashed her all over this blog, and you never ran to her defense. Maybe your just a little too close to the ex-ombudsman and you can't see past your blinders. Yeah, yeah, I know, if I don't like it go somewhere else to blog. So much for objectivity, huh?
Ed Owens
I have to agree. You never said nuttin nice bout my ghetto queen, Dimtria. Now yur pony tail boy is hiding in a new position and it otay by you on this blog, what ashame.
J. Whitmire
You people are terrible, that is not Owens or Whitmire, grow up, or Scott will shut down this string.
lol... this TYC stuff is such a hilarious joke. No wonder the Lege cut your budget, the circus could do a better job at a cheaper rate.
I think our favorite “State Boy” called it
“Watch out for the naysayers, they want to keep tyc as is. I suppose this post is going to generate a hundred whining complaining anonymous post from some of your fellow employees I just hope that those naysayer tyc emps in the way of positive reform follow the lead of some of the tyc emps from back in my day who quit working for tyc because they couldn’t beat a state boy.”
jUST AS MANY OF US GET OUR HOPES UP, THE SAME OLD tyc CULTURE REAPPEARS. cREATE JOBS FOR THE BIGGEST KISSERS, IRREGARDLESS, AND ALLOW THE EX.DICK TO BECOME ANOTHER SAME OLD GOOD OLD GIRL AT THE TOP. tyc ON THE SLIDE AND SHE KNOCKS OUT ALL THE OTHER FEET.
Childish Grits. You Big Bully! Put your name on your Post.Be a Man or I well get you.
Randy or Ted nobody well never know.
To 12:51 - Regarding "envy," maybe I perceived that because of comments in the vein of "Can I have a special position created for me."
To 3:48, if I was trying to be a "bully," I'd delete all the player-hating comments and shut the string down. You're a guest here. Behave like it.
Cherie has proven she is just like to other good ole boys in only listening to those she likes (for whatever reason) and ingores those who speak out and talk truth. I have personally experience that. Too bad for everyone once again! As for stating your name, should that happen, that person would not be around long and get quickly cold-shouldered! Experience talks again.
grits, obviously you have not worked for tyc. cojones to put your name on it! if i were to respond the way i think will h would respond to this comment, i would probably use the f word. and more than once. i was told i would be fired on the spot for even going to this web site. i know will gets a lot of positive press, but in my interaction with him he was unprofessional in his language and method. he did not follow policy or established procedure. i have little respect for a man that is trusted to ensure the rights of youth or now be in charge of special projects when he thinks he is above procedure or has to follow methods. maybe this whole thing is just corrupt.
lost faith in everything to do with juvenile offenders.
Wow. So much has been left unsaid. I feel as if I'm the only one here who doesn't understand.
Bill Bush, why is this "best for all parties involved?" I thought Harrell was golden.
Why would he want to give up an "independent" position to go and work under an Exec Director? He isn't someone who necessarily likes to follow the rules.
Why was his confirmation uncertain? Will there be another OIO appointed?
And, sorry, but they should have come up with something more genuine-sounding than "Director of Special Projects."
XTYC
I thought TYC was under a hiring freeze except for positions concerning safety and security?
We have many positions which need to be filled in the field. I am sure the money sloted for Will could fill at least 2 or 3 of them. We have been working many long days and weeks and for what? JCO's to get 3.5 percent more while the rest get nothing. Don't get me wrong JCO's deserve it.
I am glad to see Will move on. He did good things but he made some very poor decisions which have ongoing negative impacts on programs. He needs to spend more time with people in the field
We can only hope that Whitmire and his Posse truly were concerned about the character of the folks working with our states youth, and that they will not stop their persuit of exposing W. Harrell and running him out of the system. If they dont than we will all know that Whitmire is a Phony as well.
Over two years down range from the blowup of TYC and still nothing has been made better! No one has gone to jail for the terrible criminal things done at TYC nor have any of the people who covered up been arrested. Folks nothing will happen to make any positive changes at TYC. If positive changes at TYC were a real possibility they would have come to pass long ago. The TYC saga has never been about the TYC youth, it is about money! How many millions have been thrown to the wind or should I say the pockets of a few connected individuals in the "Fix TYC Program"? What have we, the tax payers, gotten for our tax dollars? The answer is easy; Nothing but a bungled attempt that has done much more harm than good. It makes little difference who has what job at TYC, what we have here is a classic study in failure!
Get it done or shut it down!
9:39, you're still not sure if Whitmire is a phony? Let me help you out here: He's a politician.
Let me see. Independent Ombudsman who never follows the rules leaves post to work for the man. Yall are so simple. Will can affect greater change by working inside TYC than on the outside. Its simple. Not about the confirmation. All his drinking, drunk actions, DWIs, his pot smoking (don't forget the hemp) and his relationship with a certain female will never show up in the public confirmations. He will be working with the kids and advocacy groups and you know he still has his underground networks and close ties to the office he built. He will still be an undercover ombudsman. Susan will be appointed the ombudsman and the saga continues. Its a good thing for the agency and the youth. He will show his true colors to Cherie just like all those before her.
Hell 12:53 a little drinking, drugging, and whoring around are major requirements for TYC management. When I worked there as a Chaplain several years ago it was like being in a soap opera. They swapped "at work" sex partners on a regular basis. Supervisors routinely had sexual relationships with subordinate employees. Most of the management were into some disgusting lifestyles. I was there to work with the young people and knew if I made any waves I would be out. One thing I saw in TYC was that if you didn't go along to get along then you going to get run off one way or the other. Much of the local management were not people I would associate with if it were not for my work with the young people I was trying to reach. I am not some disgruntled worker since I did not work directly for TYC.
The point I am trying to make is that I am not in the least bit shocked by anything I hear about TYC management. I have seen some pretty disgusting behavior by high ranking TYC management on a first hand basis, so no surprises here.
My knowledge of Will and Cherie is limited, but I've been impressed with both of them. I'm not questioning the legitimacy of this transaction, but I just hope this isn't like Mr. Potter offering George Bailey a job in "It's a Wonderful Life." We need to watch carefully what happens to the ombudsman position.
5:47 It still goes on. Sad to say but it does and not just there but in other state agencies too.
12:53 Dang Dude you hit it right on the head. Wonder where you get your information from. Do tell more.
12:53, I hope they do consider Susan for perenant confirmation in to this position, she is the real thing. She has been out to our facility many times in the past 2 years, and has interviewed most if not all of the kids every time she has visited. The kids actually sometimes tell us they need to talk to Ms. Monahan. Will Harrell came out once and hung out for an hour or so, had lunch and left. He has done nothing for us or the kids
9:21, I couldn’t agree with you more. Sounds like the TYC and the Ombudsman’s position need a good dose of the clean character, positive morals, thorough work ethic, and genuine concern for the welfare of the youth that Susan will deliver. We miss her here in Harris County (probably the tyc's biggest contributor). Go get em girl!
9:21 said "Will Harrell came out once and hung out for an hour or so, had lunch and left. He has done nothing for us or the kids"
You don't know what you are talkign about. Harrell was constantly in facilities talking to kids and staff. He was at facilities on weekends and even holidays. He even spent Chritmas Eve and day with TYC youth.
The TYC press release said he did more that 200 site visits in the time he was in the ombudsman office. That is heacy lifting.
You are right about Susan though. She's a true advocate for kids.
Both of them are typical Austin TYC trash. Lets be truthful here, why all the hogwash, when most of us employees know what is really going on. Lies is what has ruimed our agency.
From Cherie's e-mail today:
I am very happy to be able share with you that the Senate-House conference committee on appropriations has added a 3.5% salary increase for non-JCO positions in the field for both FY 2010 and FY 2011. This will provide parity with the salary increases adopted for TDCJ.
So the raise is for non-JCO staff? Everyone but them?
Don't believe for one second that the field staff are the only ones getting a raise? Central Office employees will get their share and more before the field staff sees one dime. I agree that the field staff and both JCO and non-JCOs need a raise, but not CO employees. One second, the Lege is all over the ass of TYC for failing at reforms, the next, they are giving everyone a raise with our tax dollars? Go F'ing figure, Cherie and Will who's desk have ya'll been under to be able to rob the State of Texas the way you have been allowed to do? TYC needs to be back under Conservatorship, this an outrageous mismanagement of State funds, more so than the scandal of 2007!! Gov. Perry, you will not be re-elected, all your crap is about to catch up with you.
2:15 I hear you loud and clear. I've ordered Cherie to reduce staff in the Central Office over the next 60 days. Anymore suggestions or comments send to the Texas Senate. I'll expect your votes.
RP
“Both of them are typical Austin TYC trash. Lets be truthful here, why all the hogwash, when most of us employees know what is really going on. Lies is what has ruimed our agency.”
So now I’m your favorite state boy?
If most of you tyc emps know what is going on and you know that lies have ruined the agency, then why in the hell do you people allow the exponential continuation of the 120 year old abusive tyc prison culture? You snipe at each other, your role model to the kids is that thugness is ok? If you tyc people know that your agency is nothing more than a youth prison warehouse simply holding, and doping up kids until their old enough to go to TDC then why in the hell don’t you people ban together and do something about it????
What are you saying here in this blog, the majority of tyc emps are nothing more than half-witted thugs who only think of themselves? Is there not enough of a majority of people who care about making a difference in a child’s life that could ban together and make a difference for the agency?
Please don’t tell me that you would rather punk out in your office, and anonymously ankle byte your fellow emps while wallowing like pigs in your child advocate self righteousness.
Your dumb shit little agency has been covering up the abuse, the child abuse, the management abuse, the theft of tax payers money for decades, 12 decades. When the state boy reunion happens and there are decades of tyc kids in the same room telling the same story about your stupid ass agency, your damn child abuser, tax money steeling agency, how will you people, your deceived agency representatives’ front that off?
Remember; us state boys know what real pieces of work the tyc agency is. There is a century of Texas children and their families who have been victimized by your tyc culture, under the ruse of the dimwitted tyc agency. History shows, your tyc representatives’ will be defensive, you’ll say we don’t know what we’re talking about, were criminals, and we have an ax to grind against the precious tyc agency. Well, your agency is criminal, and you tyc emps support the criminal activity of the agency by taking money from it.
Your agency representatives’ think they know it all and their smug lies to cover the tyc system of abuse. I would always chuckle and think about my caseworkers like Jenson and the two high ranking affirmative action emps tyc was forced to bring into the head roles at Gatesville back in the 70’s, Crenshaw and Buckner, whenever my engineering professors would say things like, if your too stupid to be in engineering school then there is always the school of social science.
I’m sure old captain turdman believed in what he was doing was right for the agency, the kids, their families, and the state of Texas when he built Mountain View, but it’s that kind of self righteousness that cost the tax payers of the state of Texas millions of dollars’ defending the system of abusive that governs the tyc agency. And what happened, a useful facility was given to TDC, the abusive tyc culture was spread around the state, policy’s implemented to hire even more retarded people to keep up the front/be ignorant of the front, and most important lessons learned to better cover up the abusive actions in the future “above the law” criminal agency tyc. Now with mass media how will tyc, and how much tax money will be spent to cover the overall accusations’ of abuse?
How much more useful that money would be spent if tyc would collectively admit there flaws and work together to repair them.
Sheldon tyc #47333 II c/s
(to be continued)
Who knows, I may be fooling myself. The agency tyc may be run by the smartest people in the world, and it’s just a big scam to rip off the state of Texas in the name of juvenile rehabilitation and a local job core. Hay the good people of Coryell county had a good thing going with all that slave labor and all those jobs tyc provided. Just before Morales vs turdman was filled the governor of Texas gave Gatesville a citation for what a wonderful job the people of Coryell was doing rehabilitating the children who were sent there. A real mench of a county that is, LOL LOL LOL
So if there really is employees in the tyc agency who care for the kids, and if y’all could ban together and grow your movement into a majority then you have a shot and some change. Will can’t do it by himself, Cherry can’t do it by herself. It’s going to take a majority of people who care, genuinely care about the kids to make the changes to really effect the kids in a positive way. If you need role models check out the folks running McFadden, they may be the cream of the crop like the kids they get, but the folks out there that I have met are awesome.
OK let the insults against me begin. It’s my experience on this blog that’s how some in the tyc agency operate. You have on green shoes, I say you have on green shoes then you defensively respond with all kinds of baseless hatred about me, my family, and my ancestors. That’s how representatives’ of tyc have been since day one. I have said this before, it’s the agency I hurl my verbal abuse at, not any one individual, if what I say hurts your feelings then I think there is something you may need to work on personally. You may be part of the problem.
My professional opinion is if a tyc emp can’t get behind their leaders like Cherry and people like Will, then you are most likely part of the problem, you are most likely in some way responsible for the culture of abuse and the theft of tax payer money. If all you do is show up to work at tyc and cash your little state check, you are responsible for the system of abuse. So if you’re really there to help troubled teens then get behind these people and make a difference in changing the agency for the good. Like you tell the kids, stop deceiving yourselves, admit your crimes, and fix them.
BTW Its nice to see our governor RP on the blog, hope Kinky can do a better job with tyc than you have Ricky.
Sheldon tyc#47333 II c/s
Sheldon I don't know how well you know the staff at McFadden Ranch but I am suprised and pleased to hear your compliment them. I know in the past year there were some pretty serious staffing issues and allegations of abuse. That was not intended as a blanket comment for all McFadden staff. There were many excellent, hardworking staff but as is often the case the poor judgment and mistreatmet by a few casts a negative light on all. In your opinion has staffing through out McFadden really improved?
Sheldon and others, if you have been on many blogs, you will realize that no matter what the blog is about, they seem to attract the anonymous haters. Those folks are sorry, miserable people who try to bring down the rest of the world into their abyss of misery. Their modus operandi is, if you don't have a decent argument or idea, attack the person or group. Sheldon, you have expressed some obviously sincere ideas, but you have a tendency join the haters by lumping all TYC employees into one group. The majority of the folks at TYC who go to work every day never post on Grits. All people in TYC, staff and kids alike, do have some legitimate beefs about how they have been treated and how the programs (or lack thereof) have been managed.
An prime example of the attacking the person, rather than the idea, lies in some of the slimy remarks that have been made about Will. I have plenty I disagree with him about, but from what I have seen, he is a decent, intelligent and sincere person. Susan Monahan will make an excellent replacement. I hope she gets the job.
I think Susan would be excellent, too. But remember that this is a governor's appointment, and I doubt she's political enough to get it.
I know the agency still has a long way to go before it returns to it's national recognized status (good recognition that is). The communication is still disjointed and there are still too many instances of knee jerk reactions. There are many things that the agency still need to work on BUT it is filled with some of the most hardworking and dedicated staff I have ever had the pleasure of working with. So many in the agency are in it for the long haul and are dedicated to see this through to the end. They work for the kids and they genuinely believe in what they do. To these staff, who are exhausted and frustrated, I say don't give up. You make a difference in ways you don't even realize. This agency needs you and more important the kids need you.
She is not political enough? That is just sad. She would be an excellent choice and she cares about making this agency better. Shouldn't the fact that she is not political make her an even better candidate for the position? You would think that if the Gov. and the legislatures really wanted to make this agency better they would appoint someone who really gives a damn and not just trying to build up a resume.
What Sheldon, positive comments about a TYC staff, an entire unit? have you been drinking?
I agree with Old Salty. These attacks on people are just bullshit and not reflective of the majority of people I know and work with in TYC. Susan would do a great job. Will's an asset in any position he's in. In two years he's won the respect of many of us who have been in this business a hell'uva lot longer than those posting this non-sense about him. He won me over immediately when he stood face-to-face with Pope and read her the right act on reasonable juvenile justice practices and how her TDCJ approach was absolute bullshit. It was bullshit then as it would be today. Get over it people and grow the hell up.
I wouldnt worry about Will sticking around in his New Magically Created Position. He craves the spotlight to much! I assure you that he doesnt give a hoot about any of this. I bet he is already drumming up his next gig in another town and state, far away from this mess
Grow th%$#* people. It can't be as bad as your report. Take a look at Sheldon even he has to admit as bad as everyone blogs on here about, there is plenty of sucess. TYC is pointed in the right direction. Got to give it time thats all.
Grits you've grown too. Normally you would have deleted negative comments about Will. Lets move it along. Next subject PLEASE.
this is not actually a new position...when Will becomes a PIECE of the puzzle, maybe subordinates will be PIMPed out for him also. M$M didn't mind her part in the JIGSAW! It would be interesting to know how this position was filled during the "freeze" ? as for "special" programs does this entitle him to unlimited travel/expenses and partying and cover-ups like M&M? She did and still does have a lot of coNEXtions! Maybe that's the motive...the puzzle remains UNSOLVED.
10:36pm Who are you referring to with the cryptic M&M and M$M coNEXTions reference?
I think that with all of the reforms and other processes...
We have forgotten that we need to protect the youth under our care and we must have the tools to do so.
We have forgotten that we must hire staff members that are role models.
We must make public safety and safety period a prime directive in the agency. This means actually making security a priority.
We must especially make sure that youths that are trying to work within the system are rewarded for their efforts and those that are not, do not earn privileges. Getting privileges with no work may be a great role model for youths in a welfare state, but not in a U.S. state. Sanctions should be REAL WORLD realistic.
I personally think that this CONNEXTIONS stuff is simply crap... Youths must have activity in their lives, guided by good morals.
I think that Cal Farley's Boys Ranch back in the 80's when I lived there is a very good example of what can be done with troubled youths if they are intervened with at a young age.
There must also be lockups for youths that remain imminently dangerous. There are some young people, within the Texas Youth Commission that are predators among fellow human beings. Any staff member could point most of them out. This is approximately two percent of the TYC population and these guys need to be locked down or you and me the tax payer will be paying for SANE exams for victim youths and workman's compensation for employees that have been assaulted.
For the other youths, if the extreme dangers of predation are removed from the mix, can be helped. I truly believe that....
12:29 - I don't quite understand how Will can get rid of two people who report to Cherie. Or did I miss something here? I've never heard of Deputies reporting to Special Programs/Projects versus the Executive Director.
Are you saying that Cherie, who came from TYC, can't recognize "posers"? She doesn't see how these two people don't appreciate TYC's greatness?
Maybe you should wake up and realize that she's admitting that change is necessary. Maybe...just maybe...they're following her mission. Soon, as Will reports to Cherie also, you'll see that they're following they're all following their leader---as they should.
I still don't get it --unless Harrell has been offered a bunch more money, why would he want to move over and put himself under an Exec Director and a couple of Deputies?
And if there is something under a rock yet to be turned over, he's not avoiding it by going to the Central Office, is he?
XTYC
Folks, please knock it off. Decisions are being made and families will be effected. Please show you're the class of employees many of you are, and stop this non-sense of talking of who should stay and go, because believe me, it's just not something I'd wish on any of you regardless of how bad you pissed me off on these comments. Show some class, like most of us have tried during the past two years.
I know, it's not right yet. It'll take time. But be mindful and yet sensitive regardless of who stay and those who go. TYC is alive for now. Be mindful and appreciate the fact that those who actually backed you up may be a victim of "right sizing," and I ask you respect that, because he/she may need that respect and that reference as well. So please, back off these comments. Thanks in advance for your understanding.
- Whitsfoe
I have no idea who these 2 people are but as a general rule constructive criticism will improve the job performance of subordinants and (if handled correctly) supervisors. Keep in mind when evaluating someone's job performance that the only way someone can perform a new job assignment perfectly is when they have been demoted into a job they've already held. I don't know Will Harrel but I believe he wants to help the kids (and Texas as a residual benefit from thousands of tiny baby steps toward becoming honorable young men and women).
Will Harrell is the former head of Texas ACLU -- he is not an establishment type. His role as Ombudsman seemed consistent and I've seen more praise for him on this site than criticism (although I was not favorably impressed by my single encounter with him). So, I wonder why he wants to put himself directly into the organization he had formerly been a watchdog against, working two or three steps from the top. He had enough credibility and influence as an OIO to effect any changes in TYC he wanted to. It doesn't make sense to me.
XTYC
Anonymous 5/24/2009 08:39:00 AM
said...
"Will Harrell is the former head of Texas ACLU -- he is not an establishment type."
Well, that certainly explains why recent policy changes have allowed the youth to be in charge of the units, and run wild and unchecked, assaulting teachers and other staff at will.
Dirty, go spew the hyperbole and smears somewhere else. Your comment is a cheap shot and tells us MUCH more about you than it does Will - and nothing positive.
Whitsfoe and Salty are right - many of you TYCers need to grow up, and honestly the bilious personal attacks make it VERY hard for anyone on the outside to have any sympathy for you at all, me included. That's basically why I stopped bird dogging Sunset - y'all made your own bed and deserve what you get.
To XTYC - the rumor is that Sen. Whitmire opposed Harrell's appoiontmet and he wasn't going to be confirmed. I've not seen that corroborated, but it makes sense of the facts and Harrell's recent decision.
Finally, contrary to several comments above, I'd have shut this string down long ago if y'all were trashing just about anybody else at the agency BUT Will. I am, however, going back to delete comments that attack others by name, initials, etc. Cut that crap out, now, or I swear to God I'm turning these TYC comment strings off permanently going forward.
Anonymous 5/24/2009 08:39:00 AM
said...
"So, I wonder why he wants to put himself directly into the organization he had formerly been a watchdog against, working two or
three steps from the top."
Because it will look good on his resume' when he heads for his big gig in a few months. Don't forget, he has groupies in TYC that think they owe him favors.
Gritsforbreakfast said...
"Dirty, go spew the hyperbole and smears somewhere else. Your comment is a cheap shot and tells us MUCH more about you than it does Will - and nothing positive."
Tell me, Grits, when was the last time you were on a unit? They are out of control. Whether it isn't sugar-coated enough for you or not, that's the truth. And, by the way, some of us here haven't chemically fried our brains to the point that we don't know the shining history of the ACLU, and their attitude that the criminal is always the victim.
You want something positive to happen? Then, stop allowing the inmates to run the assylum. Stop "passing the trash" between units, and get it out of the units alltogether. If it belongs in TDCJ, then ship it over there without delay. Install REAL consequences for criminal behavior in the units. Inmates who commit premeditated attempted murder on staff and other youth don't belong in TYC. They belong in a REAL jail setting. Too bad you don't allow specific examples and naming names. I have plenty of specifics to offer.
By the way Grits, I will offer one specific. There are youth that are afraid to come out of the security section because they know they will be continually assaulted again. They prefer to spend their time in a cold, dark cell, rather than get the crap beat out of them everyday by the REAL criminals. So, what happens to them? They get extended time added on to their stay for refusing to come out of security! Ask your buddy Will Harrell what he has done to remedy this problem!
Here's an editorial from the San Antonio Express-News that may shine some light on the issue.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/Senate_tradition_has_been_abused.html
Have some political Kool-Aid Dirty Harry...
As ombudsman, Harrell has conducted more than 200 site visits, resolved 358 complaints and visited with almost 3,000 incarcerated youths. Harrell's efforts to review and improve existing procedures were instrumental in turning the agency around. Today, the Texas Youth Commission is a model for juvenile corrections reform.
The editorial goes on to say:
"However, at least one Texas senator objected to Harrell retaining the ombudsman position and stealthily blocked a hearing for his nomination. With the session coming to an end, Harrell abandoned his effort to obtain a hearing last week. He'll temporarily remain at TYC as director of special projects. Perry must make a new interim appointment for ombudsman, who will need to seek Senate confirmation in 2011."
So, is the game plan for RP to reappoint WH as Big O after the session ends?
Whatever kool-aide there might be out there, it evidently isn't nearly as potent at whatever the SA News has been smoking. Those people certainly have a twisted view of reality. I'll stick by my guns and what I have personally observed over a period of over three years anyday. Harrell did some good, but picking up a few gum wrappers and ignoring a mountain of garbage isn't what I call "turning the agency around." I sure haven't seen it. A "model for juvenile corrections reform."?? I'm still blowing coffee through my nose.
But, it sure looks good on a resume' doesn't it?
Most of the readers on this post and all over Texas are still 'blowing coffee out their noses', after reading how TYC has been reformed and the best!!! Are you all idiots? TYC is basically as it was three years ago, just name changes and more mirrors, and much more crap..
Grits, turning this off would hurt TYC and the kids they are responsible for. Hopefully the useful information expressed here is finding its way to the lege and to TYC management and will be used to improve services and as a self help guide. TYC staff need to give more information about how our jobs work, how we affect our kids. We need to tell what conduct and behavior by staff is respected by the kids and what they expect from staff and fellow students. For instance/ a kid that takes a punch without punching back gets no respect and will be victimized by some kids to give up everything from the cookies he gets for his daily snack to his virginity. It is staff's job to prevent any of this and to try to get the victimizers to understand why this is wrong on every level. This turnabout in values takes many months, sometimes over a year. The new attitude that the Minimum length of stay is a set maximum has significantly reduced the number of kids that we turn around. The increased tendency to send kids to TDCJ also reduces the number.
What Dirty Harry says is true...
The youths do run the units and they do so badly. Extortion, assaults against youth and staff is worse than it has ever been before.
I think that Grits for Breakfast is not alone in wanting to hide this as "hyperbole."
Sorry, but reality bites. Non combatant youths and staff members remain under constant threat of attack from roaming groups of violent youths... Staff members do not have the tools, training, or the backing to defeat or suppress the constant threat of insurrection, assault and organized criminal activity....
Granted, many of the violent events that I have seen have been caused by grievance issues not being quickly addressed. These grievances have been medical, personal, food related and safety related grievances!
I think that Grits, like many others would like to hide the truth in regards to things that are currently occurring in TYC.
Its okay Grits, you are in good company.
WOW....someone with balls, tells the real truth. Grits, can you and your 'wobble - fellows' handle it? The daily routine in TYC is dangerous and only getting worse...why not expose the truth, rather than veil over the worse problems? Aren't you for helping the situation?
Don't blame Will for that non-existent "program" called CoNextions! Once a kid gets awarded a stage, it cannot be taken away. If a kid is behaving badly, there is very little the staff can do to in the way of assigning consequences. If a kid seriously assaults another person, he gets to go in "redirect" where he can hang out in Security with his cell door open, terrorizing the other folks on the security wing. Jeesh!
I know Connextions is great! Even DOJ agrees that no consequences for bad behavior can be GRRRRREAT for a TYC Unit!
The only REAL consequence for bad behavior for youths in TYC is being arrested by the OIG and subsequently imprisoned in the TDCJ!
So we can't control the youths now so we send them to adult prisons....
That is the current TYC policy. Pass the buck to the adult system...
If you all are TYC employees, you should quit. Why sit back and take so much abuse from CO and the kids? You also complain about the high salaries in CO...why not quit?
You keep saying how horrible it is on the units and how horrible your leaders are...just quit already. You obviously don't want to hear what others have to say on this blog...why not stop typing? Instead, why not spend your time applying for another job online.
If your job is so tough and dangerous, how is it that you can leave the unit everyday to go home then return to those same kids the following day? If it was really that dangerous, the feds would have taken over your facilities instead of investigating one of them. We, outside of TX, have had multiple facilities in out of CRIPA monitoring because those facilities were "truly unsafe". So quit whining and do your job. You chose to be locked in 8-16 hrs per day with kids who don't always follow the law...but don't get it confused...you weren't "drafted" to do this.
If you're not committed to helping to improve the lives of kids, their families and the community like the rest of us...THEN QUIT! It's a tough job...but when you choose work in a secure facility, you have to be a fool to think that kids will just wake up one day and decide to follow rules.
Challenging Grits and legislators to work on a unit isn't the answer either. They didn't choose to work in this field...they're doing the jobs that they chose to do. We don't have a blog like this in our state...we had to make anonymous calls or send letters to our legislators to force change. But, when the change came, we had to accept it instead of allowing it to become the newest thing to complain about. You complained about the Conservators not knowing TYC, well now your ED is from TYC. You got your wish but you still complain.
Change takes time. A lot of time and effort on everyone's part. If you're not satisfied with your system...QUIT and allow those who don't see the kids as "thugs who should be locked in 23 hrs per day" do the job. Get on board or get off...but if your stay on, don't be dead weight.
OK. I'm pressing my luck, but why would Whitmire block consideration of Harrell's reappointment? If Whitmire has that much power and has something specific against Harrell, why is Ms. Townsend so bold as to hire Harrell at the central office?
And, 4:11 p.m., I DID finally quit. I abandoned about a year's worth of sick leave, administrative leave, holiday time, and comp time, but nothing could have made me stay after all I'd seen. But if I had been supporting a family, I could not have afforded to do that. You go to work every day hoping that things will get better and determined to do everything you can to see everyone stay safe and out of trouble -- one day at a time.
XTYC
6:43 said: "But if I had been supporting a family, I could not have afforded to do that. You go to work every day hoping that things will get better and determined to do everything you can to see everyone stay safe and out of trouble -- one day at a time."
I've got a family to support while working with the same kids in a different state. In fact, I'm a single mother and I do it everyday because I choose to do it. When times got tough, I accepted any suggestions that people had to ensure that we could make our jobs safer. After one year, we could go to work feeling okay. After two years, we went to work feeling much safer. And, after three years, I enjoy my job again but I always remember that I am locked inside with some dangerous kids so I never expect to be "completely" safe at work.
These employees lives are no different then mine. If they are so miserable, they should leave like you did because staying there and being miserable hurts them, their families, the kids, and the agency. Every job ain't for everybody. Sometimes you just have to cut your losses and move on. TYC couldn't have been that bad if you accumulated a yrs worth of sick and comp leave. You obviously did call out a lot due to stress or fear and you worked a lot of OT in such horrible conditions. When our facilities were in bad shape, everyone called out (due to fear or stress) or was on workman's comp due to injuries. Then we had the high number of staff who couldn't have contact with kids after they defended themselves or became fed up and retaliated.
It just seems like these people choose to stay and complain instead of taking responsibility for their decisions.
And, if the Ombudsman is dedicated to the kids, why not hire him? Why should he let politics stop him from doing what he chose to do...improve TYC? Maybe if more people like him worked for the agency, they could drive out some of the misery and make great things happen. I congratulate Cherie for making such a smart decision and surrounding herself with people who are as dedicated as she is.
Hey Grits,
First and foremost I would like to thank Will for the outstanding job that he has done with the Texas Youth Commission. The State of Texas will be hard-pressed to find someone with your talents, intelligence, and vision. We've put a lot of money into system, but I think that we've learned that there is no price for dedication and hard-work. Thanks again Will.
I was incarcerated in the Texas Youth Commission during it's most turbulent years. One of the facilities that I was placed in was Evins Regional Juvenile Center. It was there where I witnessed numerous fights, riots, and even people getting shanked. In 2006 the sex scandal broke out. Later on that year the Department of Justice came down to the facilitate Evin's restructuring to make it a safer facility. It seemed during this time that TYC had hit it's lowest point.
To stem the blood loss and pick up the broken pieces of a public scandal, TYC brought forth numerous leaders with their own ideals to help change this battered agency. What ended up happening was mass confusion and internal policy changes that left caseworkers and JCO's with little to work with.
It is 2009 and I think we have finally found some stable ground to make some progress on. Cherie is the executive director where I think she has made some great progress. Will, over the past two years, has made multiple site visits and has enacted numerous policy changes and reforms.
After reading many of the posts here I realize that many people are ignorant to the amount of dedication and passion he invests in his job. One thing that sets Will apart from many other people that work in a similar field is that he tries to put himself in a person's position to see what it is like from their point of view. In 2008, while working on reform on the Aggression Management Program (AMP) and the Behavior Management Program (BMP) he put HIMSELF in security for a night in order to get a better idea of what it was like. He created the Youth Ombudsman Program in order to receive detailed inputs from youth themselves, that live the system and are probably the richest source of information on what works and what doesn't. The man invests his weekend and holidays into this job. Saying that he doesn't do anything for the kids is biased and untrue. Take one good look at the work he has done with the kids at Corsicana. It will change your mind in a minute.
- Formerly incarcerated TYC youth.
For 04:11 p.m....
Its funny, if the employees say something about horrid conditions for staff members and youths they should just LEAVE....
Just like the Texas Rangers should have left when they heard about a child molesting superintendent and principal.
If things get bad, don't report them and leave.
Very smart 04:11 p.m.
Unfortunately many of these employees are vested in this agency and simply want their grievances heard since their agency and state will not hear them.
Again, I applaud employees in TYC that bring public the truth regardless of who tries to hide from it.
Just leave..... That is the cowardly answer.
Hey grits,
I skimmed through the blog and found several things that caught my eye. Mainly the comments that Dirty Harry has to say. As an ex-inmate from the Texas Youth Commission, I can understand where some of your views stem from. I lived it. At the same time, I cannot agree with some of your suggestions.
"Inmates who commit premeditated attempted murder on staff and other youth don't belong in TYC. They belong in a REAL jail setting. Too bad you don't allow specific examples and naming names. I have plenty of specifics to offer." - Dirty Harry
While it's true that many of the offenders that arrive at the Texas Youth Commission have done some heinous crimes. I also agree that staff usually do not have the right tools in order to deal with these kids, but look at what your suggesting from a operational point of view.
Our estimated cost of incarceration for an adult in our justice system is $250,000 for every 5 years a man spends behind bars. The way we arrive at this number is calculated is from:
$20,000/year on one adult
Probation, court documents, previous crimes, etc. (Source: Prison Entrepreneurship Program; http://www.prisonentrepreneurship.org)
That is our taxpayer dollars being pumped into these men, who usually go through the system learning nothing and end up back on the streets in the same position that they were in before they went in. This is why our recidivism rate is 60-70%. People think that just locking these guys up will solve the problem! The great advantage that TYC offers is that they offer rehabilitation services to people that still have a chance to fix their mistakes because they are so young. Imagine the potential of a 16 year old drug dealer that has been selling drugs his whole life. What if you equip him with entrepreneurship skills and training? He's been successful dealing drugs all these years, what if he tries to sell life insurance, or houses, or cars? What is needed is a focused rehabilitation programs that offers positive support and reinforcement. I was one of the few lucky individuals inside TYC that recognized the opportunities that were right in front of me and had the drive to be successful and it was because of excellent staff and programs that have gotten me to where I am today. Just locking kids up doesn't solve anything, without help, it just compounds the problem. I hope that if you read this that you will reconsider your standpoint.
-Formerly incarcerated TYC youth.
Formerly Incarcerated TYC Youth, thanks for posting. We all hope you are doing well and that you continue to utilize those skills you have in a positive manner, rather than the life you chose pre-TYC. We all know the potential you have, both positive and negative. Never forget what it was like to be in your victims' shoes.
Things have changed quite a bit since you left. Students are being pushed through the system. Even when they aren't ready or doing what they are supposed to be doing they are advancing through stages (used to be phases), disrupting specialized treatment programming and being released. It is definitely not the same TYC as last year and it is definitely not better.
You are right, Mr. Harrell has spent a significant amount of time with youth and at different facilities. It has tapered off somewhat and he certainly spends more time with youth than staff. He has made some excellent programmatic changes.
Unfortunately, like many other well meaning people, Will has a habit of making snap judgments regarding individual youth situations without consulting with TYC staff working directly with the youth.
-Current TYC Staff
To formerly incarcerated TYC youth:
We have nothing but praise for you if you have turned your life around, and benefitted from your stay at TYC. Unfortunately, not all individuals who end up in incarceration can be rehabilitated. This is especiallly true of some violent offenders. These are the ones that are currently wreaking havoc within TYC, assaulting and terrorizing staff and other youth, and destroying the chance for rehabilitation for so many others. Perhaps, this could be corrected if TYC staff had the tools and support from Austin to keep the problems in check. As it is, they don't. Since those in charge don't want to supply what is needed, the only alternative would be to separate the dangerous youth from the rest of the population and staff. The situation is severely out of control. Education in the units has been put on the back burner, and there are many days that class isn't even held. Lockdowns and out-of-control youth are a common occurrence. Teachers can't do their jobs during the days they do manage to have class, because groups of out of control youth wander the halls looking for trouble to get into, and completely disrupt the education process. There is no order. There is no safety whatsoever. It's very unfortunate fo everyone in the units.
Will Harrell obviously had a positive effect in protecting the rights of incarcerated youth. This was his job. But, his efforts do nothing to remedy the overall problems TYC has now. If anything, his efforts inadvertently contributed to TYC's current problems by empowering predatory youth, and putting staff at risk.
Here's an example: Early in his tenure, Harrell came to our campus for the first time, met staff for the first time, and talked to a youth in security for the first time. A few minutes later, he asked that the youth be released back to the dorm after extracting a "promise" from the youth to work his program. The program specialist felt compelled to comply. The youth did not keep his promise. Harrell became a hero to the youth and no doubt demoralized the dorm staff, all in a short 30-minute visit. It's pretty simple to positively affect one youth at a time, but often it comes at the expense of the remaining youth.
XTYC
Lets get something straight, if the staff let the youth out of security thats on him. Will did not nor does he have this stroke. The staff should have asked their supervisor and hopefully this person would have said no, Will does not have this authority. This is what kills me about these strings, people make posts who have no clue about day to day operations at facilities. Will could have asked but the allowing the youth out of security is on the staff ad his lack of training. Last time I checked this office (Ombudsman) has not supervisory authority, write this down and utilize it as training.
Thanks for posting Formerly incarcerated TYC youth. I agree about your idea regarding teaching a kid according to their way. The organizational skills that got me sent to tyc as well as during my times at tyc being able to build on those organizational skills has contributed greatly to my success in life today. Although it was years after tyc and non tyc staff who actually taught me that those organizational skills can be used in the positive. I to was at tyc during one of its many tumultuous times.
About the predators, we were all predators to a varying degree. Those kids you speak about who would just as soon be in lock up as opposed to the dorm is a sad situation in case management, IMO. I can see here why you people talk about the lack of training in your staff, especially your case workers. Back in my day, those who were considered victims were place in a special dorm. But since they were all predators to some degree, there were even predators on these so called punk dorms. I think predators can be controlled, but that's to much to get into on this blog. It boils down to a case management issue.
About me speaking positively about a unit, no I wasn't drinking or on drugs. I saw for myself, spoke to the kids. I would like to believe that every one of the tyc kids has the potential to turn it around just like the staff. Once you people individually and as a group hit the tipping point its all down hill. I look forward to accepting other invitations to other units so I can see for myself the good that tyc is doing in the lives of Texas children who are sent to the troubled agency because they are just a little to much for their home counties to handle.
Sheldon tyc#47333 II c/s
8:37 a.m., Since Harrell was the newly appointed "Independent Ombudsman," I think we all believed he did have the (implied) power to see that a youth was released from security. After all, his position had been created because TYC staff had been continually denying youth their civil rights, molesting, assaulting, keeping them locked up too long, blah, blah, blah.
The PS could have elevated the issue, but this was after hours and he was the administrator in charge of the building. He would have had to try to contact his supervisor by phone. Then, what do we think the answer might have been?
Your response implies that I have no knowledge about how a facility operates, and you are wrong.
XTYC
XTYC writes, "I think we all believed he did have the (implied) power to see that a youth was released from security."
Except he doesn't, so you believed something that was demonstrably false. And at this point, knowing it's false, your comment has the additional demerit of being self serving. Go somewhere else and spew bile if all you have to offer is made-up rules violations and fabricated statements about who has supervisory authority at TYC facilities.
Truly pathetic. Get a life. And if you're truly ex-TYC I'd suggest you count your blessings and focus your attention somewhere else besides anonymously fabricating allegations against your former employer.
You people that sat up in Austin, aware of all the abuse and failed to act, also...are the cowards. Then you tell working employees to 'quit', if they are unhappy with the turmoil and complain about conditions. You're not concerned about youth care or employee morale...you only care about your own position and don't want anyone to rock the boat. YOU are the traitors and cowards..
Grits, you have exhibited your ignorance in regards to what really happens in TYC. If the PS would not have released the youth, Will would have simply phoned in to someone in Central Office, they would have had the youth released. The PS would have been placed under some frivilous investigation, suspended for "violating the youth's rights", and ultimately fired because he/she would not have been able to shake the target on their back. All of this would happen regardless of the PS's tenure, experience, and job performance. The PS was operating out of self-preservation, which most, if not all, field employees are doing since the "reform". TYC is screwed up and will remain that way. Will is just another piece of the TYC puzzled that will never be finished. He nor the Executive Administration have the knowledge or abilities to reform TYC. This saga will continue in the next Legislative session.
Okay, Grits, now we have an argument. I said his power was “implied,” which is true. He was installed by the legislature (or the governor?) to watch all of us corrupt and perverted TYC staff and advocate for the youth. If his request had been denied, he probably would have thanked us and left, but it would not have been the last of it.
I’m not trying to be self-serving; I’m only trying to contribute to the conversation.
What bile? All I wrote about is an incident that illustrates my side of an argument. I didn’t say Harrell committed an arrestable offense, for heaven’s sake! I didn't even say he broke facility rules. My point was that he had little regard for the rules, the youth's program, and our staff. 3:10 p.m. is correct when he mentions the self-preservation mode we were all in then. Maybe it's not so severe now.
Your advice to get a life is well taken. I truly am an ex-TYC employee. 10.5 years is a long time and a lot of water is under the bridge. A lot of my friends are still there.
And, finally, I didn’t fabricate anything, and I didn’t accuse anyone of anything. I guess I can take it, but why is your skin so thin when it comes to Will Harrell? He's a public servant, like all other TYC employees, and accountable for his performance.
XTYC
a little over the top there grits..
and it is true, Will will go over your head, routinely...and yes, then the calls come from central office and do we really want to have to deal with all that.
Well, your right Grits, we should all just shut up.
We should not say anything bad about TYC or the constant turmoil.
Maybe you would be alot happier if no one ever reported anything that could be wrong with TYC from the inside.
Well, lets just cover it up Grits. Despite what you think, no employee was going to go up against the will of the Ombudsman.... There certainly would be repercussions.... It's not "bile" Grits, it's the truth.
Let's just cover it all up and make it go away eh Grits... Don't rock the boat.
I'm dissapointed that Grits goes along with the TYC 'norm', even if it covers up abuse and bad admin judgements and policy. I thought Grits really cared about reforms and right, but apparantly NOT. How can you support the past cover-ups and now on going abuses?
I want to hide the truth? Because I don't cotton to anonymous cowards making false and unsubstantiated allegtions? Yeah, right.
This site has been THE primary source of TYC criticisms in the past two years. But the difference between me and y'all is that I"m not looking to settle scores, I'm lookikng for good public policy outcomes. By contrast, many folks who comment here clearly are only in it for themselves. It doesn't "contribute to the conversation" to make up false allegations and claim abuses of power that did not and in fact could not have occurred - e.g, your claim Will had authority to overrule disciplinary decisions. That's just not true.
I have no interest in protecting Will Harrell. He certainly never offered me that courtesy when I worked for him and if you knew how that ended you'd know how ridiculous the accusation is that I'm thin-skinned only about him. Look back at MANY past TYC comment strings - I routinely intervene when conversations become personalized and nonproductive, which is what I did here.
If you don't like what you read here, don't visit. Please. In fact, for those of you issuing complaints about how I run this site: Behave like a guest or go away and don't come back. I'm sick of you pathetic whiners.
Clear enough?
Scott, I was wanting to email you. Can you give your me your email address?
It's shenson@austin.rr.com.
I just deleted two posts that were outright libelous, so y'all have lost privileges. This string is over.
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