tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post8999357522506014003..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Killing the Messenger: TYC fires whistleblowerGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-16959515233449254162007-05-29T07:52:00.000-05:002007-05-29T07:52:00.000-05:00Hi scott!! good blog, good job ;)Hi scott!! good blog, good job ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-10114792101361865362007-05-26T21:07:00.000-05:002007-05-26T21:07:00.000-05:00Grits, can you verify that 2884 has pulled been am...Grits, can you verify that 2884 has pulled been amended to take out references to the 100 bed facilities.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-56168525952297398422007-05-25T08:33:00.000-05:002007-05-25T08:33:00.000-05:00oops, I meant 5 years.oops, I meant 5 years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-35413991365103144532007-05-25T08:32:00.000-05:002007-05-25T08:32:00.000-05:00I saw in the Statesman today that TYC is adjusting...I saw in the Statesman today that TYC is adjusting their hiring policy as far as folks with misdemeanor convictions within the past year. Looks like they are changing the policy because Will Harrell had a Class B conviction in 2004 for Reckless Driving. I find that very interesting. Kimbrough says that he knew about the conviction when he hired Harrell, and didn't know that the new hiring rule was that severe. I bet that if this had been about a regular Joe Shmoe with a Class B conviction for something as trivial as a Hot Check, then they would be out of a job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-26052588113976612712007-05-18T22:32:00.000-05:002007-05-18T22:32:00.000-05:00I hear you 9:51. I have been following that bill f...I hear you 9:51. I have been following that bill for a quite a while now. I also work at one of the most remote TYC facilities, so I wonder every single day what the future holds. <BR/><BR/>I hear a lot of gripes about TYC, but I happen to love what I do. I have been teaching TYC kids for the past ten years and the prospect of this career ending is really sad to me. I planned on teaching there until I retire. I am glad that justice is finally on the horizon for the kids though...it is long overdue. I will miss working with them if it comes to that, but I know that everything happens for a reason, and if the West Texas scandal isn't enough of a reason to change TYC, I don't know what is.<BR/><BR/>I'm glad you brought up HB 2884. If you workdx for TYC, it will definetly have an affect on you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-69563307107262393912007-05-18T21:51:00.000-05:002007-05-18T21:51:00.000-05:00All TYC employees need to start watching legislati...All TYC employees need to start watching legislation. A bill movement alert was sent out saying that HB 2884 and been recommended for the Senate local and uncontested calendar. This one is scary that CHuy's 103 which voted unanimous in both side of the lege. If this one does the same, I don't know if the gov has to sign or not. If not, we're sunk. If the gov has to sign it, then everyone needs to find out who to write and start writing NOW. All facilities with more than 100 beds will be turned over to TDCJ which is basically all the facilities.TDCJ can do what they want with them and everyone who wants to keep their job has to reapply..If you don't believe me, go read the text of the whole thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-72152788246323784622007-05-18T15:41:00.000-05:002007-05-18T15:41:00.000-05:00Ok, then people should not use a "pen" name at all...Ok, then people should not use a "pen" name at all.<BR/><BR/>-nobody-Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-17107133334585508752007-05-18T12:27:00.000-05:002007-05-18T12:27:00.000-05:00I think it is just awful to terminate anyone for a...I think it is just awful to terminate anyone for a felon that was reported at time of employment. Especially.... one that is 30 - 35 years old. My argument is why someone would "blame" the termination based on the "whistleblower" act. Clearly, that is not the reason for termination. Again, I am not supporting anyone that was directly involved in the West Texas scandal. Change was definitely needed, unfortunately there have some bad decisions (in my opinion) made in regard to the felony firings.<BR/><BR/>I am only stating my opinion, perhaps someone may think that I am delusional in my thoughts also. That is okay I am not offended, this is a public forum and everyone does not have to agree with everything written. The allegations that have been written have trashed and condemned people without anything legally proven... Media does not seem to have investigated "everyone's" background - those "allegedly" reporting these allegations as well as those "allegedly" being reported. It is my hope that the legal system will do those investigations on "the accusers as well as those accused." Then,,, everything will be on the table and the real truth will come out one way or the other.<BR/><BR/>For those that claim to "pen" their name to every posting, well I am just not buying that. Again, my opinion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-26806681856322327132007-05-18T09:42:00.000-05:002007-05-18T09:42:00.000-05:00Anthony, I think that you got a raw deal. Period. ...Anthony, I think that you got a raw deal. Period. People with any sense can see that. Everyone else with an old felony conviction was done wrong, too, and I hope that you all get a huge check from TYC from the lawsuit. <BR/><BR/>I can see them wanting to change the rules about felons, but they should have "grandfathered" people that were already working. I also see your point about the real sleaze-bags who are responsible for this mess getting to retire in comfort with big retirement checks, while the poor average joe gets nothing. <BR/><BR/>-Bubba JoeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-49228137551898195322007-05-18T02:17:00.000-05:002007-05-18T02:17:00.000-05:00Sorry I didn't answer all the questions......3:57 ...Sorry I didn't answer all the questions......<BR/><BR/>3:57 My claims were reported by the media on May 1, 2007. I was part of the story in 2003-2004 along with Bill Parker. I also had provided evidence to lawmakers some time before the story broke in the DMN on May 1, 2007. I found the lost evidence March 13, 2007 and immediately started giving it to OIG, State Lawmakers, and TX Rangers. I provided evidence relating to other activities as well in February 2007. Another bit of misconduct was reported to a local lawmaker in JUly of 2005. I have been at this for some time. For years in fact!<BR/><BR/>8:05 I have hard evidence hand written by TYC youth. It has been given to law enforcement and is currently before a grand jury. Before it is over I expect some of the youth who wrote the stories about what was going on will be called before the grand jury. Bill and I gave the Texas Ranger a list of names for the youth. If the Ranger and Falls Co. DA do their job the case will move forward. If the powers in control don't want the investigation to move forward then I am sure it will not. Time will tell. If the case does move forward, once the guilty parties start to fall it will be a domino effect. It will be a rush to rat each other out for the best plea bargain. God only knows where it would stop.<BR/><BR/>If anyone wants to know what Bill and I have on you; now you know. I found some of the old exercises Bill had the kids write out along with a dorm roster listing the kid’s names. And some even put their names on the paper. The same type exercises Bill Parker took to supervisors at MOAU and we mailed to Central Office. They have some very graphic stories. If the Rangers want to follow this case all they need do is print out the 6B roster for 2003 and 2004 and ask all the kids about what they wrote about their state school experience while on MOAU Dorm 6B.<BR/><BR/>If I didn’t know better I would almost think some TYC spin doctors were posting to this blog trying to fish for information and confuse the issues. Hey guys I might be holding a few more cards back but you can’t expect me to show you everything I have. Remember I was at MOAU for 11 years.<BR/><BR/>Have a nice day! I am…..<BR/><BR/>Anthony MikulastikAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-12005157635523723332007-05-18T01:25:00.000-05:002007-05-18T01:25:00.000-05:003:57 That question was about MOAU employees in gen...3:57 That question was about MOAU employees in general knowing about current sexual abuse at West Texas and what was going on at the moment. All, we at MOAU in general, knew about current cases was what was in the media. Marlin employees did not have an edge on current West TX info. Again I was not speaking for myself but for Marlin employees as a representative of the State Employees Union who asked me to speak to the visiting law makers.<BR/><BR/>I personally do not care about taking years to prosecute litigation against TYC. I am at a point in life where I have better things to do than get enmeshed with more TYC crap.<BR/><BR/>My driving motivation is that TYC administration violated the law and caused the victimization of youth and staff. The losses are beyond measure and the criminals need to pay for the terrible things they have done to all of the youth and staff. I do not want to see them sail off into retirement to live happily ever after on my tax dollars.<BR/><BR/>I think you have talked about me being in the "Lime Light" before. You are nuts!!! Having the worst part of your life come back after 35 years have passed in not my idea of being in the lime light.<BR/><BR/>Go ahead and take another shot at me if it makes you feel better. Take notice I sign all of my comments, I noticed you didn't. Nothing wrong about anonymous but before you discount me think about signing your name like I do.<BR/><BR/>On another note I have grown very accustomed to not going to MOAU and I feel much better for it! I don't often check the news and blogs for TYC information like I used to. Grits had to email me to get me to respond to a post a few days ago! Being away from MOAU has improved my health and I am down a few pounds (7). We all know I could stand to drop a few pounds, about 40 actually.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the info on another fired felon. He had clemency just like me if it is the same person I know about.<BR/><BR/>Hopefully, this coming Monday will be the end of my personal involvement with TYC when my Termination Hearing is held. I have the case prepared to present for the most part. A big thanks to George Kirk attorney at law in Houston TX for his assistance in helping LP and me get ready to defend ourselves. The three of us spent several hours working up the presentation. Oh I forgot about the Grand Jury thing I have to go to, but that is later.<BR/><BR/>I am doing like Jay Kimbrough; I am riding my motorcycle around Texas while the tax payers pay the bill. I am following the example of a proven leader.<BR/><BR/>It is my hope, as many as possible from TYC, who tried to do the right thing, make it through this troubled time with as few scares as possible. I know many of you only have a single income and have no other medical insurance coverage for your kids. My prayers go out to you. Bad people brought trouble to us; we didn’t go looking for it! People who were supposed to be our leaders let us all down so don’t let this mess drag you down into despair because you have done nothing wrong.<BR/><BR/>Anthony MikulastikAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-55957301924757362902007-05-17T23:25:00.000-05:002007-05-17T23:25:00.000-05:00TYC is contracting out the cases and lawsuits to o...TYC is contracting out the cases and lawsuits to outside firms because they can't handle them! They are up to their butts in paperwork from so many bad decisions coming back on them. They're running around like chickens with their heads cut off.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-81270746522286431472007-05-17T21:51:00.000-05:002007-05-17T21:51:00.000-05:00Looks like Kimbrough is having a hard time justify...Looks like Kimbrough is having a hard time justifying it all since he's keeping them on the payroll Grits. I bet they are second guessing themselves now. Bet lawyers are now involving themselves and there is a huge concern with what they are doing. Time will tell.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-28069827455796457942007-05-17T20:35:00.000-05:002007-05-17T20:35:00.000-05:00@8:05: On AM, with the caveat that I've never pers...@8:05: On AM, with the caveat that I've never personally met the man, I don't think any employees with past felonies should be terminated, so why would I think it's right to throw him to the wolves just because he spoke out? Further, you ask,<BR/><BR/>"Why all this protection for AM when he was terminated for a felony? No other reason,"<BR/><BR/>Even if that's true, I've defended everyone so situated and his is a 37 year old case, which makes it ridiculous and egregious, IMO worthy of defense in and of itself.<BR/><BR/>"he seems delusional and makes way too many questionable comments about people ... No proof, no evidence, cannot produce anything of value to back up his claims..."<BR/><BR/>This from an anonymous commenter slamming someone as "delusional" with no proof? Pot, meet kettle. Except, Mr. Pot, did you swear out an affidavit to the Rangers? AM did.<BR/><BR/>"Otherwise the new TYC administration would have acted on them."<BR/><BR/>Personally I can find little rhyme or reason to the actions of the new administration - deciding to fire felons in response to Pyote is like George Bush invading Iraq after 9/11. I can't figure out what one has to do with the other.<BR/><BR/>"Can someone say "limelight" - "media attention"<BR/><BR/>You know, if y'all had a decent union that stepped up and defended its employees, isolated individuals wouldn't be left to speak out alone with anonymous snipers attacking their legitimacy from the rear while providing no alternatives. But then, those are just the "facts" as I see them. best,Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-87201819306073722172007-05-17T20:16:00.000-05:002007-05-17T20:16:00.000-05:00Are you suggesting that AM staged this after heari...Are you suggesting that AM staged this after hearing the TYC were going to do a felony sweep?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-52670898288342491572007-05-17T20:05:00.000-05:002007-05-17T20:05:00.000-05:00Grits - 5/14/07 7:58AMIn regard to AM termination ...Grits - 5/14/07 7:58AM<BR/><BR/>In regard to AM termination and a "boneheaded" move made by TYC. I choose to disagree with you. If TYC terminated based on AM's threats and allegations then the rest of the felons at TYC that did get terminated would not have been treated fairly "across the board". Why all this protection for AM when he was terminated for a felony? No other reason, he seems delusional and makes way too many questionable comments about people that just "do not agree with his or the other caseworker's allegations". No proof, no evidence, cannot produce anything of value to back up his claims... Otherwise the new TYC administration would have acted on them... From what I am reading he did not personally make these claims. (Only riding the coat tails of someone else)Can someone say "limelight" - "media attention" "hooray for AM" that is what seems to be his primary motivator. Sorry just stating the "facts" as I see them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-27965288913782372702007-05-17T19:16:00.000-05:002007-05-17T19:16:00.000-05:00Hang in there folks.... your still on the payroll,...Hang in there folks.... your still on the payroll, and someone must be having a problem with it, since you've been retained for another month now... memo went out today...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-19213634040073919692007-05-16T21:48:00.000-05:002007-05-16T21:48:00.000-05:00Just for the record, Anthony, another TYC employee...Just for the record, Anthony, another TYC employee got his recommendation for termination today because of his felony record. You were not the last one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-27392455571593215082007-05-16T15:57:00.000-05:002007-05-16T15:57:00.000-05:00Anthony, I don't know you at all. I certainly thin...Anthony, I don't know you at all. I certainly think you got a really bad deal. I'm not in a position to know why you were terminated but there is clearly an appearance of corruption even if they followed their "rules". I will have to say that there is one thing that stood out in my readings related to you that is of some concern to me. I believe it was a newspaper article of March 17th (don't remember which newspaper) where you were discussing with the media the lack of funding and problems with obtaining mental health medications when new juveniles arrived at the facility you were at (Marlin?). In this article, there was a comment that the employees at your facility didn't know anything about the sexual abuse cases in West Texas; certainly not the 300 reported.....something like that. You felt comfortable that anything like that would have been reported and dealt with where you were. It sounded in the article that you were one of the "employees" they were referring to that didn't know anything about the abuses at the West Tx facility. But then in this chain and/or others, the accounts seem to be that you came forward around the first of May 2007, that you, and I believe Bill, had reported this abuse in W Texas years ago. Now I have been reading a whole lot and maybe I am not accurate; I can research and find out if I am way off. If you have the inclination and are willing, I would love to hear your comments on this. Again, I don't know you or almost any of the other TYC staff. I worked there many years ago. I didn't trust Steve R. and have commented elsewhere that I could easily see how he could have built or allowed a culture that would have easily led to problems like these. by ReallyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-38456680777683893442007-05-16T14:16:00.000-05:002007-05-16T14:16:00.000-05:00So what are the all the TYC staff attorneys and he...So what are the all the TYC staff attorneys and hearing officers doing now if they're not doing the termination hearings? Isn't that their jobs?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-903423144346256892007-05-16T13:58:00.000-05:002007-05-16T13:58:00.000-05:0012:10 It was not my termination hearing, it was La...12:10 It was not my termination hearing, it was Larry's. We used the guidence from a high dollar lawyer in Houston. My presentation on 05/21/07 at 11:00 AM will be simular. The hearing is highly controled and narrowly focused to keep things under TYC control. Only Eric Young and the judge were present for TYC. That must mean all the hearings are a done deal.<BR/><BR/>Anthony MikulastikAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-46125897329027952832007-05-16T12:10:00.000-05:002007-05-16T12:10:00.000-05:00Hey Anthony! How did your termination hearing go y...Hey Anthony! How did your termination hearing go yesterday? <BR/><BR/>Please tell me TYC didn't send their same ole' crooked staff attorney's and hearing officers to represent TYC. If they did, forget it. They're such a joke. You'll have to take it to the courts if they are they ones deciding. Hope you have years to dedicate to trying to get justice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-47971493372014051382007-05-15T20:10:00.000-05:002007-05-15T20:10:00.000-05:00For the past several months I go home from my TYC ...For the past several months I go home from my TYC job every night and wonder when the axe is going to fall. When will we close? Will I have a job? Am I going to be able to take care of my family?Why won't you people in Central Office tell us anything? For those of us condemned to this limbo, I would just like to say to Jay Kimbrough, that I think we deserve better than what you, Ed Owens and Dimitria Pope are giving us. We are not all pedophiles and child abusers. Some us truly care about helping the troubled youth of Texas. The media circus you have created with all your arrogance, blustering rhetoric and public firings serves only to damage the agency to the point that recovery will be a more difficult and protracted process. The vacuum of experienced child care professionals your policies and tactics have created will not be easily overcome. Add this to the lack of communication from you regarding our concerns and our fate sends the message to the loyal employees who have "stuck it out" through this tragic time that it would appear that you could care less about us. Perhaps you, the legislature and the media should take a closer look at the people you have installed in TYC. Based upon what I read they have their skeletons too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-47779400803481282082007-05-15T08:17:00.000-05:002007-05-15T08:17:00.000-05:00Contact attorney David Van Os in San Antonio about...Contact attorney David Van Os in San Antonio about retaliation lawsuit. He is handling the Bexar County Adult Probation officers who are suing their Chief for retaliation! stay tuned, court date is in June 07Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-21115569633372022312007-05-14T22:34:00.000-05:002007-05-14T22:34:00.000-05:008:43 to Anthony, I doubt there is any person out t...8:43 to Anthony, <BR/>I doubt there is any person out there than can say you didn't stand up and fight like hell against some pretty unscrupulous people. You did. Thanks for doing that. Keep us informed on how things are going. I think even though you might think some here might be against you, you'd be surprised that they're (we're)really on your side and will fight the good fight with you. Best to you Anthony. I hope you have a great lawyer who has some brass nuts or a steel brassiere. It's going to be a fight, but well worth it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com