Sending out a challenge to state juvenile justice system
Published July 27, 2003
Re: State aiming high in efforts to help youths, letter by Bill Bankhead, secretary of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, July 20.
W.G. "Bill" Bankhead, as the highest-ranking employee in the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, needs a dose of reality. My experience has shown that Bankhead does not "work to see that the highest standards are enforced," as his letter states.
As a youth advocate representing www.justice4kids.org I have spent more than two years exposing rampant abuse and neglect of youth within Florida's juvenile justice facilities. If Bankhead was truly concerned about "the safety of the youth committed to the department's custody," he would be working with me, rather than against me, toward eliminating this abuse. His good ol' boys do more than just ignore me; they actively attempt to silence me with threats, harassment and intimidation.
If Bankhead genuinely cared, his staff would be writing to him instead of to me with their complaints of staff shortages, burnout, overcrowded conditions, discrimination, inadequate training and other serious concerns, such as abuse of youth by staff and the subsequent coverup using creative report writing.
I invite Bankhead to stand with me at my Pinellas Regional Juvenile Detention Center, where 17-year-old Daniel Matthews died tragically and unnecessarily in a fight recently. I challenge him to build the same confidence with parents and staff as I have, to listen to their complaints and concerns, and pursue the necessary avenues to try to make things right. Are you up for this challenge, Mr. Bankhead?
-- Cathy Corry, Clearwater
Clifford's story offers comfort and inspiration
Re: Owner's deep affection for late dog is easy to spot, story, July 14.
Each day I drive to and from Palm Harbor for my job. Not a day goes by that I'm not choked up with pride when I see Clifford's billboard.
I spotted that billboard from Day One and when I read the article in the paper regarding Clifford, I cried. What wonderful owners!
My hat is off to both Bill Rutger and his wife, Angela. What a heartwarming story and such a wonderful tribute to their beloved pet.
Although sometimes taken for granted, pets are so important in our everyday lives - more than we realize. My husband and I have a 6-year-old, 95-pound black Lab named Sammi, who is our shadow. I can't imagine our lives without her.
I would like to say thank you to the Rutgers for sharing their story about Clifford. I feel as though I had known him and I wish I did. Take comfort in all the great years you had with him and take much pride in your tribute to Clifford, because it is beautiful.
-- Renee Callegari, Port Richey
[Last modified July 27, 2003, 01:33:08]
