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Prairie fire: A proposed juvenile treatment facility ignites Tarkington residents
By ALEX WUKMAN
A one-column wide, 140-word legal notice on the back page of the July 30 Cleveland Advocate’s classified section has set Tarkington ablaze.
The small and unassuming notice begins with the sentence: “You are invited to attend a public hearing regarding a 14-bed residential treatment facility location to be 1270 CR 2293 Cleveland, TX 77327, Liberty County, Tarkington ISD.”
That one sentence has sparked a seemingly endless supply of rumors, innuendo and fear.
“We feel this facility is being slipped by the community,” said Floyd Wheeler. Wheeler, a 44-year resident of Tarkington and former TISD school board member, said that he and many other residents feel that they weren’t treated with the proper respect.
“They haven’t canvassed any of the neighbors to see if they wanted to be friendly neighbors,” said Wheeler. Wheeler is hardly alone in his sentiments. A petition he is circulating has already gathered over 100 signatures.
Included in the signatures is that of former Liberty County Judge Lloyd “Tookie” Kirkham.
“We know the need [for a juvenile treatment facility] is there,” said Kirkham, “but it’s not going to benefit our community. These kids are going to come from all over.”
The children in question are boys ages 9-17 who will be sent to the facility from the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), formerly Children’s Protective Services. One of the biggest concerns some residents have is the education of these children.
“Our school district is going to be liable for their education,” said Wheeler. Wheeler’s views on the requirement to educate the children are shared by many area residents.
Margaret Files, who lives approximately a mile from the proposed facility, wrote in a letter to the DFPS that the opening of the facility “would put an unfair burden on our small school district as our district would be required to educate these children.”
Tarkington ISD, on the other hand, does not have as many problems with the idea of admitting 14 more students. Superintendent John Kirchner does have some reservations regarding who these potential students might be.
“My main concern right now is the unknown,” said Kirchner. “If they come with 14 regular ed students, it wouldn’t be a problem. If they have 14 special ed students, we’ll have to hire staff.”
The lack of knowledge about who these 14 boys might be, coupled with the fact that they conceivably could be sent to Tarkington by the DFPS from all over the state, are the things that concern residents the most. However, not many of them have been moved to act on their concern.
“One of the school board members called, the superintendent of schools called, Mr. Wheeler called and a lady called to ask if I had a website but that’s it,” Rosalyn “Roz” Ruffin Barboza said, when asked about the response she’s had from the community. Barboza is the director of Lifestream Behavioral Health, which is the company seeking the license to open and operate the single-sex facility.
Part of the reason for Barboza’s surprise that no one has contacted her to find out more information about the proposed facility, the staff or the children is because her phone number ran in the ad.
“Everybody’s got the option to call me. If they call me, we could defuse the situation,” said Barboza.
Barboza stated that the children she is proposing to house will be those that are being “treated for emotional disorders.” When asked what she meant by an emotional disorder, Barboza paused and then said, “I’m trying to name an emotional disorder; maybe depression or anxiety would qualify.”
The National Mental Health Information Center (NMHIC) lists severe depression and anxiety as two of the nine mental, emotional and behavioral disorders that are recognized by the federal government as being common in children. The NMHIC bases its assessment of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders on the U.S. government’s criteria for Social Security Disability, which was last updated in 1999.
The nine disorders listed are anxiety disorders; severe depression; bipolar disorder; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); learning disorders, such as dyslexia or dyscalculia; conduct disorder; eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia; autism and schizophrenia.
Barboza is a licensed marriage and family therapist and has been in private practice since 1987. She also is a contracted sex offender therapy provider.
“It’s a matter of public record what I’m licensed for. I understand that people would see my name as a therapy provider for sex offenders and think I’m going to bring sex offenders to their community, but that’s not what I’m doing,” she said. Barboza treats sex offenders in the Beaumont, Houston and Galveston area in Texas Department of Parole Offices and halfway houses.
Barboza also has a contract to provide therapeutic services to the Texas Youth Commission (TYC). She said that the terms of her contract with the TYC state her services be “outpatient, not residential.” She stated that at the proposed facility “there won’t be any TYC children.”
She also said that the children who will be placed there may have histories with drug and alcohol.
“It’s possible that they could have substance abuse issues,” she said.
She also stated that the ultimate decision about what type of children will be placed in the home rests with DFPS and that it is up to them to determine who they will send.
“You don’t really know what type of child you’re getting in advance,” said Barboza.
Even though Barboza has been a licensed therapist for over 20 years, she has never operated a residential care facility. When asked why she chose Tarkington as the place to open a treatment facility, she said “My objective was to look for a wholesome rural environment and remove them [the children to be placed with the facility] from a chaotic environment.”
Many Tarkington area residents feel that Barboza perpetuated fraud on them. In Files’ letter to the DFPS she wrote, “The quiet underhanded way in which this facility has been planned is very disturbing. This property was purchased under the guise of being used as a ‘weekend home.’”
Barboza, who lives in the Katy area, feels that she never misled the community. She said that the house “was bought as a weekender and it was used as a weekender. Then I thought, why not do something meaningful with my practice and do something more fulfilling?”
This led her to begin bringing the 4,100-square foot home in line with the DFPS requirements for a residential facility. She converted the former four bedroom home into a five bedroom home and included six toilets.
The inclusion of so many toilets is also worrisome to some residents.
“Having known the former owners, we know for a fact there have been problems with the well and septic system,” wrote Files.
When asked about the water and wastewater capacity of the facility, Barboza said, “My well and septic system are in good working order and the water has been tested.”
She quickly explained that “I don’t have the technical background to tell you the specifics but I have been told that they are in good working order.”
In addition to the concerns about a possible septic system leak, some residents have worried about staff and supervision. Barboza said the ratio of staff to children will be 1:5, except at nights. When children are sleeping, it gets to 1:8.”
Another issue that has angered area residents and some elected officials is the way they feel that they have been blindsided by the facility’s proposal.
“I heard about it when I got a letter,” said Pct. 2 Commissioner Lee Groce.
Groce was not the only elected official who was not informed prior to construction. County Judge Phil Fitzgerald’s office confirmed that they were not contacted prior to the licensing proposal being filed.
“I wasn’t trying to slip something in the community. I sent letters to the sheriff, the superintendent of schools, the police chief, the fire chief, a high school guidance counselor, a commissioner. It was six or seven officials,” Barboza said. She also stated that the letters were sent out in conjunction with the purchase of the newspaper ad.
Barboza did speak to Kirchner over a year ago about her idea to create a facility.
“I remember she either called or came by,” said Kirchner. “She didn’t really have a plan then.”
The lack of prior notification is something that has upset many in the community.
“I have some issues with this,” said Groce. He also put forth a motion to accept Wheeler’s petition opposing the facility on the agenda for the August 12 commissioners court meeting.
Barboza explained that the notifications were done in conjunction with DFPS requirements.
“The licensing department has it kind of backwards,” she said., “You have all these good intentions and then you have a public hearing at the end and the dam breaks.”
Attempts to reach Chuong Khuat, the DFPS licensing representative handling Barboza’s proposal, were unsuccessful. However, a DFPS case manager in Liberty County is pleased that the facility is being constructed.
“We’ve need something like this for years,” she said. As word of the controversy surrounding the proposed facility spread, Barboza said she would reconsider housing boys.
“If the community is so worried about boys, I’ll get girls,” said Barboza. Whether it is boys or girls, Tarkington ISD is preparing.
“If they live here, we’re going to take care of them. I just may have to go out and find people to take care of them,” said Kirchner. Not everyone is ready to be so accommodating though.
“We don’t want the facility there,” said Floyd Wheeler. He went a little further in print.
The petition that Wheeler had an attorney draw up states that the signatories aren’t just opposed to the construction of the facility on County Road 2293, but that they “oppose the location of such a facility at any other address in the Tarkington Independent School District.”
“I’m not concerned about what’s there now. I’m worried about what will be there next year,” said Wheeler. Wheeler explained that he is afraid that after the 14-bed facility opens that Barboza will expand.
According to Barboza, that’s not going to happen.
“I can barely get past the public hearing with 14 beds,” she said.
ACCEPT PETITION
The Liberty County Commissioners Court is scheduled to accept the petition opposing the proposed juvenile treatment facility at its Aug. 12 meeting. The meeting will be held at the Liberty County Courthouse at 1923 Sam Houston Street in Liberty. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m.
PUBLIC HEARING
The public hearing and open house for the proposed 14-bed facility will be held Aug. 15 at the facility, which is located at 1270 CR 2293. The hearing is scheduled to last from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The small and unassuming notice begins with the sentence: “You are invited to attend a public hearing regarding a 14-bed residential treatment facility location to be 1270 CR 2293 Cleveland, TX 77327, Liberty County, Tarkington ISD.”
That one sentence has sparked a seemingly endless supply of rumors, innuendo and fear.
“We feel this facility is being slipped by the community,” said Floyd Wheeler. Wheeler, a 44-year resident of Tarkington and former TISD school board member, said that he and many other residents feel that they weren’t treated with the proper respect.
“They haven’t canvassed any of the neighbors to see if they wanted to be friendly neighbors,” said Wheeler. Wheeler is hardly alone in his sentiments. A petition he is circulating has already gathered over 100 signatures.
Included in the signatures is that of former Liberty County Judge Lloyd “Tookie” Kirkham.
“We know the need [for a juvenile treatment facility] is there,” said Kirkham, “but it’s not going to benefit our community. These kids are going to come from all over.”
The children in question are boys ages 9-17 who will be sent to the facility from the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), formerly Children’s Protective Services. One of the biggest concerns some residents have is the education of these children.
“Our school district is going to be liable for their education,” said Wheeler. Wheeler’s views on the requirement to educate the children are shared by many area residents.
Margaret Files, who lives approximately a mile from the proposed facility, wrote in a letter to the DFPS that the opening of the facility “would put an unfair burden on our small school district as our district would be required to educate these children.”
Tarkington ISD, on the other hand, does not have as many problems with the idea of admitting 14 more students. Superintendent John Kirchner does have some reservations regarding who these potential students might be.
“My main concern right now is the unknown,” said Kirchner. “If they come with 14 regular ed students, it wouldn’t be a problem. If they have 14 special ed students, we’ll have to hire staff.”
The lack of knowledge about who these 14 boys might be, coupled with the fact that they conceivably could be sent to Tarkington by the DFPS from all over the state, are the things that concern residents the most. However, not many of them have been moved to act on their concern.
“One of the school board members called, the superintendent of schools called, Mr. Wheeler called and a lady called to ask if I had a website but that’s it,” Rosalyn “Roz” Ruffin Barboza said, when asked about the response she’s had from the community. Barboza is the director of Lifestream Behavioral Health, which is the company seeking the license to open and operate the single-sex facility.
Part of the reason for Barboza’s surprise that no one has contacted her to find out more information about the proposed facility, the staff or the children is because her phone number ran in the ad.
“Everybody’s got the option to call me. If they call me, we could defuse the situation,” said Barboza.
Barboza stated that the children she is proposing to house will be those that are being “treated for emotional disorders.” When asked what she meant by an emotional disorder, Barboza paused and then said, “I’m trying to name an emotional disorder; maybe depression or anxiety would qualify.”
The National Mental Health Information Center (NMHIC) lists severe depression and anxiety as two of the nine mental, emotional and behavioral disorders that are recognized by the federal government as being common in children. The NMHIC bases its assessment of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders on the U.S. government’s criteria for Social Security Disability, which was last updated in 1999.
The nine disorders listed are anxiety disorders; severe depression; bipolar disorder; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); learning disorders, such as dyslexia or dyscalculia; conduct disorder; eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia; autism and schizophrenia.
Barboza is a licensed marriage and family therapist and has been in private practice since 1987. She also is a contracted sex offender therapy provider.
“It’s a matter of public record what I’m licensed for. I understand that people would see my name as a therapy provider for sex offenders and think I’m going to bring sex offenders to their community, but that’s not what I’m doing,” she said. Barboza treats sex offenders in the Beaumont, Houston and Galveston area in Texas Department of Parole Offices and halfway houses.
Barboza also has a contract to provide therapeutic services to the Texas Youth Commission (TYC). She said that the terms of her contract with the TYC state her services be “outpatient, not residential.” She stated that at the proposed facility “there won’t be any TYC children.”
She also said that the children who will be placed there may have histories with drug and alcohol.
“It’s possible that they could have substance abuse issues,” she said.
She also stated that the ultimate decision about what type of children will be placed in the home rests with DFPS and that it is up to them to determine who they will send.
“You don’t really know what type of child you’re getting in advance,” said Barboza.
Even though Barboza has been a licensed therapist for over 20 years, she has never operated a residential care facility. When asked why she chose Tarkington as the place to open a treatment facility, she said “My objective was to look for a wholesome rural environment and remove them [the children to be placed with the facility] from a chaotic environment.”
Many Tarkington area residents feel that Barboza perpetuated fraud on them. In Files’ letter to the DFPS she wrote, “The quiet underhanded way in which this facility has been planned is very disturbing. This property was purchased under the guise of being used as a ‘weekend home.’”
Barboza, who lives in the Katy area, feels that she never misled the community. She said that the house “was bought as a weekender and it was used as a weekender. Then I thought, why not do something meaningful with my practice and do something more fulfilling?”
This led her to begin bringing the 4,100-square foot home in line with the DFPS requirements for a residential facility. She converted the former four bedroom home into a five bedroom home and included six toilets.
The inclusion of so many toilets is also worrisome to some residents.
“Having known the former owners, we know for a fact there have been problems with the well and septic system,” wrote Files.
When asked about the water and wastewater capacity of the facility, Barboza said, “My well and septic system are in good working order and the water has been tested.”
She quickly explained that “I don’t have the technical background to tell you the specifics but I have been told that they are in good working order.”
In addition to the concerns about a possible septic system leak, some residents have worried about staff and supervision. Barboza said the ratio of staff to children will be 1:5, except at nights. When children are sleeping, it gets to 1:8.”
Another issue that has angered area residents and some elected officials is the way they feel that they have been blindsided by the facility’s proposal.
“I heard about it when I got a letter,” said Pct. 2 Commissioner Lee Groce.
Groce was not the only elected official who was not informed prior to construction. County Judge Phil Fitzgerald’s office confirmed that they were not contacted prior to the licensing proposal being filed.
“I wasn’t trying to slip something in the community. I sent letters to the sheriff, the superintendent of schools, the police chief, the fire chief, a high school guidance counselor, a commissioner. It was six or seven officials,” Barboza said. She also stated that the letters were sent out in conjunction with the purchase of the newspaper ad.
Barboza did speak to Kirchner over a year ago about her idea to create a facility.
“I remember she either called or came by,” said Kirchner. “She didn’t really have a plan then.”
The lack of prior notification is something that has upset many in the community.
“I have some issues with this,” said Groce. He also put forth a motion to accept Wheeler’s petition opposing the facility on the agenda for the August 12 commissioners court meeting.
Barboza explained that the notifications were done in conjunction with DFPS requirements.
“The licensing department has it kind of backwards,” she said., “You have all these good intentions and then you have a public hearing at the end and the dam breaks.”
Attempts to reach Chuong Khuat, the DFPS licensing representative handling Barboza’s proposal, were unsuccessful. However, a DFPS case manager in Liberty County is pleased that the facility is being constructed.
“We’ve need something like this for years,” she said. As word of the controversy surrounding the proposed facility spread, Barboza said she would reconsider housing boys.
“If the community is so worried about boys, I’ll get girls,” said Barboza. Whether it is boys or girls, Tarkington ISD is preparing.
“If they live here, we’re going to take care of them. I just may have to go out and find people to take care of them,” said Kirchner. Not everyone is ready to be so accommodating though.
“We don’t want the facility there,” said Floyd Wheeler. He went a little further in print.
The petition that Wheeler had an attorney draw up states that the signatories aren’t just opposed to the construction of the facility on County Road 2293, but that they “oppose the location of such a facility at any other address in the Tarkington Independent School District.”
“I’m not concerned about what’s there now. I’m worried about what will be there next year,” said Wheeler. Wheeler explained that he is afraid that after the 14-bed facility opens that Barboza will expand.
According to Barboza, that’s not going to happen.
“I can barely get past the public hearing with 14 beds,” she said.
ACCEPT PETITION
The Liberty County Commissioners Court is scheduled to accept the petition opposing the proposed juvenile treatment facility at its Aug. 12 meeting. The meeting will be held at the Liberty County Courthouse at 1923 Sam Houston Street in Liberty. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m.
PUBLIC HEARING
The public hearing and open house for the proposed 14-bed facility will be held Aug. 15 at the facility, which is located at 1270 CR 2293. The hearing is scheduled to last from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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Reader Comments
texsis wrote on Aug 9, 2008 10:00 PM:
" I agree totally with jadedeyes, in that the constant contact with our children would be detrimental. Sure, it would be helpful to them to be injected into our community, where it is quiet, safe and peaceful. Is that NOT why we all are here? If we want to preserve the qualities that exist in Tarkington, we need to stand up and be counted; GIVE our input. How else can the state and its agencies be made aware of our opinions. This area is our children's safe haven, kept very well, thanks to local involvement and Constable Warren DeSpain. Heaven only knows where this could, or what damage it could cause.
Do we want to take the chance? Not me.
I have signed the petition, and urge other residents of the area to do the same. "
Do we want to take the chance? Not me.
I have signed the petition, and urge other residents of the area to do the same. "
HDad wrote on Aug 10, 2008 9:14 AM:
" "Those sort of children" ????
"Constant contact with our children would be detrimental" ????
Geez, people, your parents took this sort of chance when they had children. They apparently raised selfish, mean-spirited adults afraid that they have in turn raised weak-willed children of their own incapable of knowing right from wrong, of meeting new people or of seeing folks from outside the enclave without being despoiled.
Some of us were these "sorts of children." Some of us went to school and played with "these sorts of children." Some of us currently are parents of "these sorts of children." They are called adolescents, and the community is full of them. Some of them already in the community are troubled. Some of them are not. Most of us actually reached adulthood just fine. Our own little darlings already are absolutely no different as a group than these "sorts of children" and most assuredly can survive exposure to another dozen adolescents moving into the community. Actually, they might benefit from the experience if some of the "adults" in the community would exhibit the same behaviors we ask of our children and stop trying to poison the well.. "
"Constant contact with our children would be detrimental" ????
Geez, people, your parents took this sort of chance when they had children. They apparently raised selfish, mean-spirited adults afraid that they have in turn raised weak-willed children of their own incapable of knowing right from wrong, of meeting new people or of seeing folks from outside the enclave without being despoiled.
Some of us were these "sorts of children." Some of us went to school and played with "these sorts of children." Some of us currently are parents of "these sorts of children." They are called adolescents, and the community is full of them. Some of them already in the community are troubled. Some of them are not. Most of us actually reached adulthood just fine. Our own little darlings already are absolutely no different as a group than these "sorts of children" and most assuredly can survive exposure to another dozen adolescents moving into the community. Actually, they might benefit from the experience if some of the "adults" in the community would exhibit the same behaviors we ask of our children and stop trying to poison the well.. "
Calora72 wrote on Aug 11, 2008 8:38 AM:
" Someone once said " It takes a village"
What happened to the compassion Tarkington claimed to have? "
What happened to the compassion Tarkington claimed to have? "
bluebery wrote on Aug 11, 2008 10:47 AM:
" " I have always been an advocate of youth. I can not in good faith turn my back on these young people that need extra help. I do believe our community is a more wholesome environment than most especially where these boys probably come from. Our school system has good mentors with good morals and discipline. I think we owe it to these young men to give them a fighting chance. Can't we help nurture them instead of labeling them outcasts before they've had a chance? I too agree that had the article been read thoroughly, it states that these young people are not sex offenders. Tarkington is not without it's own troubled youth. We need to try and help our future generations. If you tell a child he is nothing, he may live up to that expectation. If you tell him he is of value, he may strive to live up to that. I think all children are of value. " "
trf1963 wrote on Aug 11, 2008 2:34 PM:
" Thank you jadedeyes and texsis, I hope to see you at the public meeting. I agree with the two of you. However I do suggest that people do a little reserach......maybe even talk to people who have dealt with this before..... there are many things the public does not know about. However weather you are for or against this ,come to the meeting. I know you will then have knowlegde to make an educated decision. This will not benefit our children or our community. There will be many people at this meeting, you will be quite suprised by who is against it, actually only HDAD will be suprised. "
goodnews wrote on Aug 11, 2008 8:44 PM:
" I am a lifelong resident of this community and am a little disappointed with all of the negative comments I am hearing. I don't think there has been enough information given to make a determination whether or not this is a good or bad thing. I think we should attend the public hearing and ask intelligent questions and listen with an OPEN mind. I know there is not enough people who want to be foster parents that could open their homes to foster children and make a real difference. If there was enough maybe we wouldn't need as many group homes. "
Justme wrote on Aug 13, 2008 9:32 AM:
" Come on people we are supposed to be adults. we should help children in need not dispose of them this is crazy. All of you are judging them before ya know the facts.. I work at Tarkington and my children have gone there, their whole school life. We need to look in our back doors before we start putting labels on other people. Because let me tell ya Tarkington has a drinking problem with their youth and a few little to many pregnancy's. So think before you speak because I see children in our schools with dirty cloths no hygiene, and bad manners. The majority if our students our good but we all know that we aren't perfect....... "
olecowboy64 wrote on Aug 13, 2008 11:54 AM:
" I do not think Tarkington residents should support this facility. We already are expanding our Tax on Homeowners, why should we pay more taxex so this out of town psycho Doctor or what ever her credentials, can make herself some extra cash off the STATE by putting this facility in our neighborhood. "
earsup wrote on Aug 13, 2008 12:29 PM:
" HDad,
If you are familiar with our community you already know that there are many families that have taken their cares and concerns to heart and they are playing a vital role in community, they are doing their part in helping kids that are unfortunate enough to be caught up in the system. Some of the families have helped foster kids from the CPS system and further went on to adopt thier foster kids. These pro community families have definitely got it going on for the family and for the community. They are helping children to be a part in the community, teaching them what a family is.
Blueberry, no one is asking you to turn your back on any children, please, you should maybe think of a way that you can personnaly help get a kid in a family setting like other foster families or adoptive parents have done in our community.
Goodnews, i wonder why there are not enough people who want to foster children? One can make a thousand excuses if they have to personally get involved with a child in the system by fostering or adopting.
Justme, thank you for being a teacher and/or working at the school. Now we can ask ourself what is the responsibility of a person working at TISD to the child that has a drinking problem or the pregnant teen or a kid with bad hygeine? If a staff member has personal knowledge of this, what does the school district indicate you do? Common sense says you can always offer care and concern, and educate the child...please post it so I can know if the school has policies in place for dealing with these issues, and if so how can a school district help the children already with living with the said issues? "
If you are familiar with our community you already know that there are many families that have taken their cares and concerns to heart and they are playing a vital role in community, they are doing their part in helping kids that are unfortunate enough to be caught up in the system. Some of the families have helped foster kids from the CPS system and further went on to adopt thier foster kids. These pro community families have definitely got it going on for the family and for the community. They are helping children to be a part in the community, teaching them what a family is.
Blueberry, no one is asking you to turn your back on any children, please, you should maybe think of a way that you can personnaly help get a kid in a family setting like other foster families or adoptive parents have done in our community.
Goodnews, i wonder why there are not enough people who want to foster children? One can make a thousand excuses if they have to personally get involved with a child in the system by fostering or adopting.
Justme, thank you for being a teacher and/or working at the school. Now we can ask ourself what is the responsibility of a person working at TISD to the child that has a drinking problem or the pregnant teen or a kid with bad hygeine? If a staff member has personal knowledge of this, what does the school district indicate you do? Common sense says you can always offer care and concern, and educate the child...please post it so I can know if the school has policies in place for dealing with these issues, and if so how can a school district help the children already with living with the said issues? "
gogetter wrote on Aug 13, 2008 4:05 PM:
" olecowboy64
I agree "I do not think Tarkington residents should support this facility". Thank you for bringing up the money end of the deal. This is not caring about the children, I care and have compassion. Buy why will she not get the Members of the community where she is a resident support the facility in the neighborhood where she lives?
As you stated we are expanding our Tax on Homeowners. Interestingly enough anyone can check with the Central Appraisal District...its possible she spent 300,000 or more dollars on the property. She is gonna run a for profit business, the business is not listed as the owner of the propery, looks like she may be gettin the ag exemption that the previous family had...so she paid about 90 dollars of tax for the land not including the homestead...tell us she found a loop.
So what maybe she'll get just 3,000 a kid, maybe 42,000 a month, maybe more maybe less, depending on what the situation is with the individual children placed in the treatment facility. She'll get money to upgrade the facility from the state of Texas as well.
Makes you kind question what kind of a psychology doctor would live in a community not good enough for the type of facility she is trying to open? Again, why can't she put a facility in her neighborhood in Katy, Texas, where the address of her business as stated in the notice from the paper? "
I agree "I do not think Tarkington residents should support this facility". Thank you for bringing up the money end of the deal. This is not caring about the children, I care and have compassion. Buy why will she not get the Members of the community where she is a resident support the facility in the neighborhood where she lives?
As you stated we are expanding our Tax on Homeowners. Interestingly enough anyone can check with the Central Appraisal District...its possible she spent 300,000 or more dollars on the property. She is gonna run a for profit business, the business is not listed as the owner of the propery, looks like she may be gettin the ag exemption that the previous family had...so she paid about 90 dollars of tax for the land not including the homestead...tell us she found a loop.
So what maybe she'll get just 3,000 a kid, maybe 42,000 a month, maybe more maybe less, depending on what the situation is with the individual children placed in the treatment facility. She'll get money to upgrade the facility from the state of Texas as well.
Makes you kind question what kind of a psychology doctor would live in a community not good enough for the type of facility she is trying to open? Again, why can't she put a facility in her neighborhood in Katy, Texas, where the address of her business as stated in the notice from the paper? "
HDad wrote on Aug 14, 2008 10:16 AM:
" Well, I thought I was familiar with the community, but apparently I hadn't gotten around enough to become acquainted with the selfish, paranoid, closed minded, greedy, insular, fearful NIMBY crowd that this proposal is bringing to light.
Let's see if I have this straight? "... many families ... are doing their part in helping kids that are unfortunate enough to be caught up in the system" so no one else should think about moving here to do anything for such kids. Which of the NIMBYs in this discussion (go ahead and include yourself) do you nominate as folks demonstrating that compassionate level of personally helping kids caught up in the system you think is going on so widely?
I keep hearing that we should not support this facility in the community because another dozen kids in Tarkington (probably better supervised than most already living here) will cause an increase in taxes (even though we all know this is not the case), drive down community values and lead our own fault-free darlings into lives of crime, drugs and sexual debauchery.
Since we all know none of these is going to be the case, the views must be self-centered rationalizations to justify knee-jerk, thoughtless responses. Trying to portray this insular rejection of the possibility that we might be a place where kids could find a better life as thoughtful concern for the community is delusional even if it does appeal to other link-minded folks looking for an excuse for not helping.
Just go ahead and post a sign at the city limits: "Stay away. Keep you troubles to yourself. No outsiders welcome." "
Let's see if I have this straight? "... many families ... are doing their part in helping kids that are unfortunate enough to be caught up in the system" so no one else should think about moving here to do anything for such kids. Which of the NIMBYs in this discussion (go ahead and include yourself) do you nominate as folks demonstrating that compassionate level of personally helping kids caught up in the system you think is going on so widely?
I keep hearing that we should not support this facility in the community because another dozen kids in Tarkington (probably better supervised than most already living here) will cause an increase in taxes (even though we all know this is not the case), drive down community values and lead our own fault-free darlings into lives of crime, drugs and sexual debauchery.
Since we all know none of these is going to be the case, the views must be self-centered rationalizations to justify knee-jerk, thoughtless responses. Trying to portray this insular rejection of the possibility that we might be a place where kids could find a better life as thoughtful concern for the community is delusional even if it does appeal to other link-minded folks looking for an excuse for not helping.
Just go ahead and post a sign at the city limits: "Stay away. Keep you troubles to yourself. No outsiders welcome." "
texsis wrote on Aug 14, 2008 10:41 AM:
" Hmm, let's see. I believe that the Advocate first called it "Prairie Fire". That is just what it implies. I, as a Tarkington ISD taxpayer, am incensed that this woman from Katy, sees fit to inject into Tarkington this "group home". No, I am not blaming the children, if indeed they are in need of a home. I am adult enough to know that no community is without its faults and failures. Why bring other faults and failures TO us. Katy can well afford this home, but evidently it's citizens do not want it either.
Personal cleanliness, bad manners, even developmentally disabled are not my main concern. Our family does not judge on these qualities, and I did not suggest that HDad. The original concern to my family was the possibility of teen aged sex offenders being put in our ISD. Now, if you are a parent, grand-parent, aunt, uncle or whatever....this should cause you to stand up and defend our children and our community.
This Federal Law called "No child left behind" is at least partially at fault to what is happening here. I could be wrong about this, but our Superintendent, and THS counselor quoted this to me last year when I confronted the school about a problem I had. Truthfully, I think the facility will be allowed to open. The state of Texas and or County of Liberty will allow it, despite our reservations. The reason??
$$$$$$ in the pockets of any and everyone affiliated with it or is in direct support.
And yes, I will be at the meeting. You betcha. Listen for bells. "
Personal cleanliness, bad manners, even developmentally disabled are not my main concern. Our family does not judge on these qualities, and I did not suggest that HDad. The original concern to my family was the possibility of teen aged sex offenders being put in our ISD. Now, if you are a parent, grand-parent, aunt, uncle or whatever....this should cause you to stand up and defend our children and our community.
This Federal Law called "No child left behind" is at least partially at fault to what is happening here. I could be wrong about this, but our Superintendent, and THS counselor quoted this to me last year when I confronted the school about a problem I had. Truthfully, I think the facility will be allowed to open. The state of Texas and or County of Liberty will allow it, despite our reservations. The reason??
$$$$$$ in the pockets of any and everyone affiliated with it or is in direct support.
And yes, I will be at the meeting. You betcha. Listen for bells. "
MG wrote on Aug 14, 2008 3:54 PM:
" My wife and I have always been an advocate for children. We were foster parents for many years, and even adopted one. Through our experience with CPS we also know how easy it is for licences to be amended. Ours was many times, for the convenience of the state. In the end we were able to help a larger number of children because of that. I believe we should attend the meeting, and ask our questions then act accordingly.
If you want some food for thought, contact Liberty County and inquire about Artesia Hall, which was right here in Tarkington. For those that have never heard of it: It was a private school for troubled kids ages 12-20. And operated from Nov. 1971 until it was shut down under a cloud of controversy and indictments June 1973. From assaults to murder. Also check out a book "Don't Give Me Liberty" by Brad Sagstetter. "
If you want some food for thought, contact Liberty County and inquire about Artesia Hall, which was right here in Tarkington. For those that have never heard of it: It was a private school for troubled kids ages 12-20. And operated from Nov. 1971 until it was shut down under a cloud of controversy and indictments June 1973. From assaults to murder. Also check out a book "Don't Give Me Liberty" by Brad Sagstetter. "
jadedeyes wrote on Aug 8, 2008 10:52 AM: