SB Now

Glenn Baude owes the citizens of our community an explanantion as to how the child protection safeguards, policy & procedures and background checks failed to protect these children under his watch at Operation Phoenix.

To his detriment, Baude is a scum bag magnet. First he was involved with Operation Pheonix Volunteer Coordinators recruited by Pat Morris, that is, Jerry and Sonia Martin. They are currentley being investigated by SBPD and DA for financial elder abuse charges.

Then Baude had MaryAnn Milligan dumped onto his payroll by Pat Morris and to date she is still collecting a check every two weeks even though she lost her bid for city attorney. Pat Morris was a major financial campaign contributer, fueled by his long time personal vendetta against City Attorney, James Penman. Milligan lied by ommission durring her initial hiring process, and some say should have been disbarred. In addition, she has clearly not added to the productivity of Code Enforcement. Just take a look at the abatent issues in our city. Her position should be cut durring these financially difficult times.

Now Mike Miller's molestation allegations have left many wondering the future fate of Operation Pheonix Centers. My prayers go to the victim's and their families durring this horiffic time in our City's history.

To add insult to injury the Morris Administration, is trying to pin this series of misfortunate events and lack of supervision of the Operation Pheonix Staff onto Kevin Hawkins. Jim Morris has stated that Baude is only resposible for "macro issues" involving the Phoenix Center. Apparently this means they are not concerned of the "micro issue", that is, the saftey of our children. Shame on you Jim Morris. Shame on you Gleen Baude. Glenn Baude clearly needs to be accountable here, and the Morris' ought to keep better company.

What is missing here is the fact that Mike Miller and another employee (possibly Tyrone Traylor) were shooting BB guns in front of and around these children without respect to their safety. Tyrone was placed on admin leave over a month ago but Miller was not. Now Miller is charged with multiple counts of child abuse and wasn't put on leave the day of the accusation but only on the day he was arrested. Sounds like a double standard to me.

It doesn't surprise me one bit that Tyrone was placed on admin leave, he is black.

It doesn't surprise me one bit that Kevin is being blamed instead of Glenn Baude, he is black.

It doesn't surprise me a bit that the Martins are Deacons at Pat Morris' church as they are personal friends of the Morris' and apparent racist. The Martins have had police reports filed against them on the use of the "N" word towards their black neighbors.

Pat Morris take off your white hooded sheet before the race issue becomes transparent to all.

I hadn't heard about th BB gun incident, but I am not surprised. The Phoenix Centers really needs to be closed until a full investigation can be performed to ensure the saftey of our children. First child endangerment issues. Now child molestation allegations. What is next? I think unfortunatley there will be more victims that come forward.

I sure don't want my tax payer dollars going to pay for a program with this kind of track record. And if you think about it, now our tax payer dollars will be further stretched with housing Miller in PC, the trial and sentencing. How much will that cost? What long lasting damage has been done to these young girls? What dollar amount will the city have to pay their families? Whatever the amount, it won't be enough.

Well, I've read that Mayor Morris has liken this incident to "one bad apple in the bunch" however it is starting to look like a rotten bushel.
I understand that the Mayor's motives are good - helping underprivledged kids is a great thing however when a problem is of this magnatitude maybe closing the centers until everything is safe for the kids is the right thing to do. It's for the kids, right?
As for this other stuff, it sounds like someone needs to clean house on these types of self-serving people.

Glenn Baude, we are all waiting for you to explain all of this to us. Can you for a moment imagine that it was your daughter that got raped? You owe her at least an explanation as to how this could happen!

Mayor Morris, do not think for a moment that Operation Phoenix is going to continue. The likes of these people that have been associated with this program is appalling. I personally demand an immediate closure of these facilities.

Sounds like the whole darn orchard has gone bad.....Martin, Milligan, Morris', and Miller. I am glad my last name starts with a "H".

All the meanwhile, awaiting Glenn Baude responce...(I only hear crickets Glenn).......

Only ONE elected official has called for the closure of the centers so no more children can be vicitimized but the newspaper didn't like what McCammack had to say. I guess you can add the Sun (except for this blog) to your bushel. Many of the staffers are good people, just managed by poor leaders in Baude, Morris, Little Morris, etc. It is only now they want to blame parks and rec because it is convenient, as Baude was the Mayor's hand picked apple along with Miller. You bloggers need to call your council people and demand they close them now, before any more kids are endangered. They probably are in harm's way right now. Just go down to one and see. Damage control is underway by the Morris's but it appears by these posts it is too late. Keep on posting for the safety of the kids. Better yet, print them out and send them in as letters to the editor as not many read this blog. Too bad. Smart people making sense of a bad situation. Prayers to the victims and their families.

I hear it and I feel it as well, the masterful arrangement of the crescendo which stirs the emotions and moves the soul. Close the centers. Yet on multiple occasions I've asked "then what?" And as of yet to this very basic question the response has been silence.

So I feel compelled to ask once more. If the centers are closed what then? Certainly the arguments for closing the center have been compelling and in my estimation this warrants the appointing of an oversight and review committee but to fall victim to emotionalism and act out of passion is tantamount to heartache over relief.

As shocking and reprehensible as the charges are against Mr. Miller are, as regrettable as the adolescent behavior of others may have been,. As troublesome as the involvement of people like the Martins in this program, it still does not warrant scraping the project without a suitable alternative.

Someone needs to explain the rational behind this type of thinking. How logical is turning these children out onto the street without exploring the possible impact of such a move? Would we even be considering such a move if those concerned didn't come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds?

There is an apparent indifference to the needs of certain portions of this community which is often expressed in a subtle yet nonetheless vicious ways.

In recent weeks I've witnessed it filter down from various quarters and always there have been plenty of apologists to support and champion this mindset. As disheartening as it has been to witness, I remain hopeful that someone will take the time to answer the question I have posed.

If indeed this is about the safety of the children then it shouldn't be to much to ask for an alternative plan coupled with the appointing of an oversight and review committee to direct the program while a comprehensive examination of Operation Phoenix and all staff, volunteer and support personnel are examined.

Ty,
I am a supporter of the "youth diversion" program idea.
I do not support the permanent closure of the centers however believe that without some one taking control of all these centers (since Miller and other irresponsible management were an integral part of all centers and their judgement is under suspicion)they are not safe for youth.
Once ONE person is in charge (not the myraid of figureheads that are denying responsibility) the current staff need to be "retrained" ie: review the policies and procedures that need to be in place to assure everyone that these children will be safe. This could be done in as little as a day - maybe done on a Saturday or Sunday so the centers could continue to service the area youth.
This is assuming that they have some type of policy that there should never be one on one contact - one staff to one child. All responsible youth programs ensure that two adults are present at all times.
Then background checks - through background checks - need to be redone on EVERYONE associated with the program - not just staff members.
Also staff should be SUPERVISED - management dropping in when not expected. There shouldn't be anyone assuming these children are safe.
But - I'm just a volunteer in various youth programs - not a politican trying to hide from responsibility and the finger pointing. I want to see these kids in a safe, secure place and with good mentors.