Lawmaker says 'odd' note gave him pause
CPS board worker e-mails Paton list of traffic tickets
By Josh Brodesky
arizona daily star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.30.2007
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/185337
A state Foster Care Review Board employee e-mailed state Rep. Jonathan
Paton a list of his traffic offenses Sunday after she read his newspaper
commentary calling for more open disclosure of the actions of Child
Protective Services workers.
Cheri Holgerson said she sent Paton the e-mail about his traffic
violations because "If you are going to be critical about the subject,
that you better not live in a glass house," she said.
"I saw his, and I've also looked up yours," she told a reporter during a
brief interview.
Paton's commentary, which appeared in the Sunday's Arizona Daily Star,
said CPS confidentiality regulations should not be used to protect
workers who behave inappropriately.
Holgerson sent the e-mail from her personal account and never mentioned
her job with the Foster Care Review Board, an independent state body
that examines CPS cases when children are placed in foster care.
The board is made up of volunteers, but it has a paid support staff.
Paton, a Tucson Republican, is on a legislative committee looking into
CPS. He has been calling for more openness for months.
He said he found the e-mail exchange to be a bit strange. When he
realized Holgerson was on the support staff for Tucson's Foster Care
Review Board, he said he felt "queasy."
"If it were from anyone else it would be one thing," Paton said. "But
the fact that she directly connected it to a story about CPS on Sunday
and the fact that she works for an agency that deals with CPS, that's
what I thought was kind of odd about it."
In her first e-mail, Holgerson writes in the subject line "Are You The
One Listed In The Following Court Information?"
It then lists four minor traffic violations such as driving less than 65
mph in a 55 mph zone. Another citation, failing to yield for a stop sign
in 2000, was waived because Paton took a defensive driving course.
Paton wrote back to Holgerson asking why she was "trying to find this out."
She replied, "It's public information, I saw your article in Sunday's
paper and was wondering if the records are your infractions. Is there a
reason you are hesitant to give a yes or no answer?"
Christopher Corman, regional manager for the Foster Care review Board in
Tucson, said Holgerson was "absolutely not" directed to contact Paton.
Support staff are, however, allowed to contact elected officials during
their private time, he said.
Asked if he thought the e-mail was appropriate considering the
connection between the board and CPS, Corman said he couldn't answer
that question because it was a private e-mail sent from a personal address.
Holgerson defended her e-mails.
"My position has nothing to do with this situation," she said. "I think
your questions are inappropriate. I think it's inappropriate that you
called my employer, and I'm just wondering why this is causing an
alarming reaction."
Contact reporter Josh Brodesky at 807-7789 or jbrodesky@azstarnet.com.
CURRENTLY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES VIOLATES MORE CIVIL RIGHTS ON A
DAILY BASIS THEN ALL OTHER AGENCIES COMBINED INCLUDING THE NATIONAL
SECURITY AGENCY/CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY WIRETAPPING PROGRAM....
CPS Does not protect children...
It is sickening how many children are subject to abuse, neglect and even
killed at the hands of Child Protective Services.
every parent should read this .pdf from
connecticut dcf watch...
http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com/8x11.pdf
http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com
Number of Cases per 100,000 children in the US
These numbers come from The National Center on
Child Abuse and Neglect in Washington. (NCCAN)
Recent numbers have increased significantly for CPS
*Perpetrators of Maltreatment*
Physical Abuse CPS 160, Parents 59
Sexual Abuse CPS 112, Parents 13
Neglect CPS 410, Parents 241
Medical Neglect CPS 14 Parents 12
Fatalities CPS 6.4, Parents 1.5
Imagine that, 6.4 children die at the hands of the very agencies that
are supposed to protect them and only 1.5 at the hands of parents per
100,000 children. CPS perpetrates more abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse
and kills more children then parents in the United States. If the
citizens of this country hold CPS to the same standards that they hold
parents too. No judge should ever put another child in the hands of ANY
government agency because CPS nationwide is guilty of more harm and
death than any human being combined. CPS nationwide is guilty of more
human rights violations and deaths of children then the homes from which
they were removed. When are the judges going to wake up and see that
they are sending children to their death and a life of abuse when
children are removed from safe homes based on the mere opinion of a
bunch of social workers.
BE SURE TO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR CANDIDATES STANDS ON THE ISSUE OF
REFORMING OR ABOLISHING CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES ("MAKE YOUR CANDIDATES
TAKE A STAND ON THIS ISSUE.") THEN REMEMBER TO VOTE ACCORDINGLY IF THEY
ARE "FAMILY UNFRIENDLY" IN THE NEXT ELECTION...
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