CPS Crimes Against Children

At a recent editorial board I was asked what I was doing to justify my reelection. I hope that the editors will understand that this blog has been a part of my efforts to promote liberty and justice; to support families; and to create openness and accountability in government.

A Must Read

http://www.washingtonstatewire.com/home/5270-how_to_compound_the_problems_within_dshs_privatize_children_s_services.htm

How Do You Think The Kids Are Feeling Right Now?

Dear Ms. Roach,

I am borrowing a friends computer, so please do not respond to this email address. I would appreciate a response at -----ymail.com, thanks.

On October 28, 2009, I took my daughter to the doctor at Children's Hospital for flu like symptoms. Upon weighing her and doing some blood work, I was informed that my daughter was suffering from malnutrition and her and my son were removed from my custody and placed in foster care.

When this action occurred I lost ALL income as they are receiving Social Security compensation due to my husband's death in July of 2004.

I have had my phone shut off, my electric may soon be shut off and I am over $2,000.00 behind on my lot space rent so may also be losing my home in the very near future.

I have tried every agency I know to try to get some help. I am scared because if I lose my home, I will also lose my kids.

Is there anything you can suggest for me to do, or someone that can give me a direction to save my home and my family.

I don't think I would be able to mentally or emotionally maintain employment. I am scared, alone, and I miss my children.

Is there something that can be done? Is there someone I can contact? I really am at my wits end as I have tried every available agency I personally know of to get help for this situation.

Respectfully,

{signed}

Hell Has Frozen Over....

Democrats endorsing Pam Roach? Yes, hell has frozen over
Posted By Cheryl Tucker on September 21, 2010 at 7:00 am Share this

First we had Republican Steve Vermillion endorsing Democratic incumbent state Rep. Dawn Morrell over Republican Hans Zeiger in the 25th district. (Read about it here.) Now three of the 31st district's most prominent Democrats are endorsing a Republican for state Senate – and Pam Roach at that.

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It's not that they like Roach all that much; in fact, they call their decision to endorse her a "painful" one. It's just that they really don't like her Republican opponent, Sumner City Councilman Matt Richardson.

Richardson has been in the news lately for questionable use of city e-mail and a website set up by a Roach supporter detailing allegations of personal misconduct.

The three Democrats are state Rep. Christopher Hurst, Yvonne Ward (who has twice run unsuccessfully against Roach) and Karen Willard (who ran unsuccessfully against Pam Roach's son Dan for state representative).

In their press release announcing their endorsement, the three Democrats essentially say that even with all her much-publicized outbursts, Roach is the better choice for the Senate seat since the two Democrats running for it were eliminated in the August primary. (We co-endorsed both Democrats, Raymond Bunk and Ron Weigelt.) Hurst, Ward and Willard make some serious charges against Richardson that we’re uncomfortable repeating here.

Goldy Smacks Dems...Some Republicans Could Use A Little Of That

I just received a phone call from my seatmate, Rep. Chris Hurst. Goldy, editor of the liberal blog Horse's Ass, doesn't like Hurst much....Hurst is not a liberal Seattle Democrat. And, to say Goldy hates the likes of me would be a gross understatement. I am his whipping girl for everything I do and haven't done! Not only has "hell frozen over," but we just took a leap towards the second coming! (Warning: Goldy does not write for family audiences. I edited some.)

Satan dons parka as Democrats endorse Roach
by Goldy, 09/22/2010, 10:06 AM
The 31st officially became the stupidest, most pathetic and most completely dysfunctional legislative district in Washington state yesterday, as three “prominent” Democrats (you know, about as prominent as a Democrat can be in cousin-marryin’ country) issued a press release announcing their endorsement of too-crazy-even-for-the-Republican-caucus state Sen. Pam Roach. Really.

So what prompted Yvonne Ward, Karen Willard and state Rep. Chris Hurst to make such a “painful and necessary” decision? Well, Sen. Roach may in fact be a gun-toting, mouth-foaming, flower-avenging wingnut, but unlike her general election challenger, fellow Republican Matt Richardson, at least she doesn’t, um, “sexually assault” young girls.

You know… allegedly. The Tacoma News Tribune felt too “uncomfortable” to repeat the Democrats’ charges, but lacking an attorney on retainer to advise me otherwise, I have no qualms about reporting the public statement of an elected official:

....from Hurst, Ward and Willard...."After carefully reviewing the extensive documentation relating to the criminal behavior of Matt Richardson extending back many years, we conclude that if he were elected to the Washington State Senate, the safety of children would be at risk. Matt Richardson was charged with sexually assaulting two young girls over multiple years. He pled guilty to the charges. He then engaged in a pattern of seeking positions in schools with young children while hiding his history.

According to a criminal Affidavit of Probable Cause, Matt Richardson engaged in a persistent, ongoing sexual assault of two young girls. After this incident, he engaged in inappropriate behavior in public school classrooms. That pattern should stop at the steps of our Capitol...."

Um… ya think? Finally, an issue on which Rep. Hurst and I can wholeheartedly agree.

....Democratic State Representative Christopher Hurst, when faced with the prospect of a child molester in the State Capitol stated: “Spirited political debate is a healthy process in our system of self-government. However, there are times when a moral imperative becomes so great that it is necessary to set aside partisan differences in the interest of public safety. This is one of those times.”....

It certainly is. Though it’s a kinda ironic sentiment coming from a self-proclaimed “Independent Democrat” who tends to side more with Republican legislators than with his own caucus. Still, I think we can all join Rep. Hurst in his bold stance against electing child molesters to the Legislature.

As for Ward, who has long opposed Sen. Roach, and whose campaign for Roach’s seat I aggressively plugged here on HA in 2006, well, it’s hard to argue with her logic:

“I disagree with her on so many policy issues. But given the choice between a conservative Republican, and a conservative Republican with a history of sexual assaults against children, Pam Roach gets my vote.”

Hmm. Perhaps that should be Roach’s new campaign slogan. I can see the yard signs now.

Via email, Ward added that “painful” is too much of an understatement to describe her decision to endorse Roach; “torturous” would be more apt.

“Roach is like a cat with nine lives. Just when the stars seem to align so she can be ousted, her opponent turns out to be a child molester. Amazing.”

Yeah, I guess. But Richardson’s sexual assault conviction and classroom firing were public records, both of which have been previously reported in the press (so I’m not sure what’s provoked the TNT’s sudden disquietude), thus the bigger question here is… could the 31st LD Dems be any more incompetent?

I mean, when the Republicans put up a child molester and Pam F....(edited) Roach for chrisakes, the Dems might want to look at this as an opportunity to lock themselves in a room until they can agree to unite around a single Democrat, instead of suicidally splitting themselves between Ron Weigelt and Raymond Bunk the way they did. And then, once you settle on a Democratic challenger, you do a little goddamn opposition research and get this treasure trove of Richardson related muck to nasty-ass partisan bloggers like me weeks before the August top-two primary, instead of emailing me a press release weeks after.

Sen. Roach may be a shooting rampage waiting to happen, but at least she knows how to win a fucking election by cutting her opponents legs off at the knees and then sucking the marrow from his bloody stumps. Um, metaphorically.

And that’s a lesson the 31st LD Dems might want to learn if they ever want to send another Democrat to Olympia.

JC

Prominent Democrats Don't Want Abuser In Office

As the News Tribune stated..."Hell Has Frozen Over"

September 21, 2010

Press Release: Prominent Democrats Ask Voters to Re-Elect Pam Roach

By Christopher Hurst, Yvonne Ward, and Karen Willard

Three prominent Democrats who have run for office in the 31st District, including Republican Senator Pam Roach’s two-time opponent, feel compelled to support Roach for the district’s Senate seat. This decision is both painful and necessary.

There were four people seeking the Senate seat this year, and now it is down to two Republicans: Senator Pam Roach or challenger Matt Richardson. Matt Richardson is an unacceptable risk to children and, in a highly ironic turn of events, we are asking voters to elect Senator Pam Roach.

After carefully reviewing the extensive documentation relating to the criminal behavior of Matt Richardson extending back many years, we conclude that if he were elected to the Washington State Senate, the safety of children would be at risk. Matt Richardson was charged with sexually assaulting two young girls over multiple years. He pled guilty to the charges. He then engaged in a pattern of seeking positions in schools with young children while hiding his history.

According to a criminal Affidavit of Probable Cause, Matt Richardson engaged in a persistent, ongoing sexual assault of two young girls. After this incident, he engaged in inappropriate behavior in public school classrooms. That pattern should stop at the steps of our Capitol.

Democratic State Representative Christopher Hurst, when faced with the prospect of a child molester in the State Capitol stated: “Spirited political debate is a healthy process in our system of self-government. However, there are times when a moral imperative becomes so great that it is necessary to set aside partisan differences in the interest of public safety. This is one of those times.”

Democrat Yvonne Ward ran vigorous campaigns against Roach in 2002 and 2006; the campaigns between them exceeded $700,000.00. “I and my supporters worked hard to unseat Roach,” said Ward. “I disagree with her on so many policy issues. But given the choice between a conservative Republican, and a conservative Republican with a history of sexual assaults against children, Pam Roach gets my vote.”

Democrat Karen Willard ran against Roach’s son Dan for the House Position 1, and has worked hard since then in partisan Democratic politics for Pierce County and the 31st Legislative District. “Nevertheless”, she says, “I’m going to ask the voters to vote against Matt Richardson as this isn’t a partisan issue”.

State Senators and Representatives enjoy the volunteer work of high school pages during session. Student groups of all ages make many visits to the state capitol every day. Senate and House pages, citizens and interest groups meet with legislative leaders behind closed doors as there is a high level of trust that we give to our elected representatives. We should not elect someone who is not worthy of that trust.

My Opponent Comes Out Of The Closet

http://link.onlinevideoservice.com/rmc/Sumner/2010/sumner100816.wmv
This is a link to the Sumner City Council meeting a few weeks ago that is now making the rounds in that quiet small city south of Auburn, WA. There have been more hits on this meeting than all of the other council meetings put together. Go in just short of half way to see my opponent get verbally lambasted by an airline pilot who came home three days early from a flight to Asia. He found Sumner City Councilmember Matt Richardson in his bedroom closet!

This was not your typical meeting.

Why Can't DSHS Investigate Itself?

This is almost unbelievable. But then, it is DSHS.

SEATTLE - In the wake of a KING 5 Investigators report, the head of the state's Department of Social and Health Services is taking steps to stop the use of state-issued ATM cards at gambling halls through the state.

Susan Dreyfus tells KING 5 News that by working with J.P. Morgan Chase & Company, the state is shutting down the ability to get cash at selected gambling establishments by using the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) ATM cards.

On Wednesday, the KING 5 Investigators released data they compiled about welfare dollars flowing through gambling halls across Washington State. They found welfare cash circulating in 113 casinos and card rooms in Washington in the month of July, alone. That’s nearly one fifth of the casinos, card rooms and bingo halls in the state.

The KING 5 Investigators analyzed public records that track the locations of all ATM machines accessed by welfare recipients. Cash recipients, generally the most needy, receive their funds on an ATM card. The investigative team cross-referenced the locations of all ATM transactions in July with the addresses of all casinos and card rooms.

Gambling with welfare money is one of the few limitations the program places on recipients’. It’s prohibited by state law.

In Wednesday’s story, Asst. DSHS Secretary Troy Hutson said he couldn’t assume that just because someone withdrew money at a casino they are actually gambling. He also said the fraud might be too expensive for the agency given the unprecedented budget cuts it is facing.

But DSHS Secretary Dreyfus said even the possibility that someone is using the state issued ATM cards to get cash to use at the gambling halls is not only "inappropriate" but illegal.

"I want to shut down every ATM in adult gambling establishments that has EBT access," said Dreyfus. "It's not ok to use state benefits to gamble. And if that is the perception, if that's the reality and if we in any way facilitate that by having ATM access within casinos and people are improperly using their EBT it has to stop. And, so I hope by taking away the access that's the first big step in getting that done."

The Washington Indian Gaming Association has thrown its support to the move. In a letter to Governor Gregoire, the association says it pledges support for the action, saying "the integrity of our gaming operations is very important to us and we work had to maintain it."

One Child A Month Dies Under The "Care" Of CPS

Today I will be going to the editorial board of the News Tribune in Tacoma. It is my job is to justify my existence to them. Hmmmm...maybe there should be an interview with CPS leaders. Are they accountable? Are they following the law? Are they lying in court? Have they brought down the death toll?

A reader wrote yesterday:

A child has been beaten to death here in Region 2 and the scuttle butt is there was a CPS referral made shortly before his death that he had a black eye and it was screened out.How many children must die before we do something to make a actual child protection system that works not the one we have now that just leaves in it's wake death and mass destruction to families

Today:
labor interview in Olympia
side trip to the Public Disclosure Commission
lunch in Tacoma with car dealers
interview with Tribune
gang workshop with the Attorney General, also in Tacoma
meeting at a coffee shop with potential donor
doorbell in Buckley

The Hims And The Hers Of Murder

Today I went to a funeral where it was said more than once, "We must remember Ella Walker not for how she died, but how she lived.

Ella was 84 and was known to all of us at our LDS ward in Enumclaw where she served as the librarian. Every Sunday the teachers went to her for classroom supplies. I really liked Ella. She always had a big smile for me and she loved me. With Ella it was easy to share a fun story or warm hello.

I wish she would have thought to call me. But she didn't. Instead she used her 84 year-old shaky hand and wrote letters to her son's doctor and to DSHS. The letters were ignored.

Her mentally ill son was living with her. He was growing more dangerous and she needed to have him removed. She went weeks without a response from either the doctor or the state.

Two weeks ago Ella's son was still living in her Black Diamond home. It was there he murdered her with a knife. If she had called, if I had only known, maybe she could have been spared.

In another case, tonight our State Supreme Court Justices are all "on call." If something changes they may be needed to act in the case of Cal Brown who will soon be executed for the torture, rape, and murder of 21 year-old Holly Washa over 17 years ago. Governor Gregoire sent a letter to legislators and others on her decision not to commute the sentence to life in prison. She did the right thing in upholding our law. (Ella's son will not be executed because of his documented illness.) Brown told the authorities that he would kill again if he could. No, Brown is not ill, but evil.

The church was filled today and we said good-bye for now. Ella had 9 children, 23 grandchildren, and over 30 great-grandchildren.