Meetings Here and There

Friday morning I attended the Legislative Council meeting. I am a first alternate on the Council and do not get to vote unless Representative Bill Abernathy does not attend. Even though I didn't get to vote, it was a good opportunity to see what happens in these meetings and learn a little more about the interim legislative process.

Saturday morning I, along with Judges Culpepper and Wright, attended a Pre-Fathers day breakfast in Prescott at Munns Chapel Baptist Church. There was a great turn-out for the event, and the hopes are to do this on a regular basis, to get as many men as possible interested in acting as mentors and providing ideas to work with our at risk kids.

This morning I drove to Little Rock and attended an Aging, Children and Youth Committee meeting dealing with the recently released education report at DYS. The report pointed out a number of deficiencies at the Alexander campus, specifically with Special Education. There were a number of tough questions directed at DYS staff and the Department of Ed, to determine where this program is going. Roger Angel is the new Director at DYS, and his work is cut out for him to get this state agency going anywhere in the right direction. The legislature will need to perform its' due diligence in the interim and the next session to provide as much help as possible. A task force was established during the legislative session to look into and issue a report of its' findings regarding the needs and problems associated with the Division of Youth Services.

Hope School Board meeting at 5:30.