Posted on 12/29/2006 11:46:40 AM PST by Diddle E. Squat
First Democrat to hold spot since '86 has said he plans no major overhaul
DALLAS — The newly elected Dallas County district attorney fired eight of his top prosecutors, and at least nine others are resigning before he assumes the post on Monday.
Craig Watkins, the county's first black district attorney and the first Democrat to hold the office since 1986, sent termination notices to the eight prosecutors Wednesday.
Watkins' election in November was part of a Democratic resurgence in Dallas County that saw the party take 42 judicial races and six other countywide offices. Watkins, a longtime defense attorney, has said he does not plan a major overhaul of the office and that employees who share his philosophy will be welcomed.
"I do not have a comment, and (Watkins) is still enjoying his holiday," said Watkins' campaign manager, Gloria James.
Those receiving pink slips included Gary Arey, the head of the juvenile division; Howard Blackmon, the head of family violence and child abuse prosecutors; and Tom D'Amore, who oversees nine felony courts as a division chief.
D'Amore said he was surprised by his termination because Watkins had told him his job was safe.
"I feel I did a good job for the DA's office, and I'll do a good job wherever I end up," D'Amore said.
Watkins also fired the office's chief prosecutor of child abuse cases, the public integrity chief and two deputy chiefs for misdemeanors. Watkins delivered the termination notices to retiring District Attorney Bill Hill, who notified the affected employees personally.
One of the prosecutors who's leaving the office voluntarily is Toby Shook, the felony trial bureau chief who lost to Watkins in the Nov. 7 election.
To the victor the spoils.
As long as prosecutors, judges and other functional employees of our local, state and federal goobermint are elected with party affiliation, that's how it's gonna work.
Thanks, I now see what I did wrong in the Google News search of www.dallasnews.com. Doesn't help that the DALLAS Morning News oddly placed the story in "Texas/Southwest" instead of the "Local" section that I had searched to no avail.
But no, this is not a good thing. Craig Watkins is just another corrupt flunky of the S. Dallas political mafia, see post #20. He doesn't have to fire the entire staff to get the intended effect, just the top-level gatekeepers. Given how so many of his political 'posse' have been convicted or are under investigation by the FBI, this is not a good sign. Especially with his comments about how "An attack on one of us (S. Dallas political mafia) is an attack on all of us."
I was thinking the same thing. I would bet a lot of Howard university graduates will end up there.
I remember when the balcks used to complain about the White "Good old Boy Syndrome" Well: I have seen the black "Good Old Leroy" syndrome and believe me folks Whites cant hold a candle to it.
He declared himself a "progressive" during the campaign. Few are exactly sure what that means, but I don't think it translates to "law and order". As an attorney friend of mine said the day after the election, looks like more crime and less time......
this is what you are supposed to do when you win.
"Watkins also fired ... the public integrity chief ..."
Yep, don't need no integrity now the Democrats be in charge.
I read it as 8484 per hundred thousand.
"I read it as 8484 per hundred thousand"
That's because you are smarter than the average sodpoodle!I am signing off this thread in total humiliation....cannot claim to be dyslexic.....just dumb:(
Go back to your studies!
Thats what you get for taking a Democrat at his word.
I see you have a lot of confidence in liberal democrats.
see post #26
And the last Democrat was Henry Wade.
This has become a huge problem especially in right to work States.
No reason given for being fired and being replaced by a less compentent / no experienced person.
I don't want to get into it, but this cost my wife her job right after Christmas.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.