Sunday, November 25, 2007

Governor's fixer profiled, panned

Different people view Texas A&M administrator and former TYC conservator Jay Kimbrough in quite different lights. Emily Ramshaw offers up an almost ritualistic hagiogoraphy of the Governor's fixer in the Dallas News, while a letter writer in the Austin Statesman found recent comments by Mr. Kimbrough about an alleged insider deal on a questionable TYC contract "shameful."

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Personally, I think Jay Kimbrough is suffering from some type of developmental disorder.

Anonymous said...

Personally, I can not think of a thing he did good for TYC that he toots his horn about except screw it up worse than it has ever been.
Just What did he accomplish on the positive side for Texas Youth?
None of that stuff is working,or if it is in place no one seems to be following it. I am personally sick and tired of hearing about what hero he is. He was not the only marine that served in VN.
My brother served and many of my friends and most did not come back and that makes them the real heros of that war.

Anonymous said...

more like a personality disorder.

Anonymous said...

Is it not sad that Mr. Kimbrough would state that he idolized President Kennedy and wanted to serve in his honor and then make the comment about not caring if Phillps was on the grassy knoll in Dallas? This is not the way I honor people!!!

I admire and respect Mr. Kimbrough for his service in Viet Nam and for his attendance at military funerals. However, I admire those that do not need to be recognized daily for the same service. Both my husband and brother served in Viet Nam and my brother was injured by schrapnel. I can count on one hand the times that either of them have spoken about their service there. They have let that part of their lives go.

If TYC is rehabilitated, then I must be at the wrong agency! He came in, fired some felons, drew a big check, and moved on. So many innocent lives were destroyed, but I suppose that is what he learned in Viet Nam. I have witnessed dozens of JCO's leave their jobs because they could not take this any longer. They are totally exhausted and no one is listening to them.

Transparency? What a joke. The only thing that is transparent about this mess is that we have a lot of politicians who are looking to keep their jobs or those of their friends. I also found it interesting that his daughter works for TDCJ!!!

If Ms. Ramshaw wants to write a story about heroes, she needs to contact the TYC JCO's!

Anonymous said...

Ms. Ramshaw left out the part where Jay Kimbrough violated several laws while in charge of TYC. His supposed care for the TYC youth is no excuse for his lawless operation of TYC. Kimbrough is a political operative for the governor. His job was to keep the heat off the governor and he did a stellar job of it. Create so many other major news stories people forget about the real story. Why have the people responsible for the sexual misconduct and those who helped them cover it up gone unpunished? Doesn’t look like Jay Kimbrough did too good of a job of bringing the wrong doers and criminals to justice. Had Jay Kimbrough brought those people to justice who would it have connected to the cover up? Serious crimes were over looked by Jay Kimbrough who was a former AG lawyer! If Jay Kimbrough is so good at taking care of problems why were the criminals allowed to walk away and why is TYC such a mess today? Also how much more mileage is Jay Kimbrough going to get out of his military service? The guy got a Purple Heart not the Medal of Honor! Just like thousands of other young men he got injured, he did not charge a machine gun or fall on a hand grenade to save others. To treat Jay Kimbrough as if he was a Medal of Honor winner is a slap in the face of all of those who gave their best and were awarded the Medal of Honor. The real heroes I have had the privilege to meet have been very shy about their service.

Anonymous said...

Say what you may about Jay, but I would take him any day over the weak kneed do nothing Administrators we currently have. At least he would make a decision and stand behind it. Have not seen much of that lately have you, thought not!!!!

Leaders do make mistake and some learn from them, right now we have no leadership and when a decision is made they blame the underlings for the mistake. Give me Jay any day!!!

Anonymous said...

Jay didn't even have the backbone to meet with me when I requested it. He initially agreed to meet with me, but backed out. He instead decided to boot me out of TYC based on false allegations made by a mother of a TYC youth that lied everytime his mouth was open. Jay should be ashamned of the "grassy knoll" comment. Jay is no American hero. Hell, my uncle was wounded in Nam, and he is a disabled vet that suffers PTSD, he stays drunk, and has numerous health problems from the Asian Orange. He has more patriotism and honor in his little toe than Jay has in his whole body. Be a good lap dog for the Gov. Jay, and go fetch another scandal so you can screw up more lives. I know you read GFB, you told me yourself, so read this, and know that there is a time and a place that all of this will come back to you double that you have dished out on others. I pray God has mercy on your soul.

Anonymous said...

Kimbrough came in like gang-busters to protect the governor AND himself. Mr. Kimbrough was in charge at the AG's office when the West Texas allegations were first reported. He knew about it and did nothing. We should never forget that. The governor's people knew, and did nothing. We need to remember that, also. Remember that a Texas Ranger claimed to have the evidence, but he let the alleged perpetrators run around free for two years. The DA in Ward County did nothing, and Kimbrough did not press the issue. Remember that, too.

Remember that the ONLY decisive action taken in 2005 to protect West Texas youth from the two accused staff was when the central office administration terminated them.

Kimbrough was mixed up in the mess very early on, and deliberately hurt many good people who he knew had nothing to do with the abuse. Kimbrough is the one covering up, if you ask me. He should be ashamed to have participated in this article.

Anonymous said...

The dude is a Texas fraud.

Anonymous said...

Let me add to my 8:59 post: Our elected officials knew, and did nothing, until they saw a moment when they believed Perry was vulnerable. Employees and youth of TYC have been used and abused by the politicians on both sides for their own selfish purposes. And now, they have left TYC in the hands of incompetents and I'm afraid not even Jay the Great can fix it.

Anonymous said...

Using words like honor and integrity in the same sentence with the name Kimbrough shows a distinct absence of reality. When he came to WTSS, he threatened senior staff with "you'll either go along with what I say or one of us is going to the Emergency room." As I recall, he had a writer from the Houston Chronical with him; strange that comment never made it into the MSM.

Anonymous said...

Jay is a Wimp,, He cant fight !!!! He rides a Harley to try to prove to others He is a man!!!I bet when this is all over we see some major pay offs were done with Him ,,,And I bet they are grooming Him for the next Gov....I always said that foold would use the TYC for a stepping stone..Keep your eyes open.

Anonymous said...

Grits, any chance the MSM can be reminded about the contents of the 1st paragraph of 8:59's comments? I'd love to see that come out there.

Anonymous said...

Is this Kimbrough fella getting ready to run for a political office or the next A&M president?

Anonymous said...

He's gotta be running for something? Why else would he go public that he takes overnighters with Perry while they both wear leather? Makes you look at bikers in a whole new light, huh? Here's hoping that on one of their trips they run into a group of pissed of Banditos.

Anonymous said...

This all started with Whitmire seeing an oportunity to get the Gov. The Gov. was slick and brought in Kimbrough. Whitmire initially resisted, then did a dramatic turn-around and became a cheerleader for Kimbrough - what do you suppose happened?

I'll bet Kimbrough had a little talk with Whitmire in which he showed him that he had opened a pandoras box; because it is well-documented that the AGs office knew, the Gov. knew, and Whitmire knew way back during an election year - and none of them did anything at that time. Politics makes strange bedfellows. Kimbrough was the "fixer" and he did his job well - to the benefit of the politicians and to the great detriment to the kids and staff of TYC - not to mention the citizens of this state!

As for being a hero - bullsh*t! We vets know - most of us just did our jobs, some got wounded, but we all know real heroes, so we know the difference between those like Kimbrough and his political ilk (such as one who ran for president recently) and the real thing. Old Salty

Anonymous said...

Sadly, I would have to agree with all of you. Kimbrough, Perry and the other politicians have only used these JCO's. I AM NOT A TYC WORKER....but I understand what they are going thru. I understand what the kids are going thru and yet, every chance they get...they try to make this out to be something good. He did nothing for the agency, he fired some good people...regardless of a felony background...I actually am to the position NOW that the felons understood the situation a hell of alot better then we do! They know the system inside out and was doing a good job, the JCO's work hard and yet nothing to help further has been done. The mother of that kid, I can't remember is name, but I swear I think they even have a handle on things better then Kimbrough and those folks. I see why they fight so hard...this all seems political and nothing seems to be getting done. I agree with the word of God, he must be sending witnesses to stand against this place and these politicans. This is ridiculous. JCO's you guys are doing a good job....with what you are working with...um, sounds almost like the Hebrew slaves...*go get your own mud and go get your own straw....but build US the pyramid. UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL.

Anonymous said...

Everyone needs to email Ms. Ramshaw about the Jay Kimbrough they know! I CCed Greg Jones while I was at it. Might do her good to see Mr. Kimbrough from a different point of view.

Anonymous said...

I have two moped's that can be modified for Perry and Kimbrough 7:40. I purchased them at a A&M benefit for the cheerleaders last year. One is pink and the other canary yellow. Both have the governors autograph on the seats. There are also two set of leathers available that may go well with these two impressive bikers. No better a cheerleader in the state than Perry, he was A&M trained as a yell leader. Go Booys Go!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Jay Kimbrough is a typical combat vet; We came back while others didn't and we wonder; "Why me? Why did I survive and he did not?" We spend the rest of our lives wondering. We feel guilty when we enjoy a moment in life knowing our comrades in arms cannot.

How do you deal with it Old Salty? It is obvious Jay became a "work-aholic". Regardless of what you think about Jay's Post Vietnam Service I don't believe you should attempt to tarnish his military service to make a point. As someone once said, "If you were not there, there are NOT enough words to explain it; if you were no words are necessary".

Retired 2004

Anonymous said...

Kimbrough hired Ed, Dimitria, Steve, Wade, etc. by bypassing the hiring process. He had friends or political hacks hired as consultants for big bucks, etc.etc. For all the evil he's done he really needs to hide behind the flag.

Anonymous said...

8:59 you are so right. Don't forget that Alfonso was also assigned oversight of TYC at that time, too.

Old Salty, the reason that Whitmire stopped fussing after Jay was in charge was that they struck a deal to put Whitmire's former mistress in as acting ED. This gave Whitmire the control he wanted and, if she wasn't failing so badly, would have let the Governor take the agency out of conservatorship.

Anonymous said...

Yes, 8:27 p.m., and Alfonso was briefed by TYC on the investigation at West Texas on March 4, 2005. That day, an arrest was expected, but TYC had been asked by law enforcement not to give any details to the public or media. (I have this from an e-mail that was published by the DMN.) It's probably fair to say that everyone ASSUMED the two would be arrested, but no one followed up to be sure. TYC can't arrest anyone but gets pounded and others get commendations from the legislature or puff pieces in the DMN. Wouldn't it be amusing if neither of the two are convicted? Stranger things have happened.

Anonymous said...

Retired 2004 - your last sentence makes my point exactly. I was not demeaning his service, I am decrying his wrapping himself in the flag the way he does, as the next poster put it.

I served in the Marine Corps Infantry, in combat in Vietnam. I did the job I was given to do, and, I like to think I did it well - just like most of us who served. Nothing special- nothing to brag about. I was not there during the really tough times - Jay was. But, so were a lot of other people. There are a few people I know who are true heroes - who went through unbelievable hell and kept going. I have never heard any of them brag, or tell "war stories." I would tell you about some of them, but it would piss them off, so I won't.

So, I respect the fact that Jay served in VN, and that he did it at a particularly tough time. But...One of the qualities Marines value most highly is integrity. We are disappointed in leaders who show a lack of integrity, and we are particularly ashamed when a fellow Marine shows a lack of integrity. Maybe that's why so many of us are pissed at brother Jay, because he's a member of the family. Old Salty

Anonymous said...

Neither of those WTSS guys will see a day behind bars and you can thank your Governor, dear old loyal Jay, the "Ranger", and the MSM for that...oh and let's not forget that wonderful DA and the FEDS who knew he was just sitting on the case...Texas Government at it's best. Gosh, I used to be proud to say I was from Texas but thanks to Gov Good Hair, we're nothing but a bathroom joke now. We have got to get these fools out of office. People, if you don't vote, then don't bi$%h.

Anonymous said...

Just beceause He served in Vietnam doesnt mean He is a Saint!!!

Anonymous said...

Old Salty: I understand.

Retired 2004